When buying a used bike, don’t skimp on tires.
Tires are a very expensive consumable item, but they’re also “the most important part.”
For the Zephyr 550/400 with 17-inch front and 18-inch rear,
there are very few options for matching front and rear tire brands (；∀；)
In recent years, it’s often hard to get tires when you want them.
When you can get them, grab them! That’s important.
It’s my usual tire weight check.
Tires are pretty heavy, aren’t they?
Frames with an under-tube have excellent serviceability.
Especially when using a frame stand,
there’s nothing in the way of the rear area, making work very efficient.
I always wonder, “Why isn’t this sold commercially?”
If it were me,
I’d produce it in small quantities with a strong sense of luxury.
The risk would be low and it would be really good.
What do you think?
Wrapping a cover around the wheels when removing them is even safer.
Small things like this prevent scratches and make work much easier.
I’ve applied Gun Coat to the small parts.
Small things really make a bike look tighter, don’t they?
I’m peeling off the surface of the exhaust.
I think it adds a bit of luxury feel.
Why does Kawasaki paint “black with silver on top”? …
I struggled trying to remove it carelessly…
I’m cleaning the hard-to-reach spots.
Just a light wipe is good. It’s tedious anyway.
As long as it looks clean at first glance, that’s fine. It’ll get dirty again anyway~
The inside of the wheel was cleaner than expected.
After cleaning, I apply Plexus coating to make sure the inside is nice and clean too.
Overall, this is a well-maintained unit and I’m very happy about it (*´ω｀*)
For a heavy wheel, I align the “tire light spot” with the heavy point, so I need less weight.
Rather than aligning with the air valve, align with the “heavy spot on the wheel.”
This is the most efficient.
If done right, you can achieve “zero weight” on both front and rear.
*I managed zero weight front and rear this time (*´ω｀*)
I’m replacing the air valve with an aluminum one.
It can be inserted from the side, making it very efficient and looks great.
It also has high durability.
Nobody notices, but it’s gradually getting cleaner.
It’s quietly satisfying, you know?
The front tire profile looks like this.
It looks like it’ll be nimble.
The rear looks like this.
With a 140 in the 3.50 rim, the tire edge looks a bit tight.
*It’s within the tire’s tolerance for the stock size.
Bike maintenance work really takes time.
If you just swap parts quickly, it’d be done fast.
But somehow, if you do it right, you have “fewer regrets.”
You know, those “I wish I had done that back then” moments.
For now, I’m going stock, so I’ll do a caliper overhaul!
(*´ω｀*) I’m introducing things bit by bit
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