CARL KAWASAKI ZX-6R
THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… Making a mess, but all for a good cause!
Now, as you all know by now the weather has been more than a bit pants of late, so I’ve decided to park the ZX-6R for a few weeks and get some proper work done on the little green machine – just in time for the first few summer trackdays of the year.
First up, is something you probably wouldn’t expect. I’ve done a fair few track miles on these things, and one thing I really fancy trying is a slightly different clutch set up. I love the 600cc style of riding, so when I get out on track, I’d love to have that bit more confidence to just blat it down the box before chucking it into a corner. Don’t get me wrong, the standard slipper is good, but I used a Sigma while racing a few years back and loved it, so I really wanted to give it a
run for its money on both road and track. They’ve only just been released as well, so I’m waiting on a couple of springs to come into stock before it goes in – although if you saw last month’s workshop, you’d see just how easy it is disassembling the clutch on one of these things, which makes things a lot easier.
The next, and probably most exciting addition, is the new end can and link pipe, though – and it’s absolutely bloody gorgeous. I’ve opted for an Austin Racing example, and it looks absolutely stunning! I’m just waiting to get my clutch in before I stick it on, but my god, if it sounds as good as it looks, it’s going to give the ZX-6R a sh*t-tonne more power. Alas, you lot will have to wait till next month to see the finished article.
Now, the very last thing that’s going on before I get the ZX-6R on track is going to be a new set of rubber as well. The S22s have lasted well and looked after me nicely, but from all the motorway mileage I’ve found myself doing, they’ve squared off a touch in the middle.
They’ve been good nonetheless, but after reading Bruce’s rave reviews of the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II at the beginning of the year, I’ve opted to give them a go. I’ve raced on Supercorsas for absolutely bloody yonks, and if they’re half as good on the track and the road, I’ll be on to a winner.
Other than that, things have been pretty quiet on the termer front. Well, when I say quiet, I’ve actually managed to steal Boothy’s MT-10SP for a week just to get me home and back… so it’s been pretty bloody lary. You know what they say after all, sharing is caring…