Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum banner

Shop Technicians get in here!

773 Views 9 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Drop2
Hey everyone!

So I've recently bought a used 2004 zx6r, with really low miles. About 5200. Anyway, I would normally do all the services and checks myself, but with my recent promotion at work, I'm working 16-18 hours a day, everyday, with a day or two off every two weeks. Because of this I don't have time to do said service.
So my question is, would a Shop Tecg, or any of you be offended, or refuse to work on my bike if I brought in a list of things I wanted checked/replaced/adjusted, as well as my preferred oil and fluids? I'm really not looking to piss anyone off with this, I just want my bike up to snuff so I can stop worrying about it, and ride. Thanks for taking a look!
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Keep in mind I'm not bringing in any physical parts, or fluids, just the list itself, so I would be buying everything from the shop.
Keep in mind I'm not bringing in any physical parts, or fluids, just the list itself, so I would be buying everything from the shop.
Call the shops, and ask. Get quotes for the work, and any recommendations you can..... then do what works the best for you.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I do not see why any service center would be offended, if they are....... I would find a different service center!

At 5200 miles and 11 years old what is on your list?
  • Like
Reactions: 3
I'll give the shop a call Tuesday, or just wait and talk to them in person on Friday, when I go to buy some gear.

My list is as follows;

Change: Oil and Filter (Motul 7100), Air Filter, Brake Fluid (Motul 5.1), Spark Plugs (NGK CR9EIX), Coolant (Engine Ice), Tires (Pilot Power 2CT), as well as flushing the coolant and brake system clean, replace auto CCT with a Manual unit.

Lube: All cables, pivot points, and chain (also inspect chain and sprockets, replace if necessary, and adjust chain slack to 1.35 in).

Inspect and Replace if necessary: Vacuum lines, Crankcase ventilation tube, fuel lines/system/filter, exhaust, sync throttle bodies, cooling system (test fan, inspect lines for leaks), Brake system (replace pads if necessary), clutch function and adjustment, forks (check fluid level and for leaks, if fluid must be changed use Bel-Ray), Battery voltage and lines, check all vital fasteners.

As of right now, that's all I have on my list. Would you add anything? What do you think this will cost me, excluding parts?
See less See more
RiversZZR will give you a better idea of labor hours for what you want to do... labor rates are easily close to or greater than $75/hr.

As far as items to correct; I'd toss the battery without a second thought. Also you probably will have some sticky micro switches from sitting that much. The one at the side stand, and clutch lever are prone to this.

Gas tank internals are suspect -- shine a light in there and see what condition it is in. If it's full of rust, that's another area that will need attention or you will spend the rest of your time with that bike futzing with it.
I'll give the shop a call Tuesday, or just wait and talk to them in person on Friday, when I go to buy some gear.

My list is as follows;

Change: Oil and Filter (Motul 7100), Air Filter, Brake Fluid (Motul 5.1), Spark Plugs (NGK CR9EIX), Coolant (Engine Ice), Tires (Pilot Power 2CT), as well as flushing the coolant and brake system clean, replace auto CCT with a Manual unit.

Lube: All cables, pivot points, and chain (also inspect chain and sprockets, replace if necessary, and adjust chain slack to 1.35 in).

Inspect and Replace if necessary: Vacuum lines, Crankcase ventilation tube, fuel lines/system/filter, exhaust, sync throttle bodies, cooling system (test fan, inspect lines for leaks), Brake system (replace pads if necessary), clutch function and adjustment, forks (check fluid level and for leaks, if fluid must be changed use Bel-Ray), Battery voltage and lines, check all vital fasteners.

As of right now, that's all I have on my list. Would you add anything? What do you think this will cost me, excluding parts?
So mount and balance 2 new tires........$80 (prices vary, but examples)
Install a new tensioner ........................$50
The oil/filter and all those basic things....$100
Then you have fork oil change..............$120

That would be my ballpark guess, $350 for the labor on everything you want done

I highly doubt you would need;
brake pads, sprockets (chain maybe if it is rusty or kinked etc...), fuel lines or vacuum lines or crankcase vent tube etc... You may well not even need an air filter, but good to look at, especially since you are in there for throttle body sync and new plugs (which you may well not really need the plugs either....but)
I am not going to go into parts pricing...
RiversZZR will give you a better idea of labor hours for what you want to do... labor rates are easily close to or greater than $75/hr.

As far as items to correct; I'd toss the battery without a second thought. Also you probably will have some sticky micro switches from sitting that much. The one at the side stand, and clutch lever are prone to this.

Gas tank internals are suspect -- shine a light in there and see what condition it is in. If it's full of rust, that's another area that will need attention or you will spend the rest of your time with that bike futzing with it.
Thanks for the input! It currently has a full tank of fuel, and I bought it from the original owner. According to him, the bike was started at least once a month and ran to temp, then shut off. (This, of course was during off season. He also stated he used a fuel stabilizer.) I'll drain the tank tomorrow night after work, and have a look for rust. Fingers crossed!
So mount and balance 2 new tires........$80 (prices vary, but examples)
Install a new tensioner ........................$50
The oil/filter and all those basic things....$100
Then you have fork oil change..............$120

That would be my ballpark guess, $350 for the labor on everything you want done

I highly doubt you would need;
brake pads, sprockets (chain maybe if it is rusty or kinked etc...), fuel lines or vacuum lines or crankcase vent tube etc... You may well not even need an air filter, but good to look at, especially since you are in there for throttle body sync and new plugs (which you may well not really need the plugs either....but)
I am not going to go into parts pricing...
That is nowhere near what I was expecting for labor. I definitely high balled that one lol. I'm well aware of the price for the parts, I was prepared to go in spending around $1500. I didn't really want to go over that, but it sounds like I won't have too. Thanks for the info, highly appreciated!
^ rust is more likely to be on the top inside surface of the tank.... to really look at it, you pretty much need to drain it, and pull the pump out and look from the bottom.......Of course you can look form the top first- if it is really bad, there will be rust on the bottom---but surface rust will begin in the air void at the top...

If a good service tech can't get your list done in about 4-4.5 hours, he likely isn't very good or is simply slow..
I mean I charge 80 to install 2 tires on the bike but can do them usually in 35-40 minutes
I charge 120 on the fork oil change, but again, it takes me an hour and maybe 1hr 10 if I go slow, and since the front wheel would already be off for the tires, save some time there
Oil/filter, throttle body sync, radiator flush, brake flush, power lube the cables, clean and lube the pivots, spark plugs and all that stuff... again no way that takes more than 75-90 minutes
That only leaves the tensioner, which while usually I only install while adjusting valves (much more exacting for adjustment purposes to have the valve cover off).... it is an under 1 hour job to install, especially with much of the shit already out of the way for the other services.

the only catch areas I see.....will the master cylinder or brake calipers need rebuilding.. add atleast an hour fifteen and about $100 in parts since there are so many O-rings in the calipers then another $45 for the master rebuild kit--just on the front..and if a new chain is required, although that is so super easy and fast it is maybe 15 minutes tops
See less See more
That is great info Riverszzr! Definitely gives me something to go off of, when I go in there and talk to the service department. I'll ne heading into Fay Meyers here in Denver, which is one if, if not the top shop in this area. Hopefully my confidence in them is rewarded by good service!
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top