Patchb's zx7r project (homemade carbon bits etc.)
Discussion
Right let me explain the situation, just passed my theory, got my CBT booked for December and DAS in January. Provided I pass I'm gonna need a bike.
Is a ZX7R going to be a good choice for a first big bike? I've ridden bikes since I was about 12, starting in minimoto racing, moving onto pitbike supermoto, then I had a RS50 and RS125 on the road and have ridden alsorts from CR250's to Z750's. I'm just thinking the 7R may be a bit of a big old barge for a first bike, I know they handle pretty well and aren't particularly fast (still fast enough to get you in trouble though!) so it should be manageable I'm just worried about the weight. My brother has offered me his for £1500, its a pretty tidy example, this is his 3rd so that says something to me.
My plan was to spend a bit more and get a C6F ZX6R, CBR600RR or Z750, but I kind of think it might be better to spend a little less on a first bike (although I was only planning on spending up to £3500 for one of those).
Also I'm 6'4" so that may be something to take into consideration, I've sat on the 7R a few times and its pretty tight on the old legs but my brother is a similar height to me and he manages. I'll have to chuck my leathers on and have a sit on it.
What are peoples thoughts/other options (not interested in SV650's, GSXR's or R6's)
Ta
Is a ZX7R going to be a good choice for a first big bike? I've ridden bikes since I was about 12, starting in minimoto racing, moving onto pitbike supermoto, then I had a RS50 and RS125 on the road and have ridden alsorts from CR250's to Z750's. I'm just thinking the 7R may be a bit of a big old barge for a first bike, I know they handle pretty well and aren't particularly fast (still fast enough to get you in trouble though!) so it should be manageable I'm just worried about the weight. My brother has offered me his for £1500, its a pretty tidy example, this is his 3rd so that says something to me.
My plan was to spend a bit more and get a C6F ZX6R, CBR600RR or Z750, but I kind of think it might be better to spend a little less on a first bike (although I was only planning on spending up to £3500 for one of those).
Also I'm 6'4" so that may be something to take into consideration, I've sat on the 7R a few times and its pretty tight on the old legs but my brother is a similar height to me and he manages. I'll have to chuck my leathers on and have a sit on it.
What are peoples thoughts/other options (not interested in SV650's, GSXR's or R6's)
Ta
My advice would be get whatever floats your boat mate. Plenty of people will tell you to get bike X or Y as your first bike but at the end of the day you'll be the one living with it day in day out and if you don't like it everyone else's opinion won't matter a jot ! But the 7r is a decent bike and it's not many pennies and comes from someone you know, so it has a lot of plus points. And if you do something silly then the outlay wasn't a huge amount ?
Course on that advice you shouldn't listen to me either
Course on that advice you shouldn't listen to me either
What's your worry? If it's about the power and people suggesting "safe" bikes for new riders I would not worry myself. You know your skills, but it sounds like you have ridden long enough not to panick and do something stupid like grab a hand full of throttle or snatch at the breaks. Or is it something else?
I guess I just wanted something a bit newer, I don't know why really though. I suppose it's not going to depreciate so if I don't get on with it and fancy something else I can always sell it on.
It also means I'll have the bike in my garage that I can go and look at every day until I can actually ride it!
Here's the 7r, got a muzzy system on it sounds lovely.
I think I've talked myself into it, thanks guys!
It also means I'll have the bike in my garage that I can go and look at every day until I can actually ride it!
Here's the 7r, got a muzzy system on it sounds lovely.
I think I've talked myself into it, thanks guys!
Well I've agreed to have it. Looking around it seemed a decent price for it, there is a lot of dogs about. Few more bits it's had done:
Muzzy exhaust system
Nissin front calipers
Braided lines
Aeroblade double bubble screen
Tail tidy
Aftermarket levers
Seat cowl
R&G exhaust hanger
Small indicators
Aftermarket chain and sprockets
Near new Maxxis Tyres
BMC Air filter
Harris Screen brace
Renthal Grips
Shame I've got to wait till bloody January to do my test
Muzzy exhaust system
Nissin front calipers
Braided lines
Aeroblade double bubble screen
Tail tidy
Aftermarket levers
Seat cowl
R&G exhaust hanger
Small indicators
Aftermarket chain and sprockets
Near new Maxxis Tyres
BMC Air filter
Harris Screen brace
Renthal Grips
Shame I've got to wait till bloody January to do my test
Right, I doubt anyone will care but I'm going to keep this thread updated with bits and bobs I do to the bike. I have always kept build threads for my cars and its a nice way to look back on my vehicles and see what I've done and how they've changed over time.
To be fair, this isn't going to change much but it'll give me something to do whilst I wait till next year to ride the damn thing!
So I paid for it and got the keys and documents sorted today. I was straight out to the garage to start tinkering, only to find nothing really needed doing, so I started cleaning instead. First thing that caught my eye was faded paint where a tank pad had been fitted:
Decided to try and polish it out, then realised it was lacquered so no chance of that. I don't particularly like tank pads but I think I'll try and find a plain, tasteful one to try and cover that up.
Broke out the machine polisher and started polishing anyway:
Gave it a quick once over with a couple of different pads. I didn't go mad as it's a 19 year old bike and the paint is never going to be perfect but it comes up alright. I never realised it was slightly metallic before!
I only polished the tank but will get the rest done at the weekend. I want to whip all the bodywork off anyway to clean underneath so I will polish the fairings when they're off. Gave the wheels a clean then just had a good look around it, sit on it and found some little bits I want to change.
Always loved the headlights on 7r's
Such a big old tank
Cockpit view. Love how retro this is, and the harris screen brace is a nice touch
My favourite shot. Shame about all the s
t in my garage!
Few bits I want to do, adjustable rearsets, as I'm 6'4 it feels very tight, I've read rearsets can help this a lot for taller riders.
I want a single seat unit really, gets rid of those nasty rear grab handles (although they are pretty useful for putting the bike on the paddock stand on your own)
I might get a rear hugger, I'm not 100% though as I like the look without one.
To be fair, this isn't going to change much but it'll give me something to do whilst I wait till next year to ride the damn thing!
So I paid for it and got the keys and documents sorted today. I was straight out to the garage to start tinkering, only to find nothing really needed doing, so I started cleaning instead. First thing that caught my eye was faded paint where a tank pad had been fitted:
Decided to try and polish it out, then realised it was lacquered so no chance of that. I don't particularly like tank pads but I think I'll try and find a plain, tasteful one to try and cover that up.
Broke out the machine polisher and started polishing anyway:
Gave it a quick once over with a couple of different pads. I didn't go mad as it's a 19 year old bike and the paint is never going to be perfect but it comes up alright. I never realised it was slightly metallic before!
I only polished the tank but will get the rest done at the weekend. I want to whip all the bodywork off anyway to clean underneath so I will polish the fairings when they're off. Gave the wheels a clean then just had a good look around it, sit on it and found some little bits I want to change.
Always loved the headlights on 7r's
Such a big old tank
Cockpit view. Love how retro this is, and the harris screen brace is a nice touch
My favourite shot. Shame about all the s
t in my garage! Few bits I want to do, adjustable rearsets, as I'm 6'4 it feels very tight, I've read rearsets can help this a lot for taller riders.
I want a single seat unit really, gets rid of those nasty rear grab handles (although they are pretty useful for putting the bike on the paddock stand on your own)
I might get a rear hugger, I'm not 100% though as I like the look without one.
shurm said:
willing to bet the person he bought it off has forgot to take down the advert. loved mine, Black and Silver P5 - it had carbon airtube covers and carbon hugger, set it off nicely. at 35k miles it always cleaned up as new.
Could never get the setup running fully smoothly with a full Akrapovic fitted though, had a +4 ignition advance and it was rejetted, still never as smooth as with stock exhaust.
Could never get the setup running fully smoothly with a full Akrapovic fitted though, had a +4 ignition advance and it was rejetted, still never as smooth as with stock exhaust.
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