Author Topic: Newbie Q: is this fazer worth a punt? 7k tacho error message (Read 5875 times)

chris b · « **on:** 07 October 2013, 09:00:36 pm »

firstly, to say hi and sorry for the newbie post. I'm very interested in getting an FZS1000 and seen a nice one with relatively low miles (12k). It has the 7k tacho error which I know is the exup valve not working properly. Is it worth the risk buying it or am I asking for trouble? I know that replacing the exup can be prohibitively expensive if it is knadgered. Is there a way to tell if is it ok without taking the bike apart on his drive! Not ridden much, this would be my first big bike so doubt I could tell anything is wrong if riding it with a duff exup! Many thanks!

Dave48 · « **Reply #1 on:** 07 October 2013, 09:21:32 pm »

Have you seen the 04 for sale on our forum--drool drool!

Captain Haddock · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 October 2013, 09:55:05 pm »

Any seller with an easy/cheap fix error code is either going to fix it first or an idiot, if the seller doesn't appear to be a complete idiot expect an expensive repair and look elsewhere, if he is a true idiot offer silly low money and grab a bargain.

Lez72 · « **Reply #3 on:** 08 October 2013, 12:14:55 am »

Quote from: chris b on 07 October 2013, 09:00:36 pm

firstly, to say hi and sorry for the newbie post. I'm very interested in getting an FZS1000 and seen a nice one with relatively low miles (12k). It has the 7k tacho error which I know is the exup valve not working properly. Is it worth the risk buying it or am I asking for trouble? I know that replacing the exup can be prohibitively expensive if it is knadgered. Is there a way to tell if is it ok without taking the bike apart on his drive! Not ridden much, this would be my first big bike so doubt I could tell anything is wrong if riding it with a duff exup! Many thanks!

Hello and welcome. Buying it depends on a number of factors, mainly the price. If its cheap enough, in decent condition and the owner checks out aswell as the bike then go for it. If you have any doubts then steer clear as the right one will come along. There are always plenty for sale with varying amounts of mileage and of different ages. What ever you do, don't buy a Gen 2. The Gen 1 is far superior

ghostbiker · « **Reply #4 on:** 08 October 2013, 03:05:54 am »

Hit and miss gamble. It could need a quick simple service and the bolts pop out with ease.... Or it could be a bitch, each bolt sheared like butter and the cables frayed with a bent and jammed valve.

Most can be sorted with a little time, effort and cash.
But it is a gamble on how much of the above it will need.
If in doubt walk away. There are a lot of gen 1's around at cheap money right now as people are moving to cheaper to run bikes.

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #5 on:** 08 October 2013, 06:51:50 pm »

Hi and welcome.

If you're a reasonably competent home mechanic, there's nothing in the EXUP valve that you can't fix. You might have to get an engineering shop to help sort out a really bad one, though.

You wouldn't be the first to have to fight one of these but don't let this put you off an otherwise tidy bike. Just negotiate accordingly. If it's a simple fix (adjustment or lightly seized valve) you'll be quids in.

Some info here: http://fazerowners.yuku.com/topic/21517

and here: http://www.cartestsoftware.com/fz1/

chris b · « **Reply #6 on:** 08 October 2013, 10:03:00 pm »

Thank you all for your help and advice. I might take a look at the bike tomorrow and see what it is like, but will approach it with caution! The 04 plate for sale on the forums looks really nice, but since I'm starting out and know so little about bikes, I want to try to start with something that is mainly in stock trim and work from there. I've learn't something about exup valves in the past 24 hrs though which can only be good!
btw, is there a buyers guide on the forums or elsewhere, that is good for a newbie? Thanks again,

locksmith · « **Reply #7 on:** 09 October 2013, 10:10:38 am »

If the 04 one is in your budget it's a no brainer (a completely sorted and loved bike) even if you have to travel across the country, anyway it would be a cracking ride home!

esetest · « **Reply #8 on:** 09 October 2013, 08:31:42 pm »

I would walk away , it's a buyers market , even more so at this time of year , all ways plenty of Fazers on this forum or Bike trader for sale .
Also check the value of the bike on Parkers price guide .

JoeRock · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 October 2013, 02:54:08 am »

Quote from: locksmith on 09 October 2013, 10:10:38 am

If the 04 one is in your budget it's a no brainer (a completely sorted and loved bike) even if you have to travel across the country, anyway it would be a cracking ride home!

+1 MASSIVELY.

Generally speaking you do want a standardish bike, as they're pretty good anyway. However with the fazers, there's a few areas that realy need updating immediately anyway - anything with suspension work, or an ivans jet kit, you want to take as a massive bonus point as it'll cost you about £500/£300 respectively for them, and they make a massive difference to the bike for the better!

phil on a fazer · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 October 2013, 10:00:28 am »

what about this one? (yeah..im shameless

)

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,10169.0.html

I wouldnt be too bothered about mileage. i used to never consider bikes over 15K (inc when i bought my fazer) as i used to consider it high mileage. Now im looking at bikes 30 - 60K, at 30K a lot of engines are in there stride.

Captain Haddock · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 October 2013, 10:26:34 am »

I just bought gen1 thou and it squeaked when the ignition was turned on, took 15 minutes to strip and copper grease the exup valve and reassemble and now it doesn't squeak, why people neglect such a simple device in such a crud grabbing area I don't know.
As long as the bolts are not corroded badly it shouldn't take much assuming valve not servo.
For the right price I'd probably take the risk.

chris b · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 October 2013, 06:27:09 pm »

Thank to all for your advice - it's helped a lot. Unfortunately, the bike I was looking at (with the 7k tacho warning) was sold yesterday when I was due to see it today.... (drat! or maybe that's fate). The search continues.... but hope to be posting a pic of a new shiny Fazer before the end of the year!

tex · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 October 2013, 09:30:47 pm »

This is nice, i know its 2001 but nice extras

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-fazer-fzs-1000-/221294046635?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3386272dab#ht_687wt_1061

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 October 2013, 06:30:00 am »

I know that bike, belonged to a mate over here and lived in my garage for a couple of years.

It's been dropped - not by him - and has light damage to the right side of the fairing (hidden by the non-standard Fazer decal) and there's a dent in the tank under the tuning fork sticker.

More significantly, the front engine mounts on the frame are out of line on the left side. Possibly caused by the same accident. Engine mount castings are OK but the lugs on the removable frame cradle (with the rubber bushes) aren't square. Doesn't affect how the bike rides but if it were mine, I'd be looking to a breaker for a straight cradle.

Price is high for what's on offer.

AdieR · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 October 2013, 11:21:05 pm »

Just a thought, but you say you haven't ridden much and it'd be your first big bike - but I'm not totally convinced that a litre bike is the best starting point (that said, I don't know your riding history / experience level).

Don't get me wrong, some people are ok making the jump, but consider what you'd be using the bike for (commuting / scratching / touring two-up etc) and the likely roads (A-roads, B-roads, M-ways).

Plenty people will argue that going straight to a thou is a better idea than going 600 / 750 / 1000 (or indeed 600 / 1000) in that it prevents the "boredom" of a smaller bike and trading up, and that the throttle works both ways - my personal opinion is that starting out on a smaller bike can let you learn things that isn't always possible on a big big bike, and will be easier to insure, easier to live with, and more forgiving of newbie errors.

I'm not saying don't do it, but rather to keep your options open; when you're starting out, you need a bike you can get on with (some people can manage OK on a 1000 from the off, other people less so) - try a few different bikes (ER6, SV650 , Bandit 6, Z750 and the 600 and 800cc Fazers, as a few examples, as well as the Fazer thou), and see how you get on.

Captain Haddock · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 October 2013, 01:10:12 pm »

I'm with AdieR, you'd be much better off buying my gen1 600, well I'd be much better off if you bought my gen1 600....
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,10221.0.html
I can do shameless too.

bigfootpete · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 October 2013, 10:02:43 pm »

I disagree with AdieR - yes it's a big bike and quite heavy, but it handles very well and the throttle response is very manageable.

A lot of bikes can be a bit of a handful, but not the fzs, it's got plenty of power, but easy to roll on rather than come in with a bang.

chris b · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 October 2013, 10:46:04 am »

thanks for all your advice. It is much appreciated. I can see both sides of the litre vs 600 case, and am leaning towards a litre bike but only in Fazer guise because I've heard such good things about the FZS1000. I'm not that young, so not looking to tear around at licence-losing speeds, but want something comfortable and very usable. I won't dismiss 600s altogether though and plan to try a few also.

Captain Haddock · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 October 2013, 10:51:31 am »

If you're not looking for the all out grunt of the thou I would seriously consider the 600's (I know I'm biased as I'm selling one), I found mine to be a very comfy user friendly ride for poodling around, trouble is I don't poodle that much....

tnfazer · « **Reply #20 on:** 26 October 2013, 11:33:45 am »

Quote from: Captain Haddock on 19 October 2013, 10:51:31 am

If you're not looking for the all out grunt of the thou I would seriously consider the 600's (I know I'm biased as I'm selling one), I found mine to be a very comfy user friendly ride for poodling around, trouble is I don't poodle that much....

Having owned both a 600 (for 6 years) and a thou (for 7 years and running), I'd also recommend a 600 for a first bike, unless you are a really big and burly fella. I made the switch because I wanted to try a thou, and because it's much easier to ride two-up. Added mass and torque make a passenger much less noticeable.

You didn't say anything about prior riding experience, so I assume that you have some. A 600 is more agile and probably more fun to ride. Cheaper to own as well. After riding a thou it feels like a bicycle and a bit flimsy, but a thou needs a bit more determined attitude to steering when going around turns.