Power charts

Now I've still not got the bike back. I've been advised by the chaps at the garage that as the inlet manifolds are so perished its letting in the air and bogging her down, don't know if that right or wrong but if they are perished then they need replacing anyway. So I'm searching for a set of 4 good rubber inlet manifolds.
It sucks not having a bike to ride but the only saving grace is the fact that its rained every day now.

Dyno finished

Ok so I went to collect the bike from Double take after they did the dyno work. The emulsion tubes were not fitted as they guys figured it would be better to ride the bike for a while and see how it is as they are confident that she is fuelled well enough not to need them replacing just yet.
So I collected the bike. and she broke down, got it going and it broke down again so I called up the garage and they came to collect it and it was sods law she started and was fine for the mechanic. I was pretty embarrassed. but then it died for the mechanic. so he put it back on the rolling road to find the fault. Its a bit of a mystery really as she runs fine then for no reason she fuels to much and the bike bogs down and can't clear the fuel. eventually the revs pick up and shes fine.

Its a bit of a pain. So the bike is still at the garage, I'm broke and have no bike still.
I'll upload the dyno charts tomorrow.

And some more bad news

It gets worse. The bike is now set up on the dyno and the fuelling is almost sorted but there is a flat spot at 6000 rpms.
This cant be sorted until the emulsion tubes are replaced. Balls!!
Apparently the needle in the carbs sits in this tube; And after 55000Km the tubes have worn into an oval shape meaning the fuel doesn't flow very smooth.
I'm told this is mostly due to the angle the carbs sit to the engine but not sure just yet. We will have to look in to that one
I didn't even know what an emulsion tube was! £27 pound each! dam these 4 cylinder bikes.

Re mapping

So got the bike back from the garage and the mechanic tells me she is running very lean at the low revs and very rich at high revs. She need the fuelling to be completely redone.
So I've booked her a slot on the rolling road to get re fuelled. Hopefully this will mean that the "No exup" will not matter now and the whole rev range will be smooth.
I was also advise the Cam tensioner probably needs to be replaced; and possibly, in the near future the valve clearances to be done. This little bike is becoming costly.

Breakdown

Balls!
Well, took the bike out for a spin to test the brakes and she broke down in rush hour traffic.
Waited patiently and eventually she started.
Limped to the local bike shop for some diagnosis.
Shes not charging, could of been the generator or the rectifier........... its the rectifier so we are now waiting for a new one.
Not good, but the local bike shop was fab and really helpful "Hampshire Motorcycle" go check them out.

Bleeding brakes

What a ball ache, bleeding the brakes became a mammoth task. Had to enlist the help of my Dad and that endless patients old boys seem to have. But we got there in the end. Trapped air a the top, trapped air at the bottom. Lines wouldn't clear. I was almost ready to accept defeat and run in doors sulking.

Brake master cyliner

Got hold of a new Brake master cylinder from the chaps at MotoFix in Southampton.
The simple job of popping it in place will probably be another 2 day job. Dam my ambition and curse my lack of talent.

Nose cone

I think the nose cone will have to be my next focus. not looking all that hot.

There is also a need for some new indicators

All in all a nice looking bike

Brakes

Took the bike for a ride in the sun shine today to some lovely fast corners. Keeping those revs up and the bike flies through the corners. fantastic handling. Only issue is the stopping is quite slugging, not bad but not smooth. So we'll fix the brakes, we already have the pads.

As always with the brakes an easy job is a bitch. very seized bolts and stuck calliper pistons. After and afternoon covered in brake fluid and bashing my knuckles the brakes are cleaned and over hauled. so hopefully we should stop with all the force that these bike are credited with. I've ordered a replacement master cylinder as the original one is well past refurbishment.

Bugger

Well the misses was running late at work, so a sneaky ride was in order. got ready got the bike out. No go. the bloody battery had died or was already dead. So the chap i got if from sold it with a duff battery. I would not of even minded but as he didn't tell me I need to get a battery and charged all before Saturday, this Friday will be tricky. Any ways problem sorted with the local Kawasaki dealer or all places, a few picture messages and the right battery was found and we should be all good for that Saturday ride. Please no rain!!

Nil Exup

Ok, so we now know that that bikes without the Exup system (taken out) is not the end of the world. What you will lose by not having it is, low rev power. The valve will close up smaller when the revs are low and this give better back pressure. I would also imagine that the valve will also mean the build up of revs through the rage will be better but not sure, All I know for certain is the low end revs are effected.
From what I can find is that in low gears and at low speeds keep the revs high and be throttle sensitive. I need to ride the bike some more to find out if dropping from high speed to low speed quickly will cause much issues I.e hairpins bends etc.. But wouldn't you know its pissing with rain so I think high speed hairpins may be a no no today, plus i feel I'll be in this office for hours and hours yet.

Exup

So as I may have mentioned my bike does not have the Exup valve fitted. I don't really know much about the exup system so I've been doing some research. The Solenoid should be located by the seat and runs cables to the centre of the exhaust to operate a 'butterfly fin' to regulate the flow of air out the exhaust. The exhaust on my bike is straight through so can't be added to the existing system without some heavy mods.
And wouldn't you know it the valve is pretty rare. the solenoids are common as muck and the exhaust is findable but not with the butterfly valve. it could be some thing I need to make myself if I can get one to copy. I also need to find out the common faults of not running an Exup system. Is there a way to run without and still rev through the whole rev range? Back to the research and may be have a look on a Yam forum.

First purchase

I've just jumped on line to place a small order.
As you can see from the previous posts pictures she is missing a mirror and the screen is pretty smashed.
I can't locate a screen just now but have found some mirrors for £17 off eBay. and some front brake pads.
I figured I'd also get me a paddock stand for her and saw a second hand one on gumtree from £10. Result.
The shed is full of chop and tools so the poor little bike will be living out side so I'm off to get a bike cover from the overly orange Halfords.
If this rain stops I'll take her out again before the boss gets back from work.
If you have any info or insight in to this bike drop me a quick email or comment.

First ride

So its Tuesday and I've taken the bike out for a first ride.
The riding positions is nice and tight and and aggressive race style. I'm pretty tall so 5 mins later I pop home and adjust the gear lever and foot brake. and tighten up a few lose bolts here and there.
So back out again, take her on the motor way and she pulls well, she really revs high. its slightly unnerving but that must be because I'm not used to revs like that. All is good then the rain comes and I head home as I'm only in jeans. I head home through a small village and slow speeds and the bike is quite boggie and low speeds and low gears; crawling along in first and second then opening the throttle causes her to bog down and she stalled. Now I'm pissing wet so maybe it was a rider error but the rest of the way home I keep the revs high and low speed just in case.

Collection

Well the unfortunate thing is the bike is in Leeds and I am in Southampton, that's 250 miles away.
Off to get me a van and head on up the country.

I get to Bradford on the Queens 60 jubilee bank holiday.
I don't know about the rest of the country but Southampton was covered is flags and signs and the whole city was in celebration fever. Not Bradford; Not one flag no one looked like they were about to have a celebration party.

Any ways I find the bike and have a chat with the previous owner (nice bloke) he obviously loved riding the bike just not taking care of it so now the bike beast is mine and we drive home together in the hire van.

The bike

Good day all,
So the summer is hear and the chop does not look like it'll be complete to ride this summer.
So i need a bike, may be one to ride and restore?
So I found this full working FZR400R. I think its the 3EN2 model but under 1992 reg.

I could be wrong as I know nothing about these bikes. All I need to know is it works, rides ok and has 11 months MOT and the same amount of Tax. all for £549. Not bad.

Now I've started to try and do some research and digging about this bike, and from what I can see is that they have a fantastic reputation and a small sporty racer. may not be the best idea for a 6 foot plus heavy lad but hey hoo.