1989 FZR600 Restoration
Discussion
Back in 1990, my first big bike after I passed my test was an FZR600, undisputed king of the middleweights in those days. I wanted one so bad, and I chopped in my TZR125 for it and bought one, ex-demo, with 600 miles on the clock.
Fast forward 33 years to September 2023 and my son is sitting on the sofa beside me, asking what my first big bike was. So, I told him - an FZR600 - and amazingly, he didn't have his phone in his hand at the time so he asked me what they looked like.
I did have my phone in my hand, went onto FB Marketplace and up popped this 1989 red/white FZR600, so I showed it to him. "Cool", he says.
As I'm about to put the phone down, I happened to notice the blurred out registration plate on this particular FZR.
Yep; it's my old bike. First thought was "f... me, what are the chances".
Fast forward another week, and the FZR is being pulled off the back of a van and wheeled into my garage.
So, I rode it about for a couple of weeks, but it felt a bit down on power (and a lot less comfortable), and it was a bit tatty in places, so I set about a 'small' restoration. Stripped it down, took everything off, and found oil in the top of one of the exhaust headers. So, thinking piston rings blown and I can't do that myself, I gave it to my local guy to have a go at.
Long story short - FZR engine is toast. So, I set about finding a FZR engine, only to discover that they're basically just as knackered as what I'm taking out. My guy suggested a YZF600 engine would fit, so I bought a slightly ropey YZF600 to strip and transplant the engine.
I dont have the skills to do this myself, as although the engine is basically the same, the carbs/airbox are a completely different fit. Given that everything has to come out, figured I may as well get the frame and wheels powder coated.
Current state of play is that the bike now has the YZF engine in, electrics and airbox to be sorted shortly.
Meanwhile, the bodywork is mostly shot to s
t with splits and cracks and missing pieces. So that's off to Dream Machine for them to work their magic.
Current ETA is (hopefully) within the next 8 weeks, it'll be back to me as a rolling, running chassis, at which point I have to refit the tank and some minor electrics, collect and refit the bodywork, and get back on the road.
Updates to follow...
Fast forward 33 years to September 2023 and my son is sitting on the sofa beside me, asking what my first big bike was. So, I told him - an FZR600 - and amazingly, he didn't have his phone in his hand at the time so he asked me what they looked like.
I did have my phone in my hand, went onto FB Marketplace and up popped this 1989 red/white FZR600, so I showed it to him. "Cool", he says.
As I'm about to put the phone down, I happened to notice the blurred out registration plate on this particular FZR.
Yep; it's my old bike. First thought was "f... me, what are the chances".
Fast forward another week, and the FZR is being pulled off the back of a van and wheeled into my garage.
So, I rode it about for a couple of weeks, but it felt a bit down on power (and a lot less comfortable), and it was a bit tatty in places, so I set about a 'small' restoration. Stripped it down, took everything off, and found oil in the top of one of the exhaust headers. So, thinking piston rings blown and I can't do that myself, I gave it to my local guy to have a go at.
Long story short - FZR engine is toast. So, I set about finding a FZR engine, only to discover that they're basically just as knackered as what I'm taking out. My guy suggested a YZF600 engine would fit, so I bought a slightly ropey YZF600 to strip and transplant the engine.
I dont have the skills to do this myself, as although the engine is basically the same, the carbs/airbox are a completely different fit. Given that everything has to come out, figured I may as well get the frame and wheels powder coated.
Current state of play is that the bike now has the YZF engine in, electrics and airbox to be sorted shortly.
Meanwhile, the bodywork is mostly shot to s
t with splits and cracks and missing pieces. So that's off to Dream Machine for them to work their magic. Current ETA is (hopefully) within the next 8 weeks, it'll be back to me as a rolling, running chassis, at which point I have to refit the tank and some minor electrics, collect and refit the bodywork, and get back on the road.
Updates to follow...
Very cool story, incredible really!
I bought a super cheap low mileage non running SRAD 750 a couple of years ago, and brought it back into service. It’s super fun to ride.
Edited to add that it’s a great looking bike and, like so many sports bikes, it looks even better with the fairings removed.
I bought a super cheap low mileage non running SRAD 750 a couple of years ago, and brought it back into service. It’s super fun to ride.
Edited to add that it’s a great looking bike and, like so many sports bikes, it looks even better with the fairings removed.
Edited by Kawasicki on Wednesday 19th February 17:29
carinaman said:
The graphics of that Arai lid on the K100RT is great.
Yep, I loved that lid, Doohan rep like this:https://www.bikestop.co.uk/arai-chaser-v-helmet-do...
Fantastic mate, and finding your old bike, it was clearly meant to be..
The FZR600 & 1000 are legendary bikes, especially in that blue/white/red speed block paint.. A shame about the engine though.
I’ve had a few panels painted by DM recently, & was considering getting my ZXR repainted. I was quoted around £1500 + the dreaded 20%.. Are you painting the entire bike?
The FZR600 & 1000 are legendary bikes, especially in that blue/white/red speed block paint.. A shame about the engine though.
I’ve had a few panels painted by DM recently, & was considering getting my ZXR repainted. I was quoted around £1500 + the dreaded 20%.. Are you painting the entire bike?
SuffolkDefender said:
That’s exactly the price they quoted and yes, that’s every panel, with the ‘decals’ painted on instead of a decal kit.
Finding oem decals, or good quality aftermarket decals is almost impossible.. I was happy with the panels DM did with my bikes, so yours should look great when finished lol
I have a rough idea of the costs but as with most restos I’ve just accepted that the cost of restoring it will outweigh its value.
Bike - £1400
Yzf donor - £700
Paint - £1800
Crap fairing (now redundant) - £250
Mechanicals - TBC but probably £2000
This is a bike that I’m doing purely because it was my bike 30+ years ago and over the years I’ve often wondered if it was still around, so when I saw it for sale I couldn’t not buy it. The guy who was selling it had had higher offers than mine but those people wanted to break it and he didn’t want to do that, so I was, I guess, the perfect buyer.
Equally, this is a bike that probably isn’t going to do even 1000 miles a year because I’m not 17 anymore and it’s not that comfy. But it’s a real piece of nostalgia for me.
I have a rough idea of the costs but as with most restos I’ve just accepted that the cost of restoring it will outweigh its value.
Bike - £1400
Yzf donor - £700
Paint - £1800
Crap fairing (now redundant) - £250
Mechanicals - TBC but probably £2000
This is a bike that I’m doing purely because it was my bike 30+ years ago and over the years I’ve often wondered if it was still around, so when I saw it for sale I couldn’t not buy it. The guy who was selling it had had higher offers than mine but those people wanted to break it and he didn’t want to do that, so I was, I guess, the perfect buyer.
Equally, this is a bike that probably isn’t going to do even 1000 miles a year because I’m not 17 anymore and it’s not that comfy. But it’s a real piece of nostalgia for me.
Edited by SuffolkDefender on Friday 21st February 10:42
Here's a few more pics:
Knackered fairings. Rear panels weren't too bad but I can't paint just the fairings and leave the rest as is, so all the panels have gone off. I bought a cheapo fairing off eBay thinking I'd use that, but it's crap quality. So, I've left it with DM for them to use as a pattern when repairing the original.
Donor YZF. This had been sat for about 5 years after being stolen/recovered, 30k miles but the guy who's doing the work stripped it and says it's mechanically sound, so in it went. I did ride it and get it ready for MOT, but it failed on fork seals, rear suspension and about a million other things.
Last, but by no means least - FZR and me, 30+ years apart. Obviously, much better looking these days (the bike, that is, before someone says it)
Knackered fairings. Rear panels weren't too bad but I can't paint just the fairings and leave the rest as is, so all the panels have gone off. I bought a cheapo fairing off eBay thinking I'd use that, but it's crap quality. So, I've left it with DM for them to use as a pattern when repairing the original.
Donor YZF. This had been sat for about 5 years after being stolen/recovered, 30k miles but the guy who's doing the work stripped it and says it's mechanically sound, so in it went. I did ride it and get it ready for MOT, but it failed on fork seals, rear suspension and about a million other things.
Last, but by no means least - FZR and me, 30+ years apart. Obviously, much better looking these days (the bike, that is, before someone says it)
Edited by SuffolkDefender on Friday 21st February 10:38
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff