buying a 1987 FZR1000 : what to check first?

[ilsuonogiallo]

Hi all,

I'm really a newbie here, but I'm gonna buy a 1987 FZR1000. It looks good, but I still have to see it by myself so I'd like to know from any of you which are the most troublesome and crucial parts to check to be almost sure it won't be a bad deal...

thanks for every answer!

andrea

[ShogunTX]

I would check the normal stuff you would look for on any motorcycle. On the 87-88's you are looking at a 20+ year old machine. It's gonna have surprises unless you pay top dollar for a collectors or babied FZR. Crank it, listen, and look for smoke etc. The electrical systems are getting up there in age so you may run into melting if you upgrade to HID or something. everything else can pretty much be repaired or replaced fairly cheaply.

Water pumps have been known to have issues
Second gear has been known to wear prematurely

[haunter]

they are all known to be hard starting due to an improperly sized choke circuit

[95FZR600]

Beware of any smoke for sure and also the mileage. Ask about any history on the bike and dont pay too much for it if it does have high mileage. Post some pics for us if you can.

[ilsuonogiallo]

here are the pics:

this is the moto
http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 0231494075

and this is an other FZ (but this is "only" an FZ 750)
http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... :IT&ih=003

[haunter]

looks good I had a blue/white one and loved the paint!

[tommyj27]

looks good I had a blue/white one and loved the paint!

+1 on the paint job (and why is there a random pic on older gixxer?). It looks like the mileage (i'm guessing Chilometraggio is something to do with km in italian) is a bit high, but I don't know that I would be extremely concerned, especially if it has been well taken care of.

[haunter]

yeah the word is that the regular life expectancy is 60-70k miles......thats over 100KM

[chefen2006]

I have resently replaced the engine in my exup. It had 72.000 km on it,and it was completly shot. 800km = 1L oil. White smoke, crapy throtle responce, sligthly ratteling cam chain. All sorts of lovelynes. I have replaced it whit a new ( used ) lump from the breaker,rebuild the carbs too,now it runs sweet. As a bike engine I think the 1000 lump is pretty solid,but if not taken care of it waers down as everything.

[ozzyfzr]

Front to Back

Front discs, check for wear limit! cost heaps to replace but plenty of 2nd hand ones around that fit such a Ducati's etc
Front fork seals, check for weeping etc
Front forks check for pitting! (corrosion)
Front brake lever feel is it wooden in feel (seized pistons - common on a bike of this age)
Start bike with headlights on and look for really bad dimming of lights (weak electrics - alternator plugs renowned for melting up)
Does it smoke ? black is rich - worn emulsion tubes, white - oil consumption - valve stem seals
Engine noise - expect a little rattle/tap from up top - excessive may be clearances are way too big!, quiet may be closed up!
Cam chain rattle?
Noisy bottom end (can be carb-balancing issue (common)) manifests as a really bad rumbling sound!
battery acid stains everywhere - over-charging or crook battery!
Check chain and sprockets for wear and position of adjustment in slots on swinger!
Tyre wear
Swing-arm pivot bearings, hard to check but can cost a lot to fix (spindle is $74AUS) and bearings $35AUS per side.

Perhaps a little exhaustive and generalised, but you are buying a 21yr old bike and there will be some suprises, just hope you catch most of them.
Hope it helps
Regards
Ozzyfzr