[psychsurf]

I'm desperate to get back on two wheels, and have been trying to decide between a 'fighter and a 'tard. Just want something fun and different (and cheap!) with which to commute. A tard buildup looks more expensive because it requires more aftermarket parts, while a fighter looks like the other direction - stripping stuff off.

I'm looking at a 1998 FZR600. Plastics are already gone, user paintjob already applied. Freshly run into the back of a truck, forks are toast. It'll need forks and radiator, probably a front wheel, maybe the tank. From a quick look at ebay, it looks like this stuff is fairly plentiful and cheap, and the mechanics of the project is well within my capablilities. The questions are, is it worth the time and effort, and what should I expect to pay for a wrecked bike like this?

Title is clean, and lets assume for the sake of argument that the forks and radiator didn't transfer any bending stress to the frame.

Thanks for the input, and I'll be looking forward to learning lots here!

 

[Scrapyard]

Welcome bud.

Personally, I wouldn't spend more then $1000. Even that might be a little high for a wrecked FZR. The fact that it's got a good title might be the only reson I would consider that price. Honestly though, those bikes are getting fairly cheap in decent shape. You could easily find a good complete one for under $2K. Then make back a few bucks parting off what you don't use. Good luck in your search bud. Enjoy the site.

 

[dogbreath]

Depends on your commute, as far as the choice.

a 2 or 4 cylinder is better for a long highway commute like mine. Most 'motards are gonna be a 1 cylinder... not so great for a long trip down a highway... unless you like your o-ring numb.

A single or a twin is better for a city commute, though.

 

[psychsurf]

Thanks for the tips! I hear you on the thumpers, I grew up on dirtbikes and long rides can be a little wearing. My commutes are going to be many and varied, as I'm a travel nurse and I'll be taking 3-month assignments in a number of different places. I was actually looking at twins too, I've heard great things about the SV650s, but I'm really trying to bottom-dollar this project. Just something cheap and solid I can make my own.

$1000, eh? Things are looking up then.

Its actually on craigslist for a couple bills less than that (I'm not saying where) And I kind of get the impression I could pick it up even cheaper since it has been listed twice already.

I've only seen pics (going to check it tomorrow in person), but the pics and the owner-chick's description of the incident makes it sound like she caught a truck bumper right in the forks and just bent them clean. You suppose the odds are pretty good then that the frame is kosher? I understand those FZRs are reputed to have pretty beefy frames....

 

[Scrapyard]

Yeah, it's a steel frame and rather thick. Biggest thing I would look for is cracks around the neck or dents or dimpples in the same area. Also be sure and take a look at the header pipes. Make sure they didn't get smashed. That could be a real pain trying to hunt down another set. But also look around the exhaust ports. be wary of the mounting studs and the block itself that the studs didn't either get bent, pulled out or crack the head. Aside from that the bikes are pretty beefy and can take a beating. If you get a hold of Spyder on here, he's done some cool stuff with his and also stunts it regularly. He can deffinatly fill you in on the ins and outs of those bikes.

 

[fslflint]

I believe the FZRs had aluminum frames. the japs often added an R to the nomenclature to indicate that it had an aluminum frame. IE gsx, gsxr.

 

[Scrapyard]

Nope, deffinatly steel. Buddy had one that was quite rusty, LOL!

 

[spyder]

Nope, deffinatly steel. Buddy had one that was quite rusty, LOL!

Bingo! The whole frame is box'd steel. Ill post up in a fiew hours.. I gotta drive to Syracuse, brb

 

[HungryHungry]

I was actually looking at twins too, I've heard great things about the SV650s, but I'm really trying to bottom-dollar this project. Just something cheap and solid I can make my own.

Gotta say I love my SV. Its been wonderful for my commuting and a blast to ride in general. You might be able to find a first gen 650 (99-02) within your budget. Check out SVrider.com, might be able to find one for sale in the classifieds. Or at the very least more info to help you make your decision. FWIW if you want to make a fighter I don't see the point in getting the "s" model when you can get the naked version for less.

 

[BB_DASLER]

^+1

 

[spyder]

I'm looking at a 1998 FZR600. Plastics are already gone, user paintjob already applied. Freshly run into the back of a truck, forks are toast. It'll need forks and radiator, probably a front wheel, maybe the tank. From a quick look at ebay, it looks like this stuff is fairly plentiful and cheap, and the mechanics of the project is well within my capablilities. The questions are, is it worth the time and effort, and what should I expect to pay for a wrecked bike like this?

Title is clean, and lets assume for the sake of argument that the forks and radiator didn't transfer any bending stress to the frame.

Thanks for the input, and I'll be looking forward to learning lots here!

lol ok..

Depending on what you wanna do for a front end you can do a fiew things.. I did an 03-04 R6 front end conversion. I bought an upper and lower R6 tripple from Bmiller with an FZR600 stem pressed into the lower. (I have another set of each I can set up for you for about $85 if you wanna do that set-up, comes with the bearings too) then you would just need to get the rest from ebay or where ever.."forks, wheel, brakes and what not"

OR I have a set of FZR front forks that just need seals, I could do the seals for about $35 if you wanted to buy them.

I just sold a front wheel not 1 weeks ago, but I do have a couple gas tanks, 1 plastic gas tank cover, an extra radiator, and some other misc shit layin around.

Lemme know what else you might need and Ill let you know if I got it. For a wrecked FZR even if its a 98 I wouldnt pay more then $600, esp if its pretty bad. You can do ALOT with them.. even though they dont put out a shit load of power like the new fuel injected bikes.

Check mine out here..

http://www.myspace.com/spyder53247

 

[psychsurf]

nice spyder, really appreciate the response and the offer of the gear hookup. I didn't get linked up with the chick to go check it out today, but I'm hoping to tomorrow. I'll see if I can take some photos of the damage too. Sounds like she isn't getting a lot of play on it, so I was thinking maybe offering $400 and see what she says.

I'm at work now so I can't see your myspace, but I'll hit it up when I get home.

Thanks again!

 

[spyder]

Anytime man.. lemme know