Date: 28-03-24  Time: 23:00 pm

Author Topic: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?  (Read 3865 times)

F4celess

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Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« on: 23 October 2017, 01:30:52 pm »
Looking to pickup all the Service items, to give the Fazer a well earned treat. :)
Are there preferred Service items to look for, which are known to work extremely well in the FZS Fazer ?

For example - will I see better gains (engine responsiveness / efficiency) running a K&N Air filter, over a regular (much cheaper) filter?
Also Spark plugs and Oil - anything that stands out?

Thanks in advance.

Disorderlypunk

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #1 on: 23 October 2017, 01:53:52 pm »
and might aswell give your coolant/antifreeze a good flush through aswell as so many people forget to do it regularly enough


but dont use evans waterless coolant - its bullshit and ridiculously expensive

F4celess

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #2 on: 23 October 2017, 02:36:14 pm »
and might aswell give your coolant/antifreeze a good flush through aswell as so many people forget to do it regularly enough


but dont use evans waterless coolant - its bullshit and ridiculously expensive

Thank you for this - very good points. ^ Noted. Will add it to my Service list.

Since buying the bike, have been using funds for Mods, its time to get down to the actual maintenance side.
Have only owned the bike for about 3 months, but would also be peace of mind.

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #3 on: 23 October 2017, 04:03:48 pm »
Hi,

For spark plugs I'd certainly go with NGK. I think it's CR8E you need. You can get them from Amazon at around £4.50 each as an "add-on" item, meaning they have to be ordered alongside something else. I'd be careful about ebay in the case of spark plugs as there are many fakes about but I checked these quite carefully and these Amazon ones look legit to me.

For the oil it' s a matter of personal preference, personally I use Motul 5000 or 5100, but any brand name semi-synthetic labelled as specifically a motorcycle oil should be fine. Some would advise to avoid car oils as they may have incompatible additives for the wet clutch. I've always used ebay for this but from a reputable seller such as Busters or Demon Tweaks, around £35 I think. I change mine every 4000.

The air filter is up to you, but I would go with a K&N. I didn't notice much of a difference but it certainly didn't hurt any and at least you know you have a quality component which you won't have to service very often, and when you do it can be cleaned rather than replaced. This having been said, if you're short the OEM filter will be fine of course.

For coolant I used Halfords OAT premix with good results, but the important thing here is that if when you drain the old coolant you find you have the old glecol-ethyl based stuff in there (blue) then you need to thoroughly flush out the old stuff with water (or even distilled water if you're OCD about these things) before adding the new stuff. They don't mix well and would form sludge. I'd recommend flushing just to be on the safe side unless you're sure it's already OAT in there.

I think it's the nature of service items that none of the above are going to give you any noticable performance increase, but the bike will appreciate it, and certainly if it's new to you then these should be top of your list.

Maybe also look at brake pads. I like EBC organics personally, but personal preference to suit your priorities.

Andy

PS) If the bike is new to you, then had anyone yet mentioned the front sprocket nut epic?
« Last Edit: 23 October 2017, 04:06:04 pm by andybesy »

darrsi

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #4 on: 23 October 2017, 05:02:09 pm »
Been using this oil for quite a while now and it's been fine, plus a very good price. I thought I'd try the fully synthetic and I will stick with it now, but they do also sell the same brand in semi synthetic if you want it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5L-Fully-Synthetic-10W-40-10W40-Motorcycle-Oil-4-Stroke-JASO-MA2-10W-40-/111838862300?hash=item1a0a1d9bdc:g:anIAAOSwHQ9WXgZf

As for the air filter, I'm a big fan of the K&N. The noticeable difference to me was a much crisper throttle response, and the bike does feel like it's breathing easier.
I wouldn't buy too much into the recommended 50K cleaning period though, I do mine once a year on a hot summers day so it can dry quickly and naturally, and I actually clean it using washing machine powder in a bucket of lukewarm water, as it has been recognised as having similar properties as the K&N cleaning spray. I still use the proper K&N spray on oil after it's dry though.
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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #5 on: 24 October 2017, 10:31:17 am »
Thank you both for your very comprehensive feedback.  :thumbup All your additional Tips have been noted.

K&N appears the unanimous preference here. About £45 for that one (YA-6098) - although should last a lifetime, being washable/re-usable!  :eek
CR8E are the 'standard' plug I understand, any advantage going for the more expensive NGK Iridium range (CR8EIX)?

Also, is there a reason for going semi-synthetic over fully synthetic - due to the age of the FZS, is the Semi more suitable?
(with a previous sports bike, smi was preferred too, as fully synthetic, being thinner, increased a risk of it leaking out of various parts!).

Might as well look into the coolant flush too, to complete the job (also as mentioned).
Will be sweet then, come next summer (although feels a very long way off having just come out of one).

If you dropped in new brake pads, shouldn't the Discs also be replaced - as they tend to "bed in" together?

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #6 on: 24 October 2017, 10:40:32 am »

...

PS) If the bike is new to you, then had anyone yet mentioned the front sprocket nut epic?

During the summer just gone, at one point the bike developed a click/clunk kind of sound when pulling away, from stand still, that increased in speed as I speeded up. But then disappeared around 30+mph. This sound no longer occurs.

I did however remove the Sprocket cover and check the sprocket for fitment - was secure, as well as the bolt. Did clean out all the crud that was caked up in there, probably over the years! Sprocket and chain look fine, not worn. Will put on a new extended width Bolt, on the front sprocket, when its time for a new Chain.

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #7 on: 24 October 2017, 10:55:08 am »
You should not be needing to change the disks unless there is something wrong with them
Semmi synth for me Castrol
NGK plugs
Standard genuine yam air filter, my argument against K&N is that I had a 14 year old filter that i replaced with a new OEM one and did not notice any difference. So if a dirty old one to new one gives no difference I don't see how a K&N one would make a difference.
Old and new picture here
« Last Edit: 24 October 2017, 10:56:30 am by fazersharp »
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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #8 on: 24 October 2017, 01:16:41 pm »
Hi F4celess,

You don't need to change the discs at the same time as changing the pads. That would get very expensive! Pads are £30, discs around £300.

Depending on your riding style you'll get between 5K and 10K out of a set of front pads, while I've just changed my front discs at 50K.

It is true that they bed in together, but that just means that it'll take a few miles for new pads to become fully efficient whist their wear beds in to match the disc.

Andy

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #9 on: 24 October 2017, 01:34:37 pm »
i will sometimes take a flap disc to my brake discs to remove the lip that sometimes appears on the outside of a disc just to ease taking calipers off and back on again but i am very carefull on doing it - always worth checking thickness with vernier calipers to see how far off the wear limit they are


-if anyone happens to know the wear limit of ybr125 custom front discs please let me know as i cant find it anywhere and i think i am about to get my godsons as he doesnt look after it like he should (and he is an ungratefull little shit)

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #10 on: 25 October 2017, 12:42:23 pm »
K&N air filters are alright, but don't expect a night'n'day difference. Good you can clean and re-use, but do factor additional time each service to clean it, dry it and re-oil it K&N recommend leaving it to dry naturally, fine on a summers' day, but hassle otherwise and delays putting the bike back together.

Castrol Power1 oil is my fav. Think I read on here gear changes are a bit smoother with it. Dunno, seems ok and I've stuck with it. Opie Oils often have discounts on it.

Avoid the K&N oil filters mind. The handy nut on end is overrated and there's been some dodgy batches that have failed giving you a nice oil slick feature to keep you and your mates behind you on their toes whilst your bikes seizes... Mate had one on this Speed Triple fail half way across Alps! was lucky, spotted it early and free wheeled down!

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #11 on: 25 October 2017, 01:12:42 pm »
K&N air filters are alright, but don't expect a night'n'day difference. Good you can clean and re-use, but do factor additional time each service to clean it, dry it and re-oil it K&N recommend leaving it to dry naturally, fine on a summers' day, but hassle otherwise and delays putting the bike back together.

Castrol Power1 oil is my fav. Think I read on here gear changes are a bit smoother with it. Dunno, seems ok and I've stuck with it. Opie Oils often have discounts on it.

Avoid the K&N oil filters mind. The handy nut on end is overrated and there's been some dodgy batches that have failed giving you a nice oil slick feature to keep you and your mates behind you on their toes whilst your bikes seizes... Mate had one on this Speed Triple fail half way across Alps! was lucky, spotted it early and free wheeled down!


Castrol Power 1 does come in a really pretty plastic container, i’ll give you that.  :lol
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F4celess

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #12 on: 25 October 2017, 03:41:21 pm »

Castrol Power 1 does come in a really pretty plastic container, i’ll give you that.  :lol

I've been making constant tweeks to my "Service List", with each response. :) Castrol Power1 it is.

Back in 2016 (not that far back) you dropped a few Posts in a Thread about fitting Pod filters.
Did you in the end do this - was a "proper method" actually devised, to get the bike running smoothly afterwards... Fit Pods, plus do [THIS] to the Carbs/on the Dyno??

See below. I'd happy throw a handful of Pods on, if the side effects are minimal...........

I have a question for anyone who has run pods.

Describe what you mean by not running smoothly?

I ran pods on my old kat and had a engine tuner set them up, they were fine 99 percent of the time but if I cracked the throttle wide open under certain conditions it would hesitate slightly while the slides sorted themselves out. Speaking to the tuner he suggested I rolled the gas on rather that go straight to full throttle and tbh a little practice I was able to keep it just the right side of bogging down without any loss in acceleration

I hope this is the answer as I'm going for bell mouths so could really be asking for trouble if not.


But that's not really good enough is it?
You had them properly tuned yet were still prone to bogging down if you dared to give it a bit of welly, that alone is a good enough reason for me to not bother.

Disorderlypunk

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #13 on: 25 October 2017, 08:22:08 pm »
unless your going for a full on mod of the bike i wouldnt bother with the pods  - i have them fitted and im no where near getting them set up perfect - but i need to run the carbs through the ultrasonic cleaner when i get a chance then have them setup on the dyno after the rebuild to get them tweaked perfectly

darrsi

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #14 on: 25 October 2017, 08:54:13 pm »
I wouldn't ever touch pods at all personally, as they seem like too much hard work to get things spot on, which is fine if tinkering with engines is your thing.
My bike's a work horse for me though so it's simply not an option anyway, as i need reliability over anything.
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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #15 on: 25 October 2017, 09:39:53 pm »
i just threw them on when i was in and out of there a lot as the engine needed major repair when i bought it and im cutting the subframe off anyway in the future.

darrsi

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #16 on: 25 October 2017, 10:54:58 pm »
Pods are more of a project, okay as mentioned if you have time on your hands, mechanical skills and an urge to fulfill a need, but in real terms if your bike, like mine, is used all year round in all elements then i can only imagine they could be a bit difficult to keep in tune.
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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #17 on: 25 October 2017, 10:56:04 pm »
yeah if its a daily and has a job to do definatly stick with the standard setup

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #18 on: 26 October 2017, 08:30:19 am »
Agreed then, for reliability or where you depend on the bike for transport regularly - don't start fitting pods.
However if its a project bike, where you can afford to tinker and work on it until there's something "usable", go for it. :thumbup

I had actually planned to buy the pods then drop the bike off at a Dyno specialist, and pay them to do the job of setting the bike up.  :eek

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #19 on: 25 November 2017, 10:03:18 pm »

You should not be needing to change the disks unless there is something wrong with them
Semmi synth for me Castrol
NGK plugs
Standard genuine yam air filter, my argument against K&N is that I had a 14 year old filter that i replaced with a new OEM one and did not notice any difference. So if a dirty old one to new one gives no difference I don't see how a K&N one would make a difference.
Old and new picture here
I noticed the difference when going passed 7k revs on a dirty air filter.

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darrsi

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #20 on: 26 November 2017, 12:28:34 am »

You should not be needing to change the disks unless there is something wrong with them
Semmi synth for me Castrol
NGK plugs
Standard genuine yam air filter, my argument against K&N is that I had a 14 year old filter that i replaced with a new OEM one and did not notice any difference. So if a dirty old one to new one gives no difference I don't see how a K&N one would make a difference.
Old and new picture here
I noticed the difference when going passed 7k revs on a dirty air filter.


I bought a HiFlo air filter years ago which lasted about 3 days before i ordered a K&N.
Most likely it was a ropey one, but the bike just didn't breathe at all.
Once the new one was fitted the difference was huge.
I also did a carb balance though with a 'dirty' K&N and i had to do it again a week later after cleaning it.
So a stuffed up air filter really can alter a bikes performance, and as you say at the top end it will undoubtedly make a difference.
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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #21 on: 26 November 2017, 01:16:54 pm »
Quote
Ibought a HiFlo air filter years ago which lasted about 3 days before i ordered a K&N.Most likely it was a ropey one, but the bike just didn't breathe at all.
You did take the wrapper off didn't you Darrsi?  :b [/font][/quote]

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #22 on: 26 November 2017, 02:07:27 pm »
In my head a wet K&N filter is likely to get bunged up more quickly than a dry paper one as every single particle that comes along will stick to it where as with a paper one it tends to hit it and fall off and collect out of the way of the main air flow .

What do you think   
« Last Edit: 26 November 2017, 02:08:20 pm by fazersharp »
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darrsi

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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #23 on: 26 November 2017, 03:08:54 pm »
In my head a wet K&N filter is likely to get bunged up more quickly than a dry paper one as every single particle that comes along will stick to it where as with a paper one it tends to hit it and fall off and collect out of the way of the main air flow .

What do you think   


There's a lot more air flow with a K&N
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Re: Service Items (Air Filter / Plugs / Oil) - recommendations?
« Reply #24 on: 26 November 2017, 03:27:04 pm »
If you can, you might want to turn up your fuelling a bit too if you fit a k&n as you might be running a little lean.
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