So, I got this 2007 Gixxer 1000 a while back. It was a good deal, but, you know, it needed some love. I’ve always been a hands-on kind of guy, so I figured I’d do most of the work myself. First thing’s first, I gave it a good look over. Noticed the fairings were a bit rough, some scratches, the usual wear and tear for a bike that age.
I started by taking off all the fairings. It’s not rocket science, just a bunch of bolts and clips. I made sure to keep track of all the screws and where they went, put them in separate baggies so I wouldn’t lose anything important. This is very important because I don’t want to get myself into trouble.
- Removed the seat. Easy peasy, just a couple of bolts.
- Disconnected the battery. Safety first, always.
- Then I carefully took off the front fairing, side panels, and the tail section.
With the fairings off, I could really see what I was working with. The frame was in good shape, thankfully. I cleaned everything up, washed off all the grime and dirt that had built up over the years. It is really dirty, but it made me feel good.
Next up, I checked the fluids. The oil looked a bit dark, so I changed it. Also, replaced the oil filter while I was at it. I also flushed the coolant system and put in some fresh stuff. Then I checked the brake fluid, topped it off.
The chain was looking a bit rusty, so I gave it a good cleaning with a brush and some chain cleaner. After that, I lubed it up real good. I also checked the sprockets, they were okay, but I’ll probably replace them down the line.
I noticed the tires were pretty worn down, so I ordered some new ones. Once they arrived, I took the wheels off and brought them to a local shop to have the new tires mounted and balanced.
While I was waiting for the tires, I decided to give the bike a fresh coat of paint. I sanded down the old fairings, primed them, and then sprayed on a few coats of this awesome metallic blue color. It was a bit of a process, but totally worth it.
After I got the wheels back, I put everything back together. Reattached the fairings, reconnected the battery, and put the seat back on.
Finally, I took it out for a test ride. Man, it felt great! It is a nice feeling to ride a bike that I have put so much effort on. It ran smoothly, and that new paint job looked killer. Still a few more things I want to do to it, but for now, I’m just happy to be riding again.
