1984 GSXR project.

[mattsprattuk]

decided to make a new post on this as its about restoring rather than buying.
for those who dont know, i've just bought a GSXR400 off ebay. i visited it today after a 150 mile round trip on the lifan getting lost twice because the GPS wanted me to go on the M5 (L plates, nonono).
its been slightly modified and partially streetfightered, for those in the previous post who were saying about the engine casings being changed, it was for cosmetic purposes, as some of the pics i took today when i went to view it will show.
it came with some BADLY modded rear fairings, so we're going to pretend they dont exist
i plan to get a whole new set and modify some 1990 fairings to fit.
the wiring loom and all rubbers are in excellent condition, so no problems (yet) with that, all parts are there apart from the fairing ( from what i can tell) so it should be a straight forward job i hope.
theres more rust than there looked in the pics of it on ebay, so that was a bit disheartning at first, but on closer inspection, its very light, non penitrating rust, so WD40, wire wool and some metal polish will sort that out.
its got an after market modified exhaust (i like to call it 'custom made' ) basically, the end was damaged, so its been cut down and is basically a short silencered version that should make some kids cry.
it was made in 1984, but first registered in 1990??
im guessing it must have been used in a different country.
its been standing as a non runner for a while, so im going to start by stripping the carbs and cleaning them out and checking they work ok, ill whip out the sparks and shove a bit of oil in the cylinders and then try starting from there! new sparks, so that shouldnt be any bother.
if compression is ok and theres a spark, hopefully i'll be sorted!
its on things like this that i get a bit suspicious and think 'why was it left in the first place?' and if it turns out to be a big bit of poo, ill actually cry.
so basically... structurally and (supposedly) mechanically sound! should be an easy one if my last projects are anything to go by.
ill shut up now and let you see the pics.
first pic is just basically a top down view without the tank to check the frame condition and stuff.
https://aycu37.webshots.com/image/18116/2001644105413022916_rs.jpg

next is the right side of the bike (you can see the modded engine casings and exhaust).

https://aycu09.webshots.com/image/16928/2001621365000291306_rs.jpg

final pic is of the clocks... just because i think they look quite cool

https://aycu14.webshots.com/image/18613/2001684337466562945_rs.jpg

on the other side of the bike (opposite of pic no2) theres a bit of rust around the drive shaft the sprocket goes on, but it seems superficial and hopefully will just come off, gotta hope it hasnt spread inside.

finally, a pic of a dog looking up for people who dont beleive they can.

https://aycu35.webshots.com/image/16394/2001655759270010415_rs.jpg

im going to keep updating this post as the project goes on, so watch this space sports fans!
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Mudskipper]

If it's an '84 GSXR then you've got yourself a GK71b!!! The earlier version of my GK73a.

Grey imports, hence the registration years after manufacture.

Lots of info on 400Greybike. Also you can find your exact model here

If the 71 is similar to the 73 (I think it is, the manual is covers both) then those carbs will be a pain in the arse. Hoping to do mine this weekend.

You'll have to replace the O rings which are a bitch to source (the right ones). and the float bowl gaskets.

Are you sure 1990 fairings will fit? 1990 models were GK76 and quite different in appearance to even the 73, let alone the earlier 71.

Good luck

Mudskipper
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CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."

[trevoriv]

Looks like more fun than a pair of swedish twins on heat

Wish I had a clue about mechanics and the ability to be arsed
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Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
Mudskipper wrote: Someone just has to sig that...

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Stiffler]

[mattsprattuk]

[Stiffler]

LMAO that's exaclty what my m8's said when I got home... I only managed to bag one of them on the last night. But tbh that was more than I was expecting as I was way way out of my league with either of them. I love the person who invented alcohol!
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[mattsprattuk]

so today was the day i picked it up.
managed to fit it upright on the sidestand with about half an inch of play between the bike and the roof! kind of lucky.

i found out the engine has been drained of all fuel and oil, unsure why. so i'll be getting some oil and fuel tomorrow, filling her up, and trying to start it.
i want to know what that stubby exhaust sounds like!

i was also quite suprised to find that it was a 4 cylinder rather than the 2 i thought it was.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Blau Zedong]

The GK71B is a fairly unique beast. It doesn't really share bits with any other gixxer 400, whereas the GK71F onwards share crankcase layout etc.

I think they do suffer from exploding CDI units, but other than that and spares being hard to find they should be quite solid little bikes.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[mattsprattuk]

well to day i had a bit of a play, added oil... they dont need much at all!!!
looked in the window after 1l of oil was put in and it was already 3/4 to the top!

and after all that i was a 'tard...
ive never worked on a bike that didnt have a DRY flywheel on the left hand side under a cover...
without really thinking about it and singing along to the mp3 player...

*unscrew unscrew unscrew*
*SPLOOOSH*
'SHIT'

oil all over my bloody airwalks!!! FUCK!!!!
oh well, so much for my 'oil it up and turn over slowly' approach.

next i put a bit of oil in each cylinder (about a strawful) and started to turn it over on the starter. COMPRESSION FROM ALL CYLINDERS!!! yeeee... that means not much chance of fuckerd pistons or rings.
next, whilst i write this and after the battery has charged, is to check for spark from all the coil leads.
if ive got a spark and compression, im almost there!
all that needs sorting if it doesnt start is the carbs. simple strip and clean should do it.

heres my fucking oil spillage.
https://aycu22.webshots.com/image/17901/2004747131288677754_rs.jpg
and heres my (rather rusty but not for long) bike...
anyone know what the highlighted thing is? :S
i dont have a cover for this part of the bike, and no way in hell im going to find one, so ill just have to never ride with trailing laces
https://aycu34.webshots.com/image/19153/2004785767200891438_rs.jpg
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Gazdaman]

See where the wire goes or check a wiring diagram. My first guess would be neutral switch or something, but generally that's hidden in the crank cases.

Gaz

[mattsprattuk]

update: ALL RUST IS GONE that appears in this pic... i got hold of some magical green gel and it came right off down to the metal.
pics at the end of the day if your lucky

EDIT: here you go.

end of the day 1 pic 1
https://aycu31.webshots.com/image/16030/2002858638950925721_rs.jpg

end of day 1 pic 2, after sprocket, chain, clutch-thingy plate attatched.
https://aycu17.webshots.com/image/17776/2002802631656615186_rs.jpg

day 1 pic 3
after a bit of polish the thing is like a mirror

https://aycu39.webshots.com/image/16638/2002821714700981650_rs.jpg

now im a bit stumped on 2 things otherwise id be still outside
1: MIGHT have an oil leak. when i made my massive oil spillage, may have damaged a gasket?? TBC... i think ive stopped it, but im letting it go to see if its still dripping.
2: where the hell do the fuel lines from the tank plug in?? dont have a clue! (oh har har, yes i know into the carbs).

more updates soon! stay tuned sports fans!
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[J.K.R]

Is it ex-race? Drilled oil filler points towards it (where the lockwiring would have been)

I'd think the part above the sprocket is your neutral indicator
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www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

[mattsprattuk]

ex track?

this good or bad? :S
and what are the usual signs to look for if it is?

i attatched the chain, had an electrical fiddle, and the lights work now.
one thing that seems odd... no matter how hard i try i cant seem to get neutral??
would this suggest track bike like above?
or is it jus a badly adjusted clutch? as ive never used this sort before (it has a pin pusing in the engine to disengage)

i had a few signs of life out of it today!
it sounds like a few cylinders are firing!
i had a few splutters and almost a pickup, but nothing definate. cheers.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[HermanTheShee...]

[dougon2wheels]

[tatters]

The oil filter cap has a hole in it because its a aftermarket part and clearly is,nt OEM.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650 Present:G650XC,C12,KZ750,1190ADV

[mattsprattuk]

[virus]

The thing above the front sprocket is a gear position indicator, it feeds to either your gear indicator on the clocks (if you have one) or just the blue wire, i think, to the neautral light


Cheers
John
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[mattsprattuk]

thanks! must be for the gear indicator.

i had a play today, trying to get the engine going... it splutters! which is a good sign.
what im guessing is that its the sparkplugs even though they all spark.
i re-arranged the sparks after it was spluttering, and it didnt fire at all.
put them back and there was a bit of a splutter again.
so ill get hold of some new sparks and try again.

one thing that has been bothering me...

the bottom of one of the sparkplugs had a bit of rust on it... could this reflect the cylinder condition? it has compression though (well, i stick my finger in where the spark goes and even if i press as hard as i can it gets blown out again). maybe just the spark?
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[SoND]

[mattsprattuk]

well, ive come to a bit of a stonking reason for not starting...
fucked pistons!
bugger hell damn it!
oh well...
any reccomendations for replacements?

i thought there was compression, but it varys in all of them, and one i can put my finger over the top without a popping noise

ill wait till i get some money then get some more.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[SamRox]

wouldnt it be better to get a compression tester? lol then you know what psi etc etc, the finger test just gives you a vague idea...

for pistons id go ebay, or maybe a piston specialist if you can find one near you? (theres one near me neways lol)

sam
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2001 aerox rider - stolen and burned

2002 Yamaha Jog R - not fast or cool, but still a giggle to ride

[mattsprattuk]

yeah, a compression tester is good, but i dont have one
the finger test is good for me because im used to what different pressures do what because ive never used a guage, so i can sort of feel when a cylinders going to fire from the pressure.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Kickstart]

Hi

Worth checking the compression properly. Also it may not be the pistons. Could easily be the valve, or even just the clearances.

All the best

Keith
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