Author Topic: Busted Fazer - what are my options? (Read 9408 times)

Farjo · « **on:** 10 August 2012, 01:51:18 pm »

FZS600 2003, ~75k miles, various dints and scratches to match the miles.

Long story short, 2 of the exhaust studs have snapped. A kind mechanic from York Suzuki rode to my place to take a look and says that because of the position of the studs (i.e behind the frame) it would be costly to fix as the engine will have to be removed to get at them - he said he wouldn't quote for the job as he felt the bike wasn't worth the money.

And to be fair, because I have no garage and the bike is kept under a cover, it has deteriorated over the past couple of years, and from a quick gander the front forks will certainly need replacing. This is on top of a new exhaust system. So all in all repair will cost more than the value of the bike.

So what are my options here? I think they are:

Try and sell it, pick-up only - can't imagine getting much for it.

Sell it for scrap to a broker - again can't imagine getting much.

Breaking it myself - a bit of hastle, but educational. Not sure what I would do with the shell (i.e. wheels, frame and engine) when finished.

Any (constructive) suggestions?

kebab19 · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 August 2012, 02:09:20 pm »

Replacement engine, Deefer possibly has one? £200-300 +fitting

Failing that, ebay is your friend although you'll trip up over unsold stuff.....

darrsi · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 August 2012, 02:18:05 pm »

Breaking is the money maker, but also long winded, time consuming, and you need storage space, which it sounds like you don't have.

I s'pose the general overall condition of the bike is a big factor as well, in terms of wanting to keep it, and by the sounds of it it's in need a a bit of work.

So, realistically, i'd be inclined to be in favour of selling it privately, there's bound to be someone who'll have it as a project who probably has a nice warm work shop to play in.

It's a shame when things like this happen, i have a friend with a car in a similar situation, every time he paid to get one thing fixed another thing would go wrong, then after spending a fortune on it something really bad went wrong, but because he's spent so much money on the other things he doesn't wanna give in, although it's now not financially viable to carry on.

Farjo · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 August 2012, 02:28:17 pm »

Ta for you posts.

Kebab, I think the maths rule out this option:
Replacement engine + replacement exhaust system + replacement forks + fitting for all vs. value of 03 bike with 70k on clock - I think the former will be higher than the latter.

darsi, thanks for the suggestion, will scan the market to see what else is being sold in this condition.

His Dudeness · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 August 2012, 04:11:23 pm »

if you can take engine out and bring it to an engineers workshop I'm sure the studs could be removed at very reasonable price and then keep an eye on ebay for an exhaust and forks you might get lucky. are the forks pitted or bent?

Farjo · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 August 2012, 05:39:46 pm »

"if you can take engine out and bring it to an engineers workshop" I think this would be difficult without lifting equipment? Presumably one cannot just lift it out?

The forks have bits of rust but the seals look knackered.

Ben Diesel · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 August 2012, 06:52:03 pm »

Why do you need to take the engine out? Surely all you need to do is remove the cylinder head. I had the same happen with my VFR, snapped exhaust studs. Local engineering firm sorted it for about fifteen quid.

AdieR · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 August 2012, 06:59:01 pm »

With 2 broken studs being an engine out job, and 75k miles, I'd be contemplating an engine re-build while its out, and if forks need doing, they can be removed and taken to a workshop if necessary.

Don't know how handy you are with the spanners (or if your bike is daily transport), but if you have a mate with a garage you could try asking them, or some local authorities / housing associations / lettings agents may have garages available for a nominal fee.

It really depends on how much you want to keep (or sell) the bike.

markbubble · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 August 2012, 08:14:19 pm »

where abouts are you from?i persume york area from what you say in your post?im only in hull and if you need help getting engine out and drill/tap/helicoil etc let me know,i had to do 2 studs on my 600 but luckly i could do them with engine in bike but had to drop forks etc out to get good access,depending on condition of forks i can help you rebuild them etc if it just oil seals etc
if the engine is still good and you like the bike in my opinion its worth doing
let me know if i can help and il do my best

Fazer Jake · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 August 2012, 10:17:17 pm »

i'd just get a new engine mate, they are plentiful on ebay...

Fazerider · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 August 2012, 11:00:34 pm »

It's probably worth more in bits than you think. You seem to have discounted the possibility of selling the engine, but to someone with a disintegrating second gear it could be quite useful (assuming your engine/gearbox is basically sound).

Farjo · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 August 2012, 05:55:47 am »

Ben, will look into that ta.

Adie, I'm not too handy with spanners tbh so it's all chargable labour.

Mark that's very generous. Maybe it's best if I take some pictures later when the sun's out so you can see what I'm on about i.e. that the bike may not be worth the effort.

Fazerider - that's a good point; yes the engine and gearbox are basically sound.

Thanks for the replies

markbubble · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 August 2012, 01:56:04 pm »

yea some pics would be good but the offer of help is there if you need /want it,if you do decide to break/sell it i might be interested in some parts but end of day its your decision,dont just take to scrap yard or 'sell' to a bike breakers as they will rip you off,mark

Dead Eye · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 August 2012, 02:20:56 pm »

If you do end up breaking it, I'm certainly interested in grabbing a part from you

But it would be a shame - hopefully you can get it going again for not too much, the more Fazers the better

caretaker · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 August 2012, 03:54:39 pm »

have you got a hugger or bellypan to sell?

richfzs · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 August 2012, 03:59:09 pm »

Blimey, jump in his grave why don't you!!

Farjo · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 August 2012, 05:13:24 pm »

OK Mark, will take some pictures after this cup of tea

Farjo · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 August 2012, 06:30:11 pm »

Left side of engine:

Left fork rust:

Right fork seal:

Left fork seal:

Right side of engine:

As shown it's all knocking on a bit, but what do you think?

caretaker · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 August 2012, 06:46:53 pm »

i'm thinking of changing my name to vulture

Dead Eye · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 August 2012, 06:56:52 pm »

Looks in fairly good condition to me. The crash bars have taken most of the beating which is good. For the most part, just some TLC over a weekend could make it sparkle from I can see...

Obviously, the forks appear to need the most attention but I wouldn't consider them a lost cause.

If you want to feel better, I can post some pictures of the rust on my car

markbubble · « **Reply #20 on:** 11 August 2012, 08:50:49 pm »

bike doest look at all bad for the milage you have done,the exhaust studs can be done easyish the forks do look a little worse for wear but that again can be sorted,would be a real shame to scrap/break it so lets get it back on the road and get you using it again

Farjo · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 August 2012, 09:24:28 pm »

Well thanks very much - I'm not going to say no! Am off to bed but will pick this up in the morning.

Bias · « **Reply #22 on:** 11 August 2012, 09:54:50 pm »

that looks salvageable IMO.
What you've described as the fork seals are the dust seals that sit above the fork seals and are an easy fix.
My engine looked worse than that when I bought it and now looks great. Plain black gloss and its holding up to the temperature and the weather. Simple case of getting the crap and flaking paint off and it'll look brill afterwards.
Your fork stansions do look a lost cause tho, e-bay is gonna be your friend Im afraid. I've got later forks on mine with the preload adjusters on the tops, again a result of pitted chrome.
Your exhaust studs depend of how involved you want to make it. I'd just take the head off and get it to an engineering firm. Even if you take the engine out you're still gonna have the strip it anyway so why do all the extra hassle of engine removal. Just my 2p but GL whichever you go

markbubble · « **Reply #23 on:** 12 August 2012, 07:11:46 am »

why does the head have to be removed to do the studs?i had 3 snapped ones on mine and drill and tapped them out with engine in bike(luckly they wernt hidden behind frame) all i did was remove foks etc to get easyer access to them so with engine on a bench it will be a breeze
is there anyone else in the york area that can help out get the bike done even if its just doing simple things or pair of hands to lift engine etc?
il do all i can to help if im wanted but more hands make things easyer

red98 · « **Reply #24 on:** 12 August 2012, 07:49:48 am »

forks can be re-chromed but prob cheaper to go second hand,easy to swap for newbie with aid of haynes manual and a good forum

...do you have any pics of the broken studs ? and a pic of complete bike