Should have known better..... And non VFR bike's updates

[keny]

Well I have this

It's from a Suzuki, a 1988-89 RGV250 to be exact. It's ⅝ so rough 16 mm. The CBR600 is ½ or 13 mm like most Honda from the era (even not CBR900RR, it's also ⅝) and I fear I loose level feel whit it.

My FJ1200 has OEM a ⅝ / 16 mm but as it didn't work I tried the 1990 CBR1000F one I had around that is stamped 14, so 14mm (even most list a ½ rebuild kit for it 🤷) and the feel of brake force was much greater whit that compared to the rebuilt OEM I now have on the FJ.

 

Even consider trying that 14mm m/c on the ZR7S that also has a ⅝ M/C.

Talking of the ZR7S 

Had a spin on it today 

Great bike!

[Mohawk]

Best feel is 32-36:1 ratio between M/C piston area & calliper piston area IMO. I use CBR929/954 or CBR600F4 callipers with CBR600F4 M/C, its the best Axial brake setup. 

[keny]

Picture of today 

Didn't hit it

Instead just enjoyed twisty road's, a bit longer from home

And on CBR

[bmart]

My buddy hit one the other day while towing an RV to track day. Super suckage. i'm glad that I missed mine a few weeks back. They're out 24/7 these days here in NC. 

 

 

[keny]

Well the ZR7S cam chain started to make noise at times, so did put in a manual cam tensioner as the OEM is known to fail

It needed trimming in other end to fit but otherwise a good part. Cam chain worries are gone.

Decided to test the CBR1000F brake M/C I have (14mm), now mounted but test ride still to do, hope to get better feel in level compared to orginal that is ⅝ (~16mm).

[keny]

So the smaller M/C sure did do wonders to the front brake, more feel in level as slightly less pull needed for higher brake force.

But now the OEM one is back, as I robbed it to the RC24...

There is a reason. The ZR7S will stand for some time.

Reason, the cam chain. The manual adjuster did help holding the chain tight, but seems for some reason the chain is stretching in alarming rate as the odd ticking as started cold came back. It's like the chain try to jump off the tooth's and snap back on track. As valve cover off you can see the chain is all way on as it enters the cam chain sprocket (inlet side) but on top you can see a gap on bottom. The bike still rides ok, but sure I don't like to risk that some day it jumps a thoot and give more engine damage. Also the cam sprockets seems not having wear so a new cam chain is the way to go. As valve cover off checked the valve clearance and needs adjustment to, most in tight end of spec a few tighter...

I have a friend that will help me whit this but he will not have time until during winter....

My friend was a bit confused however, for reason why the cam chain is so stretched, it should be a model that holds for a long time. The carbs model became noisy whit high mileage so the odometer miles he believes are correct. The bike has been sitting much, maybe in dumped condition so cam chain has corroded? 

 

A few pictures from the last rides

Still like the bike a lot 

[keny]

Some pictures from ride home from work yesterday 

CBR is indeed a joy to ride as my ride to work is not that long, but on nice road's 

[keny]

One of my favorite spots on my dayly commute ride

[keny]

One of my former motorcycle's, that I sold as part's in boxes, came back to my garage 

The 1989 Yamaha XT600Z Tenere, it's only in for a visit through, offered to help out whit electric issues. 

[Dutchy]

 

 

The second (1VJ )model  1986-1987 ruined the reputation of the 34L/55W engine.  

Placing the oil cooler in front of the engine proved a bad idea... Adding air cut out in the lower part of the front mudguard would be a start..

So this being a 1989 is good

 

 

 

PS: I recall you pointind me to a spare engine in the Netherlands for export to Finland....

[keny]

20 hours ago, Dutchy said:

 

 

The second (1VJ )model  1986-1987 ruined the reputation of the 34L/55W engine.  

Placing the oil cooler in front of the engine proved a bad idea... Adding air cut out in the lower part of the front mudguard would be a start..

So this being a 1989 is good

 

 

 

PS: I recall you pointind me to a spare engine in the Netherlands for export to Finland....

Ha, yes, for the other 3AJ I had you did score a cylinder head from Dutch ground.

 

And yes the 1VJ did make a good Tenere bad, had heat problem whit oil cooler on front of engine as tank on the cylinder sides (to get lower center of gravity), the 3A,J curred some problems in 1988 whit a lower front fender to get more air flow to cylinder, the 89-90 even more whit bigger oil cooler, then came liquid cooling 

[keny]

Well, if you have followed me over the years, you know I had a 1985 Honda CBX750 F back in time, bought in 2016, sold in 2017.

The bike in upper picture. I sold it for many reasons having to many projects, not space enough as no energy to continue.

 

Well have regret it at times.

 

But the other day same bike did appear on local sale site 

The add pictures above.

Seller was same guy that bought it from me 7 years ago. He had started to do a cafe racer project of it, but don't have time, to many other projects as newborn baby as a other kid in house. 

 

So I'm a crazy man, I did buy it back!

Sold it for 900€ 7 years ago, bought back for 300€ 🙈

So now in my garage, rear of frame cut but the part cut off exist, many panels cut also, but all should be there.

But I have a VFR to finish first....

[Terry]

The CBX is one of thos bikes that I also keep an eye out for on our local auction site. Like you, I owned one back in the day and had a happy 30,000km on it, and I have fond memories. The idea of restoring an air-cooled in-line 4 is also seems easier than getting into the complexity of water-cooling, but the CBX does have it's own peculiarities with the alternator drive. Congratulations on your buy-back, just a shame that the frame has been butchered like that. I am looking forward to seeing you nurse this one back to health Keny.

 

[keny]

14 hours ago, Terry said:

The CBX is one of thos bikes that I also keep an eye out for on our local auction site. Like you, I owned one back in the day and had a happy 30,000km on it, and I have fond memories. The idea of restoring an air-cooled in-line 4 is also seems easier than getting into the complexity of water-cooling, but the CBX does have it's own peculiarities with the alternator drive. Congratulations on your buy-back, just a shame that the frame has been butchered like that. I am looking forward to seeing you nurse this one back to health Keny.

 

Thanks, I think it will take a while before things starts to happen, but you never know, it's a motorcycle I think is really good looking, especially in red whit black stripes. 

Hopefully it turns out to a motorcycle I can enjoy to commute to work.

 

Funny thing is I actually just test ride the as I did take it as part trade, never actually rode it on twisty motorcycle roads.

[keny]

Well before pushing it to back end of garage decided to see if it runs, nope, didn't start even all plugs are connected and gets fresh fuel. Didn't let fuel under it that is a good sign, reason not starting is no spark, so need to check why, CDI box is suspected reason as rattles inside it ..

Did a peak inside fuel tank, not good looking 

Led light make it blueish, but just rust inside....

[keny]

A peak inside my man Cave

2in project stage, 2 running. Well FJ only wait for a friend, a Yamaha shop owner, to have time to come one evening over and adjust the valves whit it's special tool as chims.

Main garage, then the room next to where the ZR7S wait for cam chain change 

And the CBX750 is pushed to the back of it awaiting restauration whit the 2 dirt bikes, a 92 Kawasaki KDX200 that is mine and a 1996 KTM 400 LC4 that is a friend's 

The KDX actually just needs a gearbox bearing change, but as I'm not in condition to ride a dirt bike it been staying un touch, guess I should do it and just sell it.....

[keny]

A friend visited today whit one of his rides, a Yamaha RD350 YPVS, also known as RZ350 in some parts of the world 

[Presson]

RD350LC - One of my first loves. Totally bonkers but great fun. Had a fully faired one at one point. Made me feel like Rainey - hero in my own lunchtime!

[keny]

On 8/19/2024 at 11:33 PM, Presson said:

RD350LC - One of my first loves. Totally bonkers but great fun. Had a fully faired one at one point. Made me feel like Rainey - hero in my own lunchtime!

My friend actually have 2 of them

He say RD stands for Race Dayly 😜

[keny]

A spin on the 92 CBR600 always give you a smile on the face, as does this lovely cafe on a lovely twisty road

It was a warm day here today, and CBR running better than chilly mornings last week. Maybe crabs needs a overhaul next winter, or perhaps the reason engine temp gauge is not working is not the sensor but the thermostat stuck open?

[keny]

A great day today also for a ride whit the CBR600 on twisty road's

I must do a video to show you this lovely road. I need to dig my GOPRo to get some footage....

[keny]

This one followed me home today 

1995 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 that someone has modded to a cafe racer.

Seems to have Zephyr 750 wheels as fork.

So front 41mm forks as a 3x17" rim instead of 39mm and 2,5x17, rear is a 4x17" rim compared to orginal 3,5x18". Shocks are 10mm longer than orginal. Orginal airfilterbox 👍 but crazy loud silencer and looks like made for a smaller cc engine to. Koso instrument cluster, aftermarket lights, license plate as rear light next to rear wheel on left side like a Harley 🙈, ignition switch under seat even orginal, battery behind seat. Clip on handel bars that restrict turning quit a bit! Needs some tweaks, but running, new clutch, valves adjustment as carb rebuild. Way wrong size tire front, a 130/70 rear specific Metzler Lasertec, the rear 160/70 will be mounted on my RC24 whit the CBR600F2 rear rim I have.

Think this will turn into a Scrambler 🤔 

This is motorcycle #49 I bought if I also count my dirt bikes 

[keny]

Some better pictures of yesterday's score

Thoughts are welcome 😁 

 

[keny]

So I have found out why the Zephyr 550 "cafe" clutch, that is just rebuilt, did go toast, and should so had  soon again if not this had been done, a good clutch level 

It's actually amazing that someone would be using a bent level that makes the pull so short that it has to be adjusted so tight it's crazy! Well I guess it's how you cut costs as you rebuild a wracked bike into something to sell...this bike has been written off after a accident in 2012, but I know the frame has been measured and in spec, a reason I could think of buying this bike.

More visual, bent level in upper picture, orginal shape in lower 

Then a other crazy thing, why put a long treaded bolt in a level as it needs one whit a flat area where the level movers!

Both the level on bike as the second hand I bought had so, now whit a more correct bolt. Next I need a new clutch wire, current to sticky for my taste.

I hope to mount this silencer as I don't like the one now on the cafe.

It's actually a OEM Kawasaki one in the picture that I like to mount, it's from a 2020 Z900RS

[keny]

On 7/31/2024 at 6:01 PM, keny said:

Well, if you have followed me over the years, you know I had a 1985 Honda CBX750 F back in time, bought in 2016, sold in 2017.

The bike in upper picture. I sold it for many reasons having to many projects, not space enough as no energy to continue.

 

Well have regret it at times.

 

But the other day same bike did appear on local sale site 

The add pictures above.

Seller was same guy that bought it from me 7 years ago. He had started to do a cafe racer project of it, but don't have time, to many other projects as newborn baby as a other kid in house. 

 

So I'm a crazy man, I did buy it back!

Sold it for 900€ 7 years ago, bought back for 300€ 🙈

So now in my garage, rear of frame cut but the part cut off exist, many panels cut also, but all should be there.

But I have a VFR to finish first....

Well sadly, decided the CBX750 would be a to big project, at least not economic wise, and as I have other bikes whit higher priority I decided to pass the CBX750 on, 

Well the turn signals did stay for my 1986 VFR750F's, as did the cable loom for the twin headlights but still sold today whit a small profit 😎