First motorcycle

[Gaiare]

The hole is so small I wouldn't have even noticed had it not been pointed out. Its also right on the welded bit which will obviously be weaker. Pipes look in good order otherwise.
Ha. Service history. Man around here you're lucky if you buy a bike with documents and a license plate. They sell no document r1's round here for $2500.
The bike starts cold with old gasoline and unadjusted carbs. Seems well enough.

Plastic looks great. Really minor scuff on the rear. And all original with no bs aftermarket parts.

Its a bummer they won't let you test drive a bike here before you buy it. But hey I don't see what could be wrong with her.

[wickedmonkey]

It was my first bike too and they are very reliable. But be aware that they are really quite powerful. If you're not careful on the throttle, you'll pull a wheelie and come off the back.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Gaiare]

So I ended up buying the fazer a few days ago. Didn't get off it for two days and now its time to actually start doing some work on it. Gonna try to change the oil and filter tonight. The bolts down there do seem kinda rusty is that normal for a bike this old?
She starts first time cold. never had to touch the choke. Idles at right about 1300 which is nice. Does sound a little rough idling when cold.
Will need to wash everything lots of dirt and crap down there.
Any suggestions on what I should check / get done on a 40k km bike with no service history? Oil and filters will be changed this week.
Will post pictures when I can get me a decent camera.

[Sidewinder]

Did the bloke not change the oil for you then? Bit of a bummer if he hasn't, You said he would throw it in, only asking because you said you're changing it tonight.
There's an old saying I go by ''If it ain't broken don't fix it'' but you can be proactive and keep it up together!

If it was me with a bike with no history and you're dubious of it pedigree I would do everything bit by bit and yes starting with plugs oil and filters.. don't forget the inline fuel filter too can get a little clogged if it's not been changed for a while.
Also why not check the colour of your brake fluids they should be a straw colour or there abouts (I think I read somewhere it should be changed every 2 years anyways) DOT 4 it uses, as I said if I didn't know it's history I would do it anyway and start with a clean sheet so to speak, coolant levels check and or change don't just add water put mixed antifreeze in or you'll dilute what you have already got in there, brake pads all round, chain sprockets (any flat spots in the chain)?
The list is endless really it just depends how much you want to spend bud but you need to be able to stop go keep on going and stay on the road so anything that helps you to do that check and see if it's alright.
Stay safe and enjoy
Cheers

[Gaiare]

He gave me 4L of engine oil. Had to change it myself tonight. Went well. Oil filter was a pain to get off and boy did they hide that drain plug but otherwise oil change went well.
Bike starts great, idles at 1300. But the idle sounds rough cold and when I'm rolling on idle rpms and not giving it gas it accelerates kinda jerky. Once I give it throttle its smooth but just idle rpms it jerks. Any idea what's wrong or how to fix it?
Breaks also sound a little squeaky. Gonna check the fluid and what not soon.
Also this might be a real noob question but there appears to a purposely machined hole at the bottom of my exhaust can that started to leak some water like liquid after I ran the bike with the changes oil. Is this normal? The hole looks like it was drilled in.
Thank you.

[darrsi]

The hole is just to let any condensation out.


Two things that cause a jerky feeling at low revs.


The most likely cause will be that the bike is in good need of a carb balance, which isn't the most terrible of jobs, but only if you have the right equipment which i'd imagine is highly unlikely unfortunately.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,91.ms...#msg160372


A faulty or offset TPS can also upset the feeling of the bike at lower revs too. I've had 2 go wrong on my bike so i tend to know the symptoms now, even if it's just offset.
There is a simple check you can do in a few seconds, but to adjust it if necessary then a special Torx 25 security screwdriver will be needed.
The TPS is the little black plug in gadget sitting on the right side of your carbs.
A quick check can determine whether it needs adjusting, or maybe faulty.


Bear in mind though, to do a decent carb balance, your carb screws must all be set equally, your air filter must be clean, and your TPS needs to be funtioning correctly, although checking it is actually a part of the balancing procedure as well.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,13864...#msg156715

[Gaiare]

Man, i figured it be the carbs. So i am going to have to get it into a mechanic shop and get the carbs done.
While i am already having work done on it by a shop is there anything else you'd suggest i have them do? valve clearance? something else?


Thinking about switching out the headlights. really the only bad part of this bike, they might as well not be there.


the carb balance will sort the rough idle too im guessing?


Thanks a lot guys.

[darrsi]

A really clogged up air filter could also make it run rough as well.

[Gaiare]

I suppose it could also be the spark plugs. Basically I'm just going to give the bike to a shop, spend a hundred bucks and get everything done so its done. All the filters, plugs, carb clean and balance, break pads, valve clearance, chain stuff.

[darrsi]

Because you, and we, have zero history or info on the bike then it will more than likely need a good going over.
Keep a note of anything you do or have done, with mileage noted too, for future reference.

[joebloggs]

Your first mistake was trusting the French...............

You know the reason they smell is so blind people can hate them too

[Gaiare]

Yeah the bike runs just fine, but id rather just get it all done and start off on a blank slate. I wish i had more garage room to do the work myself instead of wasting money on a mechanic but what are ya gonna do.


Man if i love the bike this much with unbalanced carbs and probably crappy spark plugs i cant imagine how great this thing is gonna be after the tune up. They are some great bikes.


Yeah probably shouldnt have trusted the French... ill keep that in mind buying my next bike.  :lol