derek_g2001

Workshop Manager for Lockheed Martin - 5 years. Got my own freelancing company too - In the middle off trying to open up my own workshop in Germany if I can ever navigate their stone age banking and legal system.

If that question was for me, I've ridden both and I find the R6 to be too cramped. I am only 5' 8" , but broad and around 16 stone. R1 fits great. If you have a bit of time on bigger bikes, the R1 is great. The best thing about it is the handling, it really does inspire confidence. The down side is that it is "fukc me!" fast. To be honest all that power is wasted. Any one who can lay it down and keep it down already has a contract with a SBK team!. At the end of the day - If I had to choose between the R1 & R6I, I would have the R1 because I believe its stupid/dangerous to ride about on something that is uncomfortable. I bought the Firestorm because it suits my purpose in riding. I use it for commuting, its great for a solo blast, the missus can get on (sort of) comfortably, and I can strap luggage on for a bit of mile munching on the Autobahn. Plenty of power/torque for me, and best of all its a V-Twin, so takes a bit of riding skill in the wet and is a bit different from your average and sounds stunning. Its down to your personal taste.

What he said is good advice. I used to run the workshop for a large riding school in Scotland, and this is something we used to hear all the time. Go and do your test, you will probably do it on an ER-5 or similar machine. See how you like that - it's gonna feel quick to you. Get yourself something out the autotrader that you don't mind dropping and putting a few dings on. I'm riding a Honda VTR 1000 (Firestorm) just now, its a V-tiwin, around 110hp, and is plenty good out here in Germany, even on the autobahn.(check it out in the rides section). The latest generation of litre bikes hit 180hp. Remember that I used to spend most of my time doing test drives on new bikes and bikes that were in for repair, so I have been lucky enough to ride more bikes than your average punter. I can tell you that anything in the 600-750 is gonna be plenty for you untill you pick up some time. Your insurance company will most likely agree - as a new rider you will pay through the ar5e. DO NOT get caught up in the macho "big is best" thing. You will earn more experience (and respect) by knowing your limits than buying the biggest flashiest latest bike off the showroom floor. You will just look like a tit when your litre bike gets overtaken by pizza delivery boys on CB500's. Anyone can jump on a big bike and make it move, but it takes a lot of skill and practice to control one safely when it really matters, and it will catch an inexperienced rider by surprise. Remember its very uncool to be dead.

A few years back I was delivering a customers new scooter. Obviously because I had L-plates on, the local scrotes thought it would be funny to lob a half brick, and they got me right on the side of the head as I was doing about 40mph. Managed to stop without issue and chased the fookers into an alleyway, where they were taught that just because the scooter has L-plates, doesn't mean the 5'10" but 15 stone skinhead won't kick the sh1t right out of them. If I wasn't wearing a full face helmet I would've been screwed. I am sure we all got up to a bit of naughty as kids but WTF?

You can also get a Genine Nissan OEM non-turbo clutch for around £120 + shipping from the U.S Well its the flywheel I need as my ring gear is gone (along with the starter) so looks like I'll be having the flywheel/clutch set then. Will be a while before I get her back on the road, but I will be sure to post an opinion when its fitted. Thanks fella.

''either is a generic picture or thats the OEM replica verson. Better of buying from an established U.S or U.K vendor to be sure of what your getting.'' That what I meant when I said ''pile of poop'' - I know the brands, but do the products/vendors look legit. Sorry for any offence.......... I have been checking around but since I am a tight Scotsman, price is a major factor at the mo, and I am struggling to find anything near that of the clutch/flywheel sets. Import charges are not a major issue, and I will pay reduced shipping too, so thats not a major factor. Also I am in Germany just now, so I would pay as much shipping, if not more, from the UK. Thanks guys...

Hi Guys and Gals - Like most of us I am working to a budget. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with or has any thoughts on these; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XTD-STAGE-3-CLUTCH-FLYWHEEL-90-96-300ZX-NON-TURBO_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33730QQihZ007QQitemZ170197410374QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XTD-STAGE-2-CLUTCH-FLYWHEEL-90-96-300ZX-NON-TURBO_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33730QQihZ009QQitemZ190202476526QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Koyo-Aluminum-Radiator-300zx-turbo-90-96-91-92-r1439_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33602QQihZ015QQitemZ250220226420QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW The car is a JDM NA, stock power - so is it overkill? I actually do need a flywheel and radiator, I was just wondering if these were a good buy or a pile of poop! Thanks all in advance.

Looks like the ones fitted to a mates Audi I had over the weekend. They were pretty good, and look tidy too.

As long as your not on the receiving end, although if you enjoy the taste! Sorry - couldn't resist..... I'll get my coat.........

Using Opera for a long time now, got sick of Firefox freezing up. I like the speed dial on opera, although it is just a glorified bookmarks page. Still gotta use IE for some secure sites- Opera doesn't work with my credit card online banking, and of course need IE for some microsoft updates.

Got mine Saturday, thanks - they are spot on.

Fook sake! - in the time it took me to write my post, you had already worked it out. Hate it when that happens, cause it makes it look as if I didn't read the full thread. By the time I send this you will have posted to tell me I am a slow twat!!

Probably me! Was for two calenders, you can confirm with steve300zx. My bank won't let me leave a reference or message. Will PM you my details, you can see if it was mine. If it was me, steve300zx has my address details for posting. Sorry for any confusion.

DO NOT USE DOT5 BRAKE FLUID ON THE ROAD! Dot 5 is a silicon fluid which does not absorb water in the lines. It will lead to a soft pedal due to a fluid/water/fluid situation. You also need to make sure your hoses can cope with silicon, as they can swell up and corrode, and swell the caliper seals. (I don't know if it would affect the Zed, but bear in mind your cap calls for Dot3 and the brake system is old) Dot 3, 4, and 5.1 are Poly Glycol based fluids, and will mix with water. They are twice as less compressable as silicon and will give a better pedal feel. The only advantage of using Dot5 is on a pure race care due to the higher boiling point, which is not an issue on a road car. Racers change their fluid often, so the water issue is irrelevant.

I'll check it out. I have been living here for nearly 5 years, and was getting stuff from the UK. Then I realised that with the £-$ exchange rate I was cheaper getting stuff from the States. Thanks for your help.

So the list of "to do" is growing. Needs a radiator, a starter and fly wheel, and a general tidy up, I discovered more today.......... Battery is flat, so I don't bother locking it - not like it can be driven off anyway! Last few weeks I have noticed the rear spoiler "bubbles" getting worse due to the frost etc - today opened the boot and nearly drowned with all the water coming out of the tailgate. Needs a major service - although I know the engine was replaced just before I got it, I don't know the guy bothered to change the timing belt. It was a mates who was going back to the UK when the rad blew, and I bought it for beer money, literaly. Its a SWB NA manual slick, grey leather seats, minging tweed interior. Body work is ok, and it runs ok (takes a few goes due to the starter, but she starts) Given that I got it for pennies, I need some help as to what to do with it. Options are; fix it up, keeping it semi-original? do it up with aftermarket/performance parts and a bit of bling? get it running and rag the tits off it untill it dies on the track? break it and sell the parts? I dunno how to do the link, but you can check it out in the rides section. Just looking for opinions - thanks in advance.

Assuming you had the same problem, did you find any particularly good deals?

Thanks for that.

Hi can anyone tell me if the starter is the same on all models? I have an NA manual that needs a starter and most likely a flywheel/ring-gear. Due to lack of cash at the moment it will be second hand spares, just wondering what fits what. I would assume auto flywheels are different, but what about the starter? Thanks for any help in advance.

Yeah, they are universal - make sure you clean the glass before application etc.... Make sure you carry a spare set and any other items depending on where you are going - first aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher in some countries. I have been living on Germany for nearly 5 years, and seen a few expats get done for not carrying stuff that is required by law. Remember a Brit car is an easy target for plod looking to hand out fines, an lets be honest, a Zed draws a lot of attention! Last week one of our guys was in a smash - not (really) his fault - but he had nothing he should have had, other driver claimed he was dazzled (no light deflectors fitted) and he hadn't told his insurance company he was out of the UK. He has now got to fight all sorts of charges, and his insurance company have declared his policy void. Halfrauds used to sell everything in a pouch - buy one and throw it in the boot.

If it is in the car, you may find it was took off for loading/unloading onto ship or container so that it wouldn't catch on any ramps etc....?

Get the lads round with a few racks of beer, and set up your barbecue in HIS garden. Make sure you take the garden furniture over to for your own comfort, and have a kick about, all the while chucking the empties about his lawn. If he has an issue with it show him the vid of him in yours, then kick his head in. The guy must be a tit!

Try this - http://wrongway.org/cube/solve.html Use it when the missus goes in the bath - she thinks I am just really good at it. If she found out she would kill me! Derek

Thats cool - I was just a bit worried about the overseas postage thing, what with Christmas and stuff. Thanks again, Derek.