just got my bike's shock absorber overhauled.....

replacing fork oil, seals, spring tensioning, cleaning etc....

the bike handle's height was raised by about 1 inch. the front fork play has gone... no play in the front shocks now.....

also got the bike full tank using shell petrol.....

Modified the exhaust cover. Plonked a tweaked R15 exhaust cover + some welding.

Nice one

just gave the bike for its 4th service.
would like to know whats the average amount for the 4th service?
i had the soft screeching sound from the front disc and planning to get it fixed.

getting an average of 45-47kmpl.

also wanted to get a seat cover but seems it aint available at the SVC?
any pointers to that?and also would be nice if someone could give some online links to getting the chain lube!

Don't know bro i am pretty much satisfied with the performance of me FZ-X18... she is still hitting 113 kmph which she did earlier a year back... the only difference is post FFE installation she hits the top speed way faster then she did when stock and the FE figures have gone up.

NGK Iridium so far reports from users on fz makes cold start way easy although i seriously doubt any other effects on performance.. i would say stick to the stock one cheap and reliable.

I am planning to give a shot at Fully Synthetic oil and my preference as always is Motul 10W X 40 in the next servicing. what say guys? what is the average life of Full Synth oil? are there any other brands besides Agip which i should look at. I am not at all a big fan of Castrol.

Agip lasted me about 5K kms easy ... I'm now on motul 15w50 for the past 3K kms ... And even now it has the slight greenish tinge to it ..

can the bike take 12V dual horns on the stock battery?

A VISION OF HORROR!!!

Since I wanted to have a look at how easy/ difficult the ports would be to modify (I am going for a major mod!), we had my bike's engine opened yesterday.

Oh: it was still running pretty well, and started feeling like "liberated" (2,700 km.) and able to rev-up nicely. Easy morning start (much easier since I fitted an iridium plug recently), and no special problem. I had effectively noted that the stock plug was a bit too black, but no "charcoal" on it when I took if off to put in the new one, and put that on account of a lot of city ride I had done recently, not allowing the engine to "breathe" like on a good road trip.

But what was not my surprise when the head came off!!!?? Black! Thick, greasy charcoal black in....the intake! This valve had been probably sucking oil though a faulty valve seal (???) and would I have kept on riding for a few more thousand clicks, I would have seen a serious decline in the performance. I just can't believe it may have come from a super-extra-rich mix (I did not touch the carb since delivered new, anyway), and there was no smoke (wonder what is the condition of the catalytic filter now!!!). The possibility (?) of a loose guide/ cracked head will be investigated after cleaning. I am afraid that some of you, guys, who have noticed a decline in their bike's performance may be victims of similar failures, and would strongly suggest removing the intake manifold and have a look at the intake port. This may very well be a common defect to many other bikes.

Here are the ugly pics:

The combustion chamber: while the exhaust is of an acceptable color, the whole chamber is full of carbonized oil:



The top of the piston is of course just as bad:



The intake port is just awful:





...and of course the intake valve covered with this thick charcoal right after the guide:




I am pretty angry, I must say, at Yamaha quality control! This is just unacceptable on a bike a few months old, always well treated and properly lubricated, and showing just 2,700 km. on the odometer! I had already noticed numerous faults and neglects in the making of this bike, besides it's very pleasant handling (this solely due to the quality of it's design).

However, talking with my favorite mechanic, who sees a lot of bikes coming from various countries, he reckons that he sees more and more defective builds nowadays, were they from Yamaha, Honda or Kawasaki, all these being built in India, Thailand and Indonesia....!

I think that the Japanese auto and bike makers should consider this situation very seriously, and reinforce their quality control otherwise it is the whole credibility of their brands which will suffer.

Since this engine will be entirely re-built (new big bore - 200cc. kit, valves, etc...) this will be now done with close supervision. I just hope that no more serious defects will be found somewhere else in this bike!

hi friends..this is krishna from chennai..my friend has an fz-s which has completed about 12000kms..he wanted to know a few things :
1.things to be replaced during his service
2.engine oil grade and the best oils(mineral,semi synthetic and fully synthetic) which brand is the best suited for the fz-s ?
3.about k&n filters for FZ ?
Thanks in advance,
krishna

air filter definitely needs replacement.
oil filter can be replaced depemding on when last he changd it.
get the spark plug checked and readjusted.

apart from this the usual service chain tightehing, wheel allignment checked etc. and general service.

as per engine oil is concerned your friend can go for either of mineral, semi synthetic or full synthetic at this stage depending on his budget.
the best oils come from motul 20W40(mineral)(250rs), 15W50(semi synthetic)(450rs) and 10W40(full synthetic)(800rs).
my preferences for engine oil brands are as follows:
1. motul
2. castrol
3. shell
4. veedol


K&N filters are not worth the money you put in them. however if your friend needs more gruntier sound from the bike he can go for K&N otherwise there is no reason for the same. some claim that there is a slight bump in the performance.

thanks so much for ur clear and click reply bro...very impressed!! ,
krishna

Hey, how much did the overhauling cost ?


you'll have to get the carburetor setting changed for k&N air filter, its not a direct fit unlike for R15. All in all stock are the best bet.

3 years and the accolades still keep coming

500rs done by a local mechanic.....

cost breakup included:
1. 2 cans of fork oil 150rs each (2cans are needed because of the phat shocker tubes in fz)
2. one oil seal was busted (the reason i took the bike to the guy)(90 bucks i guess)
3.spring tensioning and play removal plus labour

yup upjetting and tuning are needed for putting in a K&N and to get that minor bump in power.
instead of paying around 4k for the K&N i would pay 7K to joel for the exhaust...

Less pick up after first service

Hello evaone,d pick up of motorcycle was great before its first service, but now it has become less, i dont knw why? can any one know the reason? and yes one more thing i have noticed,when i am riding d bike 40 kph and above, m hearing d sound of tires, its just like d sound made by the tires of some trucks on d highway (not that much loud)Help want reasons and solutions..Thanks!