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Just picked up 2002 zx12r

3K views 22 replies 11 participants last post by  ZuminaZX 
#1 ·
After a month of search, I finally picked up zx12r...
its 2002
one owner bike with 6800 miles
Besides flush mount signals, integrated taillight and under tail is all stock

Needs a good cleaning its bee barely used in last3 years, besides a cruise down the block or gas station.

Valve cover gasket is leaking,common I know(any updated part number/fix or just follow manual?)

For this season I plan to:

-change all the fluids, spark plugs etc
-punch out the cat and enjoy it...

Over winter I plan to get Full exhaust, PC V with auto tune and couple other bits

BTW as of now this is the most comfortable sport bike I have ever ridden
I drove 120miles to get it and It was nice ride back home
Steering feels really heavy compared to other bikes but I think 190 rear tire will fix that....oh and 120 miles to the tank lol Love it

Here are some pics





 
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#3 ·
Looks like a nice bike! :thumbup:
A 190/55, especially one with a high profile makes a huge difference to the turning of the bike. Doesn't seem to destabilise it any either. I've just fitted Pirelli 200/55 DRCs and they're great.
It's good now, but it'll always be too big and heavy to handle like a track bike.
 
#5 ·
Which one feels better 190/55 or 200/55
Good choice, you will love it. If you want to turn better consider a set of Pirelli rosso tires with a 180/55 rear. Some don't think its safe on a 6 inch rim but this size and tire type is all I've run since 1997 after trying everything else. It is simply awesome.

Lou
People say that going to 180 you can push it to the limit and bat things can happen
 
#4 ·
Good choice, you will love it. If you want to turn better consider a set of Pirelli rosso tires with a 180/55 rear. Some don't think its safe on a 6 inch rim but this size and tire type is all I've run since 1997 after trying everything else. It is simply awesome.

Lou
 
#8 ·
I ran 190/55 and 200/55 either side of my winter break. So difficult to campare. They both turn in a lot better than the 200/50.
I've had both higher profile sizes of Pirelli DRC tyres. The 190/55 was straight after the standard tyres so felt very different. The 200/55 went pretty much to the edge on the first trip back from having the suspension rebuilt. They don't look much wider, I must admit part of the reason for my choice was the look of a wider tyre. There's not much in it, plus there's a lot more choice of 190/55 currently.
 
#9 ·
BTW where is the best place to get valve cover gasket? updated pat #? or any special technique so it doesn't leak again??
 
#11 ·
Btw are guys using rtv seal? Only for half moons or everywhere??
IN between valve cover and gasket or gasket and head?
Someone just suggested to clean is super good and use silicone grease
Also outing extra shims under bolts will fix the leak like on zx14?
Also manual doesn't show torque sequence
I know it lots of questions but I wanna do it once lol
 
#12 ·
you can use a very thin shim or wave washer on the bolts to get a little extra squish on the gasket before the bolt bottoms out. clean it up and use some permatex ultra black (not regular, use ultra)

the cam sensor o ring may be leaking on you too. on the last one i did, i used a slightly fatter std sized o ring.
 
#13 · (Edited)
But I have permatex ultra on both sides of valve cover gasket correct?
What torquing sequence to use for bolts manual doesn't state any
 
#16 ·
Very nice 12 you have there
welcome to the forums too
it is nice to see pictures like this makes me happy :thumbup: to see yet another 12 back on the road from stored / hidden from view :clap:
 
#17 ·
We'll bike is apart all new fluids! Bmc race air filter showed up,believe last one I was able to find
Also I will change valve cover gasket and spark plugs, and whatever is needed
 
#19 ·
What are they for??
 
#20 · (Edited)
They attach the front fairing stay to the frame via the steering head. If one of the nuts come off it could fall down into the are passed over by the steering stop and block your steering..............:scared: If they're just loose, they won't be supporting your fairing, and that can cause cracks.
 
#22 · (Edited)
I'll get nylon locking nuts just to be safe
That size are they m10??
 
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