- Warp12's 1989 V-Max Adventure -

[Fire-medic]

Ah the ZX-11! I have a story... this happened to me in the early 1990's.

One of the firefighters at work had a relative by marriage, a German guy who would come stateside and buy vehicles to ship back to Europe.

My co-worker had a Gen III Corvette, real chrome wire wheels & a burgundy lacquer paint job, a really-pretty car. He said his relative was pestering him to let him ship it to Europe to sell it for a lot of $$, and he was thinking of taking him up on it.

My co-worker also said his relative was buying new bikes & shipping them too. He said the relative's deal was that since he was buying multiples and was a frequent export dealer/re-seller, he could get bikes for cheaper. I asked him about the ZX-11 and he told me, "no-problem, I'll get a price for you."

So, the relative called me up and told me how it would work, no $$ up-front, he would call me when the bike was ready to be delivered, fully set-up, w/dealer's MSO & ready to be registered. I told him I would pay w/a cashier's check from my bank, he could meet me at the bank w/the bike, and once I was satisfied w/the paperwork, 'done-deal.' I told him I wanted a new bike, not a demo, not an 'export-only,' "no USA warranty not-valid" bike, or anything of that sort. The guy gave me a date and time, and that morning I went to the bank and got a cashier's check for ~$8K, more-or-less. I waited at home. The time the guy was supposed to bring the bike to my home on a trailer came and passed, I called the guy & he said the driver was picking up the bike from the dealer where it was being assembled & prepped, and he should be there soon. "Soon" came and went. Now the guy wasn't returning the calls I made. I took the check back to the bank and re-deposited my funds.

My co-worker should have paid attention, he gave the guy his Corvette, which promptly went into an ISO container and left from the Port of Miami FL for "Europe." He never saw his car or any money for it, and the "relative" was divorced from the family connection my co-worker had w/him.

About two years later, my co-worker came to me and said, "you remember my Corvette?" Of course I did.

"Well, I just got a call from INTERPOL, it's in Nigeria, if I want to claim it!" He said it turned up in some scam, and they tracked it back to his ownership.

So, I didn't get my new ZX-11 for 80% of new and I went-out and bought my year-old VMax instead, which is why I am on here, since I still have it!

 

[Warp12]

Ah the ZX-11! I have a story... this happened to me in the early 1990's.

One of the firefighters at work had a relative by marriage, a German guy who would come stateside and buy vehicles to ship back to Europe.

My co-worker had a Gen III Corvette, real chrome wire wheels & a burgundy lacquer paint job, a really-pretty car. He said his relative was pestering him to let him ship it to Europe to sell it for a lot of $$, and he was thinking of taking him up on it.

My co-worker also said his relative was buying new bikes & shipping them too. He said the relative's deal was that since he was buying multiples and was a frequent export dealer/re-seller, he could get bikes for cheaper. I asked him about the ZX-11 and he told me, "no-problem, I'll get a price for you."

So, the relative called me up and told me how it would work, no $$ up-front, he would call me when the bike was ready to be delivered, fully set-up, w/dealer's MSO & ready to be registered. I told him I would pay w/a cashier's check from my bank, he could meet me at the bank w/the bike, and once I was satisfied w/the paperwork, 'done-deal.' I told him I wanted a new bike, not a demo, not an 'export-only,' "no USA warranty not-valid" bike, or anything of that sort. The guy gave me a date and time, and that morning I went to the bank and got a cashier's check for ~$8K, more-or-less. I waited at home. The time the guy was supposed to bring the bike to my home on a trailer came and passed, I called the guy & he said the driver was picking up the bike from the dealer where it was being assembled & prepped, and he should be there soon. "Soon" came and went. Now the guy wasn't returning the calls I made. I took the check back to the bank and re-deposited my funds.

My co-worker should have paid attention, he gave the guy his Corvette, which promptly went into an ISO container and left from the Port of Miami FL for "Europe." He never saw his car or any money for it, and the "relative" was divorced from the family connection my co-worker had w/him.

About two years later, my co-worker came to me and said, "you remember my Corvette?" Of course I did.

"Well, I just got a call from INTERPOL, it's in Nigeria, if I want to claim it!" He said it turned up in some scam, and they tracked it back to his ownership.

So, I didn't get my new ZX-11 for 80% of new and I went-out and bought my year-old VMax instead, which is why I am on here, since I still have it!

That sir, is a great story!!! :worthy:

 

[minicopilot]

And if you have a soft spot for Kawasaki's (like I do), then you will appreciate this bedroom-wall survivor. The 1990 Kawasaki ZX-11:

Another classic that I would love to own!

Wow!!! Your enthusiasm and ambition inspires me........to spend money!!!!!!
Great nostalgia there. I never appreciated these machines back then the way I do now.
Thanks again for the great info, pictures, and stories!

 

[Warp12]

I got my 1985 rim in the mail today; it's gorgeous! I always like the '85 rim more, so I was anxious to see how much it weighed compared to the late model rim. After Captain Kyle explained that there was a giant snap ring that needed removed, I was able to remove the gear from the wheel. That probably explained why my pry bar and WD40 wasn't working, lol. A lot to learn on this old V-Max...

Anyway, I threw both wheels on the scale, equally equipped:

16.5 lbs for the late model wheel, and 15.7 lbs for the 1985 hoop. That's good enough for me, and my pair of 1985 wheels will be gracing the bike before too long.

 

[fltinstructor]

When looking at the 85 wheel, you left the axle sleeve in it. That would give it few grams less. :biglaugh:

 

[Warp12]

When looking at the 85 wheel, you left the axle sleeve in it. That would give it few grams less. :biglaugh:

Thanks for pointing that out! I didn't notice it; seems to have a fairly tight friction fit? I would like replace all of the wheel bearings before I put these wheels on the bike. On my 14R I use Worldwide Ceramic Bearings. You would not believe the difference it makes when you go to push the bikes around! At this point I have no idea on the size/type/number of bearings I need for this bike. More to learn!

 

[CaptainKyle]

Thanks for pointing that out! I didn't notice it; seems to have a fairly tight friction fit? I would like replace all of the wheel bearings before I put these wheels on the bike. On my 14R I use Worldwide Ceramic Bearings. You would not believe the difference it makes when you go to push the bikes around! At this point I have no idea on the size/type/number of bearings I need for this bike. More to learn!

I sell the pivot works bearings for them there just standard bearings. I could be wrong but I don't think they make ceramics for the old Vmax's

 

[Warp12]

I sell the pivot works bearings for them there just standard bearings. I could be wrong but I don't think they make ceramics for the old Vmax's

I might get with you on that, Kyle. I could at least start with good, standard bearings. Then I can also measure them all and see what options are out there.

 

[Warp12]

Well, I just got back from my first night ride on the bike:

I don't ride too much at night because my night vision isn't so good. But I went out with Racheal and used her GSXR headlight to guide the way in some spots. We had a nice highway ride, rolling right along at 80 mph (or so). I really have to twist it's tail to roll with that 1000 Suzuki! I told Racheal that "back in the day" you wouldn't have to pound on a V-Max so much because there simply wasn't a whole lot out there to challenge it. I noticed a little oil weeping from somewhere and it reminded me of my dad's bike that had the porous casting in the block. Just brought back some memories. I even remember the exact area his leaked from. If mine ever has the same problem, you can bet I am just going to epoxy it. This bike isn't going anywhere!!

Speaking of memories, another tattered pic of my dad's first '85 showed up today. This one was wrinkled, and had a little character:

I thought about that picture, knowing how long ago it was taken. Hard to imagine that 28 years ago my dad was only 34 years old...9 years younger than I am today! These old pictures I've carried with me through so many life experiences...and now I am reliving those old times on a 24 year old bike that really is just barely broken in. Now I'm about to make it look like my dad's 1985. Who could imagine even the story of this particular bike, the day it rolled off of the assembly line? How many of our bikes have great stories and experiences attached to them? More than any other bike I've owned in the last 10 years, this bike is bringing me home to what I love, and have missed, about motorcycling.

 

[Traumahawk]

This made me smile.

 

[alorio1]

You may want to check with Captain Kyle on the paint for an 85, seems he repainted one a while back and the bike looked like an original 85. It seems he used a mustang color from that same era in time and it may have been from a 65 mustang, but check with him he may be able to get you close to what you are looking for.......

 

[Warp12]

Well, I just got back from my first night ride on the bike:

I don't ride too much at night because my night vision isn't so good. But I went out with Racheal and used her GSXR headlight to guide the way in some spots. We had a nice highway ride, rolling right along at 80 mph (or so). I really have to twist it's tail to roll with that 1000 Suzuki! I told Racheal that "back in the day" you wouldn't have to pound on a V-Max so much because there simply wasn't a whole lot out there to challenge it. I noticed a little oil weeping from somewhere and it reminded me of my dad's bike that had the porous casting in the block. Just brought back some memories. I even remember the exact area his leaked from. If mine ever has the same problem, you can bet I am just going to epoxy it. This bike isn't going anywhere!!

Speaking of memories, another tattered pic of my dad's first '85 showed up today. This one was wrinkled, and had a little character:

I thought about that picture, knowing how long ago it was taken. Hard to imagine that 28 years ago my dad was only 34 years old...9 years younger than I am today! These old pictures I've carried with me through so many life experiences...and now I am reliving those old times on a 24 year old bike that really is just barely broken in. Now I'm about to make it look like my dad's 1985. Who could imagine even the story of this particular bike, the day it rolled off of the assembly line? How many of our bikes have great stories and experiences attached to them? More than any other bike I've owned in the last 10 years, this bike is bringing me home to what I love, and have missed, about motorcycling.

This made me smile.

Many of my other bikes have appealed to me on a technical level. Or racing them, how fast they were. But this one is different....

 

[Warp12]

You may want to check with Captain Kyle on the paint for an 85, seems he repainted one a while back and the bike looked like an original 85. It seems he used a mustang color from that same era in time and it may have been from a 65 mustang, but check with him he may be able to get you close to what you are looking for.......

He did mention something to me about paint. I will ask him. Thanks!

 

[alorio1]

Thank to SpecOps13 here is some info on changes made to the Vmax over the years for part compatibility that you may want to bookmark/save to your Vmax archive.....http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=17148&highlight=year+model

 

[Warp12]

Thank to SpecOps13 here is some info on changes made to the Vmax over the years for part compatibility that you may want to bookmark/save to your Vmax archive.....http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=17148&highlight=year+model

Very good thread! I suspect that my dad's '85 had the older (first) style of gearbox in it. Without any real racing, 2nd gear developed issues within around 2500 miles.

 

[Warp12]

Quiet here tonight. I've ridden the bike about 120 miles this week, mostly after work in the evenings. I am starting to get a little backed up on my "to do" list here. Right now, I have on the immediate horizon:

Refinish '85 front wheel (after checking for run out)
Clean up '85 rear wheel
Replace wheel bearings
Inspect clutch/Install Barnett Pressure Plate
Bleed brakes and clutch
Install new front tire/balance

Also, I just ordered one of these to install:

Shinko Tourmaster 150/90-15 rear tire.

I know that many of you have great experiences with these tires. I'm looking for a good street/strip tire, and this seems like a good choice. I also have feedback that it is not as heavy as I feared. I will weigh it as soon as I get it. I am keeping focus on slimming the bike down. Even without changing the exhaust, I am setting my sights on trimming 40 lbs from the bike.

Outside of that I did order one of these too:

Cycle One-Off Oil Pressure Gauge



That install might wait a bit, until some of the more basic things are completed. I'd like to get it on the dyno soon, but want to do the clutch first. I also want to switch over to my preferred synthetic oil for street/track (Alisyn). I have also signed up for a track day at Maryland International Raceway, in June:

http://www.streetbikeseminars.com/

MIR is a great track, and I usually will get over 30 1/4 mile runs in on a day like this. I have decided to limit my passes on the V-Max though, I don't want to beat on it too hard. I am still a little nervous about the longevity of the gearbox and driveshaft under racing conditions.

So, I guess I have a few irons in the fire on this project.

 

[Warp12]

Well, I've been busy reorganizing the garage, and I finally had some time to throw the bike up on a lift.

To keep it short and sweet, the Barnett pressure plate is in:

Everything looked pretty good, but I replaced all of the frictions. I didn't really like the way the little retaining wire went in; I think I may open it up again and replace it. It just seemed like I had to distort it a little, even though it was seated all of the way in the groove in the hub. I don't want to worry about it coming out. First time I have seen an arrangement like that. Whatever the case, I am going to order a couple of spare gaskets and wire retainers.

Clutch pull is fine, much lighter than the heavy springs in my 14R. I want to put a braided clutch line on it before I get it to the dragstrip. I expect it to spend a fair amount of time on the lift over the next two weeks, getting ready for it's maiden voyage at my track.

I found out that the original owner did take it to the dragstrip once. He was a 200 lb rider...but at 7500' DA. Meaning, like racing 1.5 miles up! The bike ran 12.20's, but that is easily about a second off what it should have run under sea level conditions, if corrected. Since I am 215 lbs, haven't made a dragstrip pass in 18 months, and the bike is sure to be less than optimum, I will set my goal for the first track day at 11.50's. I have plenty of time to improve during the season.

 

[Warp12]

Great stroke of luck this morning! I was taking a little cruise up to the hardware store, and I thought I might have spied a 427 Cobra replica in the distance! I rode up between some cars at the light, to get a better look...and sure enough!! I asked him where he was headed, and told him I would love to get a picture of my bike with the car. He said, no problem!

It turns out that the guy lives about 5 miles from me! He built this car in 2000, and has over 100k miles on it! It has a 347 small block in it, and he does autocross with it every weekend. I told him I was going to do a little more to the bike, repaint it, etc...told him about the one my dad had. I got his card, and when my bike is done I am going to get some more pictures of the soon-to-be purple V-Max and his car.

 

[Warp12]

Well, I got some time to start messing with that '85 front wheel. First I wanted to give it quick inspection for runout, and it seems pretty darn straight.

Don't let the above "shiny" picture fool you, it is pretty corroded. All along the "shiny" parts, pretty deep on one side.

So, I am going to take a couple of hours with some sandpaper this week. I'm guessing that by the time I do bearings and seals, sanding, and paint, I will have a full day of work in the wheel. I barely have the patience for this kind of work! Hope it turns out ok. I have no idea how to keep it shiny when I am done though, I have go through any and all clear coating to get the corrosion out.

 

[Fire-medic]

Well, I got some time to start messing with that '85 front wheel. First I wanted to give it quick inspection for runout, and it seems pretty darn straight.

Don't let the above "shiny" picture fool you, it is pretty corroded. All along the "shiny" parts, pretty deep on one side.

So, I am going to take a couple of hours with some sandpaper this week. I'm guessing that by the time I do bearings and seals, sanding, and paint, I will have a full day of work in the wheel. I barely have the patience for this kind of work! Hope it turns out ok. I have no idea how to keep it shiny when I am done though, I have go through any and all clear coating to get the corrosion out.

Work smart, not long & hard-get that wheel media blasted. Unless you can't afford it, of course. Or, get it powdercoated & they do everything for you.