I bought a 97 f3 this year for 2000 with 33k on it. I have only ridden it a few times but now I am in the process of replacing the regulator with one from a gsxr.

To add to it, everytime I look at the bike, it seems like I find something else that iswrong,

1.) side cover fairings by the seat now have both recently lost the rear nipple (or whatever you would call it that pushes through the rubber grommet and holds it on).

2.) The left side rear fairing is cracked on the side.

3.) The front fender is cracked on both sides where it attaches

4.) The right side upper fairing is cracked from the hole where the blinker passes through all the way to the side.

5.) and there is a rattling sound from the windscreen when I accelerate.

I never noticed all this before because it is my first bike and didn't know what to look for.

After tires, tags, title and everything.. I am in $3000... Is the bike worth keeping or should I cut my losses and get rid of it now or is it worth replacing the cracked parts with OEM pieces?

Thoughts, suggestions?

I Appreciate it guys.

 

1) probably a good idea to get a 1 piece tail. sharkskinz or w/e sells one for like http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-96...Q5fAccessories

129 bucks which aint bad IMO.

2) where on the side? left tail fairings can go as cheap as 20 bucks on ebay. keep your eyes open.

3) need to replace or fix that asap. i sold mine in perfect condition to speedemon for like 40 bucks way back when.

4)easy fix with. just reinforce it with any kind of plastic/epoxy etc, and make sure its firm. repaint and sand if necessary.

5) common problem with our bikes: there's 2 plastic sides on the inside of the windscreen that go between the gauges and the screen. they rattle as the metal that holds them in gets bent over time. bend the metal end that the front end of the plastic sides on the inside of the windscreen mount at. its a small piece of metal.

 

I got a 97 F3 just last week as my first bike, but it cost me $1100. It was dropped on the left side and needed a new mirror, a new windscreen, the left engine cowl is missing and the left side tail fairing is cracked, the left front fairing is replaced OEM and rattle canned to match pretty good, it needed new blinkers front and back, and new tires. An oil pan too as it was cracked at the drain bolt. All in all I'm in it for $15-1600 (with the new tires, oil pan, mirrors and windscreen, I'm gonna leave the fairings cracked right now because they're zip-tied in place and are sitting fine, and as of right now I'm leaving the engine cowl missing. After all is said and done I'll be in it for about $2000), I think you got yours at a decent deal with what's needed I just got real lucky and picked mine up really cheap.

Edit: I forgot the temp gauge is broken, and it has 23k on it, I'm gonna just leave it as is now, and when I find one a little cheaper I'm gonna replace the gauges with the F4i gauge mod.

Edit again haha: I found this guy on eBay http://motors.shop.ebay.com/sellerpr..._from=&_ipg=25 he's got some fairings in good condition, they're pretty cheap now check them out I'm bidding on my left engine vent now

 

ya fairings are going really cheap. I am selling mine for between 50-75 each for my F3(spoken for at the moment, but could change), so i could do the F4i conversion.

 

What would I do without you guys and this site?

Spicy, where is this metal piece? up in front of the guages? Do I take the screen out to do this?

Also, I really like the color and styling of the bike, so if I replace the rear with a one piece, I am afraid they won't me able to match the color yellow that the plastics are naturally. and would this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-96...Q5fAccessories even fit my bike. Mine is a 97. It says it is for only through 96?


I really Appreciate your input here everyone, don't know what I would do without your assistance.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb_u-KiQRrU

Everything you need to know about fixing your plastics. It doesn't get much easier. Take your time with it and you'll be fine. Hell of a lot cheaper than buying stuff and it'll be just as strong unless your fairings are REALLY in bad shape. Maybe post some pics so we know what you're working with. As for the nipple, well if you have it you could try to re-attach it and if not you could find a used tail side cover on ebay and either hack it off of that and plastic weld it or find a piece in good condition to swap out.

I never liked the one-piece tails. I tore into my bike to much to deal with taking a one-piece tail off instead of just 2 nipples and the locker on the side covers.

The buzzing you're hearing is most likely #7 and 8 on this diagram. There are tabs at the bottom that slide into the fairing stay and they buzz on many of our bikes. Easiest thing to do is get some double-sided tape on the tabs so they're snug. That should do the trick.

 

I appreciate it Chuckbear.

I have never tore into that section of the bike that your diagram represents (windshield). Are these the same things that "Spicymeowmix" speaks of in his number 5 response? He mentions metal tabs I have to bend to tighten?

Regards,

 

most of the front windscreeen rattle is from the 2 plastic pieces on the underside being loose.

and as far as that 1 piece tail, they make em in all years, in all colors, and for all areas including track, you just gotta find it on ebay or sharkskinz.
i was just showing you an example.

 

Spicymeowmix...

okay, I am with you now. I appreciate your continued responses and everyones help on these issues.

SInce it is raining today, looks like a beer, and some wrench time are in my future after work.

Thanks Everyone

 

can we see a picture of the bike? Then I can tell ya more