what can you guys tell me about a 96 zx6 e4 W/ 30K I just got for free? It's been sitting unstarted for 2 yrs. learned on an 883 but this is my first sport bike. What I want to know is what the goods and bads are about the bike and where do I start on this project? Just replaced the battery, the front wheel won't spin freely. Is the first step to replace all the fluids? Gas tank is empty. And bike is grimy in general.

 

Sounds like either the front brakes are binding or the wheel bearings are shot.

First make sure you can get it into neutral then put some fuel in it and see if it starts. How it behaves from there will give you a lot of clues as to the rest of the bike.

In good condition they're a hell of a bike and more than capable of losing you your license with little effort (ie they're quick).

 

You would try to start it before replacing fluids?

 

Replace the oil of course, but brake fluid and even coolant (so long as that's full) can wait. You're not trying to ride it, just see if it turns over and starts. If it does, great! Now shut it off and get to cleaning it up. If not you have more pressing issues.

 

Thanks a bunch. What oil brand and weight do you recommend? I've read not full but semi synthetic to avoid clutch slip. I live in CA so weather is not a big issue.

 

RUN! FLEE! AN OIL QUESTION!

Ok, on a serious note, just pick a decent motorcycle oil that's in the recommended weight range for that bike and your climate. It's listed in the owner's manual (usually) which should have been on the bike somewhere. If not I'd GUESS you want a 15w40. Castrol 4T will do to get you going. It's probably not the BEST for that bike but it won't hurt it. Some people run diesel oil, just whatever you do stay away from anything with friction modifiers. They're poison to the clutch and clutch plates aren't all that cheap.
Don't forget to change the filter as well. A dirty filter will contaminate the new oil.

 

Welcome to KF and congrats on the new ride.
'96 600 C-9 possibly? SAE 10-40, your bike needs cleaned up and warmed up before you even think about the spendy oils.

Generally, with any ride that has sat, the brakes tend to freeze up. You could have other issues, but I like to start there after all of the turning of the engine over by hand to see if the engine turns over freely after squirting some marvel mystery oil or diesel down the cylinders. don't force the engine to turn over, just see if it will easily turn over with the oil in the cylinders.

Then move on from there.

the goods and bads with this ride. From my understanding, the kawis cam chain tensioner is still bad on those. They are a good street ride with crappy suspension. Check the valves and adjust right away in my opinion.

 

How do you crank it over by hand

 

There's usually a threaded plug in the left hand engine cover (left when you're sitting on the bike) that when removed will let you put a socket on the end of the crank. If you take out the spark plugs and put the bike in neutral you should be able to turn the engine over like this by hand quite easily.

 

Definately an e4.no manual. I can probably do the valves with a manual. Having a hard time finding an e4 manual. Neither Haynes or clymer carry them for that model