New UK Member

[espiep76]

Hi everyone,
I've finally signed up to the forum as I've purchased an 1985 model registered at end of 1986.
The bike was bought at auction and is showing around 6700 miles, not sure how genuine that is but the condition is very good and the previous owner clearly spent some money on it with new paint, tyres, rebuilt brakes etc. The tachometer/ voltmeter doesn't work but I've already pulled that off the bike and confirmed the wiring is good, so looks like just the gauge needing refurbishment.
The bike starts and runs well enough and smoothly but is smoking quite badly, so looks like I'll need to try draining the surge tank - I've already found some threads from the forum to look at.
Question for UK members, are there any specialist workshops in the UK that people would recommend that are knowledgeable about the bike and potential upgrades that can be done (I know there a number listed on here) - I'm happy doing certain things myself (like wiring) but other things I would probably get someone else to do?
Thanks

[JezZedexE1]

Hi Espiep and welcome to the gang.

When you have a chance, add your geo-location to help us point you in the right direction.

[espiep76]

Update 1
Following my previous message I removed the surge tank plug and about 150ml of oil came out of it (and made a bit of a mess frankly as I wasn't expecting that much). I started it up afterwards and whilst it still smokes a bit and probably will do for a while, it was definitely much better than before. I'll drain it again at the weekend after letting sit for a few days then check the air filter side and oil level, perhaps it was the van transport for 350 miles that did it as I read that someone else had a similar issue.

[Kawadoodle]

Most of us have been there with oil in the plenum. The source is it draining out the turbo bearing into the intake pipework. Charlie was doing a check valve kit to solve the issue, not sure if he's still doing it. It solves the problem.

It's a good idea to remove and wash out the ducting from the turbo through to the plenum. Without Charlie's kit you'll probably find oil accumulates again. The rate at which it happens depends on the engine oil level, most keep it halfway on the level or just under, but don't let it run too low. Also the bearing clearance in the turbo influences leakage. Another thing you can do, is put a support under the front wheel to elevate it slightly.

[espiep76]

Thanks for the feedback Kawadoodle, I've already got a small block of wood underneath the front wheel and reached out to Charlie as suggested.
In the meantime I've got a tachometer to refurb and refit and a fuel valve to replace, plus the plenum cleaning, so plenty to do.

[JezZedexE1]

That is a good start.

Bit by bit you will get through the issues

Start a new post to catalogue the progress and we will chip in as and when necessary.

[Charlie @ Evergreen]

Welcome to the 750 forum

[Lorcan]

Welcome aboard

[Mrredt]

Good stuff bud
Am in the uk as well

[espiep76]

Well, it's been a while since my last post and nearly a year since I got my turbo, finally the day arrived to actually ride it! I'll get to my impressions of that shortly, but first a recap of the work required.

When I originally posted on the forum the bike was smoking quite a bit, drained quite a bit of oil from the intake. I then set about the typical mods, sourced a ZR7S oil pump, updated pressure relief value, new gaskets etc. In the process of fitting the oil pump I pulled the sump off, which was quite clean, but then I spotted some piston ring in the sump indicating the something more serious was going on. While I waited to get my bike into the local shop, it was summer last year, I pulled the turbo off and clutch basket and sent to Charlie for an overhaul and billet compressor wheel upgrade. Charlie did an excellent job and diagnosed worn turbo bearings and knackered clutch basket rubbers (the previous owener had replaced the clutch plates but clearly never bothered looking on this forum otherwise they would have known about the deteriorating rubbers). Anyway, got the refreshed turbo and clutch basket back from Charlie along with a checkline.

Fast forward until November and the bike went into the local shop in Newcastle, who identiifed a broken piston ring in number 3 cylinder with some quite bad scoring. The cylinder head was also warped to the service limit, usual instake rubbers and fuel hoses perished etc, cam chain was one tooth out (clearly someone had been there before). At this point, there was little choice but to pulled the head / barrels off and source some Wiesco pistons for an 810cc upgrade - incidentally, I followed the forum guidance on the piston clearance issue despite the people doing the work (not the bike shop, it was outsourced) saying they normally stick with the clearance on the piston box. The shop I used was very good when I explained the head gasket issue and again following various threads and posts on here they made their own jig and bored out a new standard MLS gasket to size (took about a day, with careful cleaning but worth it). Valves were lapped back in and new oil stem seals fitted. During the reassembly they spotted one that one fuel injector was the wrong one (off a GPZ1100 I think) so a set of four new uprated Standard FJ709 injectors was obtained after a lengthy wait with one company who took the order but still didn't deliver them after eight weeks, so cancelled and ordered elsewhere. Before starting bike was put in race mode - I removed the brown wire - and spun over to check oil pressure etc and then run up to temp and TPS re-set and idle speed. The shop tested the bike before handing back, they did about 14 miles on it - to check for leaks, fine tune a few things etc and then finally I got it back - along with a rather large bill from the shop, but in fairness they only charged 3/5 of the time they spent on it and were meticulous throughout.

Before riding I had a few things to do - I dropped the oil and filter (thankfully oil all clean and no extra presents in the sump this time), fitted an oil breather since the K&N was now fitted, and added a seperate rev counter the original wasn't working and I sent it away for refurb and whilst it does now move, it is pretty slow so might need another one.

And then finally today, it was time to ride. it's been a while since I've riden a bike with normal (mid) foot pegs so that took a bit of time to get back used to and the bike does need a good postive push to move up and down the gears (quite a few unintentional false neutrals at the start) but I'm getting used to it. Brakes are fine, not outstanding in comparison with modern stuff but adequate all the same. Mirrors are useless, and not just because all you see are elbows - mine have been moved and adjusted a bit too much and just flap around - so some ZR7S are ordered to fit. Engine runs well, very smooth and I can certainly hear the turbo when you lift off the throttle with some revs although I am trying to keep a lid on the revs for a it until I get a few more files on it. Speedo over-reads quite a bit - by about 10mph - and looking closely I can see that it is set about 5 mph when off. I'll check with a satnav one for accuracy soon. Mileometer does though seem to be reasonable accurate - I did 31.1 miles today and looking at GoogleEarth and tracing the route gives 29.9 miles, so that at least is reasonable.

I'd like to say thanks to the Forum for all of the helpful advice - most was found with the search functions - and also Charlie for his help and guidance also. I've a few more jobs to do, but looking forward to getting back out on it - it was worth the year wait!.

[Turbo Pete]

Excellent news! Now the fun part, you get to ride it and enjoy all the work you have put into it!

[JezZedexE1]

That is a great looking result. Well done. Now go and enjoy her.