FZR600 (Anti) Mods

[ThisEndUp]

Having had an FZR600 back in '89, I can distinctly recall pulling power wheelies in the first two gears. The bike was stock, not even an aftermarket exhaust.

Fast forward almost twenty years later (Ugh, I'm aging rapidly) and I've said to myself, "Self, I really think this pod filter, huge main jet setup is completely killing the street-ability of this bike." Plenty of top end, but not much on the bottom, where it counts for street riding. (IMO)

So.....I've reverted my bike back to stock settings , except for float height and a power commander (the later for ease of tuning to the varying temps throughout the season, here in NJ)). Air box is back on , stock pipe is back on.

Synched the carbs last night. All this rain we're having is due to end tomorrow.....'anxious for a test run.

If she runs well and feels strong I'll throw her on the dyno just for shits and giggles.

Results to come soon enough..........

Does anyone have their bike set up stock anymore?

[ThisEndUp]

One of the variables I can't change is my gaining twenty or so pounds through the years....... :oops:

Otherwise....I'm on a quest to tune the bike as well as I can in stock form.

[ragedigital]

You set the carbs back with the stock main jets and needles?

[billy_awesome]

I love pods and a full exhaust.

I havent noticed any difference really off the line, but yes it is rather jumpy and aggressive on the throttle.

But there is one thing you can't duplicate, the sound of the pods when you open the throttle! I LOVE IT! brings a smile to my face every time!

[ThisEndUp]

You set the carbs back with the stock main jets and needles?

Yup, 'starting with it at total stock setup.

I have only around 8000 miles on the bike (second owner), so the emulsion tubes are healthy. Nothing in the carbs was ever drilled.

This is kind of wacky, I have to admit.

I guess what I'm really after is a baseline for the stock set up. (dyno graph of power)


So, let the experiment begin.
Since I'm working from home tomorrow, I'll have some time to goof around with the bike.

I love pods and a full exhaust.

I havent noticed any difference really off the line, but yes it is rather jumpy and aggressive on the throttle.

But there is one thing you can't duplicate, the sound of the pods when you open the throttle! I LOVE IT! brings a smile to my face every time!

Admittedly, the pods give a great intake honk. I still think it saps lower midrange power though.
I've played around with many bikes. In general, when you make power gains in one area of the power band with modifications, you'll lose it some where else.

Has anyone ever dynoed their pod set up?
Granted, I could have dynoed mine with pods before I took it all apart....
but I know it was down in midrange power.

Well , it pays to have friends who have a dynometer in their shop.
I just have to roll the bike across the street from where I work.
Doesn't cost me anything.

[ThisEndUp]

First Ride: Tues 5 /13


O.K,
Finally got to ride the bike with the somewhat stock setup.

No surging in first gear under low rpm......no flat spots , just a smooth power delivery from the bottom up.

I did have one glitch though.
The air box slipped off the carbs a bit and leaned me out to the point where I had to pull over and disassemble everything to get at the box/carbs. Once reinstalled, I was on my way........until it popped off again swear .........O.K, now I remember what motivated me in the first place to use those pod filters!

I was going to go through the whole disassembly / reassembly process again when......
A fellow motorcyclist who was driving by in his car (Thanks again Mike ) gave me a lift home. So I abandoned the little beast by the side of the road and off I went to hook up the trailer to go fetch her.



So, other than the airbox not wanting to stay put, it was running quite well. No power wheelies.....but running well enough to have it dynoed the next time I'm down around my office.

I'm thinking of ditching the stock rubber boots from the air box, and using some Fernco fittings instead (plumbing part, rubber sleeve with two hose clamps).

[ShogunTX]

You're not the first person I have heard that noticed a power loss after replacing the stock airbox. (Local Yamaha Shop to be one) It should be interesting to see your results.

[ThisEndUp]

Your not the first person I have heard that noticed a power loss after replacing the stock airbox. (Local Yamaha Shop to be one) It should be interesting to see your results.

Do you mean a power loss when the air box popped off?

Or , that putting the air box back on the bike created a power loss?

Actually the bike didn't feel bad at all with the air box on. 0-60 mph from a stand still was relatively quick. (I am trying to get this bike more street friendly....for squirting through turns at around 50-65 mph , not at all looking for top end gains. I've got bigger bikes for that silliness). Like this beast:

[Rich]

I ran my old FZR with the stock setup for the most part. I had the stock mains, DJ needles (third clip), and the mixture screws out 1.5 turns if I remember right. The airbox was stock other than the K&N filter. This was by far the smoothest most consistent setup for me. A lot of people get carried away with modding to the point where their FZR is no longer streetable. A good example is running bigger than a 150 rear tire with the stock motor.

[ThisEndUp]

I ran my old FZR with the stock setup for the most part. I had the stock mains, DJ needles (third clip), and the mixture screws out 1.5 turns if I remember right. The airbox was stock other than the K&N filter. This was by far the smoothest most consistent setup for me. A lot of people get carried away with modding to the point where their FZR is no longer streetable. A good example is running bigger than a 150 rear tire with the stock motor.

Hey, there we go.........it's not just me who thinks the bike is smoother with the air box on.

Yes, having that skinny tire on the back just adds to the steering quickness. I wouldn't put anything wider than the stock size, on the rear.....Before the bike cut out on me, I was having a blast. The bike can transition through turns very quickly. Very nice change of pace from the Aprilia. I didn't even miss not having the power (as the Aprilia does, 140hp).

Rich, did you have problems keeping the air box on?

[Rich]

Nope. As long as your boots are in good shape they should stay on. You can try putting them in some hot water to make them a bit more plyable, but eventually they get hard and don't stay on that great. It was a common complain on the race track. Some people even put foam on top of the airbox so the tank shell would hold it in place, but I found as long as you have good boots and take the time to tighten down the clamps it stays on fine.

As far as the pods go, they are just for more top end. Anyone that tells you they went to pods and got smoother power across the entire band is delusional.

[ThisEndUp]

List of how I have the bike currently set up:

Intake:
107.5 Mains
52.5 Starter
32.5 Pilot
24mm Float Height
Stock Needles w/ washer under clip (raises the needle a hair)
2.5 Turns out on the A/F screws
Stock air Box w/ stock filter
Flo Commander 1.5 turns out from closed (Adjusts air jets)

The rest of the bike is 100% stock.
Except for: a Fox Twinclicker rear shock and Race Tech straight rate front springs.Steel braided brake lines.
Pirelli Sport Demon tires front and rear (stock sizes). Bumble Bee paint scheme.

[ThisEndUp]

Nope. As long as your boots are in good shape they should stay on. You can try putting them in some hot water to make them a bit more plyable, but eventually they get hard and don't stay on that great. It was a common complain on the race track. Some people even put foam on top of the airbox so the tank shell would hold it in place, but I found as long as you have good boots and take the time to tighten down the clamps it stays on fine.

As far as the pods go, they are just for more top end. Anyone that tells you they went to pods and got smoother power across the entire band is delusional.

.
I'll take a closer look at those boots.
I still think those fernco fitting might work just as well....hmmm, but I doubt they're compatible with fuel.
I'll do a search for some OEM boots.

[Rich]

I bet there is a product out there that will make them soft again. Some kind of rubber conditioner or something. Heating them up works as well, but they second they cool down they get hard again. That is why it is so easy to get the airbox on and off when the motor is warm/hot.

[ShogunTX]

I ran my old FZR with the stock setup for the most part. I had the stock mains, DJ needles (third clip), and the mixture screws out 1.5 turns if I remember right. The airbox was stock other than the K&N filter. This was by far the smoothest most consistent setup for me. A lot of people get carried away with modding to the point where their FZR is no longer streetable. A good example is running bigger than a 150 rear tire with the stock motor.

Hey, there we go.........it's not just me who thinks the bike is smoother with the air box on.

Yes, having that skinny tire on the back just adds to the steering quickness. I wouldn't put anything wider than the stock size, on the rear.....Before the bike cut out on me, I was having a blast. The bike can transition through turns very quickly. Very nice change of pace from the Aprilia. I didn't even miss not having the power (as the Aprilia does, 140hp).

Rich, did you have problems keeping the air box on?

Rich nailed it on the head. Basically, they have said for daily driving and just everyday stuff the bikes fine stock.