workshop total noob, advice appreciated

[issey9090]

Hi

Looking for 1st big bike. I'm looking at a bike that needs new levers, possible new swingarm. Are lever replacements a relatively easy thing to do myself? I'm guessing a swingarm replacement is best left for the experienced .

It also has broken fairing, but not having much luck finding replacement on the net.

I'd like to learn how to do all the basics with time - changing fluids & filters... How long would you say it takes to get up to scratch - and are there things that I could f*** the bike if i go wrong?
Thanks

oh the bike im looking at is a 98 fazer

[binge]

The levers are very easy to change yourself. If you buy a pattern replacement. Which is basically an identical set of levers. Then its a case of undoing the nut/bolt that holds the lever onto the perch. Pulling the lever off. And replacing with the new lever.

The clutch will require a bit of fiddling with the cable but its nothing different to fitting brakes on a BMX.


Swing arms also arent that hard to change. If the bike has a center stand then its an added bonus. If not then you will need to use your imagination to get the rear wheel suspended without using the swing arm to lift it.

Then You need to remove the rear wheel. Un clip all the brake line from the swing arm. You may also need to break the chain to remove the swing arm. Some bikes you don't, some bikes you do. It depends where the chain is run.

You shouldn't need to re-bleed your rear brake after. If its got a rear drum brake, then it will be even easier.

Once you have stripped all the parts from the swing arm. Its a case of undoing the bottom shock mount (Assuming its a conventional shock mount), And undoing the spindle bolt that holds the swing arm to the frame.


You may require a special Castle nut socket to do this.


And then rebuild back up with the new swing arm.




Just out of interest. What bike is it? And what is wrong with the swing arm?




Ben
____________________
- Honda XL125S - CBR400 NC29 - VFR400 NC30 - CBR400 NC29 - TL1000R - TeeZeR Pit! - Bandit 12 - YZF450 - LuckyMX125 Pit! - Demon X XLR 140 Pit!
- Stomp KZ 160 Pit! - Demon X D-link 140 Pit! - CRF50F Mini-Pit - MonsterMoto 155cc MiniSM - Honda Chaly 150cc - Yamaha 98' R1
- Honda Chaly 140cc - Thumpstar 190cc 4v MiniSM - Aprilia RS125 Pit-Bike -

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[binge]

98 Fazer.

Completely missed that bit on the end of his post.




Ben
____________________
- Honda XL125S - CBR400 NC29 - VFR400 NC30 - CBR400 NC29 - TL1000R - TeeZeR Pit! - Bandit 12 - YZF450 - LuckyMX125 Pit! - Demon X XLR 140 Pit!
- Stomp KZ 160 Pit! - Demon X D-link 140 Pit! - CRF50F Mini-Pit - MonsterMoto 155cc MiniSM - Honda Chaly 150cc - Yamaha 98' R1
- Honda Chaly 140cc - Thumpstar 190cc 4v MiniSM - Aprilia RS125 Pit-Bike -

[Itchy]

https://bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=148552

See the above thread, CBR600 was fixed by me with similar self inflicted damage! , but be wary a 98 Fazer can be had for £1000 these days!.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[issey9090]

wow thanks for the quick replies!

Im only judging the bike by pictures at the moment - im going to have a look at it tonight. Damage looks like cosmetic only. Swingarm looks quite corroded, but can't tell till i see it properly.

Good to hear the levers shouldnt be too much of a problem.
Swingarm sounds tricky to me Binge with my knowledge( =0 )
I'll read that link properly later Itchy, thanks.

[0ddball]

Is it this one?

[issey9090]

yeah! Should have posted the link in the first place.

Maybe i am being a bit cheapskate for my first bike, but looks like an ok runner?

[Walloper]

It looks super in the pics. Buttttt.....
With respect... You can't say how good the engine is just on the owner's say so.
You can't tell what kind of life it's had.
You could be buying a 'Pig in a Poke'.
You should really really take a mechanic with you.
Or, as was said, buy a non-fixer-upper for a first big bike.
It would be so disheartening to o/haul the back end to have it throw a 'Leg oot o' the Bed' a few months later....
Too much tech-speak?
In normal life it should be easy enough for the un-imformed to repair the damage you have listed.
Main thing in a bike are the Engine and Gearbox though.

Good luck in your hunt for glory.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[MarJay]

Hmm.

Damaged swingarm eh? I've not looked at the ebay link (I'll have a look later when I'm at home) but anything with a damaged swingarm sets massive alarm bells ringing.

Have you seen how cheap Swinging arms are from breakers? Very very cheap! Do you know why? Because they almost never get damaged in a crash. If a bike has been damaged enough to need a new swinging arm, then it could have anything wrong with it.

I'll have a look at the fleabay link later and let you know what I think.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Ichy]

Swingarm is probably fine. Just looks like oil off the chain in the pictures.
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[Itchy]

Heh thats probably true , I got off lightly the breaker I picked it up from said I should be dead as people who snap swing arms generally die in the process.

But depends on the extent of the damage in that scratches aren't uncommon , wear is also common where ham fisted attempts to put on new end cans which rub against the swing arm when riding but look fine when off the bike etc.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.