[Tinsnips]

OK. Like the title says this is a rescue mission. I got this bike for $100.00 and likely paid twice what I should have. I first had a look at it in the fall. I had noticed it out behind a barn and I stopped in one day. I originally thought it was a 1986 GSXR 750 but couldn’t see enough of the bike in the weeds to tell what it actually was. When I initially saw it the "Yamaha" on the engine case told me it wasn't a GSXR. The guy said it was going to scrap. I thanked him for his time and declined.

Well, I popped on to the interwebs and did a bit of research. Turns out this is the first year and first model of Yamaha’s stab at a race replica.

Well, now I have a problem. It is 308lbs and 49hp. It would be a blast to ride & likely a bit of a weapon if we hopped it up a bit. Can I really sit back, in all good conscience, and let it be scrapped?

Not willing to let it go to the crusher I called the guy back and here we are.

This bike is beyond anything I have ever seen. Frankly it is hard to look at some of the pics. It has been crashed and engine case caved in. Has not run in 15 to 20 years or so and has been outside for most of that. Copper ground wire for fuses, a roach clip for an electrical connector, and from what I can see the intake boots from the air box are just duct tape. Yeah. I should part out the wheels, that tank, and the carbs & cut my losses.

That is the smart thing to do. I am not smart though and will to do the right thing over the smart thing every time…I am going to make sure it becomes a motorcycle again.

Here we go.

 

[Tinsnips]

Here is the first video from back in August. I wanted to show what we are starting with. I was about to blast some Zeppelin and start pulling off broken pieces.

I have a few posts to catch everyone up on where this is then will post up more videos as I make progress.

 

[lesblank]

You definitely have a project. Looking forward to your progress. Going to hijack the thread a bit. Watching your video on broken controls reminded me of an issue a few years ago. Found out totally working controls are over rated.

Had a pretty good day at work that day. It's a warm and party sunny day and start to head home. There's a short cut I take thru a nice neighborhood. Well today I get to the first stop sign, pull the clutch in and it's loose and free. Pop into neutral real quick and stop. Take a quick look and clutch cable is broke. Call my wife and tell her I'm calling a wrecker and would be home a little late. Well, let's see what I might be able to do. I've ridden many dirt bikes with broken clutch lever or cable before. So I ask myself, can you do that on a 900 plus pound Harley in Houston rush hour traffic? Yea, I know that's a crazy thought. So I take the lever off and see a small piece still attached to cable end.

I carry a pair of vise grips and make me a lever.

That clutch is one hard pull without leverage, but possible. So here's a short video, I cut out most of the freeway as that was the easy part. The stopping and starting was the bummer. Made it home without stalling it a single time. My bike is 15 years old, so not too upset cable broke. New cable ordered but won't be here till next Thursday. Question is, should I feel good about making it, or stupid for trying?

 

[Tinsnips]

That is awesome Les. Not a thread jack at all. I am thinking this bike made a few of those trips.

 

[Tinsnips]

OK. Went out to the garage for a spell. The weather is such that the mountains stay blue if you leave a beverage on the bench so the visit was short. I tend to do short videos rather than typing long posts that no one gets all the way through. Easier on both of us I figure.

 

[lesblank]

Have you checked if the motor turns? A locked motor sometimes makes a build a money pit. Or have you budgeted for a motor rebuild?

 

[bpe]

You have definitely got your work cut out for you.

 

[Tinsnips]

Have you checked if the motor turns? A locked motor sometimes makes a build a money pit. Or have you budgeted for a motor rebuild?

I did & it turns very freely. The crushed generator did make some ugly noises but the engine itself did feel smooth and I could feel compression. I paid $100.00 for the bike and I figured I could cut my losses and recoup that by selling the wheels and tank if the engine was a total loss. Honestly if this is a $3000.00 bike when it is finished I can spend $2900.00 on it during the build.

I do intend to do a complete tear down and mostly new internals. I found a Wiseco Pistons decal under the seat, I am wondering if someone has been in there and beefed it up. If they did I am scared it was the same guy who tried to JB Weld the broken throttle bar back on.

The '86 FZ had a reported 49hp. In '89 they brought out the FZR which boasted 98hp. I am looking to beef up this and aiming for FZR numbers. Come spring I will get into the engine and see what is there. I don;t want to open it right now as temperature changes cause a lot of condensation. We will leave it buttoned up and protected by a coating of oil.

 

[Boog]

I so love watching a build.

 

[Tinsnips]

I typically post videos pointing out how I screwed up and how I fixed it then ask a random question & talk to myself for part of the video. There is entertainment but little in the way of an informative “how to”

 

[Tinsnips]

Here is a short update. I am hoping to get really into a tear down in the next couple weeks.

 

[lesblank]

Tank looks like it will turn out well. How much rust is on inside.

 

[Tinsnips]

Tank looks like it will turn out well. How much rust is on inside.

The inside isn't very pretty. That particular tank has a bunch of baffles that block the view but there is rust in there. I poured about a quart of orange/brown water out of it. The gasket around the tank filler had failed and two decades in the weather meant any fuel in it had evaporated off and rain water seeped in. I dont see any indication that the tank is shot but it will need to be cleaned & coated. My bigger fear is if water got down into the carbs or even the engine. I guess we find that out once it is torn down.