Sparksmith
New Member
2004 FZ1 SOLD! - Thanks for the help.
Greetings to the community. My name is Brannen and I am new to the forum. I recently purchased my first FZ1. Let me start by saying that my intention here is to solicit advice on my bike as I try to sell it locally (If you would like to see my ad, it is listed in the Eastern North Carolina Craigslist section, search for 2004 FZ1 and you should be able to find it.).
Your forums and information were an invaluable resource for me as I learned about these bikes and what they have to offer (as well as common problems and solutions). I really do love this bike, it has great power, it's very comfortable, and it definitely doesn't look like anything else on the road. I can understand why these bikes have such a dedicated following. Unfortunately, I have to sell this one in order to fund some major purchases I need to make for my shop.
Firstly, I purchased the bike from a company called Copart. For those not familiar, Copart sells vehicles on behalf of insurance companies. Most are salvage titled vehicles with varying degrees of damage. Anyone can go on their website and find the occasional killer deal on a car, truck, bike, etc. This particular bike has a Salvage-Rebuilt title and, as far as I can tell, was a repossession. It was in great shape when I bought it with no apparent frame, body, or engine damage. I suspect the bike sat for a long period of time, just based on the dust, cobwebs, and slight rust on the chain which was present when I first picked it up. It just needed some TLC to get it back on the road.
I changed the oil, replaced the fuel pump and filter, replaced the ignition control relay, replaced the ignition switch (seller did not have the original keys to the bike), replaced the neutral switch, put in some fresh gas and fuel system cleaner (Z-max) and the bike started right up. I have since put about 50 miles on the bike and it runs better and better every time I take it out.
The tires, brakes, cooling system, engine, transmission, and electrical system are all in good working order. Tires are like new, brakes have around 50% life left. All lights, horn, indicators, etc. work properly.
The front fairing has been modified and cut down to give it the look it has now. It was like this when I bought it. It has no mirrors. The rear fender and turn signals were deleted. The rear turn signals were integrated into the brake lights. The brake and clutch levers appear to be aftermarket anodized aluminum levers, as is the gas cap. The dash has been replaced with an aftermarket unit showing around 15k miles. The speedo and tach work as well as all the indicators for turn signals, neutral, and high beam. The only thing not hooked up is the coolant temp sensor. The grab bars that bolt through the tail fairing are missing.
If you're still reading, thank you for your patience. I really appreciate any feedback I can get from the community. I currently have the bike listed for sale locally at $3,000 or best offer. Based on comparable bikes for sale in the area, I feel like this is a reasonable number. (For example, a local dealer has a mint condition 04 FZ1 w/ <2500 miles on it for $4,800 and there's an 02 FZ1 w/ 15k miles and clean title for $4k).
My biggest concern at this point is the chain and sprocket. I feel like the chain is too loose, but from what I've read, the slack is about right. Does anyone have advice? What else I should be concerned about? What else I should repair? What do you think of the price? Thank you for your help and feedback.
For more pics, see the full album on my shop's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.584819478275448.1073741850.473153592775371&type=3
Greetings to the community. My name is Brannen and I am new to the forum. I recently purchased my first FZ1. Let me start by saying that my intention here is to solicit advice on my bike as I try to sell it locally (If you would like to see my ad, it is listed in the Eastern North Carolina Craigslist section, search for 2004 FZ1 and you should be able to find it.).
Your forums and information were an invaluable resource for me as I learned about these bikes and what they have to offer (as well as common problems and solutions). I really do love this bike, it has great power, it's very comfortable, and it definitely doesn't look like anything else on the road. I can understand why these bikes have such a dedicated following. Unfortunately, I have to sell this one in order to fund some major purchases I need to make for my shop.
Firstly, I purchased the bike from a company called Copart. For those not familiar, Copart sells vehicles on behalf of insurance companies. Most are salvage titled vehicles with varying degrees of damage. Anyone can go on their website and find the occasional killer deal on a car, truck, bike, etc. This particular bike has a Salvage-Rebuilt title and, as far as I can tell, was a repossession. It was in great shape when I bought it with no apparent frame, body, or engine damage. I suspect the bike sat for a long period of time, just based on the dust, cobwebs, and slight rust on the chain which was present when I first picked it up. It just needed some TLC to get it back on the road.
I changed the oil, replaced the fuel pump and filter, replaced the ignition control relay, replaced the ignition switch (seller did not have the original keys to the bike), replaced the neutral switch, put in some fresh gas and fuel system cleaner (Z-max) and the bike started right up. I have since put about 50 miles on the bike and it runs better and better every time I take it out.
The tires, brakes, cooling system, engine, transmission, and electrical system are all in good working order. Tires are like new, brakes have around 50% life left. All lights, horn, indicators, etc. work properly.
The front fairing has been modified and cut down to give it the look it has now. It was like this when I bought it. It has no mirrors. The rear fender and turn signals were deleted. The rear turn signals were integrated into the brake lights. The brake and clutch levers appear to be aftermarket anodized aluminum levers, as is the gas cap. The dash has been replaced with an aftermarket unit showing around 15k miles. The speedo and tach work as well as all the indicators for turn signals, neutral, and high beam. The only thing not hooked up is the coolant temp sensor. The grab bars that bolt through the tail fairing are missing.
If you're still reading, thank you for your patience. I really appreciate any feedback I can get from the community. I currently have the bike listed for sale locally at $3,000 or best offer. Based on comparable bikes for sale in the area, I feel like this is a reasonable number. (For example, a local dealer has a mint condition 04 FZ1 w/ <2500 miles on it for $4,800 and there's an 02 FZ1 w/ 15k miles and clean title for $4k).
My biggest concern at this point is the chain and sprocket. I feel like the chain is too loose, but from what I've read, the slack is about right. Does anyone have advice? What else I should be concerned about? What else I should repair? What do you think of the price? Thank you for your help and feedback.
For more pics, see the full album on my shop's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.584819478275448.1073741850.473153592775371&type=3
Last edited:
