2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R Brake Upgrade

Recently I warped a brake disc. Turns out that even a VERY minor warping of one of those front discs causes significant wobble and shake while braking - I knew this in principle, but not having ever actually experienced it, I didn't have a full understanding. Within about 50 miles, I went from everything being perfectly fine and normal to being afraid to use my front brakes - and nothing odd happened to cause this as far as I know...it just happened.

My garage buddy for the day :)

So, I looked around at the options for buying new and used rotors and wasn't at all happy with what it was going to cost. I was going to be spending hundreds on new rotors and at least a hundred on used ones as well. So I went to my usual online stomping grounds, zx6r.com, to see if anyone had any other ideas for me. And sure enough, someone did :)

So, thanks to PowerGroove from zx6r.com for selling me a full brake system off a 2012, I decided to resell the master cylinder I had previously purchased and planned on swapping to (from a 2007 ZX6R) and just put on the the whole 2012 setup since I had to pull the discs off anyway.

This is not really a how-to since the whole process is INCREDIBLY easy. I'm more writing this to let people know that this is a really quite easy project to improve an 05/06 ZX6R and that it is a direct swap of ALL parts! I literally just unbolted the old stuff and bolted on the new stuff. The only old parts I kept were the bracket for the reservoir and the stainless steel brake lines that I already had on my 2005. So, all told, I swapped over the master cylinder, the reservoir and rubber hose to the MC, the calipers, and the rotors.

It took me about a week and a half to actually get it done, but that was due to some extra steps I put in and because I only have a bit of time here and there while the baby is napping (actually, work was more of the problem than the kid...). I also had new tires put on after I took the wheels off and swapped the rotors, so that took a couple days as well. Seriously though, I'd bet that even with the extra time I put in that most people wouldn't, I probably only spent about 3-4 hours on this.

Since I was pulling the front wheel anyway, I also decided to get new tires put on...a rear was BADLY needed ----->





So, for new rubber, I went with Bridgestone Battlax S21s based on some recommendations and hoping I like them...I guess we'll see:

I know some will disagree with this, but the other steps I mentioned above were related to the color of the brakes. I know many other owners don't, but I really love the gold accents that came stock on my bike and didn't want to lose that on the front brakes, so I decided to make it happen with the replacements as well. I used a high temp chemical resistant engine enamel on them so I hope it holds up long term...if not, I guess I'll have to figure something else out:

I forgot to take a picture completely before I started painting...

I did a silver base coat before putting on the gold

Caliper (and color) comparison:

Having just gone out for about an hour ride and I'm super happy with how everything feels. The tires are absolutely spectacular - felt like the bike was glued to the road!

As for the brakes, well, I'm glad I wasn't expecting to be shocked by the difference. They are certainly better than they were, but they aren't THAT much better. I don't feel like there is any noticeable difference in stopping power while max braking, but that's a little hard to compare 2 weeks apart, so maybe there is and I'm just not noticing it. Honestly, I don't really care about that, though, because my previous brakes had enough overall braking power to lock up the front if I used them wrong...I don't really need more than that, do I?

Anyway, the lever feel, on the other hand, is a huge improvement. It is so much more linear and predictable than it was previously. I don't know how to expand on it more than that, but the brakes feel great!

Overall, if you've got an 05/06, I'd say it's worth the relatively modest price to upgrade the brakes

PetSafe Ultrasonic Bark Collar (PBC00-13925) Review

This collar is exactly as manufacturer describe it, so I can't fault them too much on that. However, I found it to be FAR too sensitive to be useful.

To elaborate a bit on that, this collar definitely went off every time my dog barked, so I guess that is a good thing. Unfortunately, it also went off every time my kid made a loud noise, every time my dog jumped off the couch and landed on the wood floor (not that loud), every time the doorbell went off, etc. It went off and "punished" my dog for things that were not barking and not what it should have been responding to.

The only place I found this device to be useful was placing it next to my dog's crate at night when there weren't other noises that would make it go off. It did seem to help a small amount in keeping her from barking at night while she was in her crate, but after a while she seemed to just get used to the noise and simply ignored it.

If you are looking for a device that will bother your dog every time there is a loud noise in your home (or outside), then this is a great product for you. If, however, you are looking for a device that will help you control your dog's barking by creating an association barking and a disturbing ultrasonic noise, then this is the wrong product for you. Your dog won't learn anything about barking by wearing this, he/she will simply learn to hate all loud noises because they are immediately followed by an ultrasonic tone...

Speed and Strength Customer Service Review

Nobody wants to read a long boring post about customer service, so I'll keep this as short as I can:

- Tuesday at work, I went on Speed and Strength's website and sent a message to customer service saying that the thumb of my left glove (their white Seven Sins gloves) was falling apart after only about 2000 miles on it (while the right was still perfectly fine). Keep in mind, I was just writing to inform them that I was a little disappointed that they didn't last longer.

- Within an hour, I got a reply to my email asking me for a copy of my receipt and some pictures of the glove.

- Tuesday night after work (maybe 8:30pm), I took some pictures and sent them to the lady along with a copy of the receipt.

- At 9:30am Wednesday morning, I had an email telling me that there were new gloves that were shipped out already that morning. And today (Thursday) when I got home from work, they were waiting for me at my door.

Like I said above, I only wrote to tell them that I was a little disappointed with the lifespan of the gloves and that I'm not sure why the left one started falling apart before the right. I asked for absolutely nothing and was honestly not expecting to get anything at all - I was just providing some feedback to the company. But within 2 days of writing to them on the website the first time, there were brand new gloves at my door - that's absolutely incredible customer service!

Moral of the story: Speed and Strength has excellent customer service and I'll certainly be purchasing their products again given how strongly they stand behind them!

05/06 Kawasaki ZX6R GP Shift (reversed shift) Conversion

Since I started riding sport bikes, I have heard a lot of people (especially those who do track days) talk about converting their bikes to GP shift. Initially, I didn't know what that meant and didn't really care too much since I didn't feel that, as a new rider, changing anything about the shifting of my bike would be a good idea. If anyone reading this doesn't know what that means, it basically reverses the direction of shifting so that, from neutral, 1st gear is up and 2nd through 6th gears are down.

I'm told that this is useful at the track to avoid hitting your toe on the ground when trying to upshift in a left-hand corner (makes sense, but never experienced that myself). For me, it seemed like an interesting idea after riding for a couple years because timing of upshifting is so much more critical than downshifting (for me).

Well, after thinking about it some, I decided to try it out on my 2005 ZX6R and it turns out it's a lot easier than everyone I had talked to made it seem. I was told by numerous people that it can't be done easily (like it can on many other ZX6R's) on the 05/06 ZX6R's because the frame gets in the way of the shift linkage. While this is true to some extent, the frame getting in the way does not actually preclude doing the conversion. All that needs to be done is to shim the pivot point so that the linkage will clear the frame - not a big deal.

So, if you are attempting this conversion yourself, you'll need a few things:

• 10mm wrench
• 6mm allen wrench
• about 3/8in worth of washers that will fit on the pivot bolt for the shift lever

All you need to do is to use the 10mm wrench to loosen and take out the bold that holds the external shift linkage to the internal mechanisms. Before doing this, take note of where your shift lever is in relation to the frame or something as you will probably want to get it back to being at about the same angle it is currently.

After removing this, you need to flip it upside down and put it back onto the post so that the shift lever is at about the same angle it was before you flipped it over. You'll notice, now, that it won't go all the way on because the arm of the shift linkage comes into contact with the frame. That's ok, leave it for now and come back to it in just a moment.

Now use the 6mm allen wrench to loosen the pivot bolt for the shift lever until it comes out far enough that you can get the other piece all the way onto it's post and put the bolt back in and tighten it up (you won't need to mess with that again).

Now all you need to do is take that pivot bolt all the way out and put some washers on it so that it will stay where you have it right now. To do this, just use your 6mm allen wrench to back it all the way out of it's housing leaving the actual shift arm connected to it over the smooth portion of it. Then put on a few washers and put it back in. Do this until you are happy with the clearance between the shift arm and the frame.







The following photos are how it should all end up looking if you've done it properly. From the back:

From the side:

From the front:

As you can hopefully see, I used 3 washers (ones I had laying around) to shim out the shift pivot so that the linkage would clear the frame. If anything is unclear, please be sure to comment and ask so that I can make sure to address any issues!

Lord of the Rings: War in the North Riddles

At the beginning of the game, your character starts out talking to Aragorn in the Prancing Pony in Bree. Sitting at the bar is a hobbit by the name of Tedder Hedgegrow, from whom you can quite easily earn 750 silver coins. All you need in order to earn this nice little beginning-of-game-boost is answer his riddles correctly. And luckily for you, I have the answers for you:

Riddle	Answer
The more you have of it, the less you see. What is it?	Darkness
Each morning I appear at you feet all day. I will follow no matter how fast you run, yet I nearly parish in the mid day sun. What am I?	Shadow
I’m always hungry, I need to be fed. The finger I touch, will soon turn red. What am I?	Fire
Always running never walking. Often murmuring never talking. Has a bed but never sleeps. Has a mouth but never eats. What is it?	River
At night come they come without being told. At day they are lost without being stolen. What are they?	Stars
My life can be measured in hours. I serve by being devoured thin, I am quick, fat I am slow, wind is my foe. What am I?	Candle
I drive men mad for want of me. I’m easily beaten, but never free. What am I?	Gold
The more of these you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?	Footprints
What is it you must keep after giving it to someone else?	Your Word
What is it that’s so fragile, even saying the name can break it?	Silence
What belongs to you that others use more than you do?	Your Name
I’m found deep in the earth. When beaten and burned I can become a blood thirsty killer. What am I?	Iron

Grand Theft Auto 5 Cheat Codes (Xbox 360 and PS3)

Xbox 360 Cheats
Spawns:

Airplanes/Helicopters

• Spawn Buzzard (attack helicopter) B B LB B B B LB LT RB Y B Y
• Spawn Stunt Plane B Right LB LT Left RB LB LB Left Left A Y
• Spawn Duster Right Left RB RB RB Left Y Y A B LB LB

Cars/Vans/Trucks/Carts

• Spawn Comet RB B RT Right LB LT A A X RB
• Spawn Rapid GT RT LB B Right LB RB Right Left B RT
• Spawn Limo RT Right LT Left Left RB LB B Right
• Spawn Trashmaster B RB B RB Left Left RB LB B Right
• Spawn Caddy B LB Left RB LT A RB LB B A

Bikes

• Spawn Sanchez B A LB B B LB B RB RT LT LB LB
• Spawn PCJ RB Right Left Right RT Left Right X Right LT LB LB

Items

• Give Parachute Left Right LB LT RB RT RT Left Left Right LB

Player:

Levels

• Raise Wanted Level RB RB B RT Left Right Left Right Left Right
• Lower Wanted Level RB RB B RT Right Left Right Left Right Left
• Recharge Ability Meter A A X RB LB A Right Left A

Modes

• Drunk Mode Y Right Right Left Right X B Left
• Slidey Cars Y RB RB Left RB LB RT LB
• Fast Run Y Left Right Right LT LB X
• Fast Swim Left Left LB Right Right RT Left LT Right
• Slow Mo Aim X LT RB Y Left X LT Right A (can be entered up to 4 times for increasing effect - 5th time disables)

Combat

• Explosive Melee Attacks Right Left A Y RB B B B LT
• Bang Bang (explosive gunshots) Right X A Left RB RT Left Right Right LB LB LB
• Flaming Bullets LB RB X RB Left RT RB Left X Right LB LB

Misc

• Skyfall (makes you fall from the sky) LB LT RB RT Left Right Left Right LB LT RB RT Left Right Left Right

World:

• Change Weather RT A LB LB LT LT LT X
• Slow Mo Y Left Right Right X RT RB (can be entered up to 3 times for increasing effect - 4th time disables)

PS3 Cheats

Spawns:

Airplanes/Helicopters

• Spawn Buzzard (attack helicopter) Circle Circle L1 Circle Circle Circle L1 L2 R1 Triangle Circle Triangle
• Spawn Stunt Plane Circle Right L1 L2 Left R1 L1 L1 Left Left X Triangle
• Spawn Duster Right Left R1 R1 R1 Left Triangle Triangle X Circle L1 L1

Cars/Vans/Trucks/Carts

• Spawn Comet R1 Circle R2 Right L1 L2 X X Square R1
• Spawn Rapid GT R2 L1 Circle Right L1 R1 Right Left Circle R2
• Spawn Limo R2 Right L2 Left Left R1 L1 Circle Right
• Spawn Trashmaster Circle R1 Circle R1 Left Left R1 L1 Circle Right
• Spawn Caddy Circle L1 Left R1 L2 X R1 L1 Circle X

Bikes

• Spawn Sanchez Circle X L1 Circle Circle L1 Circle R1 R2 L2 L1 L1
• Spawn PCJ R1 Right Left Right R2 Left Right Square Right L2 L1 L1

Items

• Give Parachute Left Right L1 L2 R1 R2 R2 Left Left Right L1

Player:

Levels

• Raise Wanted Level R1 R1 Circle R2 Left Right Left Right Left Right
• Lower Wanted Level R1 R1 Circle R2 Right Left Right Left Right Left
• Recharge Ability Meter X X Square R1 L1 X Right Left X

Modes

• Drunk Mode Triangle Right Right Left Right Square Circle Left
• Slidey Cars Triangle R1 R1 Left R1 L1 R2 L1
• Fast Run Triangle Left Right Right L2 L1 Square
• Fast Swim Left Left L1 Right Right R2 Left L2 Right
• Slow Mo Aim Square L2 R1 Triangle Left Square L2 Right X (can be entered up to 4 times for increasing effect - 5th time disables)

Combat

• Explosive Melee Attacks Right Left X Triangle R1 Circle Circle Circle L2
• Bang Bang (explosive gunshots) Right Square X Left R1 R2 Left Right Right L1 L1 L1
• Flaming Bullets L1 R1 Square R1 Left R2 R1 Left Square Right L1 L1

Misc

• Skyfall (makes you fall from the sky) L1 L2 R1 R2 Left Right Left Right L1 L2 R1 R2 Left Right Left Right

World:

• Change Weather R2 X L1 L1 L2 L2 L2 Square
• Slow Mo Triangle Left Right Right Square R2 R1 (can be entered up to 3 times for increasing effect - 4th time disables)

Cheats to Come:

We have it from relatively credible sources that the following cheats should be available (based on looking at the code of the game?) at some point:

• Invincibility
• Give Weapons
• Full Health and Armor
• Super Jump
• Moon Gravity

Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA5) Achievement List

The following are the viewable achievements for Grand Theft Auto 5 including the title, (Gamer Score Points): and what you need to do to get it:

·      Solid Gold, Baby! (50 points): Earn 70 Gold Medals on Missions and Strangers and Freaks.
·      Career Criminal (100 points): Attain 100% Game Completion.
·      San Andreas Sightseer (30 points): Explore all of Los Santos and Blaine County.
·      All's Fare in Love and War (10 points): Purchase Downtown Cab Co. and complete a private fare.
·      TP Industries Arms Race (10 points): Purchase McKenzie Field Hangar and win the arms race.
·      Multi-Disciplined (30 points): Attain a gold medal in all applicable hobbies and pastimes.
·      From Beyond the Stars (15 points): Collect and return all spaceship parts.
·      A Mystery, Solved (15 points): Solve the mystery of Leonora Johnson.
·      Waste Management (15 points): Purchase the old dock and collect all nuclear waste.
·      Red Mist (20 points): Complete all Rampages.
·      Show Off (30 points): Complete all Stunt Jumps.
·      Kifflom! (30 points): Complete your path to enlightenment... or not.
·      Three Man Army (20 points): Survive 3 minutes on at least a 3 star Wanted Level with all three characters together off mission.
·      Out of Your Depth (5 points): You're gonna need a bigger boat...
·      Altruist Acolyte (5 points): Deliver an unsuspecting victim to the Altruist Cult.
·      A Lot of Cheddar (20 points): Spend a total of $200 million across all three characters.
·      Trading Pure Alpha (10 points): Make a profit over your total investments in the stock market.
·      Pimp My Sidearm (10 points): Fully mod a weapon.
·      Wanted: Alive Or Alive (10 points): Deliver a bail bond target alive.
·      Los Santos Customs (10 points): Fully mod a vehicle.
·      Close Shave (20 points): Complete all Under the Bridge and Knife Flight challenges.
·      Off the Plane (5 points): GTA Online: Complete the Introduction.
·      Three-Bit Gangster (10 points): GTA Online: Reach Rank 25.
·      Making Moves (30 points): GTA Online: Reach Rank 50.
·      Above the Law (80 points): GTA Online: Reach Rank 100.
·      Numero Uno (20 points): GTA Online: Obtain first place in all competitive game types.
·      The Midnight Club (20 points): GTA Online: Use custom vehicles to win 5 races.
·      Unnatural Selection (20 points): GTA Online: Complete all 10 waves of a Survival.
·      Backseat Driver (10 points): GTA Online: Direct a driver to 1st place as co-driver in Rally Mode.
·      Run Like The Wind (20 points): GTA Online: Survive for a day with a Bounty on your head.
·      Clean Sweep (10 points): GTA Online: Finish a Gang Attack without dying and kill at least 10 enemies.
·      Decorated (50 points): GTA Online: Earn 30 Platinum Awards.
·      Stick Up Kid (10 points): GTA Online: Hold up all 20 Stores.
·      Enjoy Your Stay (20 points): GTA Online: Participate in everything Los Santos has to offer.
·      Crew Cut (5 points): GTA Online: Complete a Job as a member of a Crew.
·      Full Refund (10 points): GTA Online: Kill the thief that mugged you.
·      Dialling Digits (5 points): GTA Online: Call for gang backup for the first time.
·      American Dream (10 points): GTA Online: Own an Apartment, Garage and an Insured Vehicle.

The following are the 11 secret achievements:

·      Welcome to Los Santos (10 points): You repo'd a car and raced it through the heart of a sun-soaked metropolis.
·      A Friendship Resurrected (10 points): With friends like this who needs enemies?
·      A Fair Day's Pay (10 points): It's time for a little getaway.
·      The Moment of Truth (10 points): You have uncovered the truth about Brad.
·      To Live or Die in Los Santos (40 points): Completed the final mission.
·      Diamond Hard (20 points): You cleaned out Vangelico to pay back Martin Madrazo.
·      Subversive (20 points): You stole an experimental super weapon from Merryweather... and gave it back.
·      Blitzed (20 points): You performed a classic blitz play.
·      Small Town, Big Job (20 points): You made a big impression at the Paleto Bay Chicken Festival.
·      The Government Gimps (20 points): You recovered sensitive information from a highly defended federal building.
·      The Big One! (20 points): This ain't no dream no more.