I drop everything. Keys, wallet, torch...The engine WOULD end on the ground if I never had it attatched to a hoist. Good on you for giving it a go though.
I read that in order to adjust the cam chain you have to remove the carbs too, is that right?

It went together, so it must come apart. I had thought about washing it that way, but I would end up with streaks. Like you get on your house windows if you don't dry them properly...
 
It works fine though, just dirty. Although it is cleaner than I would be after 12 years and 27,000 miles on the front of a mmotorcycle 

I painted the frame too, although not all of it. I preped the frame as I did the engine. I bought some steel brush drill bits, which cut the job in half, and finished with wet/dry paper. Managed to get all the rust off and touched up the affected areas. Now all the plastic is off, I will do the same with the rest of it. I am just using the same engine paint for this too, as it is waterproof with a rust inhibitor built in and the color is pretty close.
As for the grips. I generally use R & G numbers. This time I sourced a set of ROXTER grips, which are re-branded Oxford grips. On review, they do very well. I managed to get them for just £28! I put a link to the company I got them from up there /\
I could have had the engine powdercoated for cost price, but getting it out would have been hard work. I have a 4 ton lift in work that would have done it, but I would have had to ask my friend to help me with that one. Transporting the engine would have been hard too, as I drive an MX5 witch has less storage room than the Fazer 

Fazerider - I have never painted an engine before, but my neighbour is in the powder coating type industry and gave me some pointers. The prep took a good 4 hours to get rid of all the crap. I then jet washed the engine with it running and let it dry. I used a hairdryer to finish it off then gave it a first coat after letting the engine cool down a bit (hold your hand on the fins for around 10 seconds, if you can do that without pain, its good  . I let it dry for 24 hours as instructed, then ran the engine for 10 minutes to get rid of any condensation on the engine. Let it cool down...and gave it another coat. The paint is nice and thick and freshens the engine up. I would have liked to remove it to do the job, but there is only so much time/money to invest in a 12 y/o bike. Over all I am happy with the outcome, although maybe some people may not be. Glad you, like me, enjoy the benefit of a little head on the hands during the winter. I found on my CBF that the addition of hand guards, it is even better. The guards break the wind and keep the worst of the rain and snow off, allowing a litter vortex of heated goodnes for my hands to get a proper sweat going, which is always nice 

Looks all right for a first attempt...

I use a pair of spada milan trousers with a Frank Thomas XTI jacket in the worst weather in Scotland. I have wore this combo in minus conditions and on long journeys and I find it comfortable, waterproof and warm. The trousers are one peice, i.e. no removeable lining. I prefer this in a trouser as its easyer to take off. Good knee pads that sit just right too. The jacket, however, is a 3 piece affair. Thermal lining, with a waterproof membrain and a Gore-Tex outer shell with titanium shoulder sliders. Includes elbow, knee and back protection. Although, the back protector aint the best. The 3 layers can be set to suit the conditions. I payed a total of £126, including delivery. So shop around.

Jacket - http://shop.georgewhite.co.uk/frank-thomas-ftw301-extreme-tour-black-red-blue-or-grey.html

Trousers - http://www.bikingdirect.com/spada/trousers/textile/spada-milan-textile-trousers-12744-p.html

 RustyRider, I am not ignoring the issue. I had said in an earlier post that I had though about it and don't know if or how it will work. All I can say for sure is that the guy from the chip manufacturer knows the situation with my particular bike and recons they have something for it. He never said what though, could be a sticker  . He could be wrong about the chip, I could be wrong in the understanding of his explination. There is nothing to be lost here, so it's worth a shot. I will keep you posted.

The paint arrived today. The engine repaint is the first job to be done. I am still waiting for the brass brush bits I ordered to help remove the pits and rust spots around the bolts.
Once I have the engine painted I can get the tank off and have a look to see what this noise is (Cam-chain?). I am hoping the chip will have arrived by then too, so I can fit that whilst I have good access. The 12V socket will go in at this point too, as I want a charger for a GPS mounted up near the handle bars and no tank will make this job easyer.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110779413090?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp4712.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D110779413090%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

I think I will fit the socket under the seat, in the big box area with a permanent feed for phone charging and so on... As for the chip, if it's the same size as the one I'm returning, it will fit away nice and neat. I am not commited to a location yet, but when I get her in bits, it will become clear (I hope). The biggest job for me will be sourcing that engine noise and fixing it. Looking forward to getting the hoses on. The breaks are all spongey and soft. They stop the machine, but could be a LOT better. 

 
Hi Everyone,
 

 
I plan to take my Fazer 600 off the road for 2 or 3 months, as of tomorrow. Not because I mind riding in the winter (I have a CBF125 for that), but because I have a list of things I want to do. I bought the bike 5 or so months ago, in OK condition. She needs a bit of TLC though, and winter is a perfect time for me.
 
I have made a list of what needs doing, and my budget is only £200 (+/- 10%). I will do all of the work myself, with a bit of help from a mate (when needed) who is a mechanic.
 
I am not including the cost of any additional tools I may need, although I doubt there will be any. Also, I already have some of the stuff required, and will not include the cost of that either. I have not included an air filter in my service either, as I fitted a K & N within a few days of getting the bike.
 
Winter Work on Frazer
 
Braided Brake Hoses (Full Set F/R)/ Brake Fluid Change
 
Calliper Re-Condition/Seals
 
Wheel Alignment
 
Spark Plugs
 
Oil Change (Already have it)
 
Engine Re-Paint
 
Philips MotoVision Headlamp Bulbs (Both)
 
Heated Grips
 
Clean Inside Lamp Reflector
 
Investigate Tapping Noise from Engine
 
Clean Carburettors
 
Remove old alarm and fit new alarm with remote start
 
Fit GPS holder with 12V Auxiliary socket (Already have GPS holder)
 
Genesis Performance Chip (Already have it)
 

 
It might seem ambitious on just a £200 budget, but I recon it is possible.
 
I will keep you all posted on progress and tell you where I got the stuff from as I go. If any of you have experience of any of these jobs and have some advice, great. It all helps.
 

 
Cheers
 

Autumn Shy

Hello Everyone,
Just new to the forum and looking forward to getting involved.
I bought an 00' plate Fazer 600 a few months ago and I plan to take her off the road at the end of the month to serve up some overdue TLC. One of the issues I plan to address is a noise coming from the engine. I think it is the cam chain on account of the type of noise. It sounds like a metalic slap rather than a tapping.
Is there a common fault with these machines?
Any help would be appreciated and hopefully save me some time.
Cheers