I've been using the Haynes manual as a guide, and its worked out ok so far for me. Yours is an early FZ6 isn't it?
S Model, 2004-2006.
Manual says remove fairing but I didn't and its not caused a problem with access.
Haynes always seems to be enthusiastic about removing bits of your bike when doing maintenance, eg to change the plugs they suggest removing the fairing, fuel tank, air filter, battery and battery box before draining the coolant and taking off the fan and radiator simply to change the plugs!!
Wash the bike first so as not to drop crap into injectors/parts etc. Have some Tipex handy for marking plug connectors/ hose connections etc.
Washing it is sensible and the Tippex idea is a good one
Take lots of photos, I've just come out the garage and already I cant remember where half to stuff goes.
I tend to video what I'm doing, so I literally talk through the process I'm about to do which gives me a good record as well as multiple views of whatever I'm working on.
Also a good tip I saw on Facebook was to take a piece of cardboard, draw out the shape of the part you're working on, then, as you take out the various bolts etc, you stick them through the same place in the cardboard, so you know exactly which bit goes back where.
Remove the coils, if you leave them hanging they'll be in the way.
Useful to know.
The valve cover is really tight fit to get out from under the frame, took me ages manipulating it to get it out.
Sounds like the plate that sits above the ABS system on my bike. When I was changing to braided lines the only way to get it out was to remove the rear wheel and shock to take it out through that space above the swing arm!
The Haynes says rotate the rotor clockwise, the Yamaha manual says anti clockwise. I went with Haynes as it seems to me if you go anti you run the risk of undoing the bolt.
Yep, I think that's a cock-up in the Yamaha manual. I came across this when I put the 4 degree ignition advancer on.
BTW I've also heard it said that if you turn it anti-clockwise you risk throwing the timing out...
Thanks for all that