The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original > The Bike - C10

"Old Bike" maintenance?

(1/3) > >>

dboogie2288:
Hey all, so those of us with ZG1000 units, well, the newest one is 16 years old at this point. What are some maintenance items that I should be watching out for at the ole girls age?

I've got all steel brake lines, so no rubber rotting there. I just did coolant, and brake fluid. I did pad changes last year. Oil gets done before every season regardless of mileage. Tires as needed. I did Steve's Carb job w/ overflow tubes in 2018 I think it was. I feel like she's fit as a fiddle for now, but curious to see what others would be concerned about at 16 years old.

DC Concours:
How many miles on your bike?

You should replace all fluids everywhere. I am sure you have over the years.

Many delay general lubrication service including the shaft drive joints and rear spline (both best done when you are replacing the rear tire).

Stasch:
My 2000 C10 is 22-23 years old with almost 110,000 miles on it.  The 2003 has over 66,000 miles.

They both start and run like new.

I do normal routine maintenance at regular intervals like oil and oil filter changes, valve adjustments, carb sync, air filter cleaning, checking brake pads, greasing shock linkage zerks, etc. just like lower mileage C10's would receive.

Just did a valve adjust and noticed some oil in a couple of the spark plug wells.  That was my prompt to replace the valve cover grommets with new ones.  Still on the original valve cover gasket!

Already have braided brake lines in front, but not on clutch or rear brake systems.  Probably should be considering that at some point.

Winterizing (something not all bike owners have to do) is important.  When properly done, it results in easy startup the following spring.  My carbs haven't been off the 2000 since 15,788 miles since way back in July of 2004.

I keep a proactive eye on stuff and address things when spotted, rather than waiting for something to fail or wear out completely.

Probably over due for coolant system hose change out and its been quite a while since I replaced hydraulic fluid in brake and clutch systems.

I keep a log of all maintenance, checks and fixes with date, mileage, maintenance type and specifics of what was done.  With multiple bikes and other vehicles its a must to keep everything straight and stay on top of maintenance schedules.

Daytona_Mike:
I would be wanting to service the forks by changing the fluid and checking for stiction  .. service / inspect the  stem bearings  and  one  biggie that got me..   change the 'O' ring seal on the thermostat housing..  you will understand when you see the old one has now  turned into a soft goo like substance.  ..oh.. carry a spare throttle  cable with you.. ( the pull  cable )  That one got me too.

Strawboss:
Maybe the way you worded it, but I change my oil at the end of a season, so the bad stuff does not sit all winter, but it also starts the season with new oil. Seafoam in the fuel before winter storage. I do pretty much what others do here. But the simple task of regular fluid change is probably the single best thing you could do for your bike to keep it running well. A Kawasaki shop manual will tell you everything that needs attention, follow that and you will be fine.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page