fzr400 exup

[Paul in NZ]

You should use Mr Muscle to clean them...

Judging by the condition of several of the fasteners Mr Muscle has already had a good go at it mate....

[Paul in NZ]

I hear dousing them in petrol is waay more betterer...

I was seriously considering dousing the whole thing in petrol at one stage.... And setting fire to it...

[Str8 Jacket]

I was seriously considering dousing the whole thing in petrol at one stage.... And setting fire to it...

Funny.... I had the same thought, often! But it was rolling down a bank at the same time...

[Paul in NZ]

Paul Be carefull upgrading the headlights. They are plastic and melt if ya raise the wattage.Try using a VERY mild cut n polish on the lenses --itll clarify em and might ipprove the lights.

Um - Thanks for the plastic tip but you do remember what I do for a living or what my training is Tony?? There is no way I'll but bigger bulbs in there and never indicated I would - modern H4's might help or a relay (assuming it's not got them) but it's an issue for the next owner - I have NO intention of riding it at night! However - I suspect it's an earthing issue!!

Once you have a few more miles on the clock and have changed the oil to a semi synthetic have another look.

Its got the oil recommended by Yamaha shop foreman who has been VERY helpful - it's not oil fumes I see occasionally - trust me - there is a random 'something' going on with the fueling that needs sorting - I'm picking the brains of the Dyno wizz and looking and setting it up on a dyno with a gas analizer which should be a heap of fun!

I'm suspecting the needle jets are ovalised BUT my problem is finding good literature on that model Mikuni which is why I'll take it to the expert after I have a few more miles on it - I've organised an educated observer to follow me and report on exhaust emissions.

Re the suspension. I'd be double checking you have the correct quantity of fork oil for THAT bike and possibly go up viscosity by 5 weight.
Give G percival a yeodle --He's got a fair bit of experience with that model

Identifying 'this' bike is part of the problem - it actually seems to cross a few model boundaries. The fork has fresh oil in 20W which is more than the 10W in the manual I have but it's made bugger all difference. I've talked to the last rider today and gained some info on prior behavior leading me to think I'll let the next owner worry about it! I could spend a mint... But it's just not 'me'....

Thanks again...

[Paul in NZ]

Funny.... I had the same thought, often! But it was rolling down a bank at the same time...

Funny?? I don't remember you laughing at the time??

[Str8 Jacket]

Funny?? I don't remember you laughing at the time??

lol, so true, so very true!

[rwh]

I hear dousing them in petrol is waay more betterer...

Yup. Give up on these new-fangled electric lights, and go with petrol. Not sure how you focus them when the petrol's on the outside, though.

Richard

[Freakshow]

Thanks Paul for keeping us updated, it has been a great read. Do you think you will have it all sorted to join us for the first TCWNR as I would be keen to see it.

[Skunk]

Thanks Paul for keeping us updated, it has been a great read. Do you think you will have it all sorted to join us for the first TCWNR as I would be keen to see it.

So would I...

[scracha]

Paul Be carefull upgrading the headlights. They are plastic and melt if ya raise the wattage.Try using a VERY mild cut n polish on the lenses --itll clarify em and might ipprove the lights.
model

Oh FFS, that's why I said "they're about twice as bright for the same wattage." Brighter bulbs from the same given wattage mean less energy is wasted as heat so they're LESS likely to melt the plastic. Change the 20 year old bulbs first before wasting time fannying about with cut n' polish

[Paul in NZ]

Thanks Paul for keeping us updated, it has been a great read. Do you think you will have it all sorted to join us for the first TCWNR as I would be keen to see it.

Well - Its got a few little mech issues to sort out... and then its got a few more beauty spots to remove as well.. I spent last night sanding down spot putty from rear view mirrors FFS (jesus are new ones expensive or what), the screen needs sorting and there is another time consuming little jobbie...

Replicating the missing graphic on the fairing. Not sure if I'll get one made OR paint it on yet..... I'll certainly have to be a LOT more careful with the colour matching etc than I have been with the white for the mirrors (who painted em last Time? - next time just gently rub back the plastic to white and polish with finer sheets of wet n dry).

There will be an unveiling and it's on track for Helen to ride at the sprints where it will either blow up and this thread will go on forever or it will cover itself with glory... hmm... bets taken now...

[Paul in NZ]

Oh FFS, that's why I said "they're about twice as bright for the same wattage." Brighter bulbs from the same given wattage mean less energy is wasted as heat so they're LESS likely to melt the plastic. Change the 20 year old bulbs first before wasting time fannying about with cut n' polish

This is a good point.
Remember that when we discuss bulbs the wattage is an electrical measurement, not an optical output measurement.

The other point is that these bikes use many many connectors and thin wires - all of which degrade with time and worst of all - the lights are mounted on a subframe hanging out the front which is slightly corroded. Chances are it is a return path or provides earthing for the lamps - a bit of a clean up there will produce results as well.

My 1970 triumph has way better lighting using a modern H4 bulb and relays which by passes the 1950's technique of power switching it all through the handlebar switchs - the Moto guzzi is better as well because I've applied the same techniques to it.

Tony makes a good point re the plastic lens though - too much heat and glug glug. Putting in a bigger wattage bulb to a poor lamp is the last thing I'd do - improving the efficiency of whats there is always a better move...

besides - I'm thinking ice blue lamps and some neons with a hopping up and down suspension and a sub woofer, spinners and ooooohhh baby.....

[rwh]

besides - I'm thinking ice blue lamps and some neons with a hopping up and down suspension and a sub woofer, spinners and ooooohhh baby.....

Nice. Spinners inside or outside the discs and sprocket? Think you could get the suspension to jump it right off the ground? Handy for when cages cut across in front of you, and there's no room to go round.

Richard

[FROSTY:Me]

Sorry guys wasn't makingmyself clear--FZR400 bulbs have a "funny" mounting so you cant just bung in new bulbs without surgery.
Last time I saw the beastie the lenses looked cloudy.
Another thought--Um the headlights were working--its not just the parkers??

[Paul in NZ]

Sorry guys wasn't makingmyself clear--FZR400 bulbs have a "funny" mounting so you cant just bung in new bulbs without surgery.
Last time I saw the beastie the lenses looked cloudy.
Another thought--Um the headlights were working--its not just the parkers??

Lens material is excellent - it was just dirt - bulbs look like P45's, the wierd harold ones the Guzzi uses - meh! I'll look later if I can be bothered... It's no biggie
.....