Although the Z’s nine years old, she’s still able to zip around the streets effortlessly. Most of the recent miles racked up on the bike are commuter and sprint joy rides.

I have yet to do a trackday with this bike, but I imagine that the suspension could use a little adjustment because I’m constantly riding it like a road bicycle around the San Franciscan hills. The steering bearings also need to be replaced because they are greatly notched. Once the bearings are replaced, smoothness, lightness, and evenness will easily be noticed when handling the bike. With these minor fixes I’m sure it would show some more talent in the corners, but not much potential compared to the newer bikes and their capabilities. Riding like this makes for a good workout on city streets though.

I recently had a mini service done at 32,228 miles and the only major things changed were the rear tire and the oil. Before, the bike had a 190/50ZR Dunlop d616 rear tire which provided a wider surface area for turning, but also adding a stall to the bike’s cornering. I switched to a 180/55 d616 to see how I’d like it, and I have to admit that I like it better because the turns are quicker. In addition, the look of the wider tire definitely gives it that extra badass look. I had a talk with one of the mechanics where I got my bike serviced, and they asked me which set of tires I liked compared to the ones I’ve had. I’ve been brought up on Bridgestone riding in the streets, and the last set of Bridgestones I had were the Battlax BT-023 Sport Touring tires. At the time when I had my 06’ gixxer, this was one of the most modern and cheapest of the Bridgestone tires. I decided to give them a try to see if they would last longer because of the increase in my riding. Bridgestone tires have improved, but are most likely meant for bikes on the heftier side like TRLs, FJRs and bikes of that sort. The slippage feeling due to having a gixxer on flat profile tires that lack grip prove not fun, but the tire held up alright compared to the older Bridgestones I’ve had.

So between having Maxxis street tires and a bunch of Bridgestones, I have to say the Dunlop d616s are made perfectly for the z1000 on dry land and in the rain. These tires put the confidence in riding everywhere you go, and feeling any type of slippage is an afterthought. Best value tires for this bike because of the aggressive styling and durable performance.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of our new Winter/ Spring 2012 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE. Don’t worry, shipping is free!

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So I finally got the left side mirror to the 2003 Kawasaki Z1000, and me and my bike feel whole again. Taking apart the rig was fairly easy as well as satisfying. Cutting into that plumbers tape was almost as fun as smashing a pumpkin out in a field; notice I said almost. Anyways, the mirror was fairly easy to replace. There were no extra pieces to tighten and no worries about scratching up the parts that come with the mirror. Just one piece of mirror to go into the handle bar, tighten and done! That’s what I call a piece of cake. Check out what I mean in the video.

If you have been keeping up with our repair files, you’ll notice that before the mirror was broken the last person that owned this bike had two different types of mirrors. The mirror with the black rubber thimble is obviously a recent mechanical adjustment on Kawasaki’s behalf. This thimble is there to make the structure look neat and to conceal its bits. Now instead of having just one of these, I have a matching set. Quick and easy repairs are the best in my opinion. Okay folks this is Studdly signing off.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.

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What’s good riders? Remember the problem I had on my 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 involving the left mirror being annoyingly loose? The other day, I was checking to see if it could be tightened by taking the base of the mirror’s tubular nut, and tightening the smaller nut inside.

Well initially the point was to reveal and release this nut and put on a thread locking compound in order to assure its security, but what ended up happening was something completely different and disappointing.

In works of tightening the smaller nut, combined with the thread locking compound, I ended up over tightening the much worn screw tip of the mirror and twisted it off, OOPS! Silly me, I forgot the number one rule when tightening anything, “once tight, it’s enough.”

It also didn’t help that I had some verbal encouragement from a guy (Paul) who failed to realize that I’m the type of person that doesn’t know her own strength. But he didn’t fail to point out that I broke my mirror by saying “look, you broke your mirror.” Thanks for the commentary as always Paul!

Well now instead of having an annoyingly loose mirror, I now have a mirror in two pieces. It was time for a quick fix. To pocket the mirror was one idea, but there is just something about a bike with missing limbs that bugs me. So I decided to reattach the mirror by using electrical tape until I got home to figure out a more solid temporary solution.

The best idea I had was to use a bonding and hardening solution. This will be satisfactory until I’m able to replace the mirror. So I went to the hardware store and bought a Plastic Steel Epoxy bonding solution and some plumbers tape to add reassurance and security. This temporary solution was very promising, but there is always room for failure.

I filled the tubular nut shaft up with the mixture and pretty much stuck the broken end of the mirror in; making sure to add more mixture around it. After that I taped it up with the plumbers tape making sure to create a tight, shell like cocoon to add extra support. After the 24 hour waiting period I took a test run around the area to make sure it was at least stable with city riding, and it turns out to be a piece of cake. And it handles the freeway the same way with a small exception of having a little give, but this all could mean I did not apply enough mixture in and around the shaft. Regardless, I rate this a successful rig and am satisfied for now.

I thought about replacing both the mirrors and getting a cool new set. This still sounds like a good idea because the last owner of the bike already had missed match pieces to the set of mirrors on the bike. But I can always get an original replacement of the left view mirror, and will be equally happy. Now I can at least say that I have options. Alrighty, this is Studdly signing off.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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When I said I wanted something new and different before, I said I would be getting a bike completely out of the liter range. But since then, I’ve had a change of heart when I saw this beautiful 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 for the right price.

I am very familiar with Kawasaki because I’ve owned a 1995 ZX6 and a 2001 ZX6r sport, so I knew that this Japanese naked bike could take my city thrashing. The first thing that attracted me to her was the dual exhausts on both sides. This makes the bike look like a mean street fighting machine. The upright handle bars make for a nice comfortable riding position as opposed to my past bike, the 2006 Suzuki GSXR1000.

And the last owner was kind enough to install some heated handgrips for the foggy city, thanks! D616 Dunlop tires were installed and I must say not only do they look sexy, but they add to the extra zest of the bike. The Z1000 really picks up at about 4000rpm, and although lacks luster at the top, this bike still makes for a fantastic naked street bike.

The Z starts right up everytime and sounds like it’s fresh off the showroom. This bike is not ideal for the twisties, but is decent enough to accomplish a fun and pleasant ride. I love the classic aggressive looks as it’s still capable of drawing compliments from both the fresh and the well seasoned.

Overall I am very pleased with my purchase and the performance of this naked bike. It has turned out to be the best bang for my buck and as a whole the best economical purchase that I’ve made this year. The first mod of the bike might be the exhausts, but hopefully we can find some pipes that keep the twin style on both sides going. This is Studdly signing off folks.

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Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.

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