Topic: 85 fz 750

[grcamna2]

   Depends, o/s'd pistons and rings are just non existent. (I'm not on face book and have no inclination to join and to see the fz group on there) Most other items are available and pricey so I've been trying to keep it reasonable (probably not gonna happen). Found a set of cylinders that were usable on ebay, but it took 6 months of looking and a myriad of emails to find it, most of the items on ebay are absolutely unusable. Same with the cyl head, and even it was well used. Then there's the valve shims, that's a whole new thing for me, I've never hoarded Yamaha parts of any kind, mainly a kawasaki and suzuki guy, then later Honda. So time will tell. Would really like to keep this one, it's 1109 of 1st year. 18k in change on the clock, really not bad mileage, just basic neglect with a bit of abuse thrown in. The only items that I'm gonna need but haven't gotten yet are a gas tank and exhaust. Ka-freaking-ching!!!!!!

Mark,considering the $ and lack of parts availability for that engine:what about the 87-88' FZR1000 top-end ?

[Mark1976]

   That was one of my 1st thoughts, but upon further investigation I found out you have to open up the cases to receive the 1000's cylinders or find a 1000 lower end and swap out the 5 speed for the 750's 6 speed transmission and crank and then go from there. At this point I've got a top-end that's just in spec and the only new internals are the rings, 3 valve guides and valve stem seals plus assorted o-rings and gaskets. At this point I'm only out $1000 including the price of the bike, my investment limit, depending on the bike, is between 2-3k tops. Then I either sell it or keep it. The wife prefers I sell them, all of them, and most times I do. But I'd like to see how this turns out. My next project is a cb500 sitting in the corner, maybe this fall.

[grcamna2]

Ok, Keep This One 

[Mark1976]

   While watching INDY and then Nascar yesterday I was able to get the topend back together, pretty straight forward no issues. So I'm very close to starting it up for the first time, most likely later this week.

[grcamna2]

Yeah Man 

[ekpent]

Awesome! No job there for a newbie, lots of parts.

[ofreen]

Did you have much trouble sourcing oem Yamaha parts for that ?

There's the old joke about how a cure for AIDS has been developed.  They gave it a Yamaha part number and now no one can get it.

[MRieck]

Did you have much trouble sourcing oem Yamaha parts for that ?

There's the old joke about how a cure for AIDS has been developed.  They gave it a Yamaha part number and now no one can get it.

That's a good one....gotta remember it. 👍

[Mark1976]

   New plugs, oil and filter. Gett'in closer, the oil that came out was pretty clean,  I imagine someone must have changed it and never got it going. Pretty common for these, once the valve clearance's close up they become hard or unable to start. Filter cup has just a smidge of fine silt in the bottom, nothing unusual on the drain plug. So, couple of things less to do.

[Mark1976]

   Primed with a little carb cleaner, and we have a runner....
   Big relief!!!

[grcamna2]

   Primed with a little carb cleaner, and we have a runner....
   Big relief!!!

Excellent. 
You must have spent Many hours online finding and verifying parts..

[Mark1976]

   ya know, that's just part of the deal I guess, but the complete lack of any quality used parts is stunning. Even NOS is sparse to nonexistent for certain items (I'll say it again O/S pistons and rings). It's nice to have new and it's not so bad when there's a supply of decent used but used in this case is just used up, worn out and BTS.... Anyway, gotta wrap up the rest of the details and take it for a spin around the neighborhood, make sure everything works as it should. Then tally up a list of parts to complete the job. Depending on how I like it will determine if it's a keeper or a seller. one step at a time...

[Mark1976]

   So, I had a little time today and decided to go thru the carburetor rack once more before I drop the airbox and new airfilter on, it has a dynojet stage 1 jet kit in it, so dbl checked all the internals, check float heights and then on they went. I bought these of a gentleman on Ebay, and I say gentleman because once these went on it started right up again, (no leaks) I then let it warm up and sync'd them. Literally took 2 minutes. Had to replace a thermostat o-ring and that was it, rode the neighborhood twice, this thing is sooo smooth and quiet and lastly, incredibly responsive. Very happy, so far...
   Still a bunch of fastners to buy to finish hanging the cosmetic pieces. Then graphics. The gas tank is the next big question mark.

[grcamna2]

   So, I had a little time today and decided to go thru the carburetor rack once more before I drop the airbox and new airfilter on, it has a dynojet stage 1 jet kit in it, so dbl checked all the internals, check float heights and then on they went. I bought these of a gentleman on Ebay, and I say gentleman because once these went on it started right up again, (no leaks) I then let it warm up and sync'd them. Literally took 2 minutes. Had to replace a thermostat o-ring and that was it, rode the neighborhood twice, this thing is sooo smooth and quiet and lastly, incredibly responsive. Very happy, so far...
   Still a bunch of fastners to buy to finish hanging the cosmetic pieces. Then graphics. The gas tank is the next big question mark.

That's excellent Mark 

[Mark1976]

   So yesterday the gas tank and exhaust showed up, the tank is a good restoration candidate couple of dings but other than that its a good buy. The fuel gauge works as well as the petcock, so,I'm happy, the exhaust is a toss up. There are just no intact useable stock pipes, worse yet aftermarket not much better, so the best thing I can say about this is, it's salvageable. Gonna take some work to make look decent again.

[Kelly E]

Nice job!
I thought we had it bad trying to get parts for the 80' Suzuki GS 1100E. Hotrod parts for the motor are available but the rest of the bike is another story. Thanks for letting us know to not try to resurrect a Yamaha

[Mark1976]

   Yeah, it's been a challenge. There was another exhaust in Canada and that was the only other complete one I could find but it becomes how much do you really want to spend, I'm already banging up against the spend-o-meter and my budget of 3k. I got a reasonable price on this, even so I'm going to have to cut open the right exhaust can to remove a dent and then weld it back up. I'll get it media blasted and go from there. Hopefully I can take it for a spin this weekend and see how everything works before I commit to repairing it. But we're close to having it complete parts and operational wise, still need a tail section for behind the seat. I could kick myself in the ass because about 6 or 7 months ago there was on Ebay for $50 the right color completely intact and I thought, nahhh that's to much. Now I can't even find one and even the ones that show up are broken and they want $50..... No aftermarket for them or the inner fairing panels either, everything else body panel wise there is. Oh yeah and gas caps, Jesus, the only one I've seen or heard or any where with or without a key is on Ebay for $45, and even its a piece of garbage, if I find a cap I'll die a happy man. I haven't even bought rubber yet and that's a whole new can of worms because of the 16" front wheel. But I just keep reminding myself how beautiful these bikes were when they first came out, that keeps me going....

[seanbarney41]

Yes sir, early period sport bikes are very difficult to find body parts for.  I have been restoring an '86 GSXR for a while now, probably a much more popular model than your Yamaha, and yeah, the only thing easy to do is pay lots for trashed parts.

[Kelly E]

We are running Avon Roadrider Mk Il tires on the 16"front wheel 84' Interceptor 1000. They work just fine.

[Mark1976]

Will do,
Thx...

[Mark1976]

   Ok, was able to clock a few miles on it today, bad rubber and all, very happy, nice and quiet. Incredibly smooth. Keeps getting better.

[grcamna2]

   Ok, was able to clock a few miles on it today, bad rubber and all, very happy, nice and quiet. Incredibly smooth. Keeps getting better.

New tires and Then  start putting it through it's paces   

I see it takes a 130/80V18 rear and a 120/80V16 front.

[Mark1976]

   Yup.

[Mark1976]

   So , I'm on an FZ forum in the UK (a couple of very nice gents there, and thats it, really slow, facebook one's no different), and I happen to post that I'm looking for a gas cap. Low and freaking behold one of the moderators pops on tells me that a Yamaha yb125-250 cap is the same cap. I go to freaking ebay and find one for $20, free shipping!!!!. Should get it  by next week, then we'll know for sure.
   I gotta say it again, there's just not a lot of information out there like there is on the SOHC group. Ya get spoiled here, log on and on any given day regardless of time, someone's posting as well as a great history of post's to search. 

[grcamna2]

   So , I'm on an FZ forum in the UK (a couple of very nice gents there, and thats it, really slow, facebook one's no different), and I happen to post that I'm looking for a gas cap. Low and freaking behold one of the moderators pops on tells me that a Yamaha yb125-250 cap is the same cap. I go to freaking ebay and find one for $20, free shipping!!!!. Should get it  by next week, then we'll know for sure.
   I gotta say it again, there's just not a lot of information out there like there is on the SOHC group. Ya get spoiled here, log on and on any given day regardless of time, someone's posting as well as a great history of post's to search.

Excellent