Picked up a Yamaha Zeal (FZX250) today, I was not even looking for a bike, it was offered to me at a reasonable price, not ridden in a while so tyres although like new tread wise need replacing. Brakes function well and the pads are like new. I'll give it a good going over put some fresh rubber on it and clean out the fuel system. Got it started and it seems OK so it should not be to much work to bring it up to scratch.
Very clean. Exact same colour scheme as the one I had. Mine was in far worse condition, and the price paid reflected it.
Shes up and running, drained the tank very minor surface rust as in very minor. Re sprayed the kickstand, removed the forks, they were polished so am unsure whether or not to re polish and clear coat them or spray them like the CBR250R forks as I don't have a polisher. Thoughts? Tacho is not working and I have had to replace a tacho on one of these before but I will check the signal first. Tyres are ordered. Bike is very original and in quite amazing condition for its age.
Going to keep it original, noticed that the forks had originally been painted as there was some paint remaining in a couple of hard to access bits so the previous owner must have polished them on the bike. Fork seals are not leaking and I have wet and dried them and resprayed they look 100% now. When the tyres rock up I'll fit them and replace the brake fluid. Take it for a spin the decide whether to sell it or keep it. I may end up keeping it to add to my 100% original collection.
Check the charging system. Mine boiled a battery to death and blew the tacho, and fried every globe and destroyed the indicators (wouldn't work even with new bulbs). Happened 10PM at night on M1 about 10km north of Hornsby (heading south). Was not fun.
That's on the low end of acceptable. If the battery was flat, current flow will be higher and voltage will be lower. With a fully charged battery you should see 14.2-14.5V. I'd be checking the connector on the regulator (rear right on the tail from memory) and make sure the frame mounting, thread and screw are clean as it is a body earth type. Check the main earth lead from battery to engine as well.
Resprayed the rims as there was a bit of corrosion from the bike sitting in the weather, went Gunmetal Grey as I did not really like the black. Put on some new tyres have replaced the regulator and its now charging much better, just waiting on the Tacho then it will be all finished.
Tacho on and working (got it from Japan) just waiting on new Yamaha decals to replace the ones on the side.
