Wrote off my gpz500 last monday on a ford KA that didn't see me :eek and now my leg has recovered I have just brought my new steed home. Loving the colour and it goes well, although it does seem to hesitate and run a little rough sub 3000rpm. Hopefully some tlc and a slight service will help that once I get some OK weather.
Glad to hear everyone's consensus on the carbs, I have the carbtune in the cupboard so when I get some nice weather I'll set to balancing them, and check the plugs at the same time.
I'm not sure myself whether the lower fairing will be staying, I'm not too keen on them either, plus it kinda gets in the way of maintenance
I was a little nervy riding her home today after the accident, but I needn't have been as apart from the stutter it was quite an easy, civil ride. Also that front fairing seems to protect the hands some, and they didn't get cold; even without heated grips.
Just a thought... Is it running on all four below 3k? I worked on a Kawasaki ZX9R for a mate that was lumpy as chuff below 3k. Carbs off, cleaned... Ran fine for a minute then went back onto 3. Thought it was fuel starvation but it was over fuelling on one cylinder and fowling the plug. Replaced needle, seat and seal and all fine. Worth a try if balancing doesn't work
I was sitting on that bike a few days ago at P&P' s, I guess you are the lucky new owner ? lots of bikes from sales places have sat around for a while as they are moved from dealer to dealer, so I would just put in some fresh petrol and do a hundred miles or so before thinking about touching anything. Also, if you have any real problems take it back, Peter the owner relies on his reputation and won't hesitate to have it back to sort any problems. Simon the mechanic who works there is very experienced and totally trustworthy.
I have no connection with P&P, just my own personnel experience .
Haha! yeah I'm the new owner. Bike had half a tank when I got her, but once home I did brim her with esso super thinking the same thing about stale fuel.
It actually took me quite a long time to pick between the red and the gold one they had, the red one looked liked it had seen slightly less weather, but mechanically (brake pads, tyres, bearings etc) the gold one seemed better - even though the red had receipts for 1500+ of servicing and repair bills over the last couple of years! Also the gold one had a set of stainless pipes. The deal was sealed when the red one failed to start and run up smoothly and the gold one did.
I'm still not sure which was the better buy but I'm happy with the gold one as I also prefer the colour (less fading!)
It has been really showery here today, but I have just managed to get 20 dry minutes outside to give her a once over, and everything actually seems better than I had thought condition wise - the tools are also present and correct! I started her up for a few minutes to check all four header pipes were getting hot - and they certainly are! *blows on fingers some more* So hopefully a plug gap check and a carb balance will see me right.
IMHO, Esso Super may not be doing you any favours, its a slightly higher octane fuel, your bike and mine are set up ( ignition timing/advance ) for crappy low octane fuel, I still think a few hundred miles might help the situation, IF IT EVER STOPS RAINING
I normally wouldn't use esso super, but in this instance I chose to as when fuel degrades and becomes stale, from what I remember it actually reduces it's octane level slightly as it goes. So - my thinking was that a half n half mix might get it somewhere near normal level lol - but in all honesty who knows! Might be an old wives tale.
I'm hoping to check the carb balance tomorrow, shouldn't take too long and cant hurt. Can always re do it with a service later in the year.
Welcome & if you haven't seen this yet: http://foc-u.co.uk/?topic=91.0 motorcycle carburetor balancing- Carbtune
May I suggest that it maybe best to use only standed 95octane when carb balancing as Fraser has mentioned,you could add a fuel preserve which contains a carb cleaner which should clean out any sludge but I wouldn't add to esso super as fuel preserve increases octane levels also.
Great bikes enjoy! I have a 98 model in red.
Thanks chaps, and especially bandit, that guide is spot on!
Having tea break half way through now.
Lower fairing is off, and I have re-gapped all the plugs (there were all about 0.9 - 1.0mm). Tank is on the seat ready for carb balancing next - just need some warm tea to see me through!
Any full carb overhauls (if needed) will have to wait til spring before I deem them necessary (or a complete break down!)
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