GPZ600 rebuild - now need a new top end cheap cheap

[dextersaurus]

Hi guys.

2 weeks on thursday im picking up an old GPZ600 for £100

It's in a decent condition as the guy bought it to do up but never had the time.

It's red and yellow at the moment, so i'm thinking about getting it to kawasaki green.

I'll post up pics of it when i get it...

Heres what i want it to look like

https://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/attachments/vintage-motorcyle-info/25658d1231961683-how-many-85-87-zx600-gpz600-owners-here-getattachment-2.jpg

Shoudn't be too hard, rebuild of the engine and get the fairings repaired if needed and resprayed.

It's got the V5 so all should be good if i pass the test, might keep it and see about restricting it

Cheers

Dunc

[Grayzo]

hey dunc,

i know its an oldie buts a goodie.....i admit i do like the styling of the old sports bikes however time did move on and will carry on changing the look of bikes.

can't wait to see the pics mate
____________________
BULLDOG BASH 2009 - 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th OF AUGUST
had - NS125R current - FZR400RR EXUP (89)

[Robby]

Why rebuild the engine? Only do that if it needs doing.

This is an old kawasaki, and I'm presuming it has been stood for a while. Expect to replace most of the following to get it roadworthy:

Fork stanchions
Fork seals, bushes and covers.
Rear shock linkage parts, possibly rear shock absorber.
Tyres
Brake pads
Chains and sprockets
Wheel bearings
Exhaust

In addition, you will need to fully service the bike, fighting with lots of seized things - calipers being a favourite.

Fairing repairs will be a low priority. Doing up old bikes is neither fun nor economically sound.

[dextersaurus]

[dextersaurus]

Went to see it today, it's in decent nick, stoored indoors so not as bad as i expected.

Never saw any rust or anything on the quick once-over i gave it.

It's been sitting for a few months so going to take it to bits (keeping the engine intact) and clean it all, keeping the plastics off to be sprayed black at some point.

Tyres are about new, not much wear at all.

Needs new brake/clutch levers as they crap, and the throttle cable sticks.

Im sure i will find a lot more, but we'll see when i get it.

The reason im so intent on spraying it black and red is as follows.

https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00120.jpg?t=1248980688

Covered in dust but that's easy to fix.

Also has a nexxus 4-1... Any comments?

Will update in two weeks when i collect it

Cheers

Dunc

[Hazylogic]

delusions of grandeur! That's going to be a pain in the arse mate!

[dextersaurus]

[Robby]

In the end it'll be a shit bike that you wish you never bought, when you could have bought a decent zx-6 for what you'll end up spending on it. Decent bikes are very cheap, particularly tatty ones.

Motad nexxus 4-2-1 - I had one on my old GPX750, which was also a cheap shit kawasaki. Despite being stainless, they rust through at the base of the can, where it splits into two to join onto the downpipes. You can't easily weld it, because it's stainless, and you can't bandage it because it's a funny shape just there. The downpipes don't seem to rust though, which is good.

[The Original Muzza]

[dextersaurus]

Im not looking for a decent bike.

I'm wanting something to fix up myself.

I need experience rebuilding bikes and getting them running, i don't want to do that on a more expensive bike tbh.

If wreck this one, it's not much of a loss.

Plus, if i break it, it's worth more than £100, so profit.

Dunc

[dextersaurus]

The bikes on it's way

Will post up pics when it gets here and i've started work

Dunc

[crazymotorbik...]

Hey,

I had the 400R version of the 600 you've got....All i can say is they are a money pit!! and as has been applied your cant polish a turd!

I decided to rebuild mine from the bottom up, cost me almost £2000 over the 6 months i spent doing it. It certainly wasn't worth it. Wish i'd bought something newer with my 2 grand than throwing it at that bag of sh*t.

In the end I ended up selling it to my mate for £300.

If your going to do do it up, set yourself a realistic budget!

Cheers,
Shaun.

[dextersaurus]

[dextersaurus]

Fuck this.

Anyone want it?

[Mystery]

just clean it up abit and then try to sell or just split it for spares and repairs, sell wheels, levers, and a few other bits should make you some cash on ebay

[dextersaurus]

Just kidding, it's not too bad.

Heres some pics

https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00134.jpg?t=1249145632
https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00135.jpg?t=1249145653
https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00133.jpg?t=1249145692
https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00132.jpg?t=1249145762
https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00131.jpg?t=1249145839
https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00129.jpg?t=1249145866
https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00128.jpg?t=1249146001
https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/DSC00127.jpg?t=1249146026

The CG looking on in awe

Unfortunately, needs a complete engine rebuild, New tank, the calipers have siezed and more or less every bolt and screw is stuck.

Got them in the end though, so just got to get the engine rebuilt first...

Will update when i get the bloody plastics off.

Might just take off the indicators and mirror/screen and rip the thing off.

A new one is about £30 on ebay.

all the brackets are fudged anyways.

After the plastics come off the brakes are the first priority, as i can't move the bloody thing without a mate helping.

Oh yeah, front tyre is flat.

Plenty of trim left on both tyres, wheels are immaculate.

New brake disks and plastics, battery and tyre tube = about £150.

Still on budget, that's £250 getting it moving.

Engine shouldn't cost much to repair, £50 to buy the oil, oil filter, coolant, and carb cleaner.

Will update when i get the calipers off, then ask for help as i have no bloody idea what i'm doing

Edit: needs C&S kit thats another £40?

Cheers

Dunc

[Whosthedaddy]

Complete engine rebuild, why?....Shouldn't cost too much? I have no idea at what a rebuild costs, but £250 for the whole project seems a little light?
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[dextersaurus]

[The Original Muzza]

At this moment in time I shall place a wager.
Who I am placing this wager with I have no idea, but I shall place it anyway.

£50 says dunc will pass his test before fixing this up, get frustrated and rat it.

I'm looking forward to the fairingless, matt black inevitability dunc. Please don't disappoint.

(Ps. Selling the fairings on the Bay should get you enough for 3 cans of matt black BBQ paint. All the best.)
____________________
Current Bikes: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2020)
Former Bikes: Honda MSX125 (2014), BMW Funduro (1996), Honda VT500 (1983), Yamaha FZR250 (1989), Suzuki GZ125 Marauder(2005),:Triumph TT600 (2002) (stolen)
From then on, I and the bicycle feelings deeper.

[Mystery]

not bad at all need to power wash it down though would be a good start

[dextersaurus]

[dextersaurus]

[Mystery]

if you need a hand i might come up if you want? not 2night going out but after 2mrrow

[dextersaurus]

[Robby]

Something tells me we mean different things when we say engine rebuild.

At the very least, taking the top end off and fitting new rings and lapping in the valves will cost you £100 in parts and tools.

If the engine is actually damaged, then the most likely cause is from running with no/low/filthy oil. In that case you'll be sorting the mains, big ends, little ends, piston rings, cams, and lapping the valves. New oil pump while you're at it.

If the engine is goosed then a replacement engine is the way forward.

Also, I recognise the tread pattern on that front tyre - metzeler laser something, extremely old. If it's as old and perished as it looks, you'll be wanting new tyres.

C&S kit should be around £80 for the cheapest.

Where's the airbox?