!!!! Wooot We have success. I replaced all of the spark plug leads with new lead and she fired up all four like a beauty. Still a little down on power something isn't quite right but it's a good start. What is strange though is this temperature situation. Once I warm it up and let it sit for a few minutes the temp gauge goes up to a bit under half. However as soon as I start moving the gauge drops rather quickly down to the top one of the two lines on the bottom of the gauge. I had a similar problem with a old 4x4 years ago where the thermostat was stuck open and the engine couldn't heat up properly. It caused extra fuel usage and lower power in the 4x4. Anyone had such a problem with a bike before???
Hey Doug Well done mate, sound like your making progress. Funny, I too was playing with leads and spark plug caps today on my gsf400, like you I got all 4 to burst into life, it's a good feeling. Chris is correct, check the thermostat and if in doubt, replace it. Sounds like you are on the home stretch mate, good luck.
Make that a double! !!!! Wooot !!!! Wooot Its actually one thing I have to sort on the Fizzer when I get back home as its only running on 3......it has new caps but I think it will be new leads straight up! As for the thermo......heres an example of a bit of missed maintenance on the FZR ...it was being ridden to and from work every day by the PO.....
Thanks for the that. Hmmmm I have not pulled it off yet but I'm expecting something along those lines. I hope it can be cleaned out well and the mechanism isn't too faulty. New thermostats are basically non-existent for the bike. Home stretch list: Check Thermostat Fix backfires Fix power/responsiveness (hopefully just a carb balance) Fix charging issues (regulator/alternator stuff) Fix front forks (Leaking) Re-tap fairings New Chain New Sprockets New Tyre(s) Safety certificate Good to go. Hopefully. Then I'll need another project bike for my open licence when I'm bothered to go get it
And the next project may possibly have as many things to sort......but so much easier once you have been there done that Thermo.... http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+Test+a+Cooling+System+Thermostat+
Hey Doug That is a list you have there. It will all come together soon, got be light at the end of the tunnel. As regards to your thermostat, grab your old one and head down to a Brisson store and see what they have to offer, you might be surprised. Many are the same as toyotas or the likes of. No guarantee, but worth a look.
Yes Ive heard of Jap car thermostats being "made to fit" FZRs When u come to the new tyres,sprockets and chain..... Remove the wheels yourself ..... then u can check the wheel bearings. If they have never been replaced then sadly it may be another job on the list.......if they are the open type and u can see the ball bearings then they are probably old.....new types are sealed. There has to be no "sideways" play with the inner race and it should turn freely with no resistance or "grinding" Wheel bearings are cheap and arnt really Kawasaki parts as such.....all u need is the number stamped on the side and visit your local bearing shop.....or take the old ones with u including the seals. Obviously do the rear tyre,sprockets, chain at the same time. Have the tyre fitted first and ask for the old tyre back. A tyre (flat on the ground) makes a great place to put your wheels on when changing the sprocket,banging bearings in and out,cleaning the rotors or the wheel itself or wateva.......the main purpose though is to keep the brake rotors safe! When u have tyres fitted ask for new valve stems ..... only a couple of dollars if not free. Motorcycle tyres are 1 directional ..... if u look closely u will see an arrow marked "wheel rotation" or something similar on the sidewall. Now the challenge is to get the 17yr old apprentice tyre fitter to get it right.....the rear is pretty obvious but I usually mark the front with arrows on the rotors just so he doesnt have to think to hard. The old rear tyre on my spares bike was on backwards.....so it does happen. Also check the pressures after fitment as they usually have no idea whats correct. When u go buying sprockets make sure u get what is standard for your bike ...... make sure the chain also matches ..... u need to understand the basics of gearing before u try anything other than stock (more or less teeth on the front/rear sprocket gives u more acceleration/less top speed and vice versa) Check the lock washer on the front sprocket nut is in reasonable shape. Also u need to torque the sprocket nuts and wheels nuts to specifications.....a wheel or a sprocket coming loose is not a good thing.
to check the thermostat put it in a pan of water and heat. if it opens all is well. when the water cools it should close. if it stays open bin it. if not openning bin it.should have a temperature on it. if original try and match. normally says 82 degrees c
So been quite a while since I have updated the thread So I bought the bike originally intending to fix it up and use it as basic bike till I saved up later on for a new higher CC bike Unfortunately there is so much more broken/old/dead things on this bike than expected (The rear shock being the latest thing to go) Unfortunately the bike is just too cool for me to get rid of So I've decided to screw it and just go ahead pulling the entire thing apart and rebuilding it from the ground up One positive side is the bike is almost entirely original and gives a good base to go from. It's gonna take a few months and a few more dollars and a lot more swearing. But fortunately I have plenty of time and the internet so why not. But hopefully in the end it will turn out to be a mean machine
Good positive move, if the bones are good, stick with it. Plenty of parts available on the forum, think you'll be fine. Some photos along the way of your re-build would be great with periodic updates, we love them. Good luck mate
So now I have a little spare time tonight I should get round to adding some pics of stuff I've been doing over the past month or so. Details: Carbies (Pre clean obviously) The rust in the bucket is what came out of the tank after I used a stripping product for the tank resealing (Ewww) The rear master cylinder I had to pull off and completely recondition (finished shiny product on the bike) The front sprocket, you can see the guides around the outside appear to have been shattered at some stage The Muffler on and off (Far too tempted to chrome them) More photo's to come as I find them/get into the rebuild more.
The fairings/cowlings and paintwork look in great condition ...of course as u well know now its the "hidden" problems u need to look out for...looks like you are on the right path. Keep us updated on your progress ! Make sure when u reassemble that u use the correct torque on vital components like disc bolts,wheel nuts,sprocket nuts etc. Something else I found very handy when u have alot of things off the bike is to bag and label them ..... makes it so much easier if theres small parts and/or lots of screws/bolts/nuts to reattach or rebuild...... plus u will know what it is a day later but 2 months later might be a different story...
Have had an interesting few days pulling down the bike and finding all sorts of interesting stuff. Got some pics below as well. So basically were're up to here. Engine is at mechanics, getting valve clearances done, cam chain if there's no tension left and going further in if the valves don't bring compression back up properly. Also getting clutch done while it's there. I was under the impression that the stater wasn't working hence why is wasn't charging properly until I found this I'm no electrician but from what I could tell from it's one of the connectors that bring power from one of the three phase's of the stator into the regulator. So I'm gonna need a new regulator and plug. (Chris??) Next step is to drop off the recently removed front and rear suspension for reconditioning ($$$$) and to find yet more problems. On another note a question for those out there with more time doing this than I. The VIN on the bike is a compliance VIN. However there's no compliance plate?? Anyone know why this is? Was compliance done before the introduction of plates?? I don't know?
Some of those pics look familiar With the swingarm , shock pivot and dog bones etc, did u pull off the dust covers and bearing seals to get right inside and clean and check the needle bearings? When its reassemble time get plenty of lithium grease in there (get a spray can of it)