Couple quick questions.

[SirJeremy]

Hey, guys. I just bought a '94 FZR 600 that has been sitting for a while. I started tearing it apart to day and had a few questions I thought I should ask. Let me first note that I'm a bit of a mechanic, but this will be my first real endeavor into the inner workings of a street bike. I've only ever done minor things on bikes, so please bear with anything dumb I may say. Also, I'm not particularly good at the whole forum thing, but let's see if I can figure out the pictures and whatnot.

Firstly: I found a cable with a spring-like attachment just kinda chilling under my seat.

What is this magical little cable-spring-thingy that I've come across?

Next: The bike has been sitting for a few years, so I'm working on cleaning out old fluids and whatnot. What all should I be looking for with a bike that's been sitting that long? I've replaced the battery, emptied the old gas, I'll have my carburetor rebuild kit in the mail tomorrow, fork seals in the day after, oil change will come after that, coolant checking will follow somewhere in there, and checking/oiling of the chain will then follow that. Other than all of that, is there anything else you guys can suggest doing?

At some point I will have to get some advice on what to do about my rear swing arm and brake mounting issue, but I want to get it purring before I start even worrying about that bit.

A tidbit of information on the bike that may or may not be relevant:
1994 FZR 600
FZR 400 aluminum frame and swing arm
K&N air filters (Surprised me a bit when the air box wasn't there like I expected. A welcome find, though.)
Yoshi slip-on
Appears to be factory Mikuni carbs
Everstart ES12AA battery
And everything else seems to be factory except the dirt and spider webs, which I'm betting on being aftermarket.

I have lots of other small issues I'll need help on at some point in the future, but any advice you guys could give on these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[4wred]

That looks like your rear brake light switch,spring should hook on the brake lever.

[SirJeremy]

Oh awesome! That makes a lot of sense considering the rear brake is removed currently. Thanks a lot, that's much more comforting now that I know they why's and where's of it.

[DonTZ125]

considering the rear brake is removed currently.

Basically, if it's a fluid, change it. You seem to have everything covered - oil, coolant, brakes, fuel. Be prepared to scrap the battery. The chain may need to be removed for a dunk and soak; it may be beyond salvage.

Do some reading here on pod filters and stand-off pipes; directly mounting the filters on the carbs leads to sucky midrange.

[SirJeremy]

I had been reading reading around yesterday, and saw that everybody suggests using the rubber "stacks" from the stock airbox. Luckily I have a couple airboxes lying around, so I'm sure I have those somewhere. I already replaced the battery the other day, as wiring issues were my biggest concerns. I like to believe most mechanical issues I can resolve, but wiring scares me on just about everything. I'm currently fighting the bowl screws on the carb, but I should have them cleaned and replaced tonight. If all goes well, I'm planning to have it started up for it first time by Tuesday. Here's hoping. Thanks for the advice, guys!

[SirJeremy]

So about the pod filters; I'm unsure if the owner ever adjusted the jets to accommodate the slip-on and the pods. So should I just hook back up the airbox, or will it be worth moding the rubber "stacks" to use on the pods? I plan to try contacting the previous owner to ask if he did any jet work, but assuming he doesn't remember I figured you guys would know best.

Oh, and I just noticed your reaction about the rear brake. It doesn't fit the bracket on the current swing arm, so I have to replace the swing arm before it will fit. Don't worry, the bike isn't leaving the parking lot without it