I'm doing a restoration on a Zephyr 750, also had zero compression on one cylinder. It was very entertaining when I took the head off to investigate 🙄 Video of that to follow 🔧
Well done Ash, there is no better feeling in the world when you start an old bike for the first time, good for you mate keep up the good work cheers 🏍👍🙂🎉🎊
Ash, your 'warts-and-all' approach to your vlogs is really refreshing, as is your patience😂. Normal minimum compression requirement on most petrol engines should be 155- 160 psi. Much below this is inefficient and not conducive of good combustion, hense the spark plug contamination. However, I have the same compression test set as you, ie. Budget brand, and mine is not hugely accurate, more of a reasonable guide only. I have access to a blue-point kit and there is between 15 and 20 psi difference in the gauges-depending on on which way I hold the gauge on the cheaper tester!! Thanks for your effort. Enjoying immensely.
Good point... it's the same as my carb balancing gauges, cheap and cheerful... as long as they all read the same then I'm happy and not to bothered what they're reading 😉
Thank you 😊 I'll always try and include my struggles so you lot are entertained! If I can learn something then I want to teach it to others so they don't make the same mistakes as me haha, thanks for your support
You've got it mate, it will run. Hopefully the low compression is just due to the bike sitting for long. The happiness when the bike started is contagious, well done! Makes us happy to watch!
Thanks buddy, I'm well chuffed, I'm hoping the compression will improve with use, there's no smoke from the exhaust so I'm pretty happy with the piston rings
This has got to be one of the most useful videos for helping a newbie bike wrencher like me approach an old dead bike with something resembling a game plan. Thank you =)
Awesome mate!!! Your evil laugh at the end of it says it all!!! You probably saw the same thing with mine - sitting for so long. I had low compression on #3 until it ran and it sorted itself out pretty quickly. Carbon and soot build up on the valve face is expected and nothing more than an Italian tune up is sometimes required. Good to see her alive!!
Congrats on getting her running !!! Id say when you got a zero compression reading it may not have been cranking over, just the starter spinning - ie a faulty Sprague/Starter Clutch. In the video you can hear it wasnt turning the psitons over. Nice Job Ash !
@@AshRowland Overall it's still a nice score. I love the old bike style. I bought a new gixxr 1100 in '89. Here in America you can barely get a basket case for less than 2 or 3k.
Congrats on getting the old bird running Ash..ps, WD40 comes in 5L jugs and you just fill up a squirty spray bottle with it…works out way cheaper in the long run..,especially at the rate you use it 😂…pps, I know it’s a debatable subject and everyone has their own preference, but Plusgas always seems far better as a release spray for me. Worth a try my good man, good stuff in my opinion.
Thanks mate, I'm always happy to try new stuff for these things, I'll see if I can get a tin and squirty bottle, cheers, I do like their specialist range though 😀
"I completely missed the hole" That's what she said. That was a missed opportunity there mate. It's funny watching you do all the same stuff as I did about 6 months ago restoring a pretty much identical bike. You seem to be enjoying yourself anyway.
A little top tip all ways loosen the filler cap before draining fluids, that way you won’t get caught out with say no oil in gearbox and no way to fill it up because the filler cap is seized/ damaged
Your video inspires me to get my FZR1000 Genesis project moving forward! Mine is a rolling chassis, I want to check the valve clearances and spray the engine before I fit it. The valve shims are unusual and have to come from Yamaha. Usually, the inlet valve clearances have tightened up, likely the cause of your low compression.
I'm hoping the low compression is dried up piston rings that'll sort themselves out after a while... you're not the first person I know to have issues sourcing the shims. The Genesis was only out for a year before the exup appeared and there's quite a few differences. Get your bike back on the road 👍
Great job Ash, hopefully when its bought up to temp the sticky rings will free up as 60psi is barely enough to atomize the petrol for burning, would have though bike psi should be 170 psi ish
Fantastic video, definitely a good feeling when you first get it running I had to do my carbs again and found it difficult to get it back on the rubbers, what i used was carb cleaner just to lube ish the rubbers to make it an easy fit, something like that
Thanks Steve! I'll probably replace the rubbers at some point. Because they've gone so hard, I'm not convinced they're making a good seal... I'm looking forward to the next Virago video buddy... get yourself an LED strip light, or record at a different FPS, that'll help with the flickering 👍
Top tip for Genesis 1000, get a funnel and warm some old hose pipe and slip it over the bottom of the funnel. It makes oil top ups much cleaner. Also when under hard acceleration or wheelies the oil light can come on for a second or two so don't panic
I can't believe I didn't think of that! The fuller hole is in a pretty awkward place. A hose will definitely help, cheers! I'll bare in mind the oil light tip, ta 👍
@@AshRowland So am I. I'm the one who said how uncomfortable the seat was, and how the reach to the bars was like they were in the next town down the road, but I still loved it, and it's just fabulous to see you bringing one back to life 👌
@@AshRowland I'm looking forward to your views after riding it for 50 plus miles. Not sure if you're aware, but Yamaha were looking at launching a 750 version with single side swingarm, but got a lot of flack from Honda about it because of the RC30. They did have an endurance race bike with SSSA though, and I got a pic of Christian Sarron's SSSA Genesis 750 in the pits at Ricard for the Bol d'Or that year. Not many pics of that bike on the net. I think it only did that one season (1987 from memory) and made appearances at Ricard and Suzuka. Possibly a few other races as well, but it's a long time ago and hard to remember. Your project is bringing back lots of happy memories 😃
@peterbee88 thanks mate... it'll be a while before it can ride 50 miles 🤣 I've been looking at 80s 750s, nothing I want on the market at the minute, well, a least not for the price I want to pay 🤣
I owned one of these back in the very early 90's. It was painted in Loctite Yamaha racing colours. I think it was Dream Machine that painted it from memory. It had a full stainless Cobra exhaust and a Dynojet kit. I wanted the Exup, but they were too new back then and I could not afford one. It was an ok bike for the age I suppose. Crap brakes that always seized up.
Yes, there is supposed to be a washer, next to the spring, inside the oil filter housing, Yamaha calls it a plate, washer, that's for FZR1000s from 1987 to 1990 inclusive
Bro gas doesn't travel up unless you have a fuel pump, That's the whole concept of gravity, Your gas line is too long make it shorter, Because even if you put the hose above the carbs it's still too long, The gas has to travel through those loops you put in the gas line, Without a fuel pump that also won't work, Make the gas line a straight shot to the carbs and it will run no problem.
Yea, I realised that lol, although once it starts flowing as long as the end point is lower than the tank the fuel will actually flow upwards to go through the pipe. I love science 😊
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about it, I'm waiting for new fork stanctions to be manufactured as the pitting was too bad to make a seal. I spend more time where the FZR is anyway so I have more free time to work on it. Once I've got the forks sorted the GPZ is top of my priority list
OMG what a rust bucket :) I used to have a 92' FZR500 which was the 4cyl sub version of the 600, especially built for the Austrian market, for local insurance rules. That bike was crashed of course, but I rebuilt it and painted it. It came out pretty good, after that i put 22 000kms on it, toured Europe, track days etc.., was bulletproof for the time being. It was the Anniversary White-Red color scheme. That would look good on your bike too. This yellow isn't great, i'd definitely change it, if i were U, and also repaint the block and frame too, to get rid of the crazy corrosion..
I'd like to repaint everything to be honest, apart from the frame, I want to polish that so it's a nice shiny bare Aluminium, with a lacquer layer to protect it 😊 I like the red and white scheme, and also the blue and white scheme, which this bike originally was
Hi you need to buy some better gloves I got some off amazon nitrile examination gloves by europapa german made 100 times better than the blue rubbish and £9 I paid and there that strong I used them about 5 or 6 times mabye more before they rip
@@AshRowland hi yea i had the same thing I got these and there black also there got dots on them which is great for grip and 3 times the thickness of the blue rubbish . They are fantastic also you can really pull them on so you don't get finger tips that catch when using them .
Try a piece of tin foil over the exhausts to keep the oil off them, it can be shaped round and stay in place and I'm pretty sure most Japanese bikes won't have 13mm nuts or bolts because the japanese are very superstitious about things like that
I knew someone who works for that company and he always pronounced it "fuucks" and he found it hilarious when the did a product call "Off". It was a basically a degreeser that worked very well
That feeling when you resurrect a dead bike , is one of the best ever!!! well done matey...well done!!
Thank you mate! I think it shows from my reaction that I was chuffed! Next up, get it riding!
@@AshRowland you're gonna be able to start a showroom selling bikes at this rate.. I take it you have your eye on more bikes? 😛
New Subscriber here, Nice to see this old icon come to life, screaming for care
Hey there! Thanks, yep, it's in good hands
I'm doing a restoration on a Zephyr 750, also had zero compression on one cylinder.
It was very entertaining when I took the head off to investigate 🙄
Video of that to follow 🔧
Looking forward to it!
Well done Ash, there is no better feeling in the world when you start an old bike for the first time, good for you mate keep up the good work cheers 🏍👍🙂🎉🎊
Thanks Gary, hopefully I can get it to a riding point soon!
Ash, your 'warts-and-all' approach to your vlogs is really refreshing, as is your patience😂.
Normal minimum compression requirement on most petrol engines should be 155- 160 psi. Much below this is inefficient and not conducive of good combustion, hense the spark plug contamination. However, I have the same compression test set as you, ie. Budget brand, and mine is not hugely accurate, more of a reasonable guide only. I have access to a blue-point kit and there is between 15 and 20 psi difference in the gauges-depending on on which way I hold the gauge on the cheaper tester!!
Thanks for your effort. Enjoying immensely.
Good point... it's the same as my carb balancing gauges, cheap and cheerful... as long as they all read the same then I'm happy and not to bothered what they're reading 😉
Compression may come back when run for a bit, hopefully just stuck rings
Let's hope so 👍
At the same time
Cheers
Put a mixture of 2 stroke oil and marvel mystery oil down the bores not loads just a squirt
Nice work Ash - and you even had birds singing in the background 😊
Yea! Common Chiffchaff or so I've been told by someone in the comments
I like the way you are so down to earth and keep it fun and simple. Keep making videos coz your certainly entertaining me👍😁
Thank you 😊 I'll always try and include my struggles so you lot are entertained! If I can learn something then I want to teach it to others so they don't make the same mistakes as me haha, thanks for your support
You've got it mate, it will run. Hopefully the low compression is just due to the bike sitting for long.
The happiness when the bike started is contagious, well done! Makes us happy to watch!
Thanks buddy, I'm well chuffed, I'm hoping the compression will improve with use, there's no smoke from the exhaust so I'm pretty happy with the piston rings
This has got to be one of the most useful videos for helping a newbie bike wrencher like me approach an old dead bike with something resembling a game plan. Thank you =)
Thank you! I'm glad I'm not completely wasting my time 🤣
Awesome mate!!! Your evil laugh at the end of it says it all!!! You probably saw the same thing with mine - sitting for so long. I had low compression on #3 until it ran and it sorted itself out pretty quickly. Carbon and soot build up on the valve face is expected and nothing more than an Italian tune up is sometimes required. Good to see her alive!!
Oh she's alive alright mate! You can't match the feeling created when something like this fires up for the first time in so long!
@@AshRowland So true!! No poker face there...just a great big smile!! If I could hi-five you from here, I would!
Fantastic to hear her fire into life again 😊
Tell me about it! Sounds sweet too!
Congrats on getting her running !!! Id say when you got a zero compression reading it may not have been cranking over, just the starter spinning - ie a faulty Sprague/Starter Clutch. In the video you can hear it wasnt turning the psitons over. Nice Job Ash !
Ah yea, maybe, I was very worried, but it seems to run sweet 👌
Nice one Ash 👍
Thanks mate 👍 currently walking around an outdoor museum with Emily and the kids 🤣
Thats a Beautiful Bike can't Wait to see it cleaned up and 0 to 60 in 3 sec,,, Have a great day
Thanks, me too!
Fair play Ash,it’s definitely sounding good. Looking forward to the next job🇮🇪
Thank you! Next job is riding it I guess... need to do coolant, brakes and clutch before that can happen though 🤔
Love your videos. I just noticed the pillion cover isn't correct for that year.
I know, it's been butchered to the original seat as well
@@AshRowland Overall it's still a nice score. I love the old bike style. I bought a new gixxr 1100 in '89. Here in America you can barely get a basket case for less than 2 or 3k.
@@bobstupaksvegasworld4098 ooh, the 1986-89 GSXR1100 is on my list 😊
@@AshRowland If you can swing it.... '86 for sure. I love the '85-'87 look for the gixxr.
Congrats on getting the old bird running Ash..ps, WD40 comes in 5L jugs and you just fill up a squirty spray bottle with it…works out way cheaper in the long run..,especially at the rate you use it 😂…pps, I know it’s a debatable subject and everyone has their own preference, but Plusgas always seems far better as a release spray for me. Worth a try my good man, good stuff in my opinion.
Thanks mate, I'm always happy to try new stuff for these things, I'll see if I can get a tin and squirty bottle, cheers, I do like their specialist range though 😀
"I completely missed the hole"
That's what she said. That was a missed opportunity there mate.
It's funny watching you do all the same stuff as I did about 6 months ago restoring a pretty much identical bike.
You seem to be enjoying yourself anyway.
Thanks mate, damn, missed a good one there 🤣
A little top tip all ways loosen the filler cap before draining fluids, that way you won’t get caught out with say no oil in gearbox and no way to fill it up because the filler cap is seized/ damaged
Thanks mate, I did that when I changed the coolant, but you haven't seen that yet 🤔😉
Chiffchaff for company about 33 mins.
Yea, the unit is right next to a park 😊
Sounds sweet maybe give it a bit of a run to get up to temperature & test the compression again in case the rings were sticking.
That's the plan, I need to do a coolant change first and probably stick 12v on the fan just to make sure it spins
Your video inspires me to get my FZR1000 Genesis project moving forward!
Mine is a rolling chassis, I want to check the valve clearances and spray the engine before I fit it.
The valve shims are unusual and have to come from Yamaha. Usually, the inlet valve clearances have tightened up, likely the cause of your low compression.
I'm hoping the low compression is dried up piston rings that'll sort themselves out after a while... you're not the first person I know to have issues sourcing the shims. The Genesis was only out for a year before the exup appeared and there's quite a few differences. Get your bike back on the road 👍
Well done Ash.
Thanks Robert 👍
Sounds nice, as for your tank use bilt hamber deox c its the best just done a 60yr old lambretta tank came up like new
Thanks... I might give it to a tank company, it's very very bad 🤣
There’s just quite nothing like the feeling when that engine fires for the first time well done Ash
Completely agree! Very happy
Great job Ash, hopefully when its bought up to temp the sticky rings will free up as 60psi is barely enough to atomize the petrol for burning, would have though bike psi should be 170 psi ish
That's what I would have thought too, it's a very cheap compression tester, but I don't think it's that far out lol
Just joyful - ta !
Thank you 😊
Nice one getting bit started bro 🤟👍
Thanks Ian! Next up, road trip 🤣
Fantastic video, definitely a good feeling when you first get it running
I had to do my carbs again and found it difficult to get it back on the rubbers, what i used was carb cleaner just to lube ish the rubbers to make it an easy fit, something like that
Thanks Steve! I'll probably replace the rubbers at some point. Because they've gone so hard, I'm not convinced they're making a good seal... I'm looking forward to the next Virago video buddy... get yourself an LED strip light, or record at a different FPS, that'll help with the flickering 👍
@@AshRowland that’s a good idea, will definitely do that :)
Do you have to take old motorcycles for Mot. Do you have classic or antique registration over there
Yes we do but to be TAX and MOT exempt a car or motorcycle needs to be 40 years old and I don't want to wait 3 years 🤣
Top tip for Genesis 1000, get a funnel and warm some old hose pipe and slip it over the bottom of the funnel. It makes oil top ups much cleaner.
Also when under hard acceleration or wheelies the oil light can come on for a second or two so don't panic
I can't believe I didn't think of that! The fuller hole is in a pretty awkward place. A hose will definitely help, cheers! I'll bare in mind the oil light tip, ta 👍
Doesn't the throttle need to be open foe compression test.
@@garygilbert4409 yea, when the carbs are attached 😉
14.10 "Fooks¨
🤣 thanks! I really wasn't sure
Genesis: "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light". Brooom, brooom!
Let there be internal combustion and noise 🤣
When testing compression hold throttle open
Thanks Andrew, the carbs weren't actually attached 😊
Epic
You need a proper motorcycle ramp
Maybe make your own and make a video to show how you did it please
Keep it going
Haha great idea, my back always aches after a day of working on the bike
@@AshRowland you wait till you get old
Yeeeeeeeessssss!!!!!!!
Wooooooooo!!!!
Speedo cables on carbs brill ! Great channel mate keep up the good work ps should you not do a compression test with wide open throttle
And you can sorted the rubbers gently with a heat gun then fit air box
Thanks Andrew... yes, you should do compression test with the throttle wide open, if the carbs are attached to the bike that is 😉
Oh yeah lol same as then
Awesome 🤩
Well done cocker 👏
Thanks buddy! I'm chuffed with it!
@@AshRowland
So am I.
I'm the one who said how uncomfortable the seat was, and how the reach to the bars was like they were in the next town down the road, but I still loved it, and it's just fabulous to see you bringing one back to life 👌
@peterbee88 I'm hoping to ride it soon mate, the position is do different to my Thundercat but the bikes look virtually the same from the side
@@AshRowland
I'm looking forward to your views after riding it for 50 plus miles.
Not sure if you're aware, but Yamaha were looking at launching a 750 version with single side swingarm, but got a lot of flack from Honda about it because of the RC30.
They did have an endurance race bike with SSSA though, and I got a pic of Christian Sarron's SSSA Genesis 750 in the pits at Ricard for the Bol d'Or that year.
Not many pics of that bike on the net.
I think it only did that one season (1987 from memory) and made appearances at Ricard and Suzuka. Possibly a few other races as well, but it's a long time ago and hard to remember.
Your project is bringing back lots of happy memories 😃
@peterbee88 thanks mate... it'll be a while before it can ride 50 miles 🤣 I've been looking at 80s 750s, nothing I want on the market at the minute, well, a least not for the price I want to pay 🤣
I owned one of these back in the very early 90's. It was painted in Loctite Yamaha racing colours. I think it was Dream Machine that painted it from memory. It had a full stainless Cobra exhaust and a Dynojet kit. I wanted the Exup, but they were too new back then and I could not afford one. It was an ok bike for the age I suppose. Crap brakes that always seized up.
I'm yet to experience how bad the brakes are, I'll probably remember when I need to stop in a hurry 🤣
On Suzukis you have to insert the key, sligthly push to the front and then you can turn it. I've got the same on all my Suzukis.
I've found with the Yamaha I have to push it towards the back of the bike 🤣
Yes, there is supposed to be a washer, next to the spring, inside the oil filter housing, Yamaha calls it a plate, washer, that's for FZR1000s from 1987 to 1990 inclusive
Ah, I knew it! I'll put one in there when I change the oil again, which will be very soon as it'll still be mixed with the old stuff for a few runs
Exploded diagrams of component parts can be found on CMSNL. They are a parts supplier and have the fiche to view
Wow, I never knew this existed, that's so handy! Thank you, I've saved a link to my home screen
@@AshRowland no worries been using them for years 1/2 price or more than U.K. suppliers good luck with the FZR.
Bro gas doesn't travel up unless you have a fuel pump, That's the whole concept of gravity, Your gas line is too long make it shorter, Because even if you put the hose above the carbs it's still too long, The gas has to travel through those loops you put in the gas line, Without a fuel pump that also won't work, Make the gas line a straight shot to the carbs and it will run no problem.
Yea, I realised that lol, although once it starts flowing as long as the end point is lower than the tank the fuel will actually flow upwards to go through the pipe. I love science 😊
You can buy an auxiliary fuel tank that you can hang above the bike which makes the job easier 👍
Top tip, you won't find a 13mm bolt or nut on a Japanese bike, 10mm 12mm 14mm 17mm , and by some JIS screwdrivers if you haven't already.
Ah, you know what, thinking about it, you're right! Haha... yea, I've got some JIS screwdrivers 👍
Actually sounds reasonable !
It really does, I was surprised!
I use aluminum foil to cover the exhaust when loosing the oil filter
Excellent idea, I never thought of that! Someone else suggested that too!
Did you put any oil on the rubber sealing rings on the filter?
Yes, my hands were covered with it at this point 🤣
Try a compression test with the throttle wide open
I would if the carburettors were attached to the engine 😉
Sounded like the starter clutch was slipping sometimes.....
I was worried about that, let's hope not
When compression testing you should have the throttle fully ooen.
Just realised the carbs were not fitted, i am a dunce😂😂
🤣 at least you kept the comment there 👍
What happened to the other one you was doing have you finished it
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about it, I'm waiting for new fork stanctions to be manufactured as the pitting was too bad to make a seal. I spend more time where the FZR is anyway so I have more free time to work on it. Once I've got the forks sorted the GPZ is top of my priority list
@AshRowland sweet can't wait I'm loving the video's mate
You forgot to hold the throttle wide open for the comp test !
Opps u had the rags out the oles lol
Carbs weren't attached 😊 I'm glad I remembered to remove the rags 🤣
Go to screw fix they have oil spray much cheaper than wd40 its the same basically. 😅
Cheers Gary!
@@AshRowland no worries its probably all from the same refineries same as fuel its all of a standard.
May have stuck valves with being sat
I thought that too, I sprayed some penetrative oil down there to help them 👍
Triumph 955i are the worse throttle cables to attach
I'll look forward to doing that one day 🤣
Brilliant it's working 😂
Yea, I ran it for a bit after this and it's pretty sweet 👍
Take the rags out the inlets!
Haha, did you type this just before I started to turn it over? I remembered 😊
Must awasher betwine spring and filter.look csml
Thanks, yea I just checked, I'll get one... I didn't know csml existed until the comments on this video!
It's pronounced 'fewshs'.
It means 'Fox' in German.
Ah, OK cool, thanks 😊
OMG what a rust bucket :)
I used to have a 92' FZR500 which was the 4cyl sub version of the 600, especially built for the Austrian market, for local insurance rules.
That bike was crashed of course, but I rebuilt it and painted it.
It came out pretty good, after that i put 22 000kms on it, toured Europe, track days etc.., was bulletproof for the time being.
It was the Anniversary White-Red color scheme.
That would look good on your bike too.
This yellow isn't great, i'd definitely change it, if i were U, and also repaint the block and frame too, to get rid of the crazy corrosion..
I'd like to repaint everything to be honest, apart from the frame, I want to polish that so it's a nice shiny bare Aluminium, with a lacquer layer to protect it 😊 I like the red and white scheme, and also the blue and white scheme, which this bike originally was
Hi you need to buy some better gloves I got some off amazon nitrile examination gloves by europapa german made 100 times better than the blue rubbish and £9 I paid and there that strong I used them about 5 or 6 times mabye more before they rip
I'll get Kate to order me some, these blue ones normally split whilst I'm putting them on 🤣
@@AshRowland hi yea i had the same thing I got these and there black also there got dots on them which is great for grip and 3 times the thickness of the blue rubbish . They are fantastic also you can really pull them on so you don't get finger tips that catch when using them .
Try a piece of tin foil over the exhausts to keep the oil off them, it can be shaped round and stay in place and I'm pretty sure most Japanese bikes won't have 13mm nuts or bolts because the japanese are very superstitious about things like that
😲 that's a brilliant idea! Definitely doing that next time 🤣
Loving the videos, especially the GPZ as I did have one back in the 80s, guess that makes me an old fart now@@AshRowland
@@SuffolkZX I feel so much older after a day of bending down working on one of these old bikes 🤣
Great video
Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed it
14:13 U like in "you"
Charming!
tin foil over the exhaust
Yea, I know that now thanks to you and some others who suggested it 🤣 thank you
petrol has a weird taste, it's like really strong, but with no taste at all, and it burns your lips
Yea! That's exactly it!
Why do i get the impression that you dont have a clue about what you're doing .
Example , when compression testing OPEN THE THROTTLE ....
Carbs weren't attached 😅
I knew someone who works for that company and he always pronounced it "fuucks" and he found it hilarious when the did a product call "Off". It was a basically a degreeser that worked very well
🤣 I'll bet they had a fun time round the meeting table discussing that!