Can I finally get my ABANDONED 1980s superbike through its MOT?

[@christianweller4288]

Great work, nice to see some 90s era bikes returning to the street, not corroding back in to the landscape.

[@AshRowland]

They're so easy to work on too, no complicated electronics!

[@christianweller4288]

@@AshRowland Canbus on newer bikes can be a PITA, but it does have some plusses like diagnostics and reduced wiring. However failing components in 20 year old ECUs cam mean the end for some projects…

[@kilotone74]

the FZ is a bike that drives me crazy and I would like it in my garage. Stupendous

[@AshRowland]

They're getting pretty rare now, looking forward to riding this one 😄

[@Noony79]

You deserve so many more subs. Love your vids

[@AshRowland]

Thank you so much... all in good time 👍

[@chrismurphy4724]

Nice work Ash, yet another classic 80's superbike saved by you and your efforts. You kive and learn mate, every day is a school day when it comes to bike restoration and maintenance.

[@AshRowland]

Cheers Chris, hopefully I can take it out this week

[@bobstupaksvegasworld4098]

Nice. Having an older bike is great. Having an older bike with all of the lights and switches working is priceless. Sitting on the bike for the chain adjustment is required. Under load you get the proper adjustment.

[@uhtred7860]

I have never read a factory manual that says to adjust the chain while under load. But…watching someone adjust their bikes chain, while sitting on the bike is something I would like to witness.😂

[@AshRowland]

Ah, thanks mate, I'll check the chain 👍

[@bobstupaksvegasworld4098]

@AshRowland Love your videos and the fact that you are a skilled shade tree mechanic.

[@bobstupaksvegasworld4098]

@uhtred7860 It's not in the manuals. It has been a step that has been known for decades. When sitting on a bike the chain will tighten, under load. Therefore it will be tighter than when adjusted someone a stand.

[@spency787]

@@bobstupaksvegasworld4098yep, I have a ‘91 Africa Twin and they are notorious for wearing out the splines on the gearbox output shaft which is an engine split to fix. The solution is to set the chain slack to the required amount whilst sitting on it. 👍

[@garryburns6659]

😄your so funny Ash lol, the bike is looking great keep up the good work mate cheers 🍻👍🙂

[@AshRowland]

Haha thanks mate 👍

[@tichwykes]

Blimey Ash you'tr totting up a lot of projects although that was a nice gesture with the FZ so be good to watch the progress on that.

[@AshRowland]

Yea, pop over to Sam's channel and you'll see me working on it with him... it's not as bad as it looks 😀

[@ianrussell2816]

Nice one getting the work done and the MOT passed ash

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate 👍

[@KensWorldRestorations]

Wow Ash!! You should be proud of yourself! That's a huge accomplishment after all that work you did. I wish I didn't' live 6,000 miles away - I'd get over there and paint your panels for you. Great job...can't wait to go for that ride!

[@AshRowland]

I'm excited too mate... tyres were delivered the other day, getting them fitted next week 👍

[@ashleyreading20]

So happy you got another classic Motorcycles back on the road and also another saved from being on turned to salvage parts, great work love watching your videos

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate 👍 I'd save them all if I could!

[@davecree867]

Good result. It’s all a learning experience!

[@AshRowland]

Too right 👍

[@PatrickHostler]

Very kind of you to buy that FZ for your chum. AND I’m looking forward to seeing the next Ducati project

[@AshRowland]

Thanks for watching all the way through buddy 👍👍👍

[@uhtred7860]

When you said “It’s easier to take the forks apart while they are on the bike” I thought, “this is going to be interesting” 😂

[@AshRowland]

🤣 Learnt my lesson there 🤣

[@SamsAutoAssortium]

Great video mate that bike really has fought you all the way but you've done a great job in getting it back on the road! Thank you very much once again for the FZ its easily up there with one of the best presents I've ever received and I'll make sure it gets saved and back on the road 🙏🤟

[@AshRowland]

No worries buddy, I hope it treats you well and it's not too much of a headache 😊

[@raytaskas9461]

Still watching. Still enjoying. 😊👍. Just watched you photo bombing on Sam's video😂

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate! haha, yea, Sam's a good guy

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

You sure got a lot done in this video… Nice one mate 😊

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate 👍 Onto the next one!

[@millymoo6575]

Silicone spray in switch gear is amazing!!’

[@AshRowland]

Good to know! 👍

[@Cheekymonkey1]

Good night Ash and Kate i love watching your you tube videos on your you tube channel I hope both of you are well and Aah please can you bring back Kate on your youtube videos I hope tjar you are enjoying your rebuilding of your 1980 Super bike I am glad ots passed its mot wekll done please both of you keep safe and warm please krrp up your good work up on your you tube channel cheers both of you

[@AshRowland]

Thank you 😊 Kate is well, just very busy with work, I'm enjoying working on the bikes

[@H-M-78]

Master content

[@AshRowland]

👍 Thanks mate 👍

[@spency787]

The front fork adjuster in the cap is for spring preload. With you are sitting in the riding position on the bike the forks should drop (or sag) approx 30mm from the position the bike naturally sits when you are not on it. Hope that makes sense?

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate, I knew I was wrong and was waiting for this comment 👍 great tip about the height drop though, didn't know that

[@spency787]

@@AshRowland no worries. I normally set my bikes preload somewhere near at the front and then adjust the rear preload to give the amount of steering lightness I prefer 👍. It just means taking a shock ‘C’ spanner with you for the first couple of rides

[@Tenfx72]

Nice work. New sub, enjoying your videos. What was the make of the chain tool you used? Thanks

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate... it's an Oxford one, here's the link to the eBay listing I got it from: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225605656624

[@firestorm755]

Do you have a link for your chain tool? Looks a good bit of kit

[@AshRowland]

Here you go: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225605656624

[@paultierney8867]

As usual Ash, great video. Cannot wait to see the Ducati 848. I have the 1098 with nothing but electronic issues. Don't get me wrong, it rides and handles great. But thats it.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate, next Sunday 4pm for the first 848 video

[@paultierney8867]

@AshRowland I look forward to it ash. Thanks.

[@Qassu78]

The adjustments on top of the forks aren't for damping, they're clearly for pre-load ;)

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate, I knew I wasn't right when I was editing it but thought that someone could correct me in the comments 😉

[@georgeday5901]

For checking fork oil I use a yellow tape measure.

[@AshRowland]

Good shout... I used a piece of white plastic pipe on the GPZ and it was much easier to see than the copper pipe lol

[@sticksfaz5413]

I’ve got and almost immaculate FZ750, same colour. Had it for years.

[@AshRowland]

Lovely mate... this one's seen better days

[@ZavierLabs]

First comment again! Kudos my friend! 🎉

[@AshRowland]

🤣 nice one 👍

[@brianmahoney7567]

Used to ride one. Great bike, but if you get caught in bad weather it makes it's weight felt.

[@AshRowland]

Hoping to take it out next week 🙏

[@KindofaMechanic-cn8ii]

Ha! I see now that an extra bike would be no use 🤣

[@AshRowland]

🤣

[@ianreid5789]

Ash the rear sprocket I’m nearly sure the grooves on the sprocket should face out wards check the alignment of ur chain is it running straight

[@AshRowland]

I put it on the same way the old one came off, but I'll double check 👍

[@ianreid5789]

@ Any rear sprocket I have changed had the grooves and any markings such as number of teeth to the outside If u put it on the wrong way the chain will eat in to the sprocket

[@georgeday5901]

It's all one big learning curve as you say not a mechanic but you are learning so one day you will do it all with your eyes shut lol .

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate 👍

[@rhiantaylor3446]

As is mentioned below, you need a better fork oil height tool. Apart from anything else, the copper pipe below the first line will be displacing oil so you will not get an accurate measurement. Sorry !

[@AshRowland]

Yea, I'll order a proper dip stick and readdress this at some point

[@roadbull74]

I'm gonna make a wild prediction - the forks are coming out that 848

[@AshRowland]

Who knows 😉

[@tamas.golubov]

You should have taken out the forks and also replace the seals. The fork oil height is specified with the fork being perpendicular to the surface. Also, get a cheapo fork oil height gauge, they are less than 10€ or make your own with a pipe, a washer, a silicon tube and a syringe. Not meant as criticism or any bad intent, I’m a self-taught backyard mechanic as well. But what I learned already is taking shortcuts always comes back and bites you in the ass. Edit: also not sure about yamaha but suzukis, hondas and kawasakis always have the fork oil level fully compressed and with the spring in.

[@AshRowland]

Thanks mate, I double checked and for this particular bike the service manual states fully compressed with the springs out. The angle shouldn't matter too much because I was measuring the level at the middle of the diameter by using a 15mm pipe. Interestingly, the GPZ service manual shows them attached to the bike for the oil filling, and they need to be uncompressed with the springs out. I guess every bike is different 😊

[@sham27007]

Can you do a break down of the cost of buying bikes from Copart.

[@AshRowland]

Yes mate, I'll pop it in a future video 👍

[@diholli]

Do you have a link for this indicators? They look good.

[@AshRowland]

Here you go www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400292168255

[@Simon-fr4ts]

FZR one thousand sounds so American! I would always say FZR thousand. I think we are increasingly becoming more Americanised. I hear so many brits saying 'cool', 'dude' and 'awesome' in regular conversation. It personally makes me cringe, but I am 53. I also had one of these in the early 90's, it was painted in Loctite red/white racing colours by dream machine. I did enjoy your videos on getting it running.

[@AshRowland]

Haha I didn't even realise I was saying that! I think I probably say it both ways. Admittedly I do say Cool ans Awesome, but then again I'm only 38 😉

[@chr11sf]

👍

[@AshRowland]

👌👍👌

[@peterbee88]

848 eh? So you've got the Ducati bug now . . . !

[@uhtred7860]

A potentially expensive bug to catch😏 I lusted after a Ducati in the late 80s early 90s and finally bought a brand new 750SS, it must have been built by drunk apprentices, because for the 6 months I owned it, it gave nothing but trouble, the dealer ended up buying it back for full price under the “lemon law”. That experience put me off them for years.

[@AshRowland]

Haha, kinda 😉

[@cbrider726]

Hi Just subed . Have you any streams showing you rebuild the fork legs on a CBR1000F 1989.

[@AshRowland]

Hi! I don't im afraid, but it'll be very similar to the GPZ ones I did, most forks are very similar to one another to be honest

[@cbrider726]

@@AshRowland The only thing that concerns me is the air pressure to be set at 6lb and the oil levels . The manuals are not at all clear .

[@cbrider726]

BTW got your stream from the young Welsh guy . Hes very good.

[@AshRowland]

@cbrider726 Sam's a great guy!

[@peterepeat7066]

Did you get the right or left handed chain ?

[@AshRowland]

Is this a joke? 🤔

[@projectclark123]

Your doing really good keep it up can I have a KZbin shot out please 😊

[@AshRowland]

I don't see why not... fyi next week's video is already edited

[@laz1go286]

Good job, mechanic or not :) Please get rid of the shite stickers at least, before the resto. It just needs a hairdryer and a bit of work. Also the squid indicators might be functioning but they don't fit this classic bike at all. Get the original ones, just like you did with the Ducati.. Looks much more authentic..

[@AshRowland]

The stickers are sun baked on there, I've actually got replacement panels that came with the replacement tank 👍 The indicators came with the replacement fairings so I fitted them because thats what I had... I'll be getting some original ones, don't worry 👍

[@laz1go286]

@AshRowland awesome! Thanks for the response ✌

[@theendurotraveller351]

Flood the indicator with wd40 mate Much easier and quicker

[@AshRowland]

Tried that before, didn't work too well 🤣

[@Diddy65]

Get DZUS FAIRING FASTENERS🫡

[@AshRowland]

👍