FZS600 first bike - advice?

[deanflyer]

Hi,


Im buying a 2002 Fazer with just over 20,000 miles from a friend. It hasn't been used for quite a while and will need an MOT soon, which he is happy to do for me. He tells me its in good condition.


I wont be picking the bike up until March when I should have finished my licence so plenty of time to fettle anything that needs looking at.


As a complete newbie to motorbikes and the FZS600 what should I look out for?


BTW its the go faster gold colour


Thanks,


Dean

[Gnasher]

Go faster gold  :rollin :rollin :rollin


If it's gold as standard it will be either 5DM7 or 5DMA (look on the frame under the seat) these are 2000 models that have sat around in the supply chain or dealerships until being registered in 2002.  In which case it's what knwn as a 'box eye' i.e. two square headlights, if you look here http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?topic=34.0 you can see all the model differences. 

Fazers are very solid bikes, if there looked after they go on and on, even when neglected they still keep giving.  Their Achilles heel, is the rear shock on all models, as standard they last no more than 8k and the rear caliper.  Other areas that need looking at and some TLC, front calipers, drown tubes/collector these rust through, chain sprockets.

That's about it really, yes they're other areas but on a 20k bike these shouldn't be an issue.  If the above are all good and the bike is clean, you've got a gem my friend look after it.   

[YamFazFan]

Check to see if the front sprocket nut has been changed to the updated one yet. If it hasn't you might want to consider getting it done.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=a...362#msg362

[Gnasher]

Check to see if the front sprocket nut has been changed to the updated one yet. If it hasn't you might want to consider getting it done.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=a...362#msg362

Good point  Most sprockets should have been replaced by now and any that destroyed themselves had the lay shaft replaced as there was no or little thread left.  In my experience most of these loose nuts were not fitted on original sprockets but on replacement sprockets, when new chains were fitted.


The other important element is the use of threadlock.     

[mtread]

As a carburettor bike, if it's been laid up for a while it might have sludge in the float bowls and jets. Make sure it's running OK at all revs.


Check the downpipes. They tend to rust through to little holes.


They are a great bike.

[YamFazFan]

Check the downpipes. They tend to rust through to little holes.

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/re...yers-guide

[bandit]

[quote author=mtread link=topic=25889.msg308465#msg308465 date=1579957346]
Check the downpipes. They tend to rust through to little holes.

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/re...yers-guide
[/quote]


To be honest I think all years had stainless downpipes but all years had mild steel collectors & that's the bit that rot's away on all models.

[fazersharp]

[quote author=YamFazFan link=topic=25889.msg308467#msg308467 date=1579958266]
[quote author=mtread link=topic=25889.msg308465#msg308465 date=1579957346]
Check the downpipes. They tend to rust through to little holes.

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/re...yers-guide
[/quote]


To be honest I think all years had stainless downpipes but all years had mild steel collectors & that's the bit that rot's away on all models.
[/quote]My 98 is all steel

[mtread]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

[darrsi]

If the bike is a boxeye then it's probably worth adding that to the 'Main Bike' profile, because if you ask for any future help with anything to do with the fairing for example everyone's gonna think you have a foxeye, and there are differences.
Either that or just change the year to a 2000.

[vinnyb]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.

[fazersharp]

[quote author=mtread link=topic=25889.msg308471#msg308471 date=1579962656]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.
[/quote]Hows the magnet test on that

[vinnyb]

[quote author=vinnyb link=topic=25889.msg308475#msg308475 date=1579964053]
[quote author=mtread link=topic=25889.msg308471#msg308471 date=1579962656]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.
[/quote]Hows the magnet test on that

[/quote]
  No stick at all.

[fazersharp]

[quote author=fazersharp link=topic=25889.msg308478#msg308478 date=1579966385]
[quote author=vinnyb link=topic=25889.msg308475#msg308475 date=1579964053]
[quote author=mtread link=topic=25889.msg308471#msg308471 date=1579962656]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.
[/quote]Hows the magnet test on that

[/quote]
  No stick at all.
[/quote]Welds too ?

[vinnyb]

[quote author=vinnyb link=topic=25889.msg308482#msg308482 date=1579967757]
[quote author=fazersharp link=topic=25889.msg308478#msg308478 date=1579966385]
[quote author=vinnyb link=topic=25889.msg308475#msg308475 date=1579964053]
[quote author=mtread link=topic=25889.msg308471#msg308471 date=1579962656]

This review says that the down-pipes were black painted stainless steel from 2002 onwards...

But I think we've established this isn't a 2002 model. Anyway, as pointed out, the collector box goes rusty, whatever the model.

  The stainless is pretty low grade anyway, mine's an '03 and a magnet sticks to it. I've got a complete Motad system to fit when I get round to it.
[/quote]Hows the magnet test on that

[/quote]
  No stick at all.
[/quote]Welds too ?

[/quote]
Now you're asking. I haven't checked. It's in the attic at the moment, if I think about it I'll take a magnet up with me next time I go and check them.

[deanflyer]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The downpipes are black, but these could be aftermarket/upgraded. I'll have a proper look when I go to collect it and check the chassis code.



Looking forward to riding it, I've only been on a CG125 so far

[vinnyb]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The downpipes are black, but these could be aftermarket/upgraded. I'll have a proper look when I go to collect it and check the chassis code.



Looking forward to riding it, I've only been on a CG125 so far

  What did you take your test on?

[YamFazFan]

The speed and power of the 600 will seem immense compared to a CG125. Take it steady :thumbup

[vinnyb]

[quote author=deanflyer link=topic=25889.msg308488#msg308488 date=1579974646]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. The downpipes are black, but these could be aftermarket/upgraded. I'll have a proper look when I go to collect it and check the chassis code.



Looking forward to riding it, I've only been on a CG125 so far

  What did you take your test on?

[/quote]
  Sorry my mistake. You've not taken your test yet. As Yamfazfan said go easy on it when you get to ride it.

[Middy2000]

Ideal first bike in my opinion.


Change the sprocket nut. Its a 10 minute job and costs under a tenner. No brainer.