First post and my first bike

[Wrenn269]

Well I just given my first bike it's an 03 600 Kat with 4500miles on it. I have some mantaince I gotta do and have no idea how to go about it. The fuel lines are old cracked and leaking everywhere and the thing has never had an oil change of any sort. I am very mechanically inclined I drive old vw's. lol But I'm just looking to get pointed in the right direction on how to remove the plastics and how to go about changing the gear oil along with the engine oil. And what ever else I should learn about maintenance before I jump on this thing and take off. Thanks in advance and a big hello from Portland oregon

[92xjunker]

Welcome, download a manual from the wiki above.

[Wrenn269]

Thank you!!!!!!

[JIB]

Welcome to KR

[Stan]

Welcome and good luck. +1 On the manual.

[Sasquatch]

Here is something I wrote up some years back on removing fairings.

http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=67087&highlight=fairings

and + 2 for the manual

[Kreylyn]

Well I just given my first bike it's an 03 600 Kat with 4500miles on it. I have some mantaince I gotta do and have no idea how to go about it. The fuel lines are old cracked and leaking everywhere and the thing has never had an oil change of any sort. I am very mechanically inclined I drive old vw's. lol But I'm just looking to get pointed in the right direction on how to remove the plastics and how to go about changing the gear oil along with the engine oil. And what ever else I should learn about maintenance before I jump on this thing and take off. Thanks in advance and a big hello from Portland oregon

Welcome to KR.


It's a wet clutch system, so no gear oil. Just the engine oil, brake fluids are the only fluids to change/check.


Make sure you use a good oil with out friction additives... those will make the clutch slip. Any oil sold as a motorcycle oil will be good, or you can read the options on the multiple "what oil to use" threads here to consider other things. I personally find Rotella T6 synth works fine for me and my location.


Your probably going to need to clean the carbs. Carbs 102 (wiki search) will give you the step by on how to do that. Don't skip steps, trust us on that and it will work out the first time.


I'd suggest you check the manual for the maintenance schedule, do everything on the list. It's a new to you bike, so lets make sure everything is in good order first thing.


I would strongly suggest you consider new tires (even if good tread, the old ones are really old, hard, and now slick as glass on the road) and brake lines. Stainless braided lines are fairly cheap, last a lifetime, and will greatly improve the stopping performance.


Good luck, welcome to KR!


krey

[Blackbird]

Welcome!

[Taybiker]

Hi, welcome aboard

[KatanaGSX92]

Welcome!