Project Linkins 3LN6 - The Pink Lady

Getting the biggest job out of the way, swingarm and shock linkage bearings.

 

Well my workplace has signed up to be a supplier for webike (yes, webike japan).

I can foresee a set of Keihin FCR28 carbs at cost price in my future

 

Update on Keihin FCR pricing for FZR250 as of today

Retail $1740 USD / $2670 AUD
Wholesale $1288 USD / $1980 AUD

Big savings but not ready to order them for myself yet... out of curiosity also looked at Coerce rearsets for the FZR, $250 USD retail $220 USD wholesale, not as much savings on cheaper items

 

Shipping second hand carbs, or anything that holds fuel or oils like shocks out of Japan is impossible, no carrier will do it. I've tried.

It is a lot of money... but factor in how tricky it can be to get the Mikuni BDST28 to work correctly. What is your time worth?

Even my set which were good when we initially bought the bike (after fixing many issues with them) still have issues after sitting for about 10yrs. I have to go back and re-do them, and I'm avoiding it because of time constraints. The choke seals and fuel seals are my likely culprits causing a flat spot and high fuel consumption, but there is also a butchered pilot jet I haven't dealt with also. Plus the permanent temporary fix I did for missing the retainers for the needles, means I have not gone back and opened them event though I have all the parts to do so.

Even with the FCRs there is the matter of mating the airbox to them so you have filtration, I don't fancy top end rebuilds every year because the engine gets dusted due to lack of filtration.

 

The love is there but the time is not!!

 

The ZXR250 FCR's retail for $2k USD, going off the FZR ones you would save about 4-5 hundred $US, they are pricier than the FZR ones.

I will save the FCR's for later... for now I have impulse bought all the AHL engine bits (pistons/rings/pins, main and conrod bearings, valve stem seals and gasket kit) plus the EBC SRK034 clutch kit. I will get a genuine head gasket locally as they are available for about $40 AUD, along with the cylinder o-rings for the cooling system.

I am going to try and buy a set of unmolested carbs from Japan using a freight forwarder, as it is the only way to get them and I need a set of unmodified 3LN6/7 or 3YX Zeal slides. If they are good I will run them and fix my problematic set, and if not I have spares. Failing all that I will crack the shits, bite the bullet and order the FCR's.

Spring is here and summer is coming, so I have a set of Dunlop Alpha 14's on the way - in 110/70 and 140/70 as they do not come in the FZR's standard sizes, but the sticky compound and performance is worth it, and it will suit my suspension setup better with a wider front and rear.

The Rosso Sports were alright if you want the standard sizes, but I found them a bit underwhelming, like most non-track Pirellis. I think my set have gone hard as well, in under 2 years. I had a moment where the rear squirmed and the front slid the other day, so not risking it, throw a new set on. I prefer Michelins over Pirellis as the michies have a softer compound and softer carcass and are radial, all of which makes for a more compliant ride.

 

Dunlop Alphas arrived and fitted.

Closely inspected the old rosso sports after removing them. Manufactured in the last weeks of 2023, so under 2yrs since manufactured and they were already dry rotted. Not impressed considering bike is always garaged, even with near daily use. And they're not radial either. Won't be using them again.

And of course, raining on the way home with new tyres...

 

What a difference a set of good rubber makes! Remember that your tyres are actually the first part of your suspension system. The ride is much more smooth and comfortable over the same surfaces that were choppy and harsh before. Still got some suspension tuning to do, but now at a much better baseline to start.

 

EBC clutch installed after work today, done in 40 minutes

First new friction plate was a bit tight in the basket but eventually got it in, the rest was straightforward.

Need to readjust the lever freeplay now as it has taken some free play away with the new plates.

Weather is warming up so a bit more mixture screw tweaking to suit.

Dunlops going well, hoping to put them to proper use at the track, need a new helmet and new boots first.

 

Made some adjustments to the front suspension, removed the fork caps and fished out the emulator valves, set them back to how they were out of the box - 3 turns in. I had them at 1 turn and after settling in, they needed to be set stiffer. Better now.

Something is going on with my workplace's webike account, it was banned for some reason or another, not clear on what the issue is, so anything from webike is on hold for the moment.

 

Keihin FCR28's ordered! Just over $2k AUD including $120AUD for shipping, rough price for the carb set was $1250 USD at wholesale price. Retail is $1480 USD as of today.

Sadly the carbs were not in stock and are roughly 3 months away. So the wait begins...