(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/3024_08_02_15_2_40_56.jpeg)
Please be patient, my daughter is not here to help. I think this is the other lady in my life. If I can learn how to do this proper I will show a few more and show you my J !! Yes I suck at computers, I work better with a wrench in my hand :good:
Quote from: gumby302ho on February 08, 2015, 02:54:23 PM
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/3024_08_02_15_2_40_56.jpeg)
Please be patient, my daughter is not here to help. I think this is the other lady in my life. If I can learn how to do this proper I will show a few more and show you my J !! Yes I suck at computers, I work better with a wrench in my hand :good:
+1 to all your comments. I can't stand confusers either. Beautiful bike, not an FJ but at least the right colors. Dave
Nice bike Gumby. A good friend of mine has a few GPZ 900's. His regular ride is a blue one . Keep those valves adjusted.
I always loved the old ninja 900 in red and silver, what a beauty. If didn't love the FJ so much I would consider owning one.
Back in the day (it was a Friday) the ninja 900 was a wobbler at high speed aka death wobble aka tank slapper . They got it worked out on the later models but the early ones were fun and spooky at the same time.
Quote from: Mark Olson on February 10, 2015, 02:28:33 AM
Back in the day (it was a Friday) the ninja 900 was a wobbler at high speed aka death wobble aka tank slapper . They got it worked out on the later models but the early ones were fun and spooky at the same time.
Mark, Kawasaki cornered the market on death machines before that with the original Z1, they could spit you off without warning on a straight road.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on February 10, 2015, 04:10:38 AM
Quote from: Mark Olson on February 10, 2015, 02:28:33 AM
Back in the day (it was a Friday) the ninja 900 was a wobbler at high speed aka death wobble aka tank slapper . They got it worked out on the later models but the early ones were fun and spooky at the same time.
Mark, Kawasaki cornered the market on death machines before that with the original Z1, they could spit you off without warning on a straight road.
Noel
Yes Noel, I am well aware of the legacy of Kawasaki motorcycles.... What do you think about the 2005 ZZR 1200 .. I have an opportunity to get one cheap and it feels and handles like my moddified FJ with a bit more punch.
Quote from: Mark Olson on February 10, 2015, 02:28:33 AM
Back in the day (it was a Friday) the ninja 900 was a wobbler at high speed aka death wobble aka tank slapper . They got it worked out on the later models but the early ones were fun and spooky at the same time.
Well I have never heard about issues at top speed on the first generation ZX, it sure didn't seem to show up in the production class TT in 1984 when it cleaned house! The reason it could go so fast is that its so bloody narrow of a machine! Its like a skinny runt compared to my FJ. Both the FJ and the 84 ZX growing up were my dream bikes to own, in my minds eye they just look so farging SASSY! My FJ is the work horse of coarse! :biggrin:
gumbo -- I have one as well -- I like it for the most part 6th gear and all --
hate to use this forum for questions on your ninja but if you have had any trouble with overheating and need some tips I can let you know what I have done..... also if you have some to share PM me --
I still have the issues as in the California heat it really taxes the little rad. credits to Rick Clemenson for this ride shot
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/596_11_02_15_1_06_57.jpeg)
Quote from: moparman70 on February 11, 2015, 01:10:30 AM
gumbo -- I have one as well -- I like it for the most part 6th gear and all --
hate to use this forum for questions on your ninja but if you have had any trouble with overheating and need some tips I can let you know what I have done..... also if you have some to share PM me --
I still have the issues as in the California heat it really taxes the little rad. credits to Rick Clemenson for this ride shot
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/596_11_02_15_1_06_57.jpeg)
Great Photo, you should have paid the man. :biggrin:
Noel
Quote from: moparman70 on February 11, 2015, 01:10:30 AM
gumbo -- I have one as well -- I like it for the most part 6th gear and all --
hate to use this forum for questions on your ninja but if you have had any trouble with overheating and need some tips I can let you know what I have done..... also if you have some to share PM me --
I still have the issues as in the California heat it really taxes the little rad. credits to Rick Clemenson for this ride shot
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/596_11_02_15_1_06_57.jpeg)
Steve,
I remember an article about the 900 back in the day. Seems the temp gauge was inaccurate and the bike mag used a resister in the circuit to correct that. As it was a long time ago, I don't remember the value of the resistor.
So I have to ask, is the bike actually overheating or is it just what the gauge is telling you?
BTW, nice bike you got there. And Rick does some excellent work. :i_am_so_happy:
Regards,
CraigO
My good friends 900 overheated a lot as well. He changed the rad cap, thermostat and uses some other type of coolant. I will find out later tonight exactly which products he used and post up what mods he did to keep it cool.
That a nice ride you have there!! I have to hang out with FJ drivers and listen to them wax on about their impossible feats..yawn....good to see a bit of KAWA around. I run a 85 GPZ900R blue and silver I have a bit of experience with the overheating issues. Before any mods I damn near poached the bloody thing several times. One trip to Boston had me running the sidewalk in heavy traffic trying to keep the fluid from puking.. not very successful.. Over the following spring/summer I made several changes. 1st and most important is the manual override switch, and don't be afraid of using it!!! the second I put a zx10 from the same era thermostat in it, it opens 10 degrees lower, a huge difference, next I use a coolant called Engine ice. it a pricey, but when your not puking it all over it lasts. the next is a Rad cap that opens at 1.1 bar's higher, it from a zx10 as well...it allows more pressure better flow and more cooling. the final thing is make sure your system is clean, and free of air. Bled it like a stuck pig. You can get a Muzzy fan blade as well but I haven't needed it. with these mods. I can actually idle it on the work stand for 30 mins. the gauge inaccurate or not never climbs over half. and if you done any riding in traffic, at lights that bugger will soar quickly.. punch the fan as you get off a hard piece of hwy, punch as you get up the traffic pack. send me an email if you want.
I must say this forum is excellent. there is a forum for gpz550 owners that is comparable. but nothing like this for 900r owners.. thanks for listening guys.
FJjohnnie... one more sleep and were new orleans bound :yahoo: :drinks:
Welcome aboard newbie. Why not introduce yourself in the introductions section. That way we can find out more about you. Hopefully we can convert you to an FJ at some point.
hmmmm I can be bought :dash2:
Quote from: Original81 :drinks:link=topic=13263.msg133699#msg133699 date=1423744943
FJjohnnie... one more sleep and were new orleans bound :yahoo:
That would make for a great trip report, guys. :drinks:
The only unfortunate thing about our trip to the south is our picture taker/tool carrier/pap smear, I mean cpap carrying friend isn't coming along to document it all. Perhaps its for the better.
Quote from: fj johnnie on February 12, 2015, 08:50:36 PM
The only unfortunate thing about our trip to the south is our picture taker/tool carrier/pap smear, I mean cpap carrying friend isn't coming along to document it all. Perhaps its for the better.
ugh :dash1: Next time!
Just don't let that nice looking 900 get away from you.... that one likes to find the phantom roads :mocking:
whoa whoa whoa.......some people like loops on a Ferris wheel, some like them on a roller coaster, some like fruit loops (are? :wacko3:)...it just so happens I like them on the horizontal plain. Every trip is a exploration...and somethings are worth seeing twice...but generally we dont actually see the interesting stuff twice...just some guy cutting his lawn.. oh well crack the throttle.. search the horizon..
Quote from: Original81 on February 12, 2015, 06:42:23 AM
That a nice ride you have there!! I have to hang out with FJ drivers and listen to them wax on about their impossible feats..yawn....good to see a bit of KAWA around. I run a 85 GPZ900R blue and silver I have a bit of experience with the overheating issues. Before any mods I damn near poached the bloody thing several times. One trip to Boston had me running the sidewalk in heavy traffic trying to keep the fluid from puking.. not very successful.. Over the following spring/summer I made several changes. 1st and most important is the manual override switch, and don't be afraid of using it!!! the second I put a zx10 from the same era thermostat in it, it opens 10 degrees lower, a huge difference, next I use a coolant called Engine ice. it a pricey, but when your not puking it all over it lasts. the next is a Rad cap that opens at 1.1 bar's higher, it from a zx10 as well...it allows more pressure better flow and more cooling. the final thing is make sure your system is clean, and free of air. Bled it like a stuck pig. You can get a Muzzy fan blade as well but I haven't needed it. with these mods. I can actually idle it on the work stand for 30 mins. the gauge inaccurate or not never climbs over half. and if you done any riding in traffic, at lights that bugger will soar quickly.. punch the fan as you get off a hard piece of hwy, punch as you get up the traffic pack. send me an email if you want.
I must say this forum is excellent. there is a forum for gpz550 owners that is comparable. but nothing like this for 900r owners.. thanks for listening guys.
FJjohnnie... one more sleep and were new orleans bound :yahoo: :drinks:
Well thanks for the tips "Original" I must admit that I recently not that long ago found my ZX. I will say that my temp gauge does not even work, the bike has been sitting for a while with PO. I still need to go through it. Growing up and watching MAD MAX the "Original" and seeing circle burnouts on those Kawasaki's was mind blowing, I have always leaned toward Yam & Kawi and I finally own both, for dirt always Honda. But if I was going to WAR im taken my FJ . Mel Gibson is a great farging actor. I just said way to much. Let the good times roll!! Cheers
Quote from: Original81 on February 12, 2015, 06:42:23 AM
send me an email if you want.
I must say this forum is excellent. there is a forum for gpz550 owners that is comparable. but nothing like this for 900r owners.. thanks for listening guys.
Thanks for the tips Original --- and to emphasize the last part very true indeed -- I did join a Ninja forum and to show how good our FJ one is I found out more in this one post than my term in the other forum. I did find bits and pieces of info and with that have a workable bike Ninja now. Some of the stuff you mentioned and some is new. I still may email you with what I have done as well so we can swap more paint. PS -- to be fair I was trying to get age old info from a site that dealt more with the modern Ninjas but still had a spot for the vintage --- a little different than our dedicated FJ site.
PSS - CraigO thanks to you as well -- I heard about that gauge issue and had ordered a OEM resistor that is suppose to correct the "higher than actual reading" -- it was only a 4 ohm if I recall and did lower it a little but the gauge is not the issue ( reality is the rad on the bikes is too small for low speed cruising and it will always overheat in traffic situation too long...
sc2
no problem on the tips... it is important to the info out..it is a lot more enjoyable riding that way.. I just finished a 2500 km jog around new Orleans with a FJ rider and a Honda rider, no issues what so ever other that the FJ rider continuously telling me how he has so much roll on power... well roll me a fatty then dude... I did have one close over heating issue, when we rolled out of a high speed leg and into a closed tight area at low speed... I forgot to hit the fan switch and it got a little boil going ... but it was all good.. OK kidding on the FJ rider..he is good friend and great accomplice in crime....had a great time and hope to do another epic ride this summer. a shout out to a new comer, the Honda guy... 2500km is not bad for a newbie to the road riding business, well done!! that is zero experience guy's and now he has solid road trip under his belt..
If anyone knows of any mods to the front end or rear suspension...that have been performed on a 900R let me know. be nice to get some beefer components... I know the European machines from '89 on upgrades in these areas.. not sure how to get my hands on some economical parts for this..
just kidding with the fatty thing...I like mine skinny..
no problem on the tips... it is important to the info out..it is a lot more enjoyable riding that way.. I just finished a 2500 km jog around new Orleans with a FJ rider and a Honda rider, no issues what so ever other that the FJ rider continuously telling me how he has so much roll on power... well roll me a fatty then dude... I did have one close over heating issue, when we rolled out of a high speed leg and into a closed tight area at low speed... I forgot to hit the fan switch and it got a little boil going ... but it was all good.. OK kidding on the FJ rider..he is good friend and great accomplice in crime....had a great time and hope to do another epic ride this summer. a shout out to a new comer, the Honda guy... 2500km is not bad for a newbie to the road riding business, well done!! that is zero experience guy's and now he has solid road trip under his belt..
If anyone knows of any mods to the front end or rear suspension...that have been performed on a 900R let me know. be nice to get some beefer components... I know the European machines from '89 on upgrades in these areas.. not sure how to get my hands on some economical parts for this..
just kidding with the fatty thing...I like mine skinny..
Nice looking machine, I always enjoyed the blue ones as well, it looks amazing in my minds eye! If you like mach speed blasting you will take your pals machine, just draft his ass until physics takes over then simply pull out and pass!!!!! :wacko2:
As the token FJ rider in the group I felt it was important to continually ask the others what they were doing with their left foot all the time . We had an excellent trip for sure. The roads in Louisiana and Alabama are not like Pennsylvania. However nothing is like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The Kwakker led the way and did a fine job!
I was in New Orleans for Haloween and i heard Mardi Gras was probably 3 times as packed and crazy!
(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh578/Sabre093/20141102_000857.jpg) (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/Sabre093/media/20141102_000857.jpg.html)
Some of the Crazy down there!Sporting my Yamaha Hoddie!
Quote from: fj johnnie on February 25, 2015, 06:11:02 PM
As the token FJ rider in the group I felt it was important to continually ask the others what they were doing with their left foot all the time . We had an excellent trip for sure. The roads in Louisiana and Alabama are not like Pennsylvania. However nothing is like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The Kwakker led the way and did a fine job!
for the record my Canadian friends -- I am from Milton-- -- and miss my old stomping grounds -- used to ride PA all the time as well. The 86 FJ I have was born in Ontario and has most of its miles put there and PA -- oh a trip to Cal -- Blue Ridge.... with Regular runs to the Falls for bike nights. and my local run of Cedar Springs Road.
Good times ...
Hey Moparman. Many of us are in the Niagara peninsula and ride out to the escarpment regularly. The little gas station in Campbellville is a meeting place every Sunday morning for old Italian, Japanese , and British bikes. In the past 20 years Milton has quadrupled in size.
"Nice looking machine, I always enjoyed the blue ones as well, it looks amazing in my minds eye! If you like mach speed blasting you will take your pals machine, just draft his ass until physics takes over then simply pull out and pass!!!!!"
Not sure about the drop down and hammer it pass, he is pretty agile and with his big trunk can block pretty effectively, I often find him passing me on a ramp (inside and outside) :dash1:....and once that fj spools up...it pretty hard to beat his terminal velocity, but there are sweet spots I can get him on....Thanks for the comments gumby320ho..