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Official YZF Makeover Thread

CrazyBiker said:
Oh yeah, the good ol Kerosene. I used it once to clean the chain and I could actually see some sparkle in it! Kerosene was the only known sure shot cleaning ingredient I knew when I was growing up. We used to use diesel to clean the tar and crap on the cars though.
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Never tried Diesel but once I tried kerosene to clean the chain on the FZ1, I never looked back. It was pretty amazing. Once I'm done cleaning I use a soapy water solution to neutralize the kerosene.
 
Now that its clean the best trick of all is to be sure to lube your chain right after a ride. The heat of the chain helps the lube penetrate and cure. It will be nice a clung tot he chain before your next ride. You will find over time how little of lube fling you get when spraying after and letting it sit than right before a ride.:yes:
 
The first pictures of that chain looked like he lubed it all the time, just NEVER cleaned it.

Lubing after a ride is the way to go for sure. The new lube that I use is a foaming kind from Belray and it is messier than the wax type, but seems to work a bit better.

Billy: Truly amazing how much better that swing arm and shock area looked after you were done with it. The bike is in much better hands now!
 
Great job Billy! I totally agree that kerosene is the single best cleaner. I use a dab on a rag to clean my wheels all the time. Nothing stands up to it.

And the quote of the thread/forum goes to Billy!!! :yes:

FZ1riderNY said:
You can now eat off this rear end!
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FZ1riderNY said:
Never tried Diesel but once I tried kerosene to clean the chain on the FZ1, I never looked back. It was pretty amazing. Once I'm done cleaning I use a soapy water solution to neutralize the kerosene.
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Well around here the only way to get kerosene is at the local hardware store and it's rather pricey. However, diesel can be readily had at local gas stations. Diesel also works great for cleaning for those that have never tried it...
 
NJFZ1 said:
Well around here the only way to get kerosene is at the local hardware store and it's rather pricey. However, diesel can be readily had at local gas stations. Diesel also works great for cleaning for those that have never tried it...
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FZ1inNH said:
It is pricey for a gallon but a gallon does a LOT of work for you. I'm on the same gallon after three bikes. ;)
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That's the truth. It is kinda pricey, but like Eric said, he's on the same gallon for three bikes. I think my gallon was bought when I first got the Honda Shadow and it's still over the half mark. That's through all my chain cleaning sessions and one overhaul of the FZ1, so it lasts a pretty long time. The nice thing is that you only need a small amount to go a long way.
 
Round two results are in. I got a later start today cause it was too cold early! I jumped right back on to the sprocket cover. As usual I DID forget one screw yesterday, so thank God I didn't start prying on it with a screwdriver! Once I posted the pics from yesterday, I noticed one recessed bolt that I had forgotten yesterday. So today I removed everything and it came right off!

Just as I thought yesterday. It was "crud city" inside that cover!
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Inside the sprocket housing wasn't that much nicer!
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This was the culprit I didn't notice yesterday.
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If you look back a couple of pictures ago you'll see a bunch of black gunk on the gear shift spindle. This spacer was underneath all that mess!
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This was the best I could do without removing the sprocket. By the way, I should have removed that BEFORE cutting the chain! Live and learn. I'll have to figure a way to do it without the chain on the bike???:shame:
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The cover was easier to clean except for all the crevices inside of it.
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I took a break and started cleaning out the battery tray/undertail section.
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I then turned my attention to getting the radiator removed. I drained all the orifices as per Tony's instructions and before long the radiator and engine block was void of coolant.
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After unplugging all the sensors and fans, just four bolts and she was out.
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My son had done a great job last week soaking the exhaust header bolts so I was confident that I wouldn't snap anything.
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The first nut I tried was frozen but the stud was turning so I just removed it as is. I'll either soak it again or just leave it like that and reuse it. Either way it will tighten so no problems there. All the rest of the nuts came off easy and so did the old Vance & Hines system.
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Now the entire front of the motor is in plain view and will be easy to clean.
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It was way too cold even with the heater running full blast so I packed it in after 6-1/2 hours. I got a lot of work accomplished this weekend and as soon as all my parts are here it will be no time at all that she'll be back together! I want to thank Ray for stopping by for a while to see me today.

I brought the coolant reservoir upstairs with me to at least clean all the crud off of it. After a nice bath, inside and out, it looks brand new again!
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So that's all for this weekend. I'll try and get some small things done in the house during the week and next weekend I'll clean the motor the best I can, change the oil and filter, and start prepping to back her back together! Stay tuned and thanks for looking!
 
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Billy just leave it on until your ready to put the wheel back on. With the rear wheel on drape the stock chain over the rear and counter sprocket, have Richie hold the back wheel then hit it with the impact gun.
 
johnnyontherocks said:
Billy just leave it on until your ready to put the wheel back on. With the rear wheel on drape the stock chain over the rear and counter sprocket, have Richie hold the back wheel then hit it with the impact gun.
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Yeah, but I'm just worried now because I'm going to a 530 Conversion Kit and not the stock 532 system. I am almost sure that I can get my vise grip on the sprocket and lock the handle against a piece of wood. Either that, or dig the old chain out of the garbage, clean it up, and then lock the two ends together past the swingarm.
 
That cleaned up really nice Billy and that coolant didn't look so bad, but might as well replace all the fluids.

As for the front sprocket do you have an electric impact gun? I would imagine that would do the trick. May be time to check out the Harbor Freight catalog if you don't ;)
 
NJFZ1 said:
That cleaned up really nice Billy and that coolant didn't look so bad, but might as well replace all the fluids.

As for the front sprocket do you have an electric impact gun? I would imagine that would do the trick. May be time to check out the Harbor Freight catalog if you don't ;)
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That's what I finally bought. I tried everything and finally bought one. It's surprising how often I use it now.
 
NJFZ1 said:
That cleaned up really nice Billy and that coolant didn't look so bad, but might as well replace all the fluids.

As for the front sprocket do you have an electric impact gun? I would imagine that would do the trick. May be time to check out the Harbor Freight catalog if you don't ;)
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Thanks T, the coolant looked great and pure with nothing strange mixed in with it, thank God. Next will be the oil and filter and once the chain and new sprockets arrive I'll do all the brakes and clutch system too. I have an impact wrench but I was an idiot and didn't think to remove the front sprocket before cutting the chain. I'll have to figure out a way where I won't damage anything to remove it now.
 
FZ1riderNY said:
Thanks T, the coolant looked great and pure with nothing strange mixed in with it, thank God. Next will be the oil and filter and once the chain and new sprockets arrive I'll do all the brakes and clutch system too. I have an impact wrench but I was an idiot and didn't think to remove the front sprocket before cutting the chain. I'll have to figure out a way where I won't damage anything to remove it now.
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You can still try to remove it with an impact gun. Worst thing that will happen is that it will turn, but if the impact gun is strong enough it should come right off.
 
I find it hard to beleve someone would let their baby get that grungy. its turning out to be a very clean bike. previos owner probley could have asked more money if he didnt let it go so far or put in the time like you are doing. U have to be loven this up!
 
stretched06 said:
I find it hard to beleve someone would let their baby get that grungy. its turning out to be a very clean bike. previos owner probley could have asked more money if he didnt let it go so far or put in the time like you are doing. U have to be loven this up!
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Thats exactly my thoughts Stretch! All he had to do was give it a good cleaning but I don't think he was too interested in the bike at all. He knew absolutely nothing about it. I knew more just from hanging with Tony! Oh well, his loss is my gain! I'm loving every minute of it. The best part is now that the cleaning is almost done, the bike looks awesome just frame and engine. Thanks bud!
 
+ 4 on the impact gun for the sprocket. It will hit it so hard and fast it will zing right off.
you could pop it in gear also. Im sure you knew that. If you dont have an impact gun then put your 1/2 drive breaker bar on it and apply pressure just enough to take the slack out and hit the end of the breaker bar with intent to loosen it faster than the crank has a chance to rotate..
 
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