FZS600 first bike - advice?

[deanflyer]

Hi,


Im buying a 2002 Fazer with just over 20,000 miles from a friend. It hasn't been used for quite a while and will need an MOT soon, which he is happy to do for me. He tells me its in good condition.


I wont be picking the bike up until March when I should have finished my licence so plenty of time to fettle anything that needs looking at.


As a complete newbie to motorbikes and the FZS600 what should I look out for?


BTW its the go faster gold colour


Thanks,


Dean

[Gnasher]

Go faster gold 


If it's gold as standard it will be either 5DM7 or 5DMA (look on the frame under the seat) these are 2000 models that have sat around in the supply chain or dealerships until being registered in 2002.   In which case it's what knwn as a 'box eye' i.e. two square headlights, if you look here http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?topic=34.0 you can see all the model differences. 

Fazers are very solid bikes, if there looked after they go on and on, even when neglected they still keep giving.  Their Achilles heel, is the rear shock on all models, as standard they last no more than 8k and the rear caliper.  Other areas that need looking at and some TLC, front calipers, drown tubes/collector these rust through, chain sprockets.

That's about it really, yes they're other areas but on a 20k bike these shouldn't be an issue.  If the above are all good and the bike is clean, you've got a gem my friend look after it.      

[YamFazFan]

Check to see if the front sprocket nut has been changed to the updated one yet. If it hasn't you might want to consider getting it done.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=af91pi5hghk1u4r66hu5p65um4&topic=92.msg362#msg362
 

[Gnasher]

Check to see if the front sprocket nut has been changed to the updated one yet. If it hasn't you might want to consider getting it done.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=af91pi5hghk1u4r66hu5p65um4&topic=92.msg362#msg362

Good point  Most sprockets should have been replaced by now and any that destroyed themselves had the lay shaft replaced as there was no or little thread left.  In my experience most of these loose nuts were not fitted on original sprockets but on replacement sprockets, when new chains were fitted.


The other important element is the use of threadlock.       

[mtread]

As a carburettor bike, if it's been laid up for a while it might have sludge in the float bowls and jets. Make sure it's running OK at all revs.


Check the downpipes. They tend to rust through to little holes.


They are a great bike.

[YamFazFan]

Check the downpipes. They tend to rust through to little holes.

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/yamaha/yamaha-fzs600-fazer-1998-2003-buyers-guide

[bandit]

Check the downpipes. They tend to rust through to little holes.

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/yamaha/yamaha-fzs600-fazer-1998-2003-buyers-guide

To be honest I think all years had stainless downpipes but all years had mild steel collectors & that's the bit that rot's away on all models.

[fazersharp]

Check the downpipes. They tend to rust through to little holes.

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/yamaha/yamaha-fzs600-fazer-1998-2003-buyers-guide

To be honest I think all years had stainless downpipes but all years had mild steel collectors & that's the bit that rot's away on all models.

My 98 is all steel

[mtread]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

[darrsi]

If the bike is a boxeye then it's probably worth adding that to the 'Main Bike' profile, because if you ask for any future help with anything to do with the fairing for example everyone's gonna think you have a foxeye, and there are differences.
Either that or just change the year to a 2000.

[vinnyb]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.

[fazersharp]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.

Hows the magnet test on that

[vinnyb]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.

Hows the magnet test on that

  No stick at all.

[fazersharp]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.

Hows the magnet test on that

  No stick at all.

Welds too ?

[vinnyb]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.

Hows the magnet test on that

  No stick at all.

Welds too ?

Now you're asking. I haven't checked. It's in the attic at the moment, if I think about it I'll take a magnet up with me next time I go and check them.

[deanflyer]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The downpipes are black, but these could be aftermarket/upgraded. I'll have a proper look when I go to collect it and check the chassis code.



Looking forward to riding it, I've only been on a CG125 so far

[vinnyb]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The downpipes are black, but these could be aftermarket/upgraded. I'll have a proper look when I go to collect it and check the chassis code.



Looking forward to riding it, I've only been on a CG125 so far

  What did you take your test on?

[YamFazFan]

The speed and power of the 600 will seem immense compared to a CG125. Take it steady

[vinnyb]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The downpipes are black, but these could be aftermarket/upgraded. I'll have a proper look when I go to collect it and check the chassis code.



Looking forward to riding it, I've only been on a CG125 so far

  What did you take your test on?

  Sorry my mistake. You've not taken your test yet. As Yamfazfan said go easy on it when you get to ride it.

[Middy2000]

Ideal first bike in my opinion.


Change the sprocket nut. Its a 10 minute job and costs under a tenner. No brainer.

[BMCfaz]

If it's a Boxeye don't expect great headlights. If you do any riding at night you'll probably want to upgrade the lights or fit spots. Plenty of threads on here to help.


They were a bit of a "parts-bin-special" but none the worse for it. There's lots you can easily upgrade to make a very good bike even better.

[Arfa]

As others have mentioned - check that front sprocket nut. With just 20k on it, it may well still have original chain/sprockets. Check if it's been swapped for thicker nut, check it hasn't fallen off in past and now bodged/welded up onto drive shaft. Anything suspect here and just walk away from the bike - it won't be worth it. Even if all good, if it's original chain you'll likely need to replace that before it hits 30k (£160 ish parts & labour)

Shock will likely be original and in need of replacement soon (budget £100-150 to refurb, or £300 for new Hagon shock).
Check rear caliper - often gets clogged up. Many swap it for FZS1000 blue spot caliper which is more reliable (budget £60-100 parts)
Check downpipes as bottom underneath. All original ones rust through - even my much later 2003 models wa full of holes by 20k odd (budget £200 parts + labour. Couldbe tricky job if studs on engine snap).
Check if brake lines are still orginal rubber ones - if so, budget on replacing with braided lines at this age (£80 parts). Brake fluid is probably long overdue a change anyway.

As with any old bike, check everything else, all lights and electrics work, kill switch/side stand cuts out engine. Check for leaking oil on fork seals (£100-150 job). Check oil has no cream goo in it (sight glass on bottom right of engine), or smoke from oil filler cap when rev'd gently - that'll be screwed engine, so walk away. Check all big fat water hoses aren't cracked/split with age - there's no cheap aftermarket silicone hoses available, genuine hoses are about £20-30 each.

As it's been sat for whilte, check it rev's well, carbs may need a clean (lots of labour). Check age on tyres (google how to read tyre manufacture date), they could be brittle death traps by now, just budget on £200-250 to replace immediately. Check there's no rust inside the tank. See when coolent was last changed - it could need a thorough flush through now (1h labour).

TBH if you're mate actually going to properly service the bike, or just shove it through an MOT alone? If only the latter, I'd plan on taking it straight to a decent garage who will do a thorough job changing all fluids/filters etc (budget £200-300).

[mtread]

Blimey arfa. You frightened me, let alone a newbie 

[YamFazFan]

Blimey arfa. You frightened me, let alone a newbie 

+1

[deanflyer]

Thanks Arfa very comprehensive, just what I needed and no, it didnt scare me off. Id already budgeted for new tyres and a rear shock as a minimum plus probably a chain. Ive had a look at the MOT history and its sat unused for the last 7 years since he bought it from a friend. Hes a bit of a hoarder and he has a lot of classic cars and motorbikes.

He is asking £1100 for it, does that seem reasonable?

Also, can you fit heated grips easily enough?