Another FZR400 sort of

Alrighty, my dad has had a 3TJ1 FZR400 for i think around 10 years. It has barely been ridden in that time as he has that bigger is better mentality but never got around to buyer a bigger bike or selling this one. It came from the coast to live with us in the Isa about 6 months ago, still unloved and unridden. Then a couple of weeks ago it was apparently time for it to be sold and something bigger replace it. After some bargaining it was agreed that i would fix her up, keep her and sell the ZXR in it's place.

Here she is, sad and unloved


Now over the years it has had fresh fuel kept in it and started semi regularly. So i started making a plan of attack, Carb rebuild, Fork seals, Brake rebuild front and back. Then i started thinking a full tear down was really what she needed. Then, right when you think you have a plan, a deal came up on facebook that i couldn't refuse. Enter Thundercat



For those who are wondering whats going on here. The Thundercat basically uses a FZR600 engine which is tweaked a little for more ponies. AND......the 400 and 600 use the same crank cases with the 600 having a 40mm longer barrel. Soooo, this is a conversion which has been done a few times now and isnt all that difficult. Taking her from 58HP to ~100HP. That should help her move.

The front end is also a straight swap which gives you adjustable forks and supposedly better brakes.

This will probably be a pretty slow project but i'll try and keep it interesting with many pictures

 

It's nice when things work out. Luckily the thundercat is a bit of an unloved model and this one has had a low side so the price was right.

I'll also have a bunch of stuff that I can't use if anyone is chasing cat parts. @Wade Wilson ?

 

I have no idea. From a strength point if view I couldn't see a problem, but legally I dunno.

Maybe someone else on here can chime in

 

I think for most it's availability, if you blow your engine a replacement is usually pretty hard to come by. Whereas the 600 is a little easier to come by.

For the rest I think it's competitiveness, the 400 is smaller, lighter, about an inch less in wheelbase, and has a degree less rake. When combined with more power you get a bike that can be competitive in a 600cc class. It can also be put together quite cheaply if you hunt around

 

Through all the neglect the fizzer has been registered the entire time. So this one will be off the books so to speak. I may look into doing things legit though

 

The closest track is 1000Km from here.

Today was carb day. When i went to look at the cat i got the usual, "just had it running a couple of weeks ago but the batteries gone flat". We all know that's never the case but she looked very clean and the guy seemed pretty genuine.

Got it home and took the tank off....behold, stale fuel. Got some fresh fuel in the tank and drained the carbs. Threw in a good battery and she fired up. Wasn't to happy though. Would not idle and missing if held at constant rpm, but the engine was quiet and didn't blow smoke. Yay

So, the carbs.



MMMMMMMM crusty





Two of the main jets were completely blocked, two pilots blocked. No wonder she didn't want to idle. I did take a little vid but photo bucket is having a fit so I'll see what i can do

 

I'll give them a proper going over when the motors out. Litetek don't seem to make a kit for this model. The kit for the Foxeye looks like it would work @maelstrom ?