Project Picked up a 1990 FZR250 for $500AUD, rough but running!

She's not pretty, but for $500 and only 39k KM I really couldn't say no. So far the main issues seem to be the woeful wiring mess from years of multiple owners, a leaking coolant pump gasket, overflowing coolant overflow (ha) tank and the general overall condition :/

Still she flew over Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious here in Brisbane with no issues. Runs like a dream, carbs feel perfectly in sync and have no odd issues at any end of the rev range. Steering is beautiful and one of the last owners put a mid 2000's R6 rear shock in and a lithium battery.

Engine appears to be fine, it's been down on the right side sometime in the last 30 years but mechanically speaking feels perfect. Valve cover gasket is a little dry and has some white stuff on the outside so I ordered a new one from Partzilla and will check valves while I'm in there.

Plan is a cafe racer conversion as she's really too far gone for a restore and I don't have the money to chase the OEM look. Single front light, minimal tail, new digital speedo cluster and I'm thinking of normal bars instead of clipons but time will tell how that ends up.

I don't want to make a bike that is all looks, she will be used for weekend mountain hoons unlike the majority of cafe racers out there, but I do have some beautiful ideas in mind. I'll update as I go and will be trawling for answers to some questions I have. Looking forward to it, and hello my name is Mathew!

If you made it this far, thanks! Also I work for a family owned motorcycle dealer here in Brisbane. If you are looking for Honda, Suzuki or Ducati parts, feel free to message and I'll see what I got as we have a **** ton of old parts. I love how they smell. We can also order Kawasaki and Yamaha parts new. Hope that's okay to say, I'd love to be able to help someone find a part!

 

Lets just say I wouldn't have paid more, I'm nearly done with the 250cc Grom which I'll post about when it's finished but I need funds for that!

 

Doesn't look like that will be the case, it looks like one of the last owners overfilled the loop and the bottle is too deep so while i was riding it was just spraying down the side of the bike. After an hour it did stop but boy did it stink. I do have a head gasket coming, so worst case scenario I'll replace it. Hoping I don't have to though

 

Thank you! 250cc is my favorite capacity as it comes in so many forms. My issue with restoration is upkeep and cost, otherwise I would totally trawl for parts and get them shipped here!

 

Been ages since I used a forum, probably way too young to have had any experience either so no idea if I am talking to the void here or if threads get updated?

Anyway, what's the general opinion on smoke? I changed the oil for the first time in probably years, it reeked and was very dark brown/grey and the filter looked like it was covered in mud although not the same consistency thankfully. Oil change went well but from now on it blows a nice white cloud when I close the throttle at any speed. Took off from the lights, hit 15k RPM then let off the throttle and my GF got a face full of smoke. Seems to run okay, but this plus the super stinky coolant steam leaking makes it quite perilous to stop! I actually got off the bike at a few lights I knew would be long as it steams up from the pump and the smell is so bad!

I am looking at ordering a Chinese set of valves and sending the head off to get lapped as a mechanic friend said it could be oil getting burnt off and escaping via the exhaust valves. Which would also indicate the rings and maybe pistons are cooked. Also looking at a Chinese set of those, any warnings or advice? Barrel gaskets and side cover gaskets are also Chinese but still waiting for my OEM headgasket to arrive from Partzilla.

I could keep writing about it's problems and my dreams but ultimately I wish I had a garage to tear it apart and rebuild it properly. I have the time, I can develop the skills and organization, money isn't a huge issue, but I don't have a shed. I'm taking it to a small one at my parents place where it will stay for the next however long it takes but it's a pretty tiny work area. At least I'll have access to dad who restores vintage (1920s) bikes as a hobby so I will have access to tools, consumables and advice. He's oddly excited to help after we finish the 250 Grom.

Anyway, thoughts and comments greatly appreciated if this gets "bumped", again I was like 5-7 when forums were popular. Only forum I use is Reddit!

Cheers,
Mat

 

Thanks for confirming! Glad I don't need to start a new thread with a question, that would quickly become annoying and fragmented

 

I hadn't considered that, thanks! I want to replace the coolant lines but all I can find are ugly bright orange ones. Seems that a head rebuild might be in order but that's not terribly hard, the head gasket left the States late last month so I should see it soon. I'll see what brands I can find for pistons and rings, so far plenty of stuff on Ebay but not AHL. Thank you for the tip!