Well, I got everything fixed on the bike.  I found a stock exhaust setup for it, got it installed, and did a full tuneup on it.  New plugs, oil and filter, adjusted the valves, and replaced the rear brakes.  This did not happen all in one day, but it is all done, thanks to my Dad helping me out.  Working on bikes is new to me, but not all that different than working on a car, except all the torque specs are alot lower.

 

I also took part in a Bell Exchange on the website forum I belong to.  I got my bell today and put it on the bike.  I also got in the one for my bell buddy and am shipping it out tomorrow to him.

 

Here is a pic of my new Gremlin Bell on the bike.  (If you want to know the legend of a Gremlin Bell, just Google it).

 

I'll take more pics with the exhaust and all shortly.

 

 

Through the course of the next week, I found a couple problems with the bike.  One, it seemed to be running rich and not idling well.  This isn't surprising for its age.  Also, it would ride and run for a while, then at a light it would quit.  Sometimes it would restart, but finally it wouldn't turn over.  I checked the battery and it was dead.  I charged the battery and it ran again fine.  Eventually the battery died again.  I came to the conclusion that the alternator wasn't charging the battery so the motor was strictly battery run.

 

I had been planning on taking it to the shop for a safety inspection anyway, so I charged the battery and rode it to the shop.  Had some problems along the way again with it quitting, but got it there with the help of my fiance following in our SUV.

 

They went over the bike and found a couple minor problems, leaks here an there.  I left the bike so their mechanic, certified on these bikes, could diagnose the charging issue.

 

Fearing the worst, I started pricing out alternators for this.  Kawasaki wants almost $700 for a new alternator.  No way.  My next thought was parting it out to recoup my money, then find something else.

 

Well, Tuesday afternoon I got a call from the shop and it turns out it was just the alternator belt had broken.  What a relief!  So I am letting them finish the work, since they have it apart already, and it would cost me as much to have them put it back together so I can take it home and take it back apart.  Should be ready this weekend.  I can't wait to get it back and out on the road.  I'll probably have to sync and adjust the carbs but I know my dad can help me with that, since he's done this before.