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I got the chain and sprockets yesterday so I went to work. I still had not ridden her yet...
I pulled the exhaust and cleaned it with brake cleaner and steel wool. It's still somewhat blue, but it's clean and smooth. I will spray them black and heat treat them or wrap them. I'm leaning for flat black.
I cleaned up most of the overspray. Most was on the aluminum frame, footpegs and bracketry, and wiped right off with steel wool and elbow grease.
I stripped off all the stupid stickers that everyone puts on their bikes. I see that that filer was made by K&N, I don't need 3 stickers. Lethal Threat?
I changed the oil so I could replace the crush washers on the lower oil line that was dribbling on my header. I just put fresh in so I really just took the oil out for a little 'break'. Crush washers in and banjo bolt torqued. Clean off engine while I'm there.
The clean headers and exhaust go back on. I filled her up with new used oil. She fired up with a jump and no leaks from the crush washers. She still runs rough.
I installed the sprockets and slapped on the new chain. All the bearings in the rear end were well maintained and everything went back together nicely.
The clutch slave cover went on easily, and the moment was upon me.
J'sBro jumped her off the truck and I geared up.
I took her up the road and was so very unimpressed. No power and twitchy as all get-out. I knew there was work to be done. But, she was on the road.
My brother was about to take her out and she wouldn't start. What's the first point of the triangle? FUEL. All my cans were dry so I pulled the fuel line from the lawn mower and put 8oz in the GSXR so he could try it out. We had to jump again, but it idled better and he took off.
He came back with a crazy grin... My wife was wondering where I had been for the last 4 hours... I covered up the bike and tried to pretend I wasn't thinking of it.
Work is over the next day.
I throw the gas cans in the truck, fill them up and pick up the youngest from school.
When I get home 2 gallons go in the tank and she fires up with no jump. I check the tire pressure and air up (street tires don't handle well at 15 psi) to 38. That might have something to do with the twitchys...
I put on the gear and went for a loop.
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(crazy power blowing my hair back inside my helmet (have you seen my hair? that's impressive))
I traveled back in time a little bit.
It's just fine as far as power is concerned. It's been a while since I have opened up a sportbike, but it is close to right, which means shifting to third at 90.
I said, "What?" and I then replied, "Really."
There are bunch of cosmetic and legal items to take care of, but I've got a new ride!