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So this isn't exactly a project bike. It runs ok now. It's more in need of TLC than anything else really. But F it. It needs all the TLC. And while I'm at it, all the goodies. Or at least a more than is really reasonable amount. 
Bought her last Saturday. Test ride was fine, little rough under 6k RPM, and horrible handling (it's a Kat, expected it). All moving parts were a little stiff from mostly sitting for the last 5 years. But the engine sounded fine, bike revved up without too much fuss, and could run without the choke being on once warmed up. So, $1500 seemed like quite the deal.
Brought her home, did a more thorough investigation. Plastics in slightly worse condition than originally noted, but nothing that some plastic sheet and acetone can't fix. Paint is a little rough on one side where it went down at low speed, but meh...not really any worse than my old 600.
Front tire has ~1/3 tread left. 5 years old, but garage kept. It isn't as hard as a rock, so I'm going to leave it for now. Rear tire, holy CRAP! Date code = 2000. That's right, 17 years old. Before my test ride, I noticed it was bald and a little squared off, so I was accelerating and cornering gently, but geeeeeeeze, that's gotta go. No more riding until that's swapped with a nice new PR4. On the schedule for this Saturday.
All the lock cylinders were a bit stiff, so got a bit of graphite lube worked in. Much better now, particularly the ignition. Unlocking the steering stem doesn't feel like I'm going to break off the key in the ignition.
Brakes were wooden, and fluid in the site glass quite dark. Bled those - better, but still far from where they could be. Going to swap to SS lines from G&J, planning to order those in the next few weeks. Used them for my 600 and 1100, love pricing and quality. Still need to grease the pad pins. It isn't notched yet, and want to keep it that way. Once that happened on my 600, filing the notches out was a bear.
Oil changed. Duh, that was literally the first thing. Recepits that came with the bike had it at being changed 1000 miles ago, so it was still quite clean. However, it was also 5 years old. Filter is...really on there. I'm going to have to punch a screw driver into it to pull it off. I didn't have time to this time around. I'm going to do a shorter than standard change interval anyways, so leaving the filter on, especially when the oil was so clean, doesn't really concern me.
In the process of figuring out the oil filter was stuck on, I was getting much more up close and personal with the headers. I think it might have a full exhaust system, not just a Yosh can. So, that's awesome.
To do:
New front tire
Send Tmod my already resprung and valved shock (pulled it from the 600) for a rebuild
SS brake lines
Grease all the bearings - both wheels, swing arm, steering stem
Pop my Corbin saddle on
Lube all the cables. Choke isn't smooth, so I know that one needs it. If that does, throttle will as well.
Install my 5* advancer (pulled from the 600)
Rebuild forks - full works. Seals, bushings, and drop in racetech goodies. I was able to salvage 1 spring and emulator from the 600, other fork was too F'd up. So...really hoping I can buy just a single of each...
If I can't...rebuild them and increase preload. And start investigating grafting on GSXR forks. Need to see how pricey that would be. Assuming 'new' forks would need a full rebuild, new springs, and different valving. That all gets kinda pricey, so we'll see. If I can get a single spring and emulator though, I'm pushing the easy button.
Jet kit (factory Pro). Bike is running lean, pops on decel, and stumbles when accelerating though 6k. + why the hell not? Check A/F screw settings and sync while I'm at it.
Shift kit (Factory pro). My 600 transmission started showing signs of weakening around 80k. Made it to ~130, but 2nd was starting to shift rougher and rougher. I won't have 100 mile a day commutes any more, so this bike will see a lot more shifting. Want to make sure I can still get tons of (s)miles out of it.
Current Battery is only 7 months old, but it's a non name brand piece from an autoparts store. It's a lead/acid affair, so it won't last long. When it goes, going to try a Li-Fe battery. Have done, and loved gel based, want to try the next level and see if the $$$ is worth it.
Fairings: I have a tail piece I picked up (had to buy a bundle of parts to get the 2 I actually needed), need to pull it out and see if it's the correct side and year range (98-02). If it is...SWEET! Install, and done. If not, fairing repair time.
@Junker, you still have any kits left?
The little teeny piece that connects the belly pan to the main fairing up front on the brake side has the upper mounting screw broken, so need to fix that too. Short term can just remove, but want to fix it right.
Touring windshield. Always wanted one for my 600, but just never got around to it.
Install harness for my Gerbing heated gear.
Clearly that's not all listed in order of priority/ease/timeline. This thread will aim to document all of those things happening, + the usual maintenance thingos. And I still have the 1127 Chrome Project engine I bought from Mr Mohido a while back. Once the expensive bits are done on this bike, I want to send it to Holeshot and have them port the head. If finances allow...go to 1216cc. I'm making more now than I ever have, and am looking to keep up a nice trend of yearly increases for some time, so...I'm dreaming big. This 750 doesn't need much in the way of $ for upgrades as I was able to pull some from the 600, and several other things (SS lines, shock rebuild) I basically attribute to maintenance at this point. Would need both on a 20 year old bike. I spent ~2k for upgrading the 600. I've got $800 in left over insurance money and reusable parts for this one
***my image hosting site is being a little bitch right now. Pics will eventually be added.
Bought her last Saturday. Test ride was fine, little rough under 6k RPM, and horrible handling (it's a Kat, expected it). All moving parts were a little stiff from mostly sitting for the last 5 years. But the engine sounded fine, bike revved up without too much fuss, and could run without the choke being on once warmed up. So, $1500 seemed like quite the deal.
Brought her home, did a more thorough investigation. Plastics in slightly worse condition than originally noted, but nothing that some plastic sheet and acetone can't fix. Paint is a little rough on one side where it went down at low speed, but meh...not really any worse than my old 600.
Front tire has ~1/3 tread left. 5 years old, but garage kept. It isn't as hard as a rock, so I'm going to leave it for now. Rear tire, holy CRAP! Date code = 2000. That's right, 17 years old. Before my test ride, I noticed it was bald and a little squared off, so I was accelerating and cornering gently, but geeeeeeeze, that's gotta go. No more riding until that's swapped with a nice new PR4. On the schedule for this Saturday.
All the lock cylinders were a bit stiff, so got a bit of graphite lube worked in. Much better now, particularly the ignition. Unlocking the steering stem doesn't feel like I'm going to break off the key in the ignition.
Brakes were wooden, and fluid in the site glass quite dark. Bled those - better, but still far from where they could be. Going to swap to SS lines from G&J, planning to order those in the next few weeks. Used them for my 600 and 1100, love pricing and quality. Still need to grease the pad pins. It isn't notched yet, and want to keep it that way. Once that happened on my 600, filing the notches out was a bear.
Oil changed. Duh, that was literally the first thing. Recepits that came with the bike had it at being changed 1000 miles ago, so it was still quite clean. However, it was also 5 years old. Filter is...really on there. I'm going to have to punch a screw driver into it to pull it off. I didn't have time to this time around. I'm going to do a shorter than standard change interval anyways, so leaving the filter on, especially when the oil was so clean, doesn't really concern me.
In the process of figuring out the oil filter was stuck on, I was getting much more up close and personal with the headers. I think it might have a full exhaust system, not just a Yosh can. So, that's awesome.
To do:
New front tire
Send Tmod my already resprung and valved shock (pulled it from the 600) for a rebuild
SS brake lines
Grease all the bearings - both wheels, swing arm, steering stem
Pop my Corbin saddle on
Lube all the cables. Choke isn't smooth, so I know that one needs it. If that does, throttle will as well.
Install my 5* advancer (pulled from the 600)
Rebuild forks - full works. Seals, bushings, and drop in racetech goodies. I was able to salvage 1 spring and emulator from the 600, other fork was too F'd up. So...really hoping I can buy just a single of each...
If I can't...rebuild them and increase preload. And start investigating grafting on GSXR forks. Need to see how pricey that would be. Assuming 'new' forks would need a full rebuild, new springs, and different valving. That all gets kinda pricey, so we'll see. If I can get a single spring and emulator though, I'm pushing the easy button.
Jet kit (factory Pro). Bike is running lean, pops on decel, and stumbles when accelerating though 6k. + why the hell not? Check A/F screw settings and sync while I'm at it.
Shift kit (Factory pro). My 600 transmission started showing signs of weakening around 80k. Made it to ~130, but 2nd was starting to shift rougher and rougher. I won't have 100 mile a day commutes any more, so this bike will see a lot more shifting. Want to make sure I can still get tons of (s)miles out of it.
Current Battery is only 7 months old, but it's a non name brand piece from an autoparts store. It's a lead/acid affair, so it won't last long. When it goes, going to try a Li-Fe battery. Have done, and loved gel based, want to try the next level and see if the $$$ is worth it.
Fairings: I have a tail piece I picked up (had to buy a bundle of parts to get the 2 I actually needed), need to pull it out and see if it's the correct side and year range (98-02). If it is...SWEET! Install, and done. If not, fairing repair time.
@Junker, you still have any kits left?
The little teeny piece that connects the belly pan to the main fairing up front on the brake side has the upper mounting screw broken, so need to fix that too. Short term can just remove, but want to fix it right.
Touring windshield. Always wanted one for my 600, but just never got around to it.
Install harness for my Gerbing heated gear.
Clearly that's not all listed in order of priority/ease/timeline. This thread will aim to document all of those things happening, + the usual maintenance thingos. And I still have the 1127 Chrome Project engine I bought from Mr Mohido a while back. Once the expensive bits are done on this bike, I want to send it to Holeshot and have them port the head. If finances allow...go to 1216cc. I'm making more now than I ever have, and am looking to keep up a nice trend of yearly increases for some time, so...I'm dreaming big. This 750 doesn't need much in the way of $ for upgrades as I was able to pull some from the 600, and several other things (SS lines, shock rebuild) I basically attribute to maintenance at this point. Would need both on a 20 year old bike. I spent ~2k for upgrading the 600. I've got $800 in left over insurance money and reusable parts for this one
***my image hosting site is being a little bitch right now. Pics will eventually be added.
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