Knowing where to start when dealing with a motorcycle that’s been unused for years is a tricky one. The urge to buy parts can be overwhelming, but what if you shell out hard earned funds on the wrong stuff? There’s no point buying posh bolt ons if the project turns out to shield a knackered engine. The first thing to do is make a list. Lists are always fun.
Our £600 29 year old Yamaha shouldn’t cost too much to wake up, the worst issue I predict will be that the carbs are more than likely going to need a good clean out. I haven’t tried to start the EXUP yet, all I’ve done so far is to connect up an old battery to see if the motor spins over, which it did.
I have had the fairing off and sadly from the point of generating excitement within this article there was nothing too nasty to report, even the fairing screws came out with no dramas, result!
With the gloss black panels out the way I inspected the downpipes, they look like the original Yamaha kit, on the plus side they look solid and repair free, on the bad side I just know that the EXUP valve will more than likely be seized solid.
The radiator looks above average and other than lots of grime the 18,000 mile old motor looks fine.
I have never liked the original headlights, they just look a bit daft to me. I had a solution to this and it didn’t cost me a bean! An old pair of FZR600 3HE headlights that had been too good to throw away but not good enough to sell had been enjoying their retirement in my garage. Whipping the original lights off took a few minutes, and about sixty seconds later the flatter FZR600 were in place. I much prefer this face.
Typically for me I started by doing one thing and ended up doing something totally different.
The fairing lowers can stay off now, and when I get a chance the tank will be coming off too. The stale fuel will be dumped and swapped for some fresh juice. What you think about you bring about, with this fridge magnet information in mind I reckon the old girl might strike up with fresh unleaded and a fully charged battery!
If it does you’ll be the first to know.
