So I picked up the DRZ that was posted up by MD recently and finally got round to spending some TLC on it.
Been picking up the odds and sods it needed over the last month, so thought I’d knuckle down and see whats what on a single carb bike after running a cbr600 for a few years. So what did I learn today?
Well its stupidly simple to work on, all body work removed in less than 20mins and no stupid hidden clips or rounded bolts
Oil change took about 15mins after 10mins of wondering why only 750ml of oil drained then finding the second drain plug!
Spark plug change is pain in the arse due to access - same as the CBR but just one plug so still winning
New ignition barrel fitted in 5mins, but to be honest piss poor design and scores zero for security. No wonder these things go missing every 2mins, I’m chaining this bugger down whenever its out of my sight. Might relocate the ignition in the future to somewhere less obvious.
It’s not wanting to start or run since I picked it up, so thought I’d strip the carb down (never done this before so bit nervous about these needles and springs that might explode everywhere let alone adjusting fuel mixtures). 5mins in and with the tank about to come off, before starting taking the carb out I noticed a loose hose not connected to anything. Turns out that you need a vacuum to the fuel tap which the loose hose happened to be. Connect it and the bloody thing fires up on the button - winning!
Starting a single with a “less restrictive can” in a small garage hurts your ears and also blows anything off the shelves behind you as you rev it! Sounds lovely
Only two bolts on the bike that need allen key and yep they are solid and rounded off. Naturally in a pain in the arse location - old tail tidy that was snapped off. WD40`d the crap out of them, but bet they sheer off so will have to drill them out! Is this the best way, how do I thread a new bolt in though?
Just the tail tidy and indicators to put on then it will be ready to MOT, so BCR here I come!! Oh and maybe a sticker kit, stainless steel hoses, upgraded brakes…
if you use.a.smaller drill bit to start and.progress slightly larger each time you can generally not destroy the threads before it can be.collapsed in the hole . . or just nut and bolt it I threads damAged.or a tap and die.set or helicoil
Or buy a ‘backwards’ drill it that cuts in reverse, because it drills in the same direction as you would undo the bolt it normally spins out before you have drilled very far.
Im glad you now have the bike running…I put a new plug in it for Billy a few weeks ago when we got it running, but PLEASE PLEASE make sure you give it a thorough service, change the pads and ALL fluids and thoroughly check over every nut and bolt before going for a blast cos that bike was obviously in some little scrotes hands for a while when it got nicked, and its stood idle for a long time mate…
Cheers fella, almost all done but yes defo checking everything is tightened and connected - just need to find my torque wrench to double check before loctiting! Plug was a bit fouled so think it might be running slightly rich, oil was not that bad with no metal bits which was a good sign. I’ve some new pads to go on, but might change the brake fluid so will get the garage to do that before the MOT as not a job I’m that confident on! All in all though runs sweet just needs some tidying up with some new plastics when I can be bothered.
Oh for anyone who might need a lock set, dealers want £190 for an ignition barrel, fuel cap and the crap helmet lock! No immobiliser or HISS type stuff so can’t see the justification. Almost paid £130 from a USA eBay seller but then spotted one used in the UK for less than a quarter of that.
As for those hex nuts, going to hacksaw a line across first and see if that works.if not found a impact driver so will give that a go with a torks hammered in. Unfortunately the weld option needs a welder so will drill as next step.
Would have thought a smcR to be a bit boring for you lee, you always been a 450 or bonkers 2t person. bet its to do with getting the misses on the back of the bike
Most of my.mates ride road bikes now so needid something with legs on road. I’ve plans to try get it in the high 80s BHP so should be fun but I love. 4fiddy motos best allround bike by far
Loctite can be your friend and enemy, who the hell loctites a tail tidy…oh wait someone who rides a single/thumper! Head sheared off, nut and bolt stripped the threads so drilled the thing out. Sure that cheap hex bolts are the devils work, as four more sheared off yesterday!
