Kawasaki Concours

You Tube is full of videos with FJRs and C14s doing 1/4 mile runs....who'd a thought that?

1/4 mile and top end performance is not what comes to my mind when looking at these bikes...
There are a bunch of “top speed runs” on DR650s and people actually write in the comment sections like that’s an import aspect when deciding if they are buying the bike or not. Not sure who buys a single cylinder 650 thumper to ride it at 100MPH everywhere they go. :laugh:! I don’t even care what the top speed is on my hayabusa, is not like I’m personally going to ride it up to those speeds anyways. I sure love the grunt at take off but I’m normally getting off the throttle when I hit the speed limit. I guess I’m a “millennial” that rides like an old man.
 
Well, the bike is apart, except for the sparkplugs, coil packs, and valve cover.
I also have to clean the oil scuzz off the engine.
I took it apart because I could see the crud from a leak, but had no visible leaks, drips, puddles, nothing.
Apparently the main cause is the cam position sensors, one visible between the middle header pipes, and the other on the top, rear, left of the valve cover.
Supposedly the valve covers never leak, who knows.
Anyway, I could Not find the source of the leak.
There was factory thread locker dust on several of the fastener threads, and I can tell that no one has torn it this far down...however.
The front, visible, and Easily accessible front cam sensor(the one that supposedly always leaks) can be fixed just by moving the radiator.
After getting everything out of the way, I could see a small ring of clean aluminum around the front CPS, I took it out, and white lithium grease with a newer and soft o-ring!
Someone had already fixed the leak, but cleaned nothing, lol.
Not really an all for nothing though, because I still need to do a valve check, and likely change some shims.
I was also reading to run 4 hoses to the throttle bodies, and leave them routed a certain way, then connect the manometer hoses to those, making connections 'easier'...we'll see.
With new sparkplugs and valves in spec, a tb sync is usually a once and done, they don't go out of spec on their own, most can just be dialed in a little better than the factory.
 
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The stocker header weighs 10.5 lbs
The Black Widow weighs 9
Steel with a catalytic converter vs stainless steel.
The stock midpipe and muffler are
20.4 lbs
The Black Widow is 8.4 lbs
13.5 lbs less total, plus Alot less heat from the converter, so a win in my book.
(I'll have to retake the header picture and add it).

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That bike will have a big grin on it's face knowing it's getting all this loving....

Just cleaning it has made a dramatic improvement, lol.
All in all it seems to be a great machine, it just needs a little maintenance, cleaning, and of course Mods!!
Given my quick ecu flash test ride, that with the full exhaust and filter, it should be Alot more fun to ride(and cooler!)
 
Just cleaning it has made a dramatic improvement, lol.
All in all it seems to be a great machine, it just needs a little maintenance, cleaning, and of course Mods!!
Given my quick ecu flash test ride, that with the full exhaust and filter, it should be Alot more fun to ride(and cooler!)
I do the same with my bikes when I get them...even new...I strip them down and take a look under the fairings and double check bolts, electrical connectors and fasteners....it is a good way to get to know the bike.

I talked to a guy I know at the bike shop yesterday and he sold his R1M and got a CanAm Spyder and really loves the new ride...he rides two up quite a bit and his girlfriend really appreciates the Spyder..
 
I do the same with my bikes when I get them...even new...I strip them down and take a look under the fairings and double check bolts, electrical connectors and fasteners....it is a good way to get to know the bike.

I talked to a guy I know at the bike shop yesterday and he sold his R1M and got a CanAm Spyder and really loves the new ride...he rides two up quite a bit and his girlfriend really appreciates the Spyder..

Yeah, the older you get, the worse taking a passenger on a 1k becomes, lol
I can rip the 1k when I want...but I'm really looking forward to finishing and riding the Concours again.
Comfort with power and good handling beats 1k super power most days anymore.
 
I do the same with my bikes when I get them...even new...I strip them down and take a look under the fairings and double check bolts, electrical connectors and fasteners....it is a good way to get to know the bike.

I talked to a guy I know at the bike shop yesterday and he sold his R1M and got a CanAm Spyder and really loves the new ride...he rides two up quite a bit and his girlfriend really appreciates the Spyder..
Yes... I prefer to ride alone... riding 2 up can be a real balancing act when getting her on and off the Concours. I put the kickstand down and let her get settled in the back seat before moving. To bad she doesn't want her own bike... she doesn't like to drive a car let alone a motorcycle unless its a top of the line Mercedes or something similar.

Tearing down the Concours is a project... I make cardboard templates as it comes apart so I can remember where everything came from. Or, screw certain bolts back in once the part is off like with engine covers.
 
Yes... I prefer to ride alone... riding 2 up can be a real balancing act when getting her on and off the Concours. I put the kickstand down and let her get settled in the back seat before moving. To bad she doesn't want her own bike... she doesn't like to drive a car let alone a motorcycle unless its a top of the line Mercedes or something similar.

Tearing down the Concours is a project... I make cardboard templates as it comes apart so I can remember where everything came from. Or, screw certain bolts back in once the part is off like with engine covers.
I do the same with cardboard...I draw the piece on the cardboard and put the bolts into the holes in conjunction with the piece....it comes in handy when there are different bolt lengths.

My wife doesn't ride with me anymore, I have a rear seat, grab rail and extra hump with the grab rail cut out that is in a box...
 
Yes... I prefer to ride alone... riding 2 up can be a real balancing act when getting her on and off the Concours. I put the kickstand down and let her get settled in the back seat before moving. To bad she doesn't want her own bike... she doesn't like to drive a car let alone a motorcycle unless its a top of the line Mercedes or something similar.

Tearing down the Concours is a project... I make cardboard templates as it comes apart so I can remember where everything came from. Or, screw certain bolts back in once the part is off like with engine covers.

My gf gets on/off the Concours easily, and I have no problem taking her on it or the 1k.
The Concours does have more parts to come off than a Busa or 1k, but it's turned out to be alot easier than I expected.
Now for some more cleaning, pull the valve cover, measure, and see if I need to order any shims(kit I have is too small in diameter).
 
Looks as clean (or cleaner) than it was new....what you are doing is the best way-get a bike, spend time going over it and then go ride it...makes it worry free in my opinion...

Yeah, I agree.
It seems to be a great bike, it just needs a few small things done...that take too much time.
But, it is nice to go over everything with thread-locker or anti-sieze, and a torque wrench, and to get it clean to see any future leaks easily, as well as having all the maintenance up to date.
New front and rear brake pads are next(I already have them).
At least this way, if I have any future problems...I know to blame the guy who worked on it last, lol.
 
What a fine job you have done cleaning up and preparing for many trouble free miles. Brake pad changes are a snap as you have likely already discovered.

I am really curious to hear your feedback with the new flash from Steve. I want to do it but the bike runs so good now that I am not sure how worthwhile it will be.

I am thinking that out of view in your garage is a 4' x 8' table covered with parts. This motorcycle has a lot of parts to keep organized when you strip it down.
 
What a fine job you have done cleaning up and preparing for many trouble free miles. Brake pad changes are a snap as you have likely already discovered.

I am really curious to hear your feedback with the new flash from Steve. I want to do it but the bike runs so good now that I am not sure how worthwhile it will be.

I am thinking that out of view in your garage is a 4' x 8' table covered with parts. This motorcycle has a lot of parts to keep organized when you strip it down.

Thank you sir, it's getting there.
It's a corner in my basement, and the bench is about 3'x5' roughly.
The fairings are stacked elsewhere(you know they take up some space) and the exhaust box is taking up much of the workbench space.
As for the flash...it's awesome, a Big difference. Noticeably more throttle response and acceleration, and better yet, the choppy switch like on/off throttle is fixed, it is very smooth now.
I got the most aggressive flash, and with an air/fuel map for the full BW exhaust.
I did a 4 mile test ride with the stock exhaust on, and could immediately tell the difference, it should be even better with the full BW exhaust on it!
info below
 
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Shout out to Steve at Shoodaben Engineering who did the Concours flash.
He's in Florida, does excellent work, from communication, details, return shipping, speed, and most of all...the flash is Great!
He is the type of person and business that you want to deal with!
Can't recommend him or his product enough!
If you have a Concours, he offers several different flashes, depending on riding style, stock, slip-on, full exhaust, remove engine braking, fans on sooner, and more.
Check him out.

www.steve@shoodabenengineering.com
 
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