8th Apr 2011, 23:09
I have owned a Yamaha XV920, an old Maxim 400, ridden Ninja 500's, Honda Shadow 1100's, Honda Nighthawk 750's, and the Fazer just owns them all! The roll-on power and torque is amazing. The bike is comfortable. Liquid cooling makes it a great bike for dealing with traffic on a hot day.
And the looks, oh the looks! It looks beautiful and wicked, because that is exactly what it is. I considered getting a newer street fighter or sport standard for commuting, but when I found an 86 Fazer for sale locally for $1,800 with a beautiful new paint job, I just had to have it. They are a bargain of a bike that will put a smile on your face every time you ride.
I will say that I am not impressed with the handling, and I agree that you really have to be careful not to get yourself in trouble in that department. I struggle between wanting to update brakes and forks, wheels, swing arm etc. and wanting to keep a rare bike original. I guess I'll get two, and mod one all to heck, and keep the other pristine. Ride on!
26th Jun 2011, 23:36
If your fan doesn't work, connect it directly to the battery using a toggle switch and a 10 amp circuit breaker; that's what I did, and it definitely saved the bike. You can warp your heads at red lights in the worst case, or your radiator will run at higher pressures, causing it to leak steam, and tear seams apart.
13th Jul 2011, 18:28
Hello Fazer Fans! I have had my 86 Fazer 700 since 1990! I bought it from my friend who bought it new. It had 9000 miles on it then, & has 14600 on it now. Unfortunately it sat outside & uncovered for 2 years, so now I am starting the restoration process. Can anyone recommend a website where I can find parts? I need a radiator, & would like to replace the exhaust. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks, John.
5th Aug 2011, 14:43
You can use Yamaha brand from the dealer. I use 20w50 in mine (Valvoline brand for 4-stroke motorcycles). Haven't had any issues with mine. I've got 9500 miles on mine, which I purchased from a collector in Utah. I'm not sold on synthetics; just change oil more frequently. Enjoy your new/old classic.
5th Aug 2011, 15:00
John.
Have seen a lot of parts both used and OEM on EBAY for the FZX700. Might have a problem on the mufflers though, hard to come up with like new condition. Kerker makes a 4 into 1 header system for the bike. Possible rejetting to go with it.
The bike is incredible, and worth the time and effort to restore to your personal taste!
16th Jan 2012, 13:51
I love these bikes. Bought mine a couple of years ago. Can anyone tell me if the fuel pump can be rebuilt, or do I have to replace it? And wondering where I could find a 4 into 1 exhaust for my '86?
30th Jan 2012, 18:37
Hi. If you are looking for parts, there is not a lot available. I have had really good luck with with Cheap Cycle Parts and Bike Bandit. I will pass this info on. Try to get your radiator fixed, or try and match it up size wise, the reason being they are not available aftermarket, and one from Yamaha is around 1000 dollars. Good luck restoration. Happy hunting.
1st May 2012, 16:11
I also have the overheating problem when I sit at lights or get stuck in traffic... The bike tends to get really hot really quick. Thought it was just my bike. Mine is an '86 750... and I red lined it at 240 Km/h. It does have a Hindle stealth header on it, but other than that, has no aftermarket parts. This bike sounds like no other, and turns heads no matter where you go. I love mine, and will never part with it!!
9th May 2012, 20:50
Hey, nice story line to the bike. I believe you are the same person that made a video of you taking the bike for a spin in the winter LOLOL. Great video and excellent bike.
30th Jun 2012, 19:48
I was in the market for my first bike and wanted a VMAX; of course everyone said it's not a bike for beginners. But I happened to come across one on Craigslist for $1500, 27K miles. The bike was in my home state of Oklahoma; I live in Arizona, so I had my sister buy it for me, so I still haven't seen the bike.
From what she said, though, it runs great except it was getting pretty crappy gas mileage. Tulsa to OKC is about 100 miles, and they had to stop for gas twice. So I'm looking at a tuneup, filter replacement and maybe a carb cleaning. Any advice on what could be up with the fuel economy? From what other Fazer owners have said on the web, I should get about 130 miles on one tank.
12th Jul 2012, 13:58
The fuel issue may be a stuck float (or several stuck floats). Also you didn't mention if it had an aftermarket exhaust with a jet kit in the carbs. I know with a jet kit, the range can drop to 90 miles at cruising RPM, maybe lower if running it hard at high revs. My 86 is stock, and I got 130-140 miles per tank before the fuel light came on while riding from OKC back home to the Charlotte, NC area last year. In stop and go city traffic riding, I usually get 109-115 miles per tank. I've had mine since Nov. 08, and consistently average 50 MPG riding solo or 2 up, as long as I am just cruising.
26th Aug 2012, 17:29
Hi all, I just purchased a 86 Fazer. The bike is black; I thought the bike was only sold in red. I dug around in the original paperwork and it was sold new in 88, and the color on the paperwork was black. Does anyone know how many Fazers were originally black? Was this a limited edition color?
Thanks.
17th Oct 2012, 14:18
Bought my FAZER new in 1986, drag raced it two years, 12:05,06 every pass. I weighed 200 in full gear, and the only time it beat a V-MAX was when he missed second gear. It did beat straight up, without missed gears, the FZ750. Silly quick, not too heavy, and so odd it's attractive.
Rode it 1108 miles that first night, 17K the first 11 weeks, and 38K the first three years before marriage, and a knucklehead friend drove it into my truck. Powder coated the frame, and now, 24 odd years on, may finally get around to reassembling it. Have all the NOS parts except exhaust.
These 5v engines were a bit touchy to get dialed in, so I am reticent about the K&N kit and Kerker, but as I have a spare set of carbs, I may do up one set while I search for stock pipes. I did modify my original pipes by drilling out the rear canister end and riveting back on the cover plate; 11:97 runs dead consistent. 124 in the quarter as I recall, but could be off, it has been nearly 30 years.
I have a spare full 996 Ducati engine and harness, that I am tempted to shoe in or a spare GTS1000 setup as well, both fully injected. What to do?
Dave, ducati916rdr@yahoo.com
25th Sep 2010, 19:14
I've read a couple questions in these comments, and noticed there haven't been any answers, so I'll take a shot at it.
The no spark issue doesn't seem to be something that was common. Your ignitor could be bad, or the coils, but both coils being bad seems unlikely.
The value of a non-running Fazer: Hard to say, but if it's just the carbs being junked up with jelled gasoline from sitting so long, I'd say $1300-1600 based on the condition of the rest of the bike. Hopefully the inside of the tank isn't rusted or gummed up. That would just drive the price down even further.
Paint color: I don't have a code, but the Fazer came in either Passion Red, or Apple Red. The Apple Red is the darker color of the two.