Last week I had new Metzeler Z8's fitted.

So yesterday I decided to do some much needed maintenance on the 14R.
Usual requirements such as 300v oil change, clean, adjust and lube chain, check all fluids, etc.

But Ive been promising myself to give the bike a full detail as it was looking a little tatty due to stone chips on the front facing fairings, road tar and grime / dust and dirt all over internal and externals so I though there's no time like the present.

After a thorough wash, every painted fairing panel received a wet sand with 3000 grit with paint touch up's, then a cut, polish and wax.
All other internal and external surfaces were either cleaned, polished, or protection added.

And 7 hours later!!!

The result is a 2012 14R with 60,000kms that looks almost new.
The bike is also now screaming at me to be taken out and ridden!

If after years of ownership I'm still willing to spend that amount of time working on the bike I must still really love this motorcycle.

P.S.
This might sound loopy but after all these years, every now and then I'll still go down to the garage and just stare at the bike...

* Last updated by: yannih on 10/30/2020 @ 7:19 AM *

I know what you mean, yannih. I still stand back and look at the bike for a long time. The ZX-10 fender looks great on your 14 BTW.

Some work on the paint to keep it in like new condition is necessary after a few years. I've never gone as far as a sanding but I have done a thorough polishing once a year until recently. Even polishing compound can eventually wear through the paint. I'm planning to do a complete sanding and clear coat application before too long. Then I suppose I will ride the bike with it looking rattlecanned for a year to let the clear coat cure long enough to polish it back to a mirror finish. I had good results gently polishing fresh rattlecan paint using only my fingers and polishing compound. I don't know if I would take that approach with the entire bike, especially with the sharp edges the 14 has.

I don't give my baby nearly enough tender loving care. I now live on a dirt road so,
by the time I get to my driveway, the wheels and belly are coated with dust. But
I still polish her off with some Lemon Pledge and wipe the wheels down. And, unlike when I lived in an apartment, she now stays in a cozy garage with a nice cover. I've been around bikes for over 40 years and can truthfully say this has been the best bike I've ever owned.

Mad

Mad, look after her (which I'm sure you do) and she'll look after you.

And couldn't agree more.
This is by far the best bike I have ever owned by far, though I don't think I have owned anywhere near as many as some of you.

When I grow up I want to be just like Green and buy which ever bike I like when I like.

When mine get too dirty,I just trade in for a new one;)

I think Kruz has you beat. I think he's got 6 now. Crashed at least two and got rid of them. That's in ten years. He says he's done buying bikes now. I would say so, he doesn't really need to ever do any major maintenance items because all the bikes are too low in miles. I think he's got about 20k on the 006 ZX-14. He claims the sprockets and chain are still good.