1. Never had a bike long enough to have a clutch go out, but i know the R6 I'm on now was raped on by the previous owner and the clutch still holds strong. 2. I just put new tires on this winter, I just rode a lil slower until the tire wasn't shiny anymore. Only takes a few trips. 3. I think it's been pretty well covered. A quick Google search will turn up guides as well. As state though you would be better off to start on a factory frame for ease of registration and knowing that the frame it true/straight and strongly welded, etc. 4. 2 years, I bought an '08 Ninja at the end of '07, sold it at the end of '09 to pick up my R6 5. Buy one of these http://faculty.washington.edu/kepeter/119/images/hand_exerciser.jpg 6. Not really a tool kit but look into signing up for this. http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Membership/AMARoadsideAssistance.aspx