Rescuing an Abandoned Superbike
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 лип 2021
- This Kawasaki GPZ1000RX (Ninja 1000R) is in pretty terrible shape. After being forgotten about for 17 years, I'm going to give it some much needed attention. It won't be a full restoration, but it'll get enough love to get this thing on the road safely and reliably.
Instagram:
/ fingerprintsworkshop
Patreon:
/ ronaldfinger
Merch:
ronald-finger.creator-spring....
Music:
www.epidemicsound.com
GPZ900R Clips:
• Kawasaki GPz900R Promo...
• Kawasaki Ninja Commerc... - Авто та транспорт
Hey guys, long time no see! Hope you dig the video! I said it in the description, but this isn't going to be a full resto like the Fiero was. However, it will be very in depth on the process of getting it back on the road safely and reliably, so because of that, and because I've already filmed some of the next videos in the series... it won't be months in-between episodes like with the Fiero! See you all again in a couple weeks :)
“this isn’t going to be a full resto like the Fiero was.” We shall see about that. 7/23/2021
I think I’ve heard that before?? 👍
One piece of advice, keep the thumbnail template that you had for the firero series, i almost missed it, thought it wasnt your channel.
@@havrt2610 The subsequent episodes will have the normal template! I've already made them for the next two :)
It's awesome to see you back!!!
"It was someone else's project" is basically the most terrifying way to start any story.
I promise it only gets worse
@@RonaldFinger dude you need to buy a 2stroke Yamaha RD from the 1980's they are a lot quiker than 4 strokes of that era..especially those with the Yamaha PowerValve System...
Sounds like my GS250T.
I was told it ran a few weeks earlier... Which was odd given the amount of crud I cleaned out of the carbs before it would run for me...
And then I got onto the electrics...
Wouldn't have it any other way!
Yeah, everything i ever bought has been someone elses project
I don't even care about motorbikes, I'm just here for the Finger
Give'm the Finger, Ronald!!
Eeeew!
The Finger is always a blast.
Same here
@@wjpreslar Time to start working the finger's magic
I have been a motorcycle mechanic for 15 years, I wouldn't touch that with a stick. But, judging by the amazing work you have done on the Fiero, I am sure you'll do just fine. Anxiously waiting for the rest of the series, and I wish you strength and patience. :-)
Seconded. I wouldn't waste my time on it. Finding replacement parts is going to cost WAY more than it's worth. I'd pull off and clean up all usable parts and sell them on FleaBay and at least break even. I've seen so many more good examples. This isn't the one.
@@gpzjeffrey7974 geez you two are no fun. All you have to do is buy every other basket case one you find to get all the missing parts, and gradually become the GPZ guy. I certainly haven't done that before, no sir
@@tortron Yeah ive used the "I'm buying another one to SAVE money" excuse before. :-)
I legit choked on food laughing when he said “should be strong enough to support…. YOUR MOM.” 😂😂
I laughed out loud too. It was savage and I love it.
This is already my new favorite series to follow. I can't wait for it to complete in 2025.
SAAAAAME :D
Well I'm hopeful that parts will be easier to get during this project
@Stupid Liberals I gave you a thumbs up just for your screen name. I hope you aren't one.
OMG, the shade.
Hahahahahaha, I love it.
This must be how Marvel fans feel when a new series drops on Disney+
100% accurate. The notification this morning made my day.
@@drewwilliams1337 Same here! One the best content creators IMO.
I take it you mean the GPZ1000 cause Disney have screwed Marvel.
I just finished your Fiero series and man I nearly cried with you. I sat for a little while to just reflect on your accomplishments and sheer tenacity. You're such an inspiration. And not just with cars! You've given me new perspective on my own burnout and fear of failure. So thank you for that. I really needed it.
Now its time to dive into this series and get to work on my own projects! I can't wait to see everything you do!
That mom joke caught me off guard!! I nearly fell off my chair 🤣🤣
“It won’t be a full restoration.” You say that now.
Haha! I'm going to actually limit myself this time :)
I think it would be better to strip this to the frame at least for the mechanics. I thing that’s where other people failed.
@@RonaldFinger Honestly, I'd rather see a full resto like you did with the Fiero. It was great to see someone polish a turd. lol. Strip it don't and start from scratch. Buying a project bike from someone else who bought a project bike, you are now 3rd project owner with who knows what kind of issues. For your safety and sanity I would think you'd want to do it right and cover all of the bases.
@@RonaldFinger At least respraying a motorcycle will be a lot less labour intensive!
@@RonaldFinger You've got to dream a little bigger darling!
Full Resto! Full Resto! Full Resto! Full Resto! Full Resto! Full Resto!
strong enough to support your mum 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hurry up and get back on the Landy!!
@@Valisk Don't rush the man, he's got plenty of other vices occupying his time.
I think for most of us we start with the idea of more modest work and it turns into full resto. In fairness, when dealing with all the issues created by past owners it'll probably turn into a de facto full restoration. But yes, I too would like to see this bike fully restored / resto-modded. Take a splash of inspiration from some of the AC Sanctuary bikes maybe.
My coworkers all stared at me funny when he made that joke.
A full resto would cost a fortune for this bike, not just because theres so much missing, (also that rusted bore really needs sorting out properly)but the parts are expensive and hard to find. I'm doing a resto on an 80s Japanese bike that only had a 2 year run and its getting crazy expensive.
Not a full resto? But Maverick, you're not going to be happy unless you're going Mach 2 with your hair on fire.
Get back to work on the Lotus !!! ;-)
"...so they should be strong enough to support your mom." omfg, i'm dying here. hahaha
He must not know my mom...she would crush that thing flat.
@@douglasmason4761 lmfao
Epic burn
The best! I missed the Finger
he got us in the first half
I myself did such a "rescue" of a forgotten, abandoned machine...Being a career mechanic...I came across a 1984 Suzuki GS1150 ES, ( the one with the full fairing, that went halfway down the engine) It was cheap & literally in the middle of an Oregon field...I got it home & started in on it...my take was it had served drag-race duty...by the evidence of 'damage' from a broken drive chain, and pistons that were 1.0 mm oversize. Tires, chain & sprockets, a little electrical issues, replacing a rear master cylinder for the likes of it rusted up solid...but the biggie was the running on three cylinders. My boss let me work on it at the shop..pop the head off, lap-in the valves with new seals...presto, my new 119 HP ride. I just couldn't see the thing disappearing in the weeds in that field, so neglected.
I always wanted an 1150ES, finally got one last year, 100% complete and unmolested, but sitting 20+ yrs - decided not to go with the awful 16/18" wheel combo that sucked in the 80's and REALLY sucks now, so I bought a donor complete/running/driving 1200 Bandit - initially for the wheels, but now the 1150 is getting the bandit Engine, wire harness, front forks, rear swingarm and both wheels and brakes, so it will LOOK like an 1150, but not have the terrible un-reliable 1980's Suzuki shit charging system and ignition, modern 17" rims and better brakes, and better forks and shock.......
The project bikes both sit next to each other waiting for me to start them, but theyre in a long line of Ducati projects and other mini bikes - Oh well, someday!
So which one was the EFE? I had the unfaired one, monstrous engine, loads of torque.
@@SvenTviking I think the confusion is so-called USA versions and European designations....they came in the fully unfaired version called the "E" , the fairing that came down halfway, (My version), "ES"? and the one that had the extra "belly-pan" addition onto my version that wrapped underneath the engine, the EF perhaps? Don't even ask about the color combinations, they seemed to be all over the map! I really don't know....they came in 84 & 85 only in the states...but I've read of an 86 version?. The unfaired E was a one year only in 85, the bars were different, more upright & reached towards you a bit...the 85 E is the collector one to have, of course the windblast is going to keep you away from getting in trouble...my faired version had 100+ MPH come up really really fast...
@@AndieBlack13 I think ONLY in the USA was it called 1150 - everywhere else it was GS1100E or ES, also USA had no option to get the belly pan from dealer- it was an aftermarket "Lockhart" brand fairing, getting hard to find now a days - I got a good one for mine, but it'll need the holes in the sides charged as I'm using the Bandit 1200 motor now and I'm sure they wont line up
I’ve had several crashed/project bikes. A good wash is definitely the first step as you tend to find a lot about what you’re working with. Love your attention to detail and can’t wait to watch this project unfold. 👍
Ronald: "The whole thing probably belongs in the bin."
Mighty Car Mods has entered the chat.
I thought of the same thing lol
@@EthanSeville I came immediately to the comments for the first "In the Bin" comment i could find.
@@SwampusMcGarniglus I have absolutely no clue why I do it, but I did it too.
Oh yeah, Ronald back at it again
Glad to see you back with a new restoration! Im about to reveal my next 2 wheeled project also ;)
Aww yeah! I’m excited to see it :)
@@RonaldFinger I hope you'll like it, Im defo going to enjoy yours, always been a fan of the GPZ, and who knows with us both doing 2 wheeled restos there might be an opportunity for a little collaboration at some point in the builds ;)
Io ho visto tutti i tuoi video. in bocca al lupo per la ducati 916! (ma la tua è messa molto meglio di questa!)
@@RRCRestoration oh man you guys both have to make this happen somehow!
I had its successor, a 1988 ZX-10 (Tomcat in the US). Bought it used in 1992 with not a lot of kms and only one previous owner, had it for 2 years and only sold it because it became increasingly harder to get hold of good tires for its 16" rear wheel. It was comfortable, fast, had a huge tank and was relatively economical for its weight. It was the only non-Yamaha out of the eight bikes I had: XT 350 (1987), FZR 1000 (1993), YZF 1000R Thunderace (1996), R1 (1999), R1 (2001), R1 (2003) and R1 (2006).
Many people know the GPZ 900R and the ZZR 1100 but not many know their "sisters" that came out in between. I've told some folks that I had a 1988 ZX-10 and they called me a liar, saying that it didn't come out until 2004. : )
Being a long time motorcyclist and Kawasaki owner, and knowing how methodical/meticulous you are, I’m really looking forward to watching this bike get saved over the next few years.
That doo-dad on the helmet lock is an extension that goes through the D-rings on your helmet.
So you can lock up a second helmet, right?
@@angelicupstart23 The D ring side is so short on some helmets you cannot get it in the lock so you need the extension
@@johnkennedy2505 gotcha. I always thought it was a way to lock a second helmet on. But never tried it when I had a bike
6:20 Love the nod to MCM, didn't go unnoticed. Nice
Man I love some Ronald Finger and his humor and his sheer intensity. It always brings me back.
Oh man, I'm so psyched you are going to do a series on this. in '84 I had as GPZ 550 and in '86 my dream bike became the the GPZ1100RX. Even by today's design standards, it's still a beautiful bike.
It's great to see you back, Ronnie. I had forgotten just how pleasurable your videos are to watch. I hope that you have been having fun driving that Fiero this summer.
Wow, a new restoration vid on my birthday? Sweet.
Happy birthday bro!
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday!!!
A birth on restoration vid day? Gnarly!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday
Wow...just watched all of this.. nice job!!! A story......I had a 84 ninja 900...that my lovely wife of that year...bought for me!!! I was out one day for a cruise..with my nutso..fast guy buddy..and he had his new gpz1000....rx. just like yours....we were out riding eastbound..off rt128..in Massachusetts...and I was leading...I knew he would want to crush me on acceleration onto rt. 2. So....I dropped down to 2nd gear...on a clearly 3rd gear + exit...and I had him...up to a clean 140 ..when he finally came by...as I expected..but anyh..GREAT video...thank you for bringing up great memories....by the way ..my same wife of 37 years...just bought me a mint ..late model...mx5 Miata...and I'm still riding...a DL1000 Suzuki V Strom....life is good...
I hope you never stop doing these projects. Without a doubt the best vehicle restoration videos I've ever seen. Very honest, humorous and meticulous in every aspect of both the work on the projects and the videos themselves. Please, please... keep on keeping on!
Poor Cameron. Not his fault he had no personality. It was only because his dad ignored him while he built his 9 Taco Bell dynasty.
@Stupid Liberals Amd then he sold the entire farm for a tenth of what it was really worth because he didn't take after his dad. He hated farming and everything with it, so he got fucked in the end deal. Now he resides in Redwood Falls Minnesota as a used car dealer, unhappily married with 4 kids. Three of which aren't his.
@@dragonbrownies517 wow, sounds like a wonderful life!
This has become my favorite channel on youtube. A relentless refusal to do something "good enough" even when no one else will see it, combined with the incredible support network of family, friends, and gf he has around him, all topped off with a well timed sense of dry humor. I cant wait to watch more.
check out bad obsession motorsports
Ive done a few bike restos and the best thing to do with a bike in this condition is get the engine out of the frame (with lots of photos) right at the start of the project. It makes it faster and easier to inspect/clean/fix everything. Motorcycles just aren't that complicated and having seen you take apart a cart I think you'd find it fairly straight forward.
Resurrecting a GPZ900R at the moment, laid up in 2012 by my dad and passed onto me last year (he lost interest)
They are definetely very similar bikes, you can see the DNA runs all the way up to the ZZR-1200.
One thing to swap is the oil pressure relief valve, the stock item is a 2 hole ball and spring type, what happens is the spring gets weak, loses tension and then it bypasses at a much lower oil pressure, causing cylinder 3 to spin the main bearing and wreck the crankshaft. (Edited mistake)
Solution is ordering and using the piston type oil pressure relief valve from a later ZZR-1100, which is a 4 hole piston type and doesn't suffer the same fault. Mine cost about $30 from the dealership and bolts straight in (its attached to the oil filter housing within the crankcase (accessed via removing the oil pan) I had to use an impact wrench to undo mine as it was so tight. Think it's from 97 or 98 onwards they changed the design....
Just a heads up.
It being water cooled. I’d be checking the head gasket and head. With that much rust in one cylinder.
"It won't be a full restoration, but it'll get enough love to get this thing on the road safely and reliably"
That was said about the Fiero 🤣
I was like "isn't that literally what he said about the Fiero???" lol
Consider another can of worms opened.
I watched every one of your videos when you restored the Fiero. So glad you’re back with another restoration. Great camera work and great narration, keep up the great work!
Just watched your Fiero restore compilation. As a degreed Mechanical Engineer, someone who has done restorations, and from scratch major fabrication projects that was probably one of the top 10 most impressive things I've ever seen. You should be so proud of your accomplishment and the skills aquired along the way. Don't underestimate this accomplishment as something you can put on your resume. Glad to see you doing a motorcycle restoration. I fully restored and customized a 1985 Kawasaki VN700, it was pos. Not that you need any advice but you should consider totally dissembling the motorcycle first, down to every constituent part. This way you can evaluate each component and devise your plan. Also make a clamping front wheel chock for your stand, it'll aid disassembly and reassembly. Have fun I'll be watching your progress.
And just like that, Ronald has me hooked on yet another rebuild series. Well played, sir.
This is going to be an amazing series, I can feel it in my bones.
I see what you did there :) "I feel it in my Finger..."
Dude, aftermarket exhausts were all the rage back in the day. I had a GPz 750 with a Kerker pipe and it was the sweetest sound ever! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
I just picked up an orphan 2 stroke 49cc scooter from 2004 with 9.9 miles ( well over 200 a week or so later. )
Needed a new fuel petcock ( gummed up ) and a carb clean.
The fuel cap key hole had a plastic cover that was meant to be broken off and it never was.
I genuinely think the original owner ran it dry on the factory gas and couldn't figure out how to fill it with gas.
It sat in a nice dry modern shed for 17 years. The branded backpack with it still smells minty fresh.
Vento R4 Triton. Need to get the lights working regularly ( summer right now ) but I have hope it will continue to go strong in it's initial break in period. 17 years later than intended. I also just watched episode 2. Great stuff.
Saw abandoned 80's superbike: "oh cool, I'll probably like that"
Saw the channel: "oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiii[fade out]"
Super excited for this series Ronald. I've been a motorcyclist for nearly 20 years and have done a lot of wrenching. I currently ride a 2015 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx.
That's a nice bike,I'm 17 and really want that bike, lucky 👍🏼
I'm so excited for this series ! I have an 85 ZX6 that's been sitting for 24 years . The day my daughter was born. I Always wanted to bring it back to life. This series is giving me the itch lol. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Wow! Didn't know any of these were still kicking around. An absolute road train with so much torque. This is one of the many bikes I've owned and enjoyed. Good luck with the work to get it back out there
Strong enough to support your mom. 🤣
You haven’t seen my mom….
I was so, so happy to see my notification pop up saying you had a new video. I am beyond excited to see what you do with this bike.
Awesome, I took an 86 FJ1200 that was a basket case, and after a shit ton of money, time and parts, its back on the road. No engine work was necessary, suspension, paint, carb rebuild, and some hard parts replaced, its a great bike and not to bad a looker either. Great job!!
Ronald's back....and he has a Kawasaki GPZ to restore....my life is whole again....really missed the Ferrero restoration....you Sir are youtube legend.
I loved the homage refrences to Mighty Car Mods "In the Bin" and the "Someone else's project"
I think there was a hint of VGG too.
I’m a car guy, but boy am I ready for this series! Good luck Ronald!
That big piece of metal secured in the helmet lock is probably the key.
It looks to me to be a strap to lock your helmet to. That piece of metal goes thru the D-ring in your helmet then hangs from the lock mech.
I like that you pretend you're not going to take everything into a part and clean it at the end :D Good to have you back Ronald
That subtle "in the bin" comment. MCM!
I hoped to see a comment like this (y)
*"Just how I like em!"*
*IMMEDIATELY STARTS STRIPPING*
I can't wait. You're gonna do this one too I already envision the end. Please do a full resto! You're so much more skilled because of the Fiero you got this!
Hey, I have been watching back through this series and I just wanted to say thank you so very much for all the work you go through filming this and all of the pitfalls. Your continent is so much fun to watch!
Bro thanks for the tip on the wheels it was a lot easier to move my mom
Glad I could help!
This thing's a hooptie and a half. Can't wait to see you restore it man!
I can't wait to see what you do with this.
I had a 1000RX back in the early 90's and loved it, and it was so easy to tear down and put back together.
An absolute joy.
Good luck with the build Ronald.
So excited for the next Fingerprints Workshop excursion, I love your narratives and quirky things you do to spice up the videos.
I loved the Fiero series, your way of storytelling and editing is relaxing and egaging, and I do love motorbikes as well so I'm looking forward to this journey!
My likeness for turtles has not faded.
Awesome! I’m looking forward to seeing this brought back to life. @Ronald Finger keep up the good work bud and once again smashed it with the way you edit and make your videos. 👍🏻
Ronald,
Thank you for starting a new project. I typically don’t know anything about motorcycles. But I am interested in having you go in as much detail as I know you will with this. I’m excited to learn a lot about this motorcycle with you.
I come for the story telling. Thanks for keeping this channel going!
I just love the way you tell stories make me smile all the time
One of the very few channels I watch at normal speed instead of x1.75. I’m stoked!!
Dude! It’s my birthday today and I got to view this video on the porch with a cup of coffee. Excellent start of the day! Your way of telling a story, that actually combines motor history with your own private life and in an honest and entertaining way is so freaking good. I can’t wait for part two! I followed your work on the Fiero and I will be following the GPZ.
Hope you had a great birthday!
I cant decide if I'm happy for you or want to cry for you, that thing is rough
I'd be tempted to try to source an intact and complete wiring harness for that bike
Dammit Ronald! You are hands down my favourite story teller on UA-cam. You could be restoring an old wood fired stove and I would still be hooked!
That being said, I pray to the skies that you'll one day do a tasteful Mazda RX-7 FD restomod. I can't think of anyone who'd do a better job of conveying what it is that makes this gorgeous unreliable piece of art/crap such a love/hate affair. And I know you wouldn't go all out on "the rice factor", but rather only modify the things the rotary community has found improves the reliability of this dream that never was.
The story of the rotary engine is just so tantalizing. It was too early for its time, yet too late at the same time. And it just keep tickling the mind with "what if"s. What if it had seen bigger RnD budgets shared between multiple manufacturers? What if things like ceramic seals had been developed before it was discontinued? What if microwave ignition plugs had been invented earlier? What if?!? And even more thought provoking: How good can it be today where these things are available? That is, if you're not trying to build a 1500HP race car, but rather a reliable fast'ish daily driver?
You're probably never going to read this... but a guy can dream :P
ZOMG! Starstruck! Fangirling to the max! :P
I had one of these bikes. Great bike. Comfortable and fast. I rode it all over the country (Australia). It was my first Kawasaki. From that I had a couple of ZZR1100s and now a 2006 ZX-14. The RX is so easy to work on. Very easy to drop the motor if you need to. The 900R wasn’t so easy to work on. Good luck with the project. Word of warning, if you need to replace the clutch basket, the clutch hub nut is done up to 198ftlbs (If I recall correctly). It’s fricken tight. You’re going to love it. They also do an impressive wheel stand. 😁
New project! So glad to see you back so soon Ronald. Can't wait to watch this series as it unfolds. Love your work!
Genuinely excited to follow this over the next few years 😊
Awesome! I can’t wait to see where this project goes. You do such good and meticulous work. That paper gasket for the timing cover should just be for keeping those components safe from the elements and shouldn’t have oil behind them. I think your leak may be originating somewhere else unfortunately. That pan gasket is a common one. I dug a 78 KZ400 out of a crawl space with rust in the cylinder boars, diesel is another good way to free things up. It un-seized the engine on that project by letting it soak in the cylinders for a couple of days. That starter clutch is very common but isn’t as bad as it sounds. My friend just finished doing one in a 80 kz750 and was surprisingly easier than it sounded like on paper. Best of luck!
Thanks! As my bike has the timing chain on the outside instead of the middle, the timing cover definitely does see oil behind it as that boy needs lubrication. The leak stemmed from from elsewhere too as you’ll see in the next video :)
@@RonaldFinger Yep one positive of the design vs the previous models., timing chain on the left side and a doddle to change out. Beware if it has the stock non ratcheting timing chain tensioner, it can skip teeth if you suddenly shut the throttle at high rpm. Though the ZZR1100 ratcheting tensioner is a bolt on item and doesn't suffer the same issues.
I am glad that I missed this when it was being uploaded, because now I get to binge watch it in its entirety. Thanks for putting it into a playlist.
Started watching this series after your Fiero update just to spite the motorcycle haters. So far, so good. Can't wait to witness the developments!
Not a motorcycle fan, but def giving this a look purely because of my love of the Fiero build journey ...
Yes!!!
I’m thrilled that you’re starting to share another project! Perhaps this will provide the inspiration I need to jump back into my project bike, a 1979 Honda CX500 Custom!
I thoroughly enjoyed your Fiero Revival, and I absolutely love my Fingerprints Workshop Thumbprint Long Sleeve Tee! 😉
Keep ‘em coming, Ronnie, and best of luck on your Kawasaki GPZ1000RX Revival!
It's a complete shed. Good luck!
Maybe “Resurrection” is a more appropriate title than “Revival”
Cameron and his dad's taco shop are real quiet now.
What an awesome start for this new project! Perfect encore!!!!
Dang, you've got me hooked again! Love the new project - looking forward to the next episode!
Oh yeah, I'm already loving this. Can't wait to see the process!
I cant believe you sneeked the "your mom" in there. Gave me a chuckle.
15:42 gottem
Getting flashes of my customfighter forum days. Looking forward to see where this goes
13:12 Shout out for da man Sreten
Man Im getting exited just by watching this! I can see the path down towards insanity, just beyond that ground down bolt.
I'm not a bike fan, but I know I will be watching this to completion.
Admit it: He could be restoring an old wood fired stove and you'd be hooked for the narrative alone! :P
6:22 Marty " *In the bin* " flashbacks.
I'm sure this project must be easier in terms of accessibility.
6:20 MCM reference? Or im too hyped on basic story steeling 😀
I caught that too...
Two minutes in, wow you stepped up the editing. This is gonna be great.
So excited for more videos in this series!
Yes. YEs. YES. New series, new thing to watch!
15:38 quality your mom joke and got a good laugh out of me.
15:39 I just imagine someone with an obese mom watching this and goes: - "HOW DID HE KNOW?! 😭"
Hell yea! Love the bike already.
"It won't be a full restoration, but" It will be a full restoration.
Parabéns pelo trabalho de vcs Deus abençoe vcs e suas famílias amém 🙏 linda moto só apaixonado por motos 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷