I'm new to the world of the FZR400, having recently bought a FZR400RRSP part way through an engine overhaul. It will need new main bearings, bottom end bearings, the usual gaskets and seals and probably a set of shift forks. I was working on the assumption that the 1WG imported to the USA in 1990 would have suitably interchangeable parts, because this motor has 1WG stamped on it, but it also has green valve springs, is a single seater and says Sports Production on the side, and the chassis number is 3TJ-141183 which makes it the 83rd RRSP built, apparently. I've been warned that many 3TJ parts (and perhaps specifically RRSP parts) won't be the same as the 1WG parts available online in the USA. And I don't read Japanese.

Here's a pics of the bike, and my exciting jigsaw puzzle:




So where do I go for parts? The convenience of online microfiches at places like Flatout in the USA have been great for getting parts for my YZF600R Thundercat. I'm in Australia, and the bike is a grey import here, so I don't know if I can get parts easily locally, and even Thundercat parts cost four times what they do in the USA.

If you can point me in the right direction, I'd be much obliged. I'm happy to buy parts from anywhere in the world, as long as they're happy to ship to me or to someone locally who will - like I do with the USA parts for the YZF.

Also, if you could tell me - I saw one picture on the net somewhere of an RRSP with red panels on the tail, and all the others had black like the patch near the headlight. Mine had red panels. Why is it so? Aftermarket mod, Jap domestic spec, or year variation? Also, I've seen it said that the RRSP had upside down forks. Mine clearly doesn't. Actually, it doesn't have preload adjusters on the top either, so I suspect they're plain old RR replacements or 1WG items or something. Will know when I do the seals and spot the part numbers, I guess.

Basically I'm looking for knowledgeable people who, like me, look at this bike and get all excited just from seeing the early 90s Japaneseness of it, and the similarity to the great GP bikes of the time, and feel that it should be returned to some sort of road-going state, preferrably rather stock and rather reliable. But who also, unlike me, know what they're doing around an FZR400. I know you people are out there... :D

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Tristan

WOW!! I can actually answer part of this!!!

All FZR400's had RWU forks, even the most exotic, but standard, 3TJ SP.
The SP MAY have had more adjustability, like your rear shock, which should be an SP item as it has a remote reserviour, but all were RWU.

I will be addressing this on my hybrid by fitting an RGV250 front end, complete with USD forks...

Alex.

I now can't find the place which led me to think they had upside down forks. Maybe I'm an idiot?

I'm curious about the rear shock on mine, too. There's a T-shaped bracket on the subframe for mounting the reservoir, but rather than be clamped to both arms of the T as you'd expect given the design, my reservoir is clamped to the end nearer the shock (with two clamps), because the hose is too short otherwise. Is this standard, or some kind of aftermarket mod from another bike?

I'll try to get some better photos, and at some stage I'll have the swinger off to lube up the pivots and check the shock closely for part numbers. I know the dogbones have 3GM (FZR1000) stamped on them, and the spring is black (and the lower shock is disappointingly oily looking ). Probably a more easily sourced replacement when the original went bust.

Tristan

I do have an SP shock sitting in a box, in the garage, I can have a measure and see how long the pipe to the reserviour is. I may even still have the dog bones to see what part number is stamped on them!

The joys of breaking a race bike for the forks/clipons and being too lazy to list stuff on here or ebay!!

Alex.

alex,i think tristanbadger is referring to gear selector forks.

nice bike by the way.

Some of the other bits for an SP were ...

Lighter valves and springs (hence your green ones)
Adjustable cartridge forks ... the compression adjuster is on the bottom between the end and brake caliper mounts. It's a brass screw that usually seizes.
Adjustable shock ... yours sounds right, the later ones got a yellow spring when Yamaha bought Ohlins (but it isn't an ohlins shock)
Quick release wheels and captive spacers
Close ratio gearbox ... highish first gear so you don't bog down at the hairpin, but not so good getting away from the lights
Extra plate in the clutch ... I think it's seven
Single seat with a different subframe.
I can't remeber if yours will have this but some SP's had lighter clipons made with alloy tubes.

All FZR400's have 1WG on the engine ... anoying huh ???
In Aus ... well http://rampantracing.com/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; this guy had a few FZR's and I think had bad accident racing, we haven't seen him on here for a while, try getting in touch with him he maybe able to help you out. Have a look at the sticky thread on here either Workshop or General it has links to downloadable manuals.

Welcome to the forum ... FZR'sare great aren't they

:D Hi i have a 3tj rr/sp workshop manual you if you wish a copy alex, call me on 07971 360193

The valve srings should be yellow on the top of the spring & inside the valve bucket there should be a yellow dot. if they have a green dot they are from a RR ! 1wg valve buckets have a blue dot & are slightly bigger. hope that helps, may of been replaced with a RR motor, as SP motors fetch more money, download the manuels of this site for info ,

Hi mate it sounds like you might have an RR not the SP as the forks should be fully adjustable, the valve springs should be yellow too I think. Looks good though.

Yes you have 3tj1 rr not sp for swing arm has no bobbin eyes to attach bobbins too...