The rectifier on my '15 is on the left side - completely on the opposite location.


I've done something similar to what you're doing; Bambi's dad sideswiped me. I can related with your project. You'll be vastly happier with the end result. I know I am.


The downside, if it really can be considered a downside, is the addictive desire to incorporate already calculated modifications.

It's a long spiralled Rabbit Hole.

I know, i saw that on many pics/videos and the '15 manual. I did my research before attempting!
The '09-12 has the rectifier and the main wiring on the right side.I don't know why Kawi decided to flip sides.

It was where they (K) mirgated the shite charcoal cannister, etc for the KLEEN (K.'s version of PAIR). I'm not always sure the engineers have a rational for doing what they do. Job security.

Your bike looks really good. You also have some great mechanical skills putting all that together. You wouldnt happen to live in cali lol could definately use your help fixing up my 636

Thanks!!I try to do my best!!
Would love to help you with your bike!! But i live on the other side of the planet!!!

I used to have a bike like yours, check my sig about that 636 and the time i spent on it!

At least you are still dealing with your own bike, that you are fully aware of its history (compared to the risks of buying a different used bike).
Looks great, you've obviously put in a lot of hard work, the results look stunning! The Red/Black custom look, with alot of attitude.

Plus having the knowledge to break down the bike extensively is obviously a big bonus, as you've been able to then re-assemble exactly how you'd like it / with all the new parts.

Well, if you know most common things that get damaged when a bike falls and usual stuff people screw up and don't notice, you can spot a good bike. Although, yes having your own bike with known history is a plus.

It was my first time reassembling a whole bike, it's not a big deal. If you have all the tools needed, you only need basic skills. 99% of the process is screwing bolts... And if you forget anything, there's the service manual!!

But what you find simple to re-build, might infact be a major challenge for the next individual.

I'd like to remove the rear end of mine, to do some work on the suspension, plus new swingarm etc, but I wouldn't even know how best to "support" the bike up, to do this work (if those components are coming off). Suppose you'd need a Jack under the frame somewhere (so the tail is free, for dismantling).

Yep, pretty simple actually. I always use 2 jack stands, one under each foot peg (assuming you don't have folding pegs...if not, you'll have to find another spot). That frees up the whole rear end so you can take your shock off, swing arm, or whatever else you want.

Great tip! I have jack stands.

I think the foot pegs do fold, but should still be a location where the Pegs secure, to support the bike up each side....... will investigate further.

Will source all the bits I want, so I'd only need to jack up the bike + strip the rear down just the once, rather than a couple of operations to get all the work done. Plus fairing would likely come off, to service the bike while its off the road too.

I just use the rear stand to basically lower the bike on the jack stands. I set the bike up on the stands, and put the jacks under each bike like I said as far up as I can, so that there's barely any space between the pegs and the jacks. Then I take the rear stand off, and as I do that the bike lowers on the jacks, and voila!

Nicely done. Will defo be using this technique. Thanks for the guidance.

So...i was checking the service manual and noticed that....i have almost 22.000km and last time i changed my spark plugs was...never!!!
So another night with my flashlight


Old vs new


And after some heavy rain, i lift my bike cover to see this!!!!Anyone came across this sight before??My brake lines turned gray!




It's only the cover of the brake line, but if it doesn't change colour back to black, i'll have to get some new ones.

Hey, would you happen to know if you're able front fairing and headlight of the 2013 onto the 2009 without swapping the side fairings? I might be doing this fairing swap in the next month and I was just curious if I could get away with just the front. Thanks

I didn't try that, so i don't know if the nose(13+) fits to the side fairings(9-12).
But...
13+ nose and headlight need the 13+ ram air and gauge bracket, headlight fits different bulbs, so you have to alter your wiring harness or make adapters like i did. And there is also 1 piece of plastic under the nose of the 9-12 that connects to 2 others, inner of side fairings.While the 13+ doesn't have this. Inner plastics of side fairings meet eachother under the nose fairing.