2000 Yamaha R1 - Mini resto

[swampy442]

Not sure if bikes are allowed on here, but Ill run it up the flag pole, see who salutes it.

This is a minor restoration, bit of cleaning, replacing rusty bolts etc not a full strip and build!

One think I like is cheap vehicles. Anything thats usually cheap piques my interest, and if its labeled non runner, more so.
Ive been on 2 wheels since I was 8, did my bike test 5 years before my car test, Im a biker at heart. So when you see an early R1 for cheap you have to go look!

So this bike is a 5JJ model, last of the carbureted bikes, was advertised as a non runner, possible fuel pump issue. Carbs rebuilt but not set up, no probs. Nipped over to Derby way to pick it up. Its very clean despite its near 50k miles, looks well maintained, Marlboro paint scheme although good in the pics, is a definite 10ft paint job.

[swampy442]

Once back in the unit, set about the absolute basics, do we have fuel, do we have spark. We didnt have much spark on cylinders 1 and 4, eBay coil sorted that out.
It certainly had fuel and the pump was working 100% so that rules that out. I started to get that sinking feeling, maybe we didnt have compression... But a bit of priming and a lot of churning the starter and it ran!
She was smokey though. And this is where the realisation that all was not well came in.

The engine oil was way over full, I drained 3 litres of oil out just to get it to the correct level on the sight glass, there was a large amount of vapour coming out of the crank case breather. Yes thats right folks, piston rings. Suppose you have to accept a bike like the R1 with 50k miles on it and probably hard miles, would need attention. Bugger. But it was cheap enough that should I need another engine I wouldnt lose my arse if I sold.

Fast forward a week and here we are, bike in pieces, replacement engine sat awaiting inspection and service.






Things to do - Double check the carb set up, check operation of the exhaust EXUP valve motor (the valve itself is fine), general clean, tidy up and service of mechanical components

[SS427 Camaro]

Beware, 99 on R1s crack their liners.
It’s not a case of if, but when. It’s now well known, but of course Yamaha have never admitted this problem.
5JJ engines are hard to find ( only 1,800 were sold to Britain for the 2001 model year )

[swampy442]

I thought liner cracking was only on the 600s? I found 3 engines and managed to secure 1, not cheap in fact nearly as mochas I paid for the whole bike

[Mike 820]

Defo happy to see more bike content in here. Can't offer any advice but interested to see the journey.

[limmy01]

Lovely bike, you need to post this in bike banter as well pal, loads of us in that part of the forum who will live this post.

Where do you usually search for these gems as thought about having a go at a non runner?

[B'stard Child]

I think it's fine in here (OK the section says cars rather than bikes) but there isn't a section in Biker Banter for resto threads and if you do put it in there it quickly drops down the page - I guess it could quickly drop down the pages in here too

Good work so far I'll be watching the progress - If you bought the whole bike for the cost of an engine then either the R1 was bloody cheap or second hand engines are expensive

Since a motorcycle accident in the 80's I've not been able to ride sports bikes - they place too much weight on my damaged wrists after a short while and it's so uncomfortable that it's not pleasant - always wanted an R1 but I'm realistic enough to recognise that I wouldn't get used anything like as much as I would like. So I have to settle for late 80's and early 90's bikes (before bikes like the Fireblade and R1 radically changed the game)

I've got a GPz1000RX that I need to resurrect at some stage soon as since I bought the K1200RS I haven't ridden it and it's languishing in the corner of the garage looking sorry for itself

[darkyoung1000]

Another person here who's happy to see more bike content, especially where there's a bank of carbs involved. There is always something evocative about staring at the intake trumpets!

Good work so far, and I hope the strip down goes well!

[Dough Boy]

I absolutely love these and hugely regret not buying one I viewed many years ago. I ended up with an R6 instead. These early red and white R1s are probably my favourite bike of all time. That and the 996/8 Ducati.

I will certainly follow this with interest. Keep the updates coming!

[Cambs_Stuart]

I remember the impact the R1 had when it came out. Really Interested to see how you get on. I've been eyeing up bikes from my youth, mainly GSXR750WPs...

[fred bloggs]

SS427 Camaro said:

Beware, 99 on R1s crack their liners.
It’s not a case of if, but when. It’s now well known, but of course Yamaha have never admitted this problem.
5JJ engines are hard to find ( only 1,800 were sold to Britain for the 2001 model year )

Im not sure about that. Ive been a bike technician for 25 years, seen R1's with high miles, never seen one with cracked liners. Worn/broken boxes, yes, liners ,no. Not saying they don't, but Ive never seen it.

[swampy442]

limmy01 said:

Lovely bike, you need to post this in bike banter as well pal, loads of us in that part of the forum who will live this post.

Where do you usually search for these gems as thought about having a go at a non runner?

Ill duplicate it over there

Facebook Marketplace, lots of bargains to be had. Theres another R1 on there currently for 1500, but track bike so youll have to find a ton of rare parts to convert it...

[swampy442]

B'stard Child said:

I think it's fine in here (OK the section says cars rather than bikes) but there isn't a section in Biker Banter for resto threads and if you do put it in there it quickly drops down the page - I guess it could quickly drop down the pages in here too

Good work so far I'll be watching the progress - If you bought the whole bike for the cost of an engine then either the R1 was bloody cheap or second hand engines are expensive

Since a motorcycle accident in the 80's I've not been able to ride sports bikes - they place too much weight on my damaged wrists after a short while and it's so uncomfortable that it's not pleasant - always wanted an R1 but I'm realistic enough to recognise that I wouldn't get used anything like as much as I would like. So I have to settle for late 80's and early 90's bikes (before bikes like the Fireblade and R1 radically changed the game)

I've got a GPz1000RX that I need to resurrect at some stage soon as since I bought the K1200RS I haven't ridden it and it's languishing in the corner of the garage looking sorry for itself

The bike was cheap, no doubt but the engine was way more expensive than I expected, best part of a grand! I expected 3 or 400 quid
Not thought of a naked Italian like a Tuono or something? Theyre comfortable and have a good amount of poke.

[Krikkit]

In for this one, sounds like a really fun project.

[Plus8]

As a Biker myself, I’m very happy to red threads like this. Perhaps the Moderators could insert a new category, surprisingly called “Readers Bikes”! Might generate more traffic in the right direction without derailing or thinning out Readers Cars.

[jeremyc]

swampy442 said:

Ill duplicate it over there

Please don't - cross posting is against forum rules. By all means point the Biker Banter readers to this thread.

[swampy442]

jeremyc said:

nono: Please don't - cross posting is against forum rules. By all means point the Biker Banter readers to this thread.

Rodger

[8IKERDAVE]

+1 welcoming this one. Would be nice to have a 'Readers Rides' section.

Very fond of this bike, can't wait to see it restored to its former glory!

[swampy442]

I’ve been gifted a bonus couple of days off work, so down the unit to crack on.

Bit of cleaning today, very happy with the results. Despite its miles and years it’s a very clean, straight bike, I’m surprised. All that with 2 hours and a stiff brush with degreaser

[swampy442]

Thoughts are. Ow swinging towards a deeper resto, maybe even a return to its stock blue colour. But the cost of stock panels is high, and I kind of like the Marlboro paint.

Stock rear hugger, result, plastics cleaned up and looking good