Black Betty
Member
2 years ago I purchased a 2003 FZ1 for $2,500 with 54k (!) miles on it. It was still in good shape but had been laid down on a track somewhere, I figure from the safety wire. The title has a salvage on it. It’s definitely a bit of a beater and I like it that way, despite my mechanic’s recommendation to ‘Gucci it Out.” I’ve resolved to keep it (mostly) a ratbike. It’s got rattle-can black for paint.
Regular maintenance is a joy. That’s pretty much all I’m good for. I’m no grease-monkey, but I can handle the basics and a little bit more. I’ve laid it down once myself and fixed it up already.
Anyway, as you’ve probably noticed, there are a lot of miles on the engine. The issue is that the bike is burning oil at a pretty high rate. A hard acceleration leaves a black cloud behind me, but it idles clean with no visible exhaust. I can get maybe 500-800 miles of hard riding before dropping another quart of 10w40 full synthetic in it. All signs point to worn piston rings. I suspect the cylinders are varnished enough to require a re-honing. The valves and/or valve guides are probably also worn. Ideally, it’s just about time for a new top end.
Even though I’ve got 62k miles (!) on the engine now, the engine runs really very smoothly, just purrs like a big jungle cat at idle with no chugging or coughing. I *still* get 140hp at the rear wheel per dyno testing after tune-up, which is pretty darn decent for this bike at this age. It still cold-starts reliably. I replaced the cam chain just last year. The bike is still something of a beast. I wouldn't mind repairing the old engine if it was inexpensive (less than $2k) but most shops around here won't even do the work.
Other things that need doing on the bike – the cam is beginning to show signs of wear, and the wiring (!) is getting old and iffy. It’s probably due for a new clutch as well. I don’t have a lot of money to throw at it right now, and it is my primary method of transportation 9 months out of the year. Once I get a new job I’ll be happy to continue the project but that feels like a ways off.
I really like the bike; I’ve done some minor modifications to it so it’s distinctive and mine. I’ve got some K&R cone filters on the carbs, put on some acceleration sprockets and a new chain, and some off-road handlebars. My dash console was destroyed when I laid it down and I put on a digital Koso gauge and added lights and windscreen from a Buell X12. The Yoshi exhaust has been repacked and shortened. My beat up old pipes have a harmonizer connection between hole 1 and 4. I can’t find anything like them here in CA. Also, some OEM parts for this bike aren’t being made any more and have to be found elsewhere. I’m a little bit old-school in that I still believe loud bikes save lives. The bike is now a bit of a puzzle for local riders and they know it’s mine, which is good. The tail fairing gives away its secret though. It’s got a great upright sport-touring riding position, much more comfortable than the 2nd-Gen FZs, and steel frame. There’s no fuel injection – as I said, I’m still a bit old school. I tell you this so you get a sense of why I’m invested in the bike.
With very limited financial resources, what would you recommend as the cheapest/best course of action? I don’t have the cash to throw it in the gutter and go buy another.
Regular maintenance is a joy. That’s pretty much all I’m good for. I’m no grease-monkey, but I can handle the basics and a little bit more. I’ve laid it down once myself and fixed it up already.
Anyway, as you’ve probably noticed, there are a lot of miles on the engine. The issue is that the bike is burning oil at a pretty high rate. A hard acceleration leaves a black cloud behind me, but it idles clean with no visible exhaust. I can get maybe 500-800 miles of hard riding before dropping another quart of 10w40 full synthetic in it. All signs point to worn piston rings. I suspect the cylinders are varnished enough to require a re-honing. The valves and/or valve guides are probably also worn. Ideally, it’s just about time for a new top end.
Even though I’ve got 62k miles (!) on the engine now, the engine runs really very smoothly, just purrs like a big jungle cat at idle with no chugging or coughing. I *still* get 140hp at the rear wheel per dyno testing after tune-up, which is pretty darn decent for this bike at this age. It still cold-starts reliably. I replaced the cam chain just last year. The bike is still something of a beast. I wouldn't mind repairing the old engine if it was inexpensive (less than $2k) but most shops around here won't even do the work.
Other things that need doing on the bike – the cam is beginning to show signs of wear, and the wiring (!) is getting old and iffy. It’s probably due for a new clutch as well. I don’t have a lot of money to throw at it right now, and it is my primary method of transportation 9 months out of the year. Once I get a new job I’ll be happy to continue the project but that feels like a ways off.
I really like the bike; I’ve done some minor modifications to it so it’s distinctive and mine. I’ve got some K&R cone filters on the carbs, put on some acceleration sprockets and a new chain, and some off-road handlebars. My dash console was destroyed when I laid it down and I put on a digital Koso gauge and added lights and windscreen from a Buell X12. The Yoshi exhaust has been repacked and shortened. My beat up old pipes have a harmonizer connection between hole 1 and 4. I can’t find anything like them here in CA. Also, some OEM parts for this bike aren’t being made any more and have to be found elsewhere. I’m a little bit old-school in that I still believe loud bikes save lives. The bike is now a bit of a puzzle for local riders and they know it’s mine, which is good. The tail fairing gives away its secret though. It’s got a great upright sport-touring riding position, much more comfortable than the 2nd-Gen FZs, and steel frame. There’s no fuel injection – as I said, I’m still a bit old school. I tell you this so you get a sense of why I’m invested in the bike.
With very limited financial resources, what would you recommend as the cheapest/best course of action? I don’t have the cash to throw it in the gutter and go buy another.
