FZR600r Foxeye..

[Eddie Hitler]

Bought this last night. Was a complete impulse purchase, being bikeless has driven me insane. Odd how things work out, this is just the kind of bike I have been after, I had the older FZR600 last year and loved it. This being a taughter more refined version makes me erect. Not the fastest by any standards but more than I need. This has 2 new tyres, new DID chain and sprockets and a few other bits. More than happy paying £750 for it! Was only £150 to insure too. Bargain.

Main problem riding it home was the clutch. It was super heavy, and at one point wouldn't engage at all, so had to keep it in gear for 10 miles. Got home, parked it up and went to bed.

At 7.30am this morning I cracked on getting it fixed. First removing all the lovely plastic which is a 2 second job.

https://i.imgur.com/VVyvBGG.jpg

Full Micron exhaust system, lurrvely!

https://i.imgur.com/TBHSoq3.jpg

Straight away I saw the adjustment for the clutch was as tight as it could be. Explained why it was so stiff! Previous owner had said he installed a new EBC clutch.. I am rather worried now that he has had his mitts inside the engine after seeing he couldn't adjust a cable.. time will tell.

https://i.imgur.com/3N9eF8p.jpg

Also cleaned the rod and lubed up. Was veryyy dirty.

https://i.imgur.com/5Csv2sI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/l3gnx43.jpg

Much better. The clutch feels alot lighter after a quick test up the road. Time now for a coffee, clean up and then a good ride! Will be taking a few tools with me just incase, and rather reassured I have breakdown cover. Hopefully won't need it!

A few nigly things. Need another front fork cover as there's only one. It was mentioned on the previous MOT that the rear wheel bearings have a little play, after my experience with my ZZR I'll just replace them all. Need 2 bolts for the other mirror.

More pictures to come later today.

[dannymassive]

Nice find Eddie

Hope you enjoy your ride and hope that you don't need those tools!
____________________
Previous Ride's - '01 Aprilia SR125 (Sold) '08 HONDA CBF600n (Sold) '96 CB500 (Sold) '01 FZS 1000 (Sold) '06 CB1300SA (Sold) '07 CB600F Hornet (Sold) - '93 Suzuki Savage LS400 (Sold) '98 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm (Sold) '05 CB600F Hornet (Sold) '01 FZS1000 Fazer (Sold) 2016 Harley Davidson Street Bob SE (Sold) '02 Kawasaki ZX9R (Sold) '98 CB600F Hornet (Sold) '04 Suzuki Bandit 1200s (Sold) '13 Yamaha FZ1-N

[Eddie Hitler]

[Eddie Hitler]

All my fears have come true.

After 10 minutes of riding, the clutch got progressively stiffer until the point it won't engage at all. Any ideas what can cause this? I'm going to take the clutch apart now, I have a suspicion he has done everything up incredibly tight, would that cause an issue like this? Plates heating up, sticking together then unable to function?

Also, there's a major wobbly in the front wheel. I think it's a bearing, that's coming off now too.

Typically, the speedo has stopped working aswell. EVERY fzr I have bought, this has happened on the first ride.

Looks like this is a project now. Any chance it can be moved to the Show and Tell?

[MarJay]

That chain looks as dry as a bone. I don't think you've got a bad bike there, I think a thorough service and a few niggly jobs and you'll have a good bike.

The clutch could be a number of things, but I suspect that the new clutch was not fitted correctly.

Does the front wheel wobble at very low speed (IE when the bike is on a stand)? If so, I'd replace the bearings ASAP.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Eddie Hitler]

Chain was oiled just before I set off.

Not low speed no. Starts at about 40, getting worse the higher the speed. Very, very noticeable above 60mph. Had a look at the wheel whilst it was wobbling, certainly is the front wheel and not the rear/something else.

Apart from these issues, it really does feel solid. The engine has suprised me, and really does sound how a bike should.

Fairings are all off right now, time to get cracking.

[Eddie Hitler]

Definitely shot bearings. Rotating them with my forefinger inside the wheel, I can feel notches and scraping. One of them barely moves freely at all.

As regards to the discs, this has a mismatched pair. One shakes a little and makes a little noise (is this normal?), and the other is solid. I thought at first it could be these causing the issue, probably not.

Anyone have any idea what bearings this bike takes?

Wheels now going back on, for the clutch.

https://i.imgur.com/Hecg6Hc.jpg

Was worried it was the headrace bearings, they are fine thank god.

https://i.imgur.com/c6lAKLe.jpg

This is the disc that rattles a little. The middle is a little disconnected from the outer disc. I have seen this on other bikes, can someone confirm it's fine to use with another disc thats the solid type?

https://i.imgur.com/abZggxO.jpg

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I couldn't tell you if it's ok to use a fully floated disc with a semi floating one but here's a description of their differences.

[MarJay]

[MarJay]

So from what HT says they probably should be semi floating discs, and the likelihood is that the one that moves is knackered. Not saying this is an absolute certainty, but it's worth considering.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Eddie Hitler]

Ok, some really useful info there . Pretty sure the new bearings should sort the issue, I'll consider the brake discs after. They have alot of life left from what I can feel.

Now the pig.

Clutch cover off, I can't see anything immediately wrong. I took a photo as it is, just incase someone can spot something I haven't. Going to take the discs out, check the basket for wear then report back. Anything else I should check? The symptoms are when heating up, the clutch seizes up. When I adjusted the cable earlier this morning, it went through the gear no problems whatsoever. It has a brand new clutch kit installed from what I've been told.

https://i.imgur.com/tc0YwIo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Fn9n2Ly.jpg

[Eddie Hitler]

Come to a bit of a dead end. Can't find anything obviously wrong with this clutch. The plates seemed a little dry, I'm going to soak them in some oil. The basket looks brand new, as are the springs and plates. Nothing seems out of place.

Can someone confirm the correct installation of the plates?

Whats bugging me is that it worked perfectly this morning when the engine was only just warming up. It has to be something heat related right? If something else was wrong, it wouldn't work when cool, then get tougher to operate when hot?

Going to have a cup of coffee in the sun and some lunch. Could be worse, I love working on my bikes! Although riding it all day would have been much preferred..

https://i.imgur.com/d3exaZi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RlO1rld.jpg

[Eddie Hitler]

Just to add - when I got back from the 20 minute ride (in which the clutch got progressively harder to operate), I pulled into the drive and the lever would hardly budge. After it cooled down I was able to change it into neutral with no issues.

Would installing the kit without pre-soaking the plates in oil cause this issue?

Help!

[moppy]

Absolutely no idea about mechanical issues, but lovely bike and a good price too if the fairings are all good.

Hope you get it sorted.

[c_dug]

Were you aware there were clutch issues when you bought it?
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Eddie Hitler]

[c_dug]

Not tempted to try and get your money back before funding yourself in a bit of a money pit? Or at least some of the money.

Looks a lovely bike to be honest so I get why you would want to get it sorted and keep it. Have you downloaded a manual yet? May show you something about putting the clutch together than was done incorrectly?
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Eddie Hitler]

To add insult to injury, I think the front wheel is actually buckled. I doubt bearings would cause it to sway slighty side to side?

Got stung on this bike I think.

[Snorty]

I had a similar experience with my TZR 125. Not exactly the same kind of bike, but the clutch was lovely and soft, until eventually the longer it was ridden, it became extremely stiff and hard to operate.

Ended up being the cable, I think I'd used some poor/unsuitable lubricant on it. Don't know why it stiffened up after the longer it was ridden/used, but it did.

Buckled front wheel is pretty dangerous, that would definitely cause some wobbling/jumping.
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Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[mysterious_rider]

^ Not too badly chap, it comes with stainless pipes, and is bang tidy. So IMO it isn't too bad. Just consider it a project.


The clutch issue, that's weird. First off make sure plates are in the right order. Friction plate is the first to go on, then a metal one, then friction , so on so fourth till the friction one is last. Also make sure they metal ones have the softer side facing a certain way, dont mix and match what way they go.

Look at the clutch adjuster again, back the nut off, and screw it out, must slacken the cable also. Screw the adjuster back in, find resistance, back it out 3/rd of a turn. Tighten. Then adjust cable.

It sounds stupid, but maybe the prev retard added too many plates? Worth checking what they run standard... I'd be tempted to remove a friction and metal plate and seeing if that makes any odds. Just to test.

How much is the wheel buckled? Enough for you to feel it? Personally I'd get the bearings changed and then see how It felt on the road, if you REALLY want a machining company should be able to press the rim for you for very little money and get it straightened out. Worth having a look at... Otherwise worth replacing the bearings/ check the condition in which the bearing sits (odd angle!??).
____________________
KAWASAKIIIII

[Eddie Hitler]

Ooo. Might have figured out what's wrong.

The bolt holding the basket on was loose, I was able to undo it with my hands. On a video I have found, It's said it needs to be on super tight. Hopefully that's what this issue is. Need to use the bike tomorrow so will put it back barebones and see if the clutch is sorted. Need to sort front wheel bearings, that's a good idea about getting the wheel straightened, is it a permanent solution? Ie it won't buckle again over time?

I also chucked the seller a polite e-mail, just letting him know I'm pretty unhappy with his dishonesty. Don't expect any money from him, at least he has an option too if he wants.

[Frost]

Meh, over all it's still a nice bike. Taking some bits apart and putting them back properly isn't expensive and at least gives you peace of mind that things are okay. Wheel bearings are a consumable so buying new ones is just one of those things. Buckled front wheel is concerning as it suggests an accident. Check the ends of the forks for gravel rash, the lock stops on the steering. Checking if the front wheel is buckled can be done by spinning it on it's spindle supported by something.

These days the first thing i do on getting a new set of wheels is to check the tire pressures. So many people neglect them and it makes stuff handle so badly you're sure it's fucked

[Eddie Hitler]

Pissed off now. Managed to somehow lose all bite in the front brakes. Unwanted shit this. Bled the breaks now they seems to work again.

Clutch is all back together with the bike upright but now doesnt work at all. Might just get a shop to do this now.

[MarJay]

Its a clean looking bike with straight bodywork with a 160mph potential for £750. Not worth throwing your toys out of your pram for that, even for a buckled front wheel and a dodgy clutch. I'm not surprised the brakes lost bite after removing the front wheel, that seems to happen sometimes. Not sure of the mechanism, maybe it is something to do with dirt behind the piston seals or something.

The clutch problem could be down to the centre nut being loose. Look up the torque setting in a manual.

Front wheel probably won't be an issue to source a replacement.

A 600cc sportsbike for £750 is always going to have a few issues, and it sounds like the important and more expensive stuff is OK.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Eddie Hitler]

I don't mind getting my hands dirty, all the bikes I have bought and used have had issues I have had to content with. This is the first bike I have been mislead and not told of the issues it has, that's what has pissed me off.

Cleared up my shit outside, bikes parked up and I'm done for today. Interesting development.. after I put the clutch back together and fired the bike up, there's now no drive. Gears go up and down but no oomph. More of the same tomorrow. Yay.