I'm in the habit of clutchless gearchanges (in both directions)

However, I don't know if this is ok or not, or if it's particularly bad for a FZS600 (May 2003 model)


Could you give your opinion? Especially those who know the anatomy of the FZS600's drive train.

The Haynes manual tells me that if any 10 links are >150mm then change the chain

The first distance I checked was 153mm

The local Yamaha dealer said if I can still adjust the wheel rearwards (which I can) then there's still life in the chain

The wheel axel is in the middle of its hole so plenty of rear travel left

But I'm worried if the chain will wear out to the point of risk of breaking before I reach the rear wheel adjustment limit

How do other FZS600 owners work out when it's time to change the chain?

Mine's a May 2003 Model.

well bugger me. or, preferably, don't! But here is the 11th commandment - thou shalt not listen to random bloke on t'internet... I'll get me coat...

hehe   I do like your avatar - damn I wanna meet that girl !!!

You should be checking level with both wheels on the ground, not on the centre stand. Pull the bike vertical to check level (or get somebody to hold it for you, if not comfortable pulling the bike towards you as you crouch to see the gauge...)

Owner's Manual, page 6-9, "To check the engine oil level:  1. Place the motorcycle on the centerstand." - it doesn't subsequently (in the 4 steps) instruct to take the bike off the centerstand - implies leaving the bike on the centrestand


Haynes Manual, page 0-12 (took me a while to suss their page numbering!):  "Engine/transmission oil level check: On FZS models, put the motorcycle on its centrestand [different, *correct* spelling of 'centrestand'  ]" and subsequently (after letting it idle for several minutes to allow it to reach normal operating temperatures) "Stop the engine. Leave the motorcycle undisturbed for a few minutes to allow the oil level to stabilise." - again, the implication is to keep the bike on its centrestand.




(and my spell checker is suggesting I correct 'centerstand' to 'EastEnders'  - but centrestand it only suggests things like 'centre-stand'  )

I dont have the answers but the very same thing happened to me this morning..
First the vizor misted up, lifted it so i could see, then my glasses followed suit.
In the end i slid my glasses down my nose and looked over the top of them, lucky my eye sight aint that bad!

Yeah I was sliding my glasses down my nose, and my eyesight is not good. After about 10mph they cleared so I resumed normal vision...

Quote from: His Dudeness on 14 October 2012, 12:11:55 am

what does this mystical 24,000 mile service involve?

I know it involves a valve clearance check which is time consuming to open it all up. It's about £500 in real terms

Yes - the only extra thing is the valve clearance check.




I bought the Haynes manual yesterday and was cross-checking its service schedule with the Owner's Manual service schedule.




For some reason, I thought the cam-chain would have to be serviced:  it doesn't.   The *ONLY* extra thing on top of the other usual stuff is Valve Clearance check




And having gone through the section in the Haynes manual, to be honest it does look rather straight forward.  It's just a case of getting the cover off (which can be done with the engine in situ) and then using feeler guages.  If the valves are out of tolerance then just buy replacement shims and pop them into the top of the valves.




Haynes Manual's Difficulty Rating for this task is 3/5 spanners - and an oil change they class as 2/5 spanners.




I'm certainly feeling more confident about doing this myself - and in fact, all the servicing I now feel I can do it myself.




I think all I need to buy on top of my standard home-base £30 socket/spanner/allen-key set is:
- torque wrench
- the socket for the rear-axle for chain adjustment: my set goes up to 16mm only
- spark-plug socket because my under-seat toolkit, which had it, is missing.

hi all!


Summary:  My bike's due for its 24000 mile service - it'll be the first service since i've had it - and I want to do it myself with someone's help, but I have neither the tools nor experience, only the enthusiasm and interest.


I have a May 2003 Yamaha FZS600 - bought April 2012 (6 months ago) to commute. Bought at 20000, now it's 24500.


It needs its 24000 mile service which my local yamaha reseller says is the big one.


In my first (introductory) posting on this site I briefly mentioned servicing and how I'd be interested in doing it myself.


But I'm a total noob and most definitely don't have the tools nor experience - only the interest and enthusiasm.
(tools - I just have a basic socket, spanner and allen key set - may be enough but don't have e.g. universal joint if required, not long extensions if required, and certainly don't have a torque wrench - I'd be happy to buy these though)


If you're interested in helping me out?   I could come to you or you could come to me (I have a garage we could work in)


Ideally next Sat or Sun (20/21oct) as I'd want my kids to watch too (which means ideally you'd need to come to Woking)


Send me a private message.


The alternative is I just book it in to my local yamaha dealer (just around the corner from me) and ask if I can watch them:  but that's expensive and money's an issue.   Cheaper than a replacement bike if my engine fails though during my commute though...


Darren

I'm writing this hoping that it might help someone else.




I've had my Yamaha FZR600 2003 model for 4 months and it needed a new rear tyre.




I've had one of these fitted as I'm a commuter:
http://www.ityre.com/en/tyres/catalog/avon/model/21381/
Avon AV56 Storm AT 2 Ultra [/color]160/60ZR17 - pumped to 40psi[/font]



I'd heard about new tyres being very slippery and so I was naturally worried.   I work with a colleague whose only motorcycle accident was when he'd just put a new rear tyre on and he lost it on the first corner.  I heard from the place that fitted my tyre that they see so many people losing it as they leave their place.




So I was worried, especially given I'm still a newbie to bikes:  despite having a licence for 2 years I was a Sunday only cruiser (ex Midnight Star owner) and it's only been these last 4 months that I've needed to commute.  I've done 2500 miles these last 4 months.






I left the tyre fitter today and went for a ride.




And nothing happened.   I've just done 30 miles and absolutely nothing.   I ought to mention that I am a bit of a granddad when I drive so perhaps that had something to do with it:   I only open it up on straights; but come back down again to take corners probably with less than a 10 degree lean angle - or at least that's how it feels.




25 miles into the ride I stopped and looked at the state of my rear tyre.   It looks like I'm just riding on half of the tread - so I'm not leaning over very much.  the outer two quarters look untouched.






So there you have it:  if my newbie, worrying experience is helpful:   it seems that you don't need to ride as if you're on an ice-rink - just ride conservative as I do anyway.




Hope this helps.