Impulse purchase - First bike in 3 years
Discussion
Hi all,
Had a big off on a test day in early 2017, and decided that was pretty much it for my biking days.
Just replaced my daughters PW50 with a PW80, and spotted this while searching for Yamaha parts. I was intending to maybe buy a pit bike myself some day, but when I saw the bike in question was only 5 miles away and cheap, I had to have it. Drawn in by the colour, I went and bought it that evening.
It's a 1994 4JH FZR600, or YZF600R in other markets. Its got 51k on it, and reasonable service history. Valve clearances done 10k back, various other new parts. Will prob give it a service myself soon.
It seems to drive spot on, I hated it at first but that was because the front and rear tyre pressures were 10 & 14 psi! Plus it had the front right caliper secured by only one bolt causing it to wobble.
The condition of it is largely very good. Only problems I see is the tank decals near the seat need replacing, and the exhaust manifold needs new securing flange plates.
Thought I'd post it up here, as you might enjoy it!
Cheers.
Had a big off on a test day in early 2017, and decided that was pretty much it for my biking days.
Just replaced my daughters PW50 with a PW80, and spotted this while searching for Yamaha parts. I was intending to maybe buy a pit bike myself some day, but when I saw the bike in question was only 5 miles away and cheap, I had to have it. Drawn in by the colour, I went and bought it that evening.
It's a 1994 4JH FZR600, or YZF600R in other markets. Its got 51k on it, and reasonable service history. Valve clearances done 10k back, various other new parts. Will prob give it a service myself soon.
It seems to drive spot on, I hated it at first but that was because the front and rear tyre pressures were 10 & 14 psi! Plus it had the front right caliper secured by only one bolt causing it to wobble.
The condition of it is largely very good. Only problems I see is the tank decals near the seat need replacing, and the exhaust manifold needs new securing flange plates.
Thought I'd post it up here, as you might enjoy it!
Cheers.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Monday 15th June 11:41
Mixed opinions then 
Yes the colours are very loud for sure, in stark contrast to many of the modern sports bikes. I love 80's and 90's stuff so this was right up my street, although I can see why people wouldnt like it. Only modern bikes I've seen that have old designs like this are Yamaha with some of their special edition speed block colours, and Honda who did a version of their CBR that was quite crazy for the modern age.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Only thing I've ridden since is a mini moto in a race at M4 karting, which I won
My dad still rides, and he's hitting 60 next month, so I wanted to be able to go on a few rides with him before he hangs up the gloves for good. Like you say I will be taking it easy and building up skill and doing some miles.
Yes the colours are very loud for sure, in stark contrast to many of the modern sports bikes. I love 80's and 90's stuff so this was right up my street, although I can see why people wouldnt like it. Only modern bikes I've seen that have old designs like this are Yamaha with some of their special edition speed block colours, and Honda who did a version of their CBR that was quite crazy for the modern age.
dukeboy749r said:
Congratulations!
Just asking - so this is your first bike since the 'off'? With this lovely weather, plenty of opportunities, notwithstanding your day job, to get a few gently miles under your belt.
Thanks! And yes, I crashed my GSXR in the rain at Castle Combe and did my spine in, some details of it in another of my threads here: Just asking - so this is your first bike since the 'off'? With this lovely weather, plenty of opportunities, notwithstanding your day job, to get a few gently miles under your belt.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Only thing I've ridden since is a mini moto in a race at M4 karting, which I won
My dad still rides, and he's hitting 60 next month, so I wanted to be able to go on a few rides with him before he hangs up the gloves for good. Like you say I will be taking it easy and building up skill and doing some miles.
Cracking looking bike, a bit worrying about missing caliper bolts and flat tyres though! I take it you'll be giving it a thorough check over before putting it through its paces in case there's any other niggles?
I sold my GSXR last year to raise a house deposit, now we've been moved in a few months I'd love to get another bike, something at the cheaper end of the scale like this would do the trick for now I reckon!
I sold my GSXR last year to raise a house deposit, now we've been moved in a few months I'd love to get another bike, something at the cheaper end of the scale like this would do the trick for now I reckon!
Darkslider said:
Cracking looking bike, a bit worrying about missing caliper bolts and flat tyres though! I take it you'll be giving it a thorough check over before putting it through its paces in case there's any other niggles?
I sold my GSXR last year to raise a house deposit, now we've been moved in a few months I'd love to get another bike, something at the cheaper end of the scale like this would do the trick for now I reckon!
Yes I've had a good check over it now. Apart from a few fairing bolts that need replacing and some new brake fluid its looking good. Stupidly it didnt occur to me to check the tyre pressures before I rode it home, it felt horrible to ride and I nearly dropped it on a slow roundabout! But yeah when I actually checked and put air in them it solved that. It's actually nice to ride, and I've had various bikes, old and new.I sold my GSXR last year to raise a house deposit, now we've been moved in a few months I'd love to get another bike, something at the cheaper end of the scale like this would do the trick for now I reckon!
As for another motorcycle for yourself, its amazing what you can get for under £2k. As long as its not super desirable there is so much choice. In fact, both my cars and this bike were well under £5k together!
Plus, if you buy weird old stuff, you get extra goodies sometime. Like this genuine Yamaha jacket that came with the bike. It was given to the first owner from the main dealer, never worn! I doubt I'll wear it, but it's a nice bit of merchandise.
carinaman said:
I'd ride it. The dark pink, mauve colour fits in with other stuff in your garage.
Are they five valves per cylinder, or was that just the FZR1000s?
I have a 10 year old daughter, no naturally I have loads of pink and purple stuff about! I had the car in the garage, but pulled it out and stuck a cover on it when I bought this. Are they five valves per cylinder, or was that just the FZR1000s?
I think the 1000 and the 750 used the five valve design, and the 600 used four. I've been doing some digging and it's a bit complex what engines were used for what, and in which markets. For instance its badged as an FZR but isnt one really, it's a YZF, the direct predecessor to the Thundercat. In the US it was called the YZF600R and some had an EXUP system fitted I think, which helped make up for power loss due to stricter emissions stuff.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Monday 15th June 21:33
Pebbles167 said:
dibblecorse said:
That's superb, love it.
Thanks man. If I'm being picky, I'm not a fan of he carbon style can. It suits more modern or darker bikes, but I think a bike like this could do with chrome or stainless. LOADS of options online so I'll see what I think looks best. underwhelmist said:
Congratulations on your new bike, looks great - I do like 80s and 90s bikes. I used to have a Japanese import FZR750R which was a lot more cosmetically challenged!
Thanks. I think a lot of the bikes of that time are, but in a cool way! dibblecorse said:
Brushed stainless over chrome any day with that frame and rear sets, chrome would be jarring.
True enough, there are a lot of options. A brushed stainless Viper can can be had for £65 surprisingly. With the cheaper slip ons its all much of a muchness anyway. S2r said:
What a lovely lookng thing...
My GSXR600 only a couple of years newer than that with an Art carbon can back in the day so I'd say it's of its time - the only things I can remember about the can was 1 - it was loud and 2 - it was loud
Yes I've had a couple of SRAD Gsxr (Phenomenal bikes by the way, still quick by today's standards) and both had an ART can. Loud as hell on the 750 injection, and even louder on the carb 600, that one shot flames too! Nowhere near as loud on this, but still a nice sound.My GSXR600 only a couple of years newer than that with an Art carbon can back in the day so I'd say it's of its time - the only things I can remember about the can was 1 - it was loud and 2 - it was loud
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