THE KAWASAKI "ELIMINATOR" ZL1000

Hello Eliminator Pilots,

I'm going to try to put a as extensive as possible, technical explanation on this Site about the inner parts of a Kawasaki ZL1000, how to disassemble and troubleshoot.I will also attend many common problems we have with our Eliminators. This also counts for the ZL900.

Most of the ELI drivers treat their bike as there most precious baby. Sometimes even into the absurd.But only good care is not enough.In the meantime, most ELI's are almost 20 years old,and many engine blocks are falling apart, often on-repairable.There are fewer eliminators and parts to buy every day.

A mayor problem we face with our particular engine-block, is the lack of lubrication, especially now they are getting older.And the final stage is, that the third big-end bearing fails.That's the end of the story, there goes another engine down the drain.

My opinion is, to take everything apart, before it is to late, and renew everything possible..Bearings, piston-rings etc. are reasonable in price, and not to compare with the price you would pay if you wait to long.Warn out bearings are also the cause of lack of lubrication on other parts of the engine. Because the oil-system does not have any pressure regulators, the oil-pressure will drop in the whole system, if one bearing is bad, causing the rest to break down as well.

There are not many people that drive in wintertime, so we have a good reason totake care of the bike, after it has been taking care of us all summer.Remember one thing, taking your engine apart looks fairly simple, but it is not.It is a delicate piece of mechanics, that will not forgive you, if put back together the wrong way.For those, that hesitate.Remove your block, this cannot be to hard, and let an expert look at it.He will be happy, that he does not have to remove the engine, and can only do the "fun work".For you, the whole operation will be a cheaper to like this.

One of the best Kawasaki mechanics for those that live in the Netherlands, Niek, can certainly help you out.The site and address from Niek en Ellen you will find here or call himmobile. 06 - 484 101 65

The ZL1000 that I will disassemble in this session, is a running ZL1000 with minor problems, but I want to show how important it is to check your engine, before it is to late.The Eliminator block is a high performance block, that was only build for speed, not forlong life use.

I new when I bought this second ZL1000 that the engine was not in perfect shape."The looks were good".Everything on the bike was 100% original, that is why I bought it.Because it almost got me into an accident due to technical failure, is why I am taking it apart now for a "down to the last part" inspection.

We will see what problems we are going to face.