1989 fzr400

[peterallison86]

Hello all, I've recently acquired an fzr400 track bike. Whilst I'd very much like to take it to some track days and eventually race, I'd also like to be able to take it out on the road. So I plan to make it road legal, re-vin etc. and hopefully get in a good amount of riding both on the road and on the track.

I'm in two minds what to do about the engine. Currently it is very much race spec - no stator, no starter motor, no gears that starter would normally engage, end of crankshaft these would normally attach to has been hacked off... but my goodness does it fly :)
Whilst I have some spare bottom ends which have the majority of the bits needed to return it to its former more practical but less revving self, it does seem criminal to undo some of this magic.

So alternatively I could just try source another (going) engine and put that in, but I'd need to on-sell the current engine to generate the funds as I'm on quite the [student] budget, which also seems a shame and, although the power from the current engine is more than enough for me, somehow downgrading on power seems slightly criminal, also!

I've also toyed with the idea of just putting the stator back in so I can run lights etc, but leaving the starter gear out (so I don't need to replace crankshaft, gears etc), but (a) not sure how long I could stand push starting it until I got pissed off, and (b) not entirely sure how well it would go down with the re-vinning folk!

Anyway, that's the crux of it suppose, the rest is just some wiring (actually, I'm completely electrically retarded and this would probably be the crux, but fortunately my flatmate Stu (stoo on here, just bought an RG150 http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/150160-RG150-tidy-up) is well clued up in that field), probably some tyres, and the usual red-tape bs.

Cheers fellas, will keep you all posted on the progress. Maybe when it stops snowing there will be some!

[sil3nt]

I believe a thundercat engine drops in
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-445926488.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-478652869.htm

:whistle:

[peterallison86]

Haha yeah so I've read, but doesn't sound like much of an "on a budget" option to me!
Think I'm leaning towards swapping the crankshaft over from the other engine, then adding stator, starter motor and starter gears. That way it shouldn't cost me much (as I have the majority of the bits), and I get to hang on to the cut down crank should I come upon another engine down the track. Problem is, I'm missing some of the starter gears. Anyone have such things from a dead engine? I also have a handful of spares so would be happy to do some swapping with others should people with the same bike need some things.

Have also read about this 'ere 560cc conglomeration of fzr400, fzr600 and yzf600 engine parts. Could well be interested if anyone had such parts kicking about :cool:

[Grumph]

I'd have to say that in my experience cutting the starter end off a 400 crank is very unusual...particularly if the stator end is untouched.
It doesn't really gain much at all.

Swapping in one of your other cranks may not be such a great idea either as a lot will depend on crank condition and what bearings you have on hand in the collection...these motors are pretty critical of bearing clearances to be reliable.

I've built one or two of these - if you want an opinion on what you have on hand, PM me. I'm outside ChCh but in town fairly often.
If you do finish up racing it, you'll finish up in CAMS anyway and we'll meet sooner or later....

[Kickaha]

and we'll meet sooner or later....

The poor bastard :whistle:

[peterallison86]

Ahh very interesting. I have no experience with these engines so know nothing bar what I've read online. If you're in CAMS you may well know the fellow I purchased the bike off - Rick or Ricky? Lives in Oamaru? Anyway, definitely interested to hear your opinion about what's compatible and what's not so will fire you a PM for sure. Thanks mate.

[hayd3n]

Ahh very interesting. I have no experience with these engines so know nothing bar what I've read online. If you're in CAMS you may well know the fellow I purchased the bike off - Rick or Ricky? Lives in Oamaru? Anyway, definitely interested to hear your opinion about what's compatible and what's not so will fire you a PM for sure. Thanks mate.

couldn't they use the rollers they use to brake check a car
to roll start the bike???

[peterallison86]

Potentially, but that would be easy. It'd be far more fun to whinge about how it simply isn't safe not to have a starter motor.

[koba]

Forget the road thing. It's easier and better to get another bike if you think you want to use it for both.
I raced my commuter and even switching that around became a pain because you want a racebike to be in good shape all the time whereas things like chain and tyre wear can be left longer on a road bike.

If you want a road bike that you can fang around the track once or twice a year sell it and buy an already road legal bike.

I understand that from where you are, what you are proposing sounds like a good idea. In my experience it won't be worth the hassle.

[peterallison86]

Pretty set on the bike I have. Appreciate it's not the ideal situation but with little funds I've now got a bike I can take to the occasional track day, and as I come in to some more money (saving my pennies) I can convert a bike I like into something road legal.

[Grumph]

OK got your contact details. When this white shit thaws I can think about coming to town. Under about a half meter of it....

My first instinct was also to say - not worth the trouble to run it as a road bike. However, even a ful house FZR400/600 isn't particularly hard on bits so it may well be possible to commute quietly on one and still use it on track occasionally.
Depends who did it and how well the build was done. As a pre 89 race bike in the SI where there's not really that many pre 89 races, leaving the starter on makes quite a lot oif sense anyway. Your biggest budget item is going to be keeping it in good rubber....

[peterallison86]

So to save the hassle of mixing and matching engine parts, I've swapped my current engine with a spare the guy I bought the bike off had which is a complete road runner (stator + starter). Wisked my engine out this evening and am off to Ashvegas tomorrow to pick up it's friend. Hopefully have charging for lights and starting at the mere touch of a button before the weekend is through! :cool:

[mossy1200]

Spend all that re-vin and rewire with switches and work required to get your bike road legal on another bike and keep the track bike for the track. If your going to run it on tracks your going to need keep ultra sticky wear out fast tires on it and waste them away on the road etc.

If im selling a bike for 1100 road legal there must be bikes you can get in ChCh for about the same. I think you will spend that ruining the track racer to make it road legal anyway.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=482204809

[peterallison86]

Right so I soldiered on with this project as it's something I wanted to do. Have swapped the engine for another + rebuilt the head and carbs. Running really nicely now, and most importantly, starts at the touch of a button.
I've chucked this in the "wanted to buy" section, but not entirely sure it gets that many hits?

I'm after a few odds and ends to get this back on the road. Hopefully some of you racers might have them kicking about? Once again, I do have a fair number of other spares for this bike so would be happy to do some swapping of parts if I can help out.

Rear brake light switch
Horn
Side stand
Passenger foot pegs and brackets

Thank you kindly.
Peter
022-1377-492

Think that's about it. Still got a bit of wiring to tidy up, but with a bit of luck I'll be taking it for compliance soon.

PS thanks for getting in touch with me Grumph - sorry I didn't make it out to Ruapuna to meet you but uni has a made a habit of eating pretty much all of my spare time this year. On study leave now so will have a bunch more spare time coming up and hopefully I'll make it out there sometime soon.