Hi Snakebite, yeah the front brakes are fine, but after the full strip I did on the rear I can notice a slight lack of initial bite compared to the rear, so will definitely be doing a strip on them too.

I'll let you know how the clutch goes. It seems a lot more accessible and easier to dis/reassemble than some I've seen. I'm mainly doing it to see if I can improve on the action and also selecting neutral once stopped. Mine hasn't shown any tendency to slip either.

I find the rear shock on original factory settings is surprisingly good for the road. And if it's serviceable then I'll put it on the list to get done along with the front forks and rear linkages. The ZX10 shock idea likely wouldn't be an improvement anyway. Hopefully my linkage won't have the same fault as yours.

On the plus side, the shock linkages aren't expensive to pick up second hand, I ran out and got one with no problem.

4 hours ago, Snakebite68 said:

On the plus side, the shock linkages aren't expensive to pick up second hand, I ran out and got one with no problem.

Useful to know, cheers 😁

Hi, I'm Dan.  I live in Poole.  I currently have a 2002 Thundercat which I've owned for 3 years since returning to 2 wheels after a lengthy lay off! I have just acquired a 2001 Thunderace which I bought from an auction site for not a lot of money. 12,000 miles but I think much UNloved.  It starts on the button and runs well. Unfortunately, as I don't want to get wet, (I'm far too old for those shenanigans) I didn't get to ride it for a couple of weeks.  However, one Sunday morning, the sun made an appearance so I decided to take it for a little spin. 10 miles later I'm back home and well pleased with the initial run once I'd put some proper air in the tyres!  I did notice when back in the garage that the clutch master cylinder bolts were literally hanging out so took the decision there and then to pull it off the road and look at it properly.  I can't trust anyone else's handiwork when such a glaring error was made!  I've decided to service the machine even though the seller stated that he had done it.  I'm also changing all the lines for braided and all the fairing bolts for stainless steel. You should have seen the mish mash that was on it!

I am hoping to find some friendly voices on here and maybe a few tips and helpful advice.  My only query thus far is about mounting paddock stand bobbins on the swingarm and how they don't go tight all of the way due to the weld on the arm.  Will they just be ok wound tight to the weld or do people utilise a spacer such as a split washer underneath?

 

Any replies will be well received.  

Thanks, Dan 

the bobbins tighten up fully on my swingarm?

On 5/17/2023 at 10:55 PM, Thunderdan said:

Hi, I'm Dan.  I live in Poole.  I currently have a 2002 Thundercat which I've owned for 3 years since returning to 2 wheels after a lengthy lay off! I have just acquired a 2001 Thunderace which I bought from an auction site for not a lot of money. 12,000 miles but I think much UNloved.  It starts on the button and runs well. Unfortunately, as I don't want to get wet, (I'm far too old for those shenanigans) I didn't get to ride it for a couple of weeks.  However, one Sunday morning, the sun made an appearance so I decided to take it for a little spin. 10 miles later I'm back home and well pleased with the initial run once I'd put some proper air in the tyres!  I did notice when back in the garage that the clutch master cylinder bolts were literally hanging out so took the decision there and then to pull it off the road and look at it properly.  I can't trust anyone else's handiwork when such a glaring error was made!  I've decided to service the machine even though the seller stated that he had done it.  I'm also changing all the lines for braided and all the fairing bolts for stainless steel. You should have seen the mish mash that was on it!

I am hoping to find some friendly voices on here and maybe a few tips and helpful advice.  My only query thus far is about mounting paddock stand bobbins on the swingarm and how they don't go tight all of the way due to the weld on the arm.  Will they just be ok wound tight to the weld or do people utilise a spacer such as a split washer underneath?

 

Any replies will be well received.  

Thanks, Dan 

Grats!

Yeah, better safe than sorry, no telling what else may be loose.
Service stuff doesn't cost much surprisingly, other than maybe the actual oil (of which you'll want to keep a stock of for topups)...

Don't forget the clutch line when getting braided and make sure you're getting the twin front lines, not the up and over variety.

Yeah, so long as your bobbins are firm, there shouldn't be a problem.

best bike i've owned, three years of happiness now, what's not to like - comfy, sits well and goes well.

Looks like you've got your original exhaust on. How's your EXUP doing?

makes an awful noise, but since it is only a worn valve i have left it, they are like hens teeth to find and even then the access fixings will be rusted.

whereabouts are you s/bite please? just roughly.

I'm West Yorkshire.

You need to get that EXUP open and serviced! Like you say, they're rare now, so you don't want it to wear too much...

Wonder what happened to my old YZF, sadly likely in a scrap heap somewhere now. Loved that bike, still one of the most fun bikes I've had.

On 13/07/2025 at 12:09, Snakebite68 said:

I'm West Yorkshire.

You need to get that EXUP open and serviced! Like you say, they're rare now, so you don't want it to wear too much...

this is probably the way to go - no valve required.

eBay UK

YZF1000R Thunderace 1996-2003 Exhaust Downpipes Headers -...

UK customers - please note this silencer is not road legal in the UK and will be marked Not for Road Use Exhaust Downpipes Headers Fits: Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace 1996-2003 models. - Weight : 3.8...

On 15/07/2025 at 05:40, Alex said:

Wonder what happened to my old YZF, sadly likely in a scrap heap somewhere now. Loved that bike, still one of the most fun bikes I've had.

thunderace motorcycles are surprisingly inexpensive here in the UK, sportsbikes aren't the thing anymore, here at least - more adventure, naked, retro et al now.

Yup, that's what's on my Ace... 😁

Now clean your EXUP before you need one of those! rofl


P.S.

I'm actually a little confused about mine. I upgraded to the BW pipes a couple of years ago, it had a cheap one piece stainless version before.

The valve motor is definitely not there, but I also can't find a servo cheater..?
Apparently, it's possible that the servo has been switched off in the ECU...

9 minutes ago, Snakebite68 said:

Yup, that's what's on my Ace... 😁

Now clean your EXUP before you need one of those! rofl


P.S.

I'm actually a little confused about mine. I upgraded to the BW pipes a couple of years ago, it had a cheap one piece stainless version before.

The valve motor is definitely not there, but I also can't find a servo cheater..?
Apparently, it's possible that the servo has been switched off in the ECU...

dunno snake, the little motor under the tank pulls cables to operate the valve, the cables travel behind the engine and are a fiddle to replace, the problem with mine is that the fittings are so rusted that I can't get to the valve which runs right across the four pipes under the engine, it is loose but at least it works albeit noisily lol.

This is what the BW people say:-

Exhaust Downpipes Headers

Fits: Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace 1996-2003 models.

• Weight : 3.8 Kilos (8.4 lbs), Saving over 7 kilos ( 15 lbs ) on the original headers.

• These upgraded headers are designed to out perform the original headers with no EXUP valve.  

• No re-jetting/modifications required for bikes on standard settings. 

• Four engine port gaskets included.  We also include the slip on silencer flange which allows you to refit the original Yamaha silencer if you wish to.

• Remove the exhaust control cables, leave the electric motor in place. No fault codes will show.

see particularly the last bullet point, if you haven't got the electric motor I guess something else has been done to make the bike perform OK, or not, if it goes alright then no worries?

me with the thunderace about 18mths ago i think, maybe 2 yrs.. taken the stickers off since.

On 17/05/2023 at 22:55, Thunderdan said:

Hi, I'm Dan.  I live in Poole.  I currently have a 2002 Thundercat which I've owned for 3 years since returning to 2 wheels after a lengthy lay off! I have just acquired a 2001 Thunderace which I bought from an auction site for not a lot of money. 12,000 miles but I think much UNloved.  It starts on the button and runs well. Unfortunately, as I don't want to get wet, (I'm far too old for those shenanigans) I didn't get to ride it for a couple of weeks.  However, one Sunday morning, the sun made an appearance so I decided to take it for a little spin. 10 miles later I'm back home and well pleased with the initial run once I'd put some proper air in the tyres!  I did notice when back in the garage that the clutch master cylinder bolts were literally hanging out so took the decision there and then to pull it off the road and look at it properly.  I can't trust anyone else's handiwork when such a glaring error was made!  I've decided to service the machine even though the seller stated that he had done it.  I'm also changing all the lines for braided and all the fairing bolts for stainless steel. You should have seen the mish mash that was on it!

I am hoping to find some friendly voices on here and maybe a few tips and helpful advice.  My only query thus far is about mounting paddock stand bobbins on the swingarm and how they don't go tight all of the way due to the weld on the arm.  Will they just be ok wound tight to the weld or do people utilise a spacer such as a split washer underneath?

 

Any replies will be well received.  

Thanks, Dan 

I had a thundercat until recently, sold it to a friend - of the two i prefer the ace although at my age, 74, the cat made more sense weightwise however, the ace is the more comfortable over distance. They are outstanding value, mine's done 50k miles nearly and hardly uses oil. With the cat there were minor frame/swing arm corrosion problems but the ace is all alloy so less conern in that department. In the time I've owned it, 3 yrs now, I've not come across another ace owner.