Nubie here... first post!!

[GeneM]

Hey all, just wanted to drop in and say hi. I just picked up a new to me 05 FZ6 and I suspect I will be here often to learn and share!!

So anyhow, on with my first of many questions...
I've noticed that my bike seems to fall a little flat around 3500K RPM then wakes up again around 5+. I was really hoping this bike would pull a little harder but the price was to good to pass on. I'm just wondering what would cause the flat feeling and what I can do to fix it. I've also noticed moisture around the intake manifolds, looks like fuel getting out somehow but I'm not sure how that's possible.
Also I guess I'd like to know what common issues I should look for and try to take care of. The bike is completely stock and I don't think the previous owner did much more than change the oil.....

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Hey all, just wanted to drop in and say hi. I just picked up a new to me 05 FZ6 and I suspect I will be here often to learn and share!!

So anyhow, on with my first of many questions...
I've noticed that my bike seems to fall a little flat around 3500K RPM then wakes up again around 5+. I was really hoping this bike would pull a little harder but the price was to good to pass on. I'm just wondering what would cause the flat feeling and what I can do to fix it. I've also noticed moisture around the intake manifolds, looks like fuel getting out somehow but I'm not sure how that's possible.
Also I guess I'd like to know what common issues I should look for and try to take care of. The bike is completely stock and I don't think the previous owner did much more than change the oil.....

Welcome to the forum and congrates on the new bike!!! :welcome:

The engine does like to be wound up to perform its best however it really shouldn't have a "flat spot" mid range. The bike may some varnish / crap in the fuel system (not un-common). Running a couple of tanks of "Seafoam" may help in that regard. Its cheap enough and helps clean the top end of the engine... (I run Seafoam on a regular basis for preventive maintainance).

If you can soak up a little of the "wet area" with a paper towel and smell it, you should be able to tell if its fuel. There are O-rings on each end of the four injectors but its rare for those to leak. You may have leaky O-ring on the fuel tank to fuel pump but again, its somewhat rare. Its more commom for the fuel line connector to break due to sloppy mechainical work.. If its is fuel, you need to get it fixed ASAP and definitly don't ride it until it is repaired....

IMHO, I'd spray the area down with brake cleaner, get it nice and clean and monitor it very closely. Some talcom powder in the area will turn color will quick if any fluids are introduced to it at well quickly narrowing down any leaks...

PLEASE POST your results....

 

[Nelly]

:welcome: to the forum,
What gear are you in when the bike bogs down?
The engine doe's need some rpm to get up and going.
What bikes have you previuosly owned?

Neil

 

[GeneM]

:welcome: to the forum,
What gear are you in when the bike bogs down?
The engine doe's need some rpm to get up and going.
What bikes have you previuosly owned?

Neil

This happens more when it's cold, seems to clear up a bit once it warms up, just seems odd for a FI bike.
As for bikes I've owned, the list is fairly extensive, but the last sport bike I had was a 05 Honda 919. I was not expecting this to perform at that level, but it seems a bit soft.

 

[GeneM]

So, how hard is it to pull the tank up, I know the previous guy did it to replace the battery and he made it sound like it was a nightmare. I'm wondering if maybe he did something to cause the possible fuel leaks?
I'm going to try and take some pix today and post what I'm seeing to get some more opinions on what's going on.

 

[ChevyFazer]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on purchasing what will soon be your favorite bike you have ever owned! As far as lifting the tank it's fairly easy, I don't have fairings on my bike so it is extremely easy but with fairings 1st you need to remove your seat, remove the front 2 bolts right behind the triple then removed the rear pivot bolt. With the rear pivot boot removed you can slide the tank back then lift it without removing any plastics, or so I hear. The "flat spot" that you are feeling is most likely largely due to you being used to the tq of your 919 but the fz also doesn't really have much power below 5k and LOVES to be reved vs liter bikes and twins. It could also be a fuel issue like Townsend said. Do you know any history of the bike? Like who owned it before you, did they ride it a lot or was it a weekend warrior, and did it sit for a while before you bought it? Either way seafoam can't hurt only help, I also use it regularly and normally end up going through at least 1 bottle a month and sometimes more depending on how many miles I've rode. But talking about the power of the engine it really is gutless from 1k-3.5k starts to pick up a bit between 4k-5k, starts to pick up even more from 5k-7k and then takes off like a bat outta hell from 8k+

Here's a pic of a dyno run to give you a idea about the powerView attachment 44598

And one other thing, because of the lack of bottom end on these bikes it is very popular to do a 15 tooth front sprocket vs stock being 16t/46t. It will turn higher rpms on the highway but it makes it a absolute blast to ride and very impressive out of the "hole" I actually have a 49t rear with a 16t front but a 49t rear is almost the same thing as a 15t front and I have no problem keeping up and even out running 600cc super sport bikes (R6's CBR600RR's ZX-6R's etc) up to about 100mph.

 

[jtarkany]

:welcome: to the forum.

 

[GeneM]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on purchasing what will soon be your favorite bike you have ever owned! As far as lifting the tank it's fairly easy, I don't have fairings on my bike so it is extremely easy but with fairings 1st you need to remove your seat, remove the front 2 bolts right behind the triple then removed the rear pivot bolt. With the rear pivot boot removed you can slide the tank back then lift it without removing any plastics, or so I hear. The "flat spot" that you are feeling is most likely largely due to you being used to the tq of your 919 but the fz also doesn't really have much power below 5k and LOVES to be reved vs liter bikes and twins. It could also be a fuel issue like Townsend said. Do you know any history of the bike? Like who owned it before you, did they ride it a lot or was it a weekend warrior, and did it sit for a while before you bought it? Either way seafoam can't hurt only help, I also use it regularly and normally end up going through at least 1 bottle a month and sometimes more depending on how many miles I've rode. But talking about the power of the engine it really is gutless from 1k-3.5k starts to pick up a bit between 4k-5k, starts to pick up even more from 5k-7k and then takes off like a bat outta hell from 8k+

Here's a pic of a dyno run to give you a idea about the powerView attachment 44598

And one other thing, because of the lack of bottom end on these bikes it is very popular to do a 15 tooth front sprocket vs stock being 16t/46t. It will turn higher rpms on the highway but it makes it a absolute blast to ride and very impressive out of the "hole" I actually have a 49t rear with a 16t front but a 49t rear is almost the same thing as a 15t front and I have no problem keeping up and even out running 600cc super sport bikes (R6's CBR600RR's ZX-6R's etc) up to about 100mph.

That's some good info, I will have to find a nice open road where no POPO is around and give it a test.
As for the tank again, if I do as you suggest won't there be some lines somewhere that will need to be disconnected? I'd like to get that tank off to inspect the intake boots as they all look a little moist where they connect to the manifold.
Also, does an aftermarket exhaust really help these bikes and what about a Power commander?

 

[ChevyFazer]

Yes there is lines and wires that need to be disconnected but you can only disconnect them by lifting the tank. As for exhaust and powercomander yes they do help but mainly on the top end. With out a power commander it will actually lessen the bottom end tq.

 

[aussiejules]

Welcome to the site:welcome: is your bike naked or faired, ther are lots of threads here to help on both exhausts and power comanders, there is pretty much a new exhaust thread ever couple of weeks. Have a poke around in here and you will find so much useful information.

 

[GeneM]

Faired, I wanted a bike with the half fairing which is one reason I went with a FZ rather than the SV. Having some wind block is nice for early mornings!!

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

That's some good info, I will have to find a nice open road where no POPO is around and give it a test.
As for the tank again, if I do as you suggest won't there be some lines somewhere that will need to be disconnected? I'd like to get that tank off to inspect the intake boots as they all look a little moist where they connect to the manifold.
Also, does an aftermarket exhaust really help these bikes and what about a Power commander?

These are the electrical plugs for the tank and the TB's with the air filter box off:


There are also vent lines that are very easy to kink when re-installing the tank... You can lift the tank, put the rear bolt back in and prop up the tank and do EVERYTHING you wish to do. If the tank is pulled, I'd dump all the fuel should there be any water, contamination in it while its off...

BTW, you got mail....