Another in the running for a new bike

[t-homo]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Colleen

My husband rides a 97 GSXR 750. Scares the crap out of me! So much bigger than my bike.

How does he like it? Ever had any problems?

[Mrs. Colleen]

Originally Posted by t-rock

How does he like it? Ever had any problems?

He loves it. He has had his current one for 7 years and before that he had an identical one for 13 months...that one did not make it....

I do not think he has had any major issues with it. He does all the work on it himself...if he has the right tools. I doubt he will ever get rid of that bike. It is worth so much more to him than it will ever be to anyone else.



He is out working on my car right now but I will ask him if there is anything to watch for on that year bike when he get in.

[OTB]

To answer your question; I would do the above, as well as check two other things:

A. Compression test. No doubt you will have lost a bit, but what you are really looking for is the differential between cylinders; you don't want more than 10-12 psi difference between them. Any more than that and it indicates valve and/or ring issues.

B. I would replace the cam chain and tensioner on that motor, as flailing cam chains were about the only problems ever found on high-milage examples of those bikes and you really don't know the level of care it has received.

I would also have the current owner start the bike cold, with you standing off to the side/rear, and watch the exhaust. A blue puff on cold startup indicates oil is leaking down into the cylinder(s) while the bike sits. This is indicative of worn valve guides. Those are about the only things to watch for outside of the norm.

[OneSickPsycho]

Damnit OTB, you ARE the man.

[t-homo]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

It's a good bike, with that many miles it's due a couple valve-checks, if you can get some reciepts for service that'd be a bonus. Also, I would take the bike to a shop and have them check it out, 11 years and 35k miles some things start to wear out. Also, first thing I do with a new bike is change the oil/fluids, you should too.

If I were you, and if you have the cash, I would give the motor and chassis a complete and very thorough tune-up, because 11 years is a long time, and 35k is a significant amount of miles. In this order of importance I would replace the brake fluid/pads on the front, motor tune-up (clean/synch carbs and new plugs), get the forks redone with new seals/oil, new steering head bearings, have the shock rebuilt, swingarm pivot bushings/bearings, and possibly some new wheel bearings too. If you have the extra cash I would recommend upgrading the suspension while you're at it, RaceTech makes very good re-valving kits for the GSXR about about $140 for the forks and $140 for the shock, and get a set of fork springs that are right for your weight.

I know it sounds like a lot, and it is, which is why I listed it in the order I would recommend doing it, but the difference in the feel and ride of the bike will be like night and day. If you do all that then the bike should ride like a brand new bike.

Originally Posted by OTB

To answer your question; I would do the above, as well as check two other things:

A. Compression test. No doubt you will have lost a bit, but what you are really looking for is the differential between cylinders; you don't want more than 10-12 psi difference between them. Any more than that and it indicates valve and/or ring issues.

B. I would replace the cam chain and tensioner on that motor, as flailing cam chains were about the only problems ever found on high-milage examples of those bikes and you really don't know the level of care it has received.

I would also have the current owner start the bike cold, with you standing off to the side/rear, and watch the exhaust. A blue puff on cold startup indicates oil is leaking down into the cylinder(s) while the bike sits. This is indicative of worn valve guides. Those are about the only things to watch for outside of the norm.

Thanks a ton guys. Without you I would be completely lost.

[PhiSig1071]

Originally Posted by OTB

To answer your question; I would do the above, as well as check two other things:

A. Compression test. No doubt you will have lost a bit, but what you are really looking for is the differential between cylinders; you don't want more than 10-12 psi difference between them. Any more than that and it indicates valve and/or ring issues.

B. I would replace the cam chain and tensioner on that motor, as flailing cam chains were about the only problems ever found on high-milage examples of those bikes and you really don't know the level of care it has received.

I would also have the current owner start the bike cold, with you standing off to the side/rear, and watch the exhaust. A blue puff on cold startup indicates oil is leaking down into the cylinder(s) while the bike sits. This is indicative of worn valve guides. Those are about the only things to watch for outside of the norm.

I agree completely, I would add those to the list. The motor stuff is obviously more important than anything else. I know it sounds like a lot, but trust me, ride the bike before that and then again after it and the difference will astound you. It'll be worth every penny, and then some.

[t-homo]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

I agree completely, I would add those to the list. The motor stuff is obviously more important than anything else. I know it sounds like a lot, but trust me, ride the bike before that and then again after it and the difference will astound you. It'll be worth every penny, and then some.

I doubt I will be able to get it all done at once. But hopefully over the summer I will make enough to get it all done piece by piece.

[PhiSig1071]

Originally Posted by t-rock

I doubt I will be able to get it all done at once. But hopefully over the summer I will make enough to get it all done piece by piece.

Outstanding, if the bike isn't burning oil and has good compression I see no reason why you can't double those miles with proper maintainence and care. Another thought, if you are like the rest of us and eventually get addicted to track, that GSXR will make an excellent track-hack when you can afford a nicer street bike.

One thing, try to do things in together, ie new fork stuff and steering head bearings, or rebuilt shock and swingarm bushings.

Another thing that will make an improvement on the bike (possibly) and might be free (if you have a torque wrench). Go in and check all the motor mount bolts. Then torque them to spec. After time they'll come loose, they can actually stretch too, which can cause undue vibrations and effect the handling of the bike (remember, it's a stressed frame, the motor is part of the frame). If you find some that are badly out of torque spec and have never been touched (there will be a paint mark on the bolt and on the frame for reference, it'll look like a paint drip spot) then you can think about replacing them.

I helped a friend revive an old Yamaha XS11, and this was all stuff we did, and I couldn't believe the difference.

[t-homo]

Very first thing is going to be new tires. He said the back is going to need to be replaced this summer, but it has dunlops now, so I am going to put pilot powers or corsa 3s on both as soon as i can.