Guys, thanks so much for this advice. I haven't had my account set up to the right email and haven't seen them until now. Thanks for the carb heater idea Slasher.... looking into it now - possible for next winter.
I bought a fzs 600 2001 - 13k on the clock, and I've been running it every day faultlessly for the last five months (actually had a week off due to snow). Excellent bike. I did get the carbs rebalanced and the rear piston kit replaced for new as it was full of crud - Dudeness .
A home mechanic messed around with the carbs so idle was way up at 2k which made me nervous buying as thought it was hiding something worse (was a [size=0.7em]bargain[/size] though and the right colour - black - and the seller was 10 miles away).
After a balance it rode and pulled away perfectly, enough to tag the CBRs and Street Triples off the lights. New back tyre worn in a few weeks ago and then some idiot knocked it off the centrestand outside my house - no off-street parking
and has bent the handlebars. Please see my new post about replacing handlebars and the Renthal choices on offer. Looking to fit them myself and and bend liquorice OEMs back into shape. [size=78%]Possibly for sale - the bend is v minor and they're expensive as new oem.[/size]
Again sorry not to reply or acknowledge the above advice. It would have saved me some stress when buying. It is a truely great bike though, good for pillions, punchy low end and then another little boost past 8000 revs.... smiling every day now.
Cheers.
Revilo
See you on the A3...