DIY chain, sprockets, maintenance/service advise

[Zowghi]

Hi OcUk,

I'm looking for some advice on whether or not I should be attempting the much needed TLC my '12 ER6 requires. I bought the bike privately on 12k and over the last year I've taken that up to 20k. I can see it was last serviced at 8k so it's long overdue.

I noticed this week the chain (DID) was very slack and some links weren't moving too well. I took it to my local Kawasaki dealer today who confirmed the chain and sprockets have worn well past where they would usually be replaced.

I also asked about the lack of service history and they recommended the 15k service. When I asked what this entailed he said "everything", after a rather blank stare he added "oil and filter, spark plugs and air filter". All of which sounded DIY'able and also poor value for money at £330.

So my questions are:

• 
  What maintenance does the bike require given the milage that's been done?

• 
  Does a £330, 15k service really only include those things?

• 
  What things can I attempt, and which things should I just pay for?

I'm happy to pay for the work to be done, I just really enjoy working on the bike myself. My DIY mechanic "skills" include fitting; full exhaust system, sliders and tail tidy, so I'm a little weary of taking on something like the chain and sprockets.

Oh, and the quote for the chain and sprockets (generic sprockets & gold X-ring DID) was £101 plus £50 fitting, which I thought was reasonable.

 

[Zowghi]

Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciate it.

You've convinced me to go buy a Haynes manual and replace the oil and oil filter. I'll also be cleaning the air filter and chain with petrol.

Servicing the callipers sounds like fun, I'll do some research into this. I've always been worried about removing either wheel due to alignment, but I assume the calliper can be lifted off. Maybe some braided cables....

The chain on at the minute is a gold DID, am I right in assuming these are aftermarket and not OEM? If so that could have been put on at the 8k service. The rear sprocket is unbranded so I'm assuming that's the original (the handwriting on the service invoices isn't at all readable).

I guess they could be looking for some custom, this is my first big bike so I have no idea what "normal" wear is. Does 20k on sprockets and 12k on a chain seem low?

Thanks for the link to the break and riveter kit, wazza. This will come in useful. I saw some reviews on the DID chain, some said it came with a removable link, and seemed quite annoyed by that. Would a spring link be a problem given it's a low power bike?

So far we have a valve clearance check to pay for and the rest I could do myself (although still not sure if the chain & sprockets needs replacing). Anything else the bike should have checked or replaced between 8-20k miles?

 

[Zowghi]

I had a look on Haynes' website and it looks like they don't do a manual for the 2012 and newer ER6 bikes. While searching forums to see if I'd just missed something, I found plenty of people looking for the ER6 f/n Haynes manual, but I did come across this:

I'd have preferred buying the Haynes manual as I think it would be easier to follow, but the 600+ page service manual will do fine. The pic above is of about a third of the whole doc.

Here's my shopping list from SBS:

Anything on there you guys would advise against?

The service manual says to replace the rear sprocket bolts and the oil drain bolt. Is this something you usually do?