Hi All
I bought a non running FJ1200 as a project a couple weeks ago. It's my first motorbike ever.
So I'm wondering, how do you start one. I'm just trying to get it to turn over with the starter button as a first step.
IE: Hold in clutch lever, have in neutral.
What about the kickstand...Up? Down?
As I said I've never had any bike to know what you guys might consider common sense regarding one.
:Facepalm:
cheers
Damo
With the key on and the bike in neutral the green neutral light in the instrument cluster should light. Then turn the engine stop switch to the run position . Now pushing the starter switch the engine should turn over. When in neutral it doesn't matter if the kickstand is up or down.
The other way to start it ( while it is in gear ) is with the kickstand up the clutch lever pulled in and the engine stop switch in the run position .
Quote from: T Legg on January 02, 2022, 02:14:41 AM
With the key on and the bike in neutral the green neutral light in the instrument cluster should light. Then turn the engine stop switch to the run position . Now pushing the starter switch the engine should turn over. When in neutral it doesn't matter if the kickstand is up or down.
The other way to start it ( while it is in gear ) is with the kickstand up the clutch lever pulled in and the engine stop switch in the run position .
thanks heaps. that makes sense.
My other problem is I don't have a cluster, but that gives me food for thought. Thanks
Damo, on my signature line there is a link to down loading a free Owners Manual. Good stuff inside.
Cheers
Pat
Damo,
Sorry, but you are proposing to pass a Drivers' Education class using a Formula One racer. The FJ engine can write checks that the brakes can not cash, unless you have a lot of pavement out in front of you. The engine can also lift the front wheel, with no help from the clutch or rider, when accelerating.
It's okay to get the bike running, although that job may be more involved than you hope now. Even then, you would be far better served to get a much younger bike, in the range of 250cc~500cc, and gain some serious riding skills before you try the FJ. It is a heavy beast, and it can be unforgiving to the inexperienced.
Unfortunately, the cost of mistakes can be very serious, both for the bike and for your body. You have old tires, and old brake lines. Brake and clutch fluids may be contaminated now. You have too much engine for any new rider. I strongly suggest that you leave the FJ parked, while you gain good riding experience on a smaller, friendlier bike. The FJ can still be there, when you are better prepared for it.
Please get advice from trusted local riders there, before you ride the FJ for the first time.
My US$.02 worth . . .
Red: +1 exactly what I was thinking.....
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 02, 2022, 10:17:50 AM
Red: +1 exactly what I was thinking.....
I'll echo both of your thoughts - it's just so easy to spin the back tire on a FJ, even from low revs in a high gear (because of its low down power and drivability), that it'sa Recipe for disaster for an outright beginner to jump on and ride one.
And that's not an issue limited to FJ's. Any big bike from the mid 80's onwards is the wrong machine for a beginner. My brother in law passed his test for his license in New Jersey and then promptly crashed his bike pulling out of the parking lot of the place he did his test. As he pulled out and turned right into the flow of traffic, he opened the throttle a touch too quickly and the combination of his clumsiness, a turning bike and a slight lean angle caused the back tyre to spin and rear of the bike to come round, spitting him off the bike into the road. And that bike was just a CBR 600.
PLEASE - keep the FJ, but learn to ride on something smaller and less powerful (but at least as practical - ie , not a R6, GSXR 600, CBR 600 RR etc) before you venture out on the FJ.
Once you have some experience, then try out the FJ carefully and grow into it :good2:
And remember, doing the same thing for 10 years without learning anything is not 10 years of experience, it's just "1 ride of experience" repeated for 10 years!
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 02, 2022, 10:17:50 AM
Red: +1 exactly what I was thinking.....
Valid Concerns. Thanks for looking out for me.
But.....I'll only be riding it as a trike. That was why I bought it. I'm sure it will be something I'll be able to be pretty irresponsible with when I'm finished, but it should be pretty safe as far as it can be. I'll be building it low and wide so tipping will be very difficult.
I'm fully aware it isn't a starter bike and promised myself NO riding when its running.
I don't want to be a "Tempoary Australian"
cheers blokes
Damo
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 02, 2022, 06:35:55 AM
Damo, on my signature line there is a link to down loading a free Owners Manual. Good stuff inside.
Cheers
Pat
Thanks Pat. That was pretty helpful.
Any chance you are going for a reverse trike?!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg)
:Facepalm:
Quote from: fj1289 on January 02, 2022, 07:41:29 PM
Any chance you are going for a reverse trike?!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg)
Yep, the only safe configuration.
Noel
Quote from: red on January 02, 2022, 08:09:19 AM
Damo,
Sorry, but you are proposing to pass a Drivers' Education class using a Formula One racer. The FJ engine can write checks that the brakes can not cash....
Guys, this is a moot point, in Australia he can't ride an FJ for the first 3 years after becoming licensed anyway, as he's never ridden before he may not yet realise this himself. He will be limited to a 250 or restricted bikes up to 650 by law.
I used to be a "Licensed Vehicle Tester" (in Australia), that's a Govt licence that let me issue "Roadworthiness Certificates", simply put, it is as the name implies a certificate that says the vehicle is safe for road use ( having such a licence was generally considered a licence to print money)
Part of this process was a road test, primarily to test braking but also any other issue that became apparent that might make the vehicle unsafe or unsuitable for road use. The last trike I rode was for just such a test some 40 years ago and the fact I remember it so vividly speaks volumes.
When you accelerate on such a vehicle there are two forces at play (actually it's the same force manifested in two different ways) on the bike (trike), propelling you forward and rotating the machine around the rear wheel. Because trikes are heavier than bikes, more of that forward propulsion is transferred to rotational force, that is, wheelies.
If, as I found myself doing on this occasion, you are cornering and apply enough power at any point at all before straightening up, the front wheel either lifts, or at the very least, lightens enough to loose directional control and the trike instantly stops turning and shoots straight ahead. Two instinctive and almost involuntary reactions follow, more lock and back off the throttle, perhaps even some brake, at which point the front wheel re-establishes solid contact with the road but with the bars turned tighter!
This immediately stands the bike up on the two outside wheels just prior to flipping, most likely the first of many times given their shape, short wheel base and track, or like me, you get lucky and whack the bars back the other way just in time to slam is back down on the road and just make the corner.
Now, if you ride them like an old woman, no problem, but unlike a bike, lifting or sufficiently un weighting the front wheel loses directional control.
Everyone knows what an understeering car feels like and they have two front wheels turning the vehicle, fat tyres, and an engine above pinning them to the ground! Harley factory trikes get away with it because they're so gutless.
Anyway, that's just my personal opinion and thank God we're all different.
I don't wish to be a wet blanket Damo, but it might be worth your while to look into the registration requirements before investing too much time or money. Welding x-rays, engineers certificates, RWC's etc. can make for some difficult obstacles, this ain't the good ol' US of A where it appears you can ride/drive just about anything on the road. Most Australian states make it tough to register a home made vehicle. The compliance requirements are the same as a factory produced unit.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on January 03, 2022, 03:55:10 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on January 02, 2022, 07:41:29 PMAny chance you are going for a reverse trike?!
http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg (http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg)
Yep, the only safe configuration.
Noel
Damo,
As trikes go, a reverse trike (tadpole) may make good sense for you. The front suspension on the old VW Beetles was all in one piece, with torsion bar suspension, shock absorbers, spindles, steering, and legal brakes. It is all tried-and-true hardware. The entire front-end assembly installed with just four bolts. Lots of engineering right there, and at breaker-yard prices. Check it out.
Didn't you see that sexy cantilevered suspension?! :pardon:
Quote from: fj1289 on January 03, 2022, 03:04:24 PMDidn't you see that sexy cantilevered suspension?! :pardon:
fj1289,
How much did it cost, and who built it?
Got any better pix?
Quote from: fj1289 on January 02, 2022, 07:41:29 PM
Any chance you are going for a reverse trike?!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg)
Those gum balls sure look impressive on that trike, but I don't think there will be enough weight on them to get those tires up to proper operating temperature. Still, they do look bad ass...
Here's more info on this critter
(https://drivetribe.imgix.net/J7BaUZgyRei-ly1K4Z29ag?w=742&h=357&auto=format,compress&fit=crop&crop=faces)
https://drivetribe.com/p/honda-hornet-reverse-trike-M16dCZOOQxOR8nO4xsnRNA
Thanks Pat
It was literally the first pic I saw when I googled reverse trike
The VW front end was the first thing I thought of - functional but ugly!
As close to the center as you can mount the a-arm pivots, I'd bet you can get pretty good geometry out of it.
And since it is all out on display, a cool cantilevered suspension setup would be a focal point.
Or build a racing sidecar inspired trike - really low and wide!
Quote from: red on January 03, 2022, 09:18:35 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on January 03, 2022, 03:04:24 PMDidn't you see that sexy cantilevered suspension?! :pardon:
fj1289,
How much did it cost, and who built it?
Got any better pix?
You got me thinking, how about getting my pal Jim to put a FJ engine in his Can Am Spyder ??? I think that would be way cool ! Just like a skidding rear end sliding snowmobile on the roads.....yeehaaaa!
Dean, with a FJ engine in the Can Am think, airflow, airflow, airflow (or lack thereof)
......a 1300/1400cc water pumper would be my choice.
I have never ridden a reverse trike like the Can Am. Quad racers, yes, reverse trike no...at least, not yet.
I also want to try the Yamaha Niken.
Cheers
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 04, 2022, 09:09:50 AM
Dean, with a FJ engine in the Can Am think, airflow, airflow, airflow (or lack thereof)
......a 1300/1400cc water pumper would be my choice.
Pat, cooling shouldn't be a problem, with proper ducting to keep it cool, and/or maybe a couple larger oil coolers. We run them in fully enclosed body cars, that have a 11X9" opening in the nose, with 3 oil coolers, 2 larger 11"x11" and one the size of the motorcycle oil cooler. We run wide open for 35-45 minutes and don't have a problem in 110 degree days. We even have to tape off the coolers to get them to operating temps in the winter months. It would also allow the use of some large Spal fans that really move some CFM, one 10" VA15-AP70/LL-39A * 10"P/12V Spal can move 1081 CFM compared to the little guys Alan H could fit on the single small cooler at 148CFM(Shown in Rolf's post), one on each larger cooler and it will suck the heat out in stop and go traffic, with ease.
Robert has answered better than I possibly could have Pat, as I was only going to say that I'd have the front opened up, to have the engine sitting proud, in the air stream :sarcastic:
I've ridden the Spyder and it's a bit of a hoot, but not my cup of tea in traffic, or on slow, narrow, tight winding roads. The auto blipper on downshifts is my favourite bit :good2:
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 03, 2022, 10:22:03 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on January 02, 2022, 07:41:29 PM
Any chance you are going for a reverse trike?!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg)
Those gum balls sure look impressive on that trike, but I don't think there will be enough weight on them to get those tires up to proper operating temperature. Still, they do look bad ass...
Here's more info on this critter
(https://drivetribe.imgix.net/J7BaUZgyRei-ly1K4Z29ag?w=742&h=357&auto=format,compress&fit=crop&crop=faces)
https://drivetribe.com/p/honda-hornet-reverse-trike-M16dCZOOQxOR8nO4xsnRNA (https://drivetribe.com/p/honda-hornet-reverse-trike-M16dCZOOQxOR8nO4xsnRNA)
That thing does look the business. I've often thought about building a lotus 7 replica. That front suspension would look awesome on one. But I'll be building with the traditional two rear wheels
As for safety, far too many people build custom stuff with very little thought to functionality. I've given this a LOT of thought.
This will be LOW. This will be LONGER. As I wont be leaning in a turn, I don't need anywhere near as much clearance as a bike so I can drop the chassis height and center of gravity a bunch. I'll be building a custom frame so all dimensions are in my control. I'm sure it will lighten the front wheel, but it wont be anything like the original FJ in that regard. I'll also be sitting way lower. I see the CofG being at max half the height of a stock FJ with rider.
It wont be as safe as a camry, but it should work pretty well.
The free license I get from Work for my 3D CAD software just expired, which is a bummer as I was gong to make some plans now I have the bike to measure. And so others can see what I'm talking about. Next week I should have something. I really want to see my minds creation on the screen.
cheers
Damo
Quote from: red on January 03, 2022, 08:54:42 AM
Quote from: ribbert on January 03, 2022, 03:55:10 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on January 02, 2022, 07:41:29 PMAny chance you are going for a reverse trike?!
http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg (http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg)
Yep, the only safe configuration.
Noel
Damo,
As trikes go, a reverse trike (tadpole) may make good sense for you. The front suspension on the old VW Beetles was all in one piece, with torsion bar suspension, shock absorbers, spindles, steering, and legal brakes. It is all tried-and-true hardware. The entire front-end assembly installed with just four bolts. Lots of engineering right there, and at breaker-yard prices. Check it out.
My first car was a 62 beetle. Not a safe handling car.
Chronic push.....Chronic Oversteer. Flip a coin and push it and see what happens. I'm lucky that little bugger only had 40hp.
Quote from: OzDamo on January 04, 2022, 06:09:41 PMMy first car was a 62 beetle. Not a safe handling car.
Chronic push.....Chronic Oversteer. Flip a coin and push it and see what happens. I'm lucky that little bugger only had 40hp.
Damo,
Off topic a bit, but I believe the old Beetles handled poorly because of the
rear suspension, not the front. At certain speeds or if the rear end unloaded (due to a bump in the road), the rear outside wheel could tuck under, causing oversteer.
No front end could fix that issue. Now back to our regularly scheduled mayhem . . . :yes:
Quote from: red on January 04, 2022, 06:38:43 PM
Quote from: OzDamo on January 04, 2022, 06:09:41 PMMy first car was a 62 beetle. Not a safe handling car.
Chronic push.....Chronic Oversteer. Flip a coin and push it and see what happens. I'm lucky that little bugger only had 40hp.
Damo,
Off topic a bit, but I believe the old Beetles handled poorly because of the rear suspension, not the front. At certain speeds or if the rear end unloaded (due to a bump in the road), the rear outside wheel could tuck under, causing oversteer.
No front end could fix that issue. Now back to our regularly scheduled mayhem with . . . :yes:
Yep. But the two foot long hand brake lever, rear engine and massive rear drums meant it was the king on hand brake fun. 100kmhr lockup's straight as an arrow.... You bet.
Like I said, glad it only had 40hp.