I have been riding since i was 8 (briggs and stratton hardtail minibike with flat steel rear scrub brake)
got my first streetbike in 1980 at the tender age of 16 (honda hawk)
bought a brand new 85 RZ350 in 1986.. i really wanted the new 86 FJ1200 but being a poor college student meant the RZ was all i could afford (still got it)
flash forward to 1999 when i finally found a mint 86 FJ with only 3500 miles on it and joined the FJ group on yahoo. i only had to read back 50 some posts to get to the very beginning on that group. ( looks like i wont have to read back any on this one 8)
well the modifying began once i realized i couldnt actually shop for 16" tires and it all went kind of crazy from there.....
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/FrankBike.jpg)
once i got the running gear sorted it was time for some power enhancements......starting with this
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/new2.jpg)
torn down
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/casesplit.jpg)
new lighter crank
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/Lightenedcrank2.jpg)
1349 pistons,cams etc etc
we wound up with this
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/Brutus2.jpg)
162 rear wheel HP and a gobsmackin 115lb/ft of torque
of course any hotrod worth its salt also has a hotrod paintjob.......
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/IMG_0795.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/IMG_0794.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/IMG_0793.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/IMG_0796.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/IMG_0856c.jpg)
i still have all the original red white bodywork just in case something happens but so far so good.
KOokaloo!... is a word my little sister made up as i was teaching her to ride my old 1978 YZ80 (she was 8 yrs old).... she had mastered the kick start, the clutch and was working really hard on wheelies across my parents front yard...... as she wheelied i heard her screaming KOOKALOOOOOOOOOOOO! and she described the word to me later as a feeling of excitement and freedom..... i adopted the "word" and though it might not make sense to anyone else it seems to strike a chord with anyone who has ever spun the tach on their FJ past 8000 RPM in second gear ;D
i look forward to getting to know all the people i dont know and hanging out/riding again with all the people i already know.
KOokaloo!
Frank
Yea sounds like you got it going on lad!!!!!! lol same face new place aint that a gas......
Eric M
Nice FJ Frank, looks like fun.
Yes Frank....that is one kick ass FJ!! I remember when you had Brutus just put in at the 2006 ECFR and you were working out a few kinks...and doing power wheelies in the middle of the Cherohala (spelling?). I look forward to seeing the AWESOMELY PAINTED finished product at the ECFR this year.
I also got to experience a nice power wheelie on a Ducati 1098 while passing a car at 65+ mph...I had accidently downshifted to 3rd gear (thought I was in 4th) and shot around a car with my front wheel up in the middle of his window before realizing it! Now, I'm not a squid...but that was pretty cool!
That's SWEEEEET Frank, you're the MAN!!!
Cheers Brother...
Frank-
I remember Brutus in 2006, pre-paint as well. Sure looks handsome now! Congrats.
Dan
KOOKALOO indeed. 1349cc that thing is properly named Brutus!! maybe one day i will have the money to "brutalize" my FJ ;D
OGmudbone
AKA
John
Frank,I am going to use your bike and its power as my inspiration.I would like to crank out at least that much from the rear wheel,but I am hoping I can get even more.The major problem to this will be getting past the gate keeper :)Dave
Quote from: Davetammy on February 11, 2009, 12:50:00 AM
Frank,I am going to use your bike and its power as my inspiration.I would like to crank out at least that much from the rear wheel,but I am hoping I can get even more.The major problem to this will be getting past the gate keeper :)Dave
Dave,
I had two options when building the engine..... build big HP or build a torque monster........ i opted for the torque monster since i ride on the street and rarely do top end runs ..... this was done by keeping the stock valve sizes (aftermarket valves) big valves give the big HP but lower torque values.
@2500 RPM Brutus makes as much torque as a stock FJ motor @ peak .... there arent many bikes that can touch the old girl coming off the line 8)
KOokaloo!
Frank
Quote from: Marsh White on February 09, 2009, 08:24:26 PMI remember when you had Brutus just put in at the 2006 ECFR and you were working out a few kinks...and doing power wheelies in the middle of the Cherohala
Here are a few kinks being worked out.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2zY0IuDMgDQ/RY0oDTtDm4I/AAAAAAAAACg/51HbVQMeQow/s512/DSCF0016_4.JPG)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_2zY0IuDMgDQ/RY0naDtDm2I/AAAAAAAAACQ/pF6pkhEr5DM/s512/DSCF0011_1-1.JPG)
frank,
out of curiosity, what bikes out there would you consider to be in that category?
Quote from: racerman_27410 on February 11, 2009, 02:02:08 PM
Quote from: Davetammy on February 11, 2009, 12:50:00 AM
Frank,I am going to use your bike and its power as my inspiration.I would like to crank out at least that much from the rear wheel,but I am hoping I can get even more.The major problem to this will be getting past the gate keeper :)Dave
Dave,
I had two options when building the engine..... build big HP or build a torque monster........ i opted for the torque monster since i ride on the street and rarely do top end runs ..... this was done by keeping the stock valve sizes (aftermarket valves) big valves give the big HP but lower torque values.
@2500 RPM Brutus makes as much torque as a stock FJ motor @ peak .... there arent many bikes that can touch the old girl coming off the line 8)
KOokaloo!
Frank
Dean,
two bikes i would consider in the same breath...
ZX 14
busa
Quote from: racerman_27410 on February 11, 2009, 08:12:06 PM
Dean,
two bikes i would consider in the same breath...
ZX 14
busa
What about the FJR ???
[/quote]
What about the FJR ???
[/quote]
not even 90 ft lbs of torque...... and heavy
still a good bike though
hah, nope, not even in the same performance league with the busa and zx14. (but then, it's not supposed to be.)
Quote from: racerman_27410 on February 11, 2009, 08:26:02 PM
What about the FJR ???
[/quote]
not even 90 ft lbs of torque...... and heavy
still a good bike though
[/quote]
I know a guy who turned his ZX14 into a pretty nice sport tourer but according to him the engine is a lot buzzier than it should be.... he says it rattles his mirrors and he rides covering the clutch lever because it makes annoying vibrating noises at highway speeds.
i think that is just unacceptable given the advances in technology over the last 20 years.
KOokaloo!
Frank
I'm yet to find out how the busa will go as a sport tourer:)But I do know that she doesn't rattle at highway speeds,or at double highway speeds:)Not that I would've noticed anyway,as all my concentration was on other things,like trying to hold onto something that was still pulling at 200kmh+:)I don't think that is something I would like to try fully loaded though.Dave :)
Dave,
I know exactly what you mean..... my new engine pulls just like that.....the more you wind it the harder it pulls.... in 4th at 7500rpm with a full throttle whack it pulls so hard it will blur my vision..... wish i could find a way to fit a steering damper so i could do a top speed run at the east coast timing assoc. in Maxton NC..... i bet it would go over 200 MPH. ....the gearing calculator i used says my gearing should be good for that.
no place to try top speed runs on my local roads.... thank goodness ;D
be cool with that BUSA until you get used to compressing time and space.
KOokaloo!
Frank
Holy hell Frank,over 200MPH!!On an FJ!!!Even though it is basically a modern m/cycle with all the work done on it,that would still be an incredible thing to see!!Would love to be there and watch that,friggin wild mate!!!:)Dave.
Dave, none of our bikes will tolerate fools, especially ham handed ones( not throwing a stone, just stating a fact). I've seen 155 mph on the GPS which is pushing a lot of air with an FJ fairing and there was more left, how much more, who knows and like Frank says without a steering dampner you can't run at a event and there is no need to really push it too far on the street. I know what you definitely don't want to move your head around under hard acceleration or the world does these funny cheetah flips inside your head. You also don't want to roll off the gas at that point and have the gas tank shove you jewels through your throat and out your nose, DAMHIK, right Frank ::) My GSXR 1000 will do 185 mph and I think my FJ might keep up since the rear wheel HP is pretty close, the limitation would be aerodynamics but 100 #'s of torque does help with that piece.
Have you looked a Scotts or GPR dampers, Frank? I'd bet one of them could work....send them an email....
Quote from: racerman_27410 on February 16, 2009, 05:16:25 PM
Dave,
I know exactly what you mean..... my new engine pulls just like that.....the more you wind it the harder it pulls.... in 4th at 7500rpm with a full throttle whack it pulls so hard it will blur my vision..... wish i could find a way to fit a steering damper so i could do a top speed run at the east coast timing assoc. in Maxton NC..... i bet it would go over 200 MPH. ....the gearing calculator i used says my gearing should be good for that.
no place to try top speed runs on my local roads.... thank goodness ;D
be cool with that BUSA until you get used to compressing time and space.
KOokaloo!
Frank
Frank, I have a design that I worked up for my YZF600 that I bet you could adapt to the FJ... I will take a few measurements next time I visit Dean.
Eric? how detailed do you need a drawing to be make the part for Frank?
Quote from: the fan on February 16, 2009, 07:15:02 PM
Frank, I have a design that I worked up for my YZF600 that I bet you could adapt to the FJ... I will take a few measurements next time I visit Dean.
Eric? how detailed do you need a drawing to be make the part for Frank?
Bill if its just a bracket send me a pic and dimensions and I will see what I can mock up for MR member......
Eric M
Quote from: Yamifj1200 on February 16, 2009, 07:16:57 PM
Quote from: the fan on February 16, 2009, 07:15:02 PM
Frank, I have a design that I worked up for my YZF600 that I bet you could adapt to the FJ... I will take a few measurements next time I visit Dean.
Eric? how detailed do you need a drawing to be make the part for Frank?
Bill if its just a bracket send me a pic and dimensions and I will see what I can mock up for MR member......
Eric M
sweet..... if we can pull this off i will definitely do a top speed run at maxton.... i'm really curious what the bike will do.
Kookaloo!
Frank
Do they have an air cooled bagger class??? It might be an interesting record to shoot for if they do. I've thought about trying it with the GSXR with the HB bags installed, but then some guy with turbo busa could come along and kick my butt. Either of our FJs would kick the butts of the HD crowd. Something to check in to, just for fun. :D
[/quote]
Bill if its just a bracket send me a pic and dimensions and I will see what I can mock up for MR member......
Eric M
[/quote]
I will give Dean a call and get a few measurements. Frank, the FZ1 forks on your bike are 43mm correct?
"Frank, the FZ1 forks on your bike are 43mm correct?"
Bill yes the front forks are 43mm. HTH
Eric M
Frank,
As my son or daugher would say.....your FJ is "sweeeeeet". :o
Man that is one incredable piece of work!
All I can say is "You make me want to be a better man"!
Perry
Perry,
thanks brother i really like it too..... its got a very low RDI now ;D
i dont know about being a better man but i do believe anyone can do anything if they just try.
KOokaloo!
Frank
Quote from: Steve C. on February 16, 2009, 06:01:59 PM
Dave, none of our bikes will tolerate fools, especially ham handed ones( not throwing a stone, just stating a fact). I've seen 155 mph on the GPS which is pushing a lot of air with an FJ fairing and there was more left, how much more, who knows and like Frank says without a steering dampner you can't run at a event and there is no need to really push it too far on the street. I know what you definitely don't want to move your head around under hard acceleration or the world does these funny cheetah flips inside your head. You also don't want to roll off the gas at that point and have the gas tank shove you jewels through your throat and out your nose, DAMHIK, right Frank ::) My GSXR 1000 will do 185 mph and I think my FJ might keep up since the rear wheel HP is pretty close, the limitation would be aerodynamics but 100 #'s of torque does help with that piece.
Steve,I'm far from giving the busa her head yet.The roads up here in Nth Qld weren't very good before this wet season,and now that we have had the third wettest since record taking began the roads are completely fragged.There are potholes all over,from small side roads to the main National Highway 1.Even with good roads I still wouldn't do it.Maybe on a track,where there is lot's of run off,and ambulances!!!:)Dave
Quote from: Davetammy on February 18, 2009, 09:48:36 AM
Steve,I'm far from giving the busa her head yet.The roads up here in Nth Qld weren't very good before this wet season,and now that we have had the third wettest since record taking began the roads are completely fragged.There are potholes all over,from small side roads to the main National Highway 1.Even with good roads I still wouldn't do it.Maybe on a track,where there is lot's of run off,and ambulances!!!:)Dave
You fella's ain't see potholes till you've been on Aussie roads, we'z got poleholes the size of small countries (like New Zealand... sorry Nid) ;D ::) ;D
I hear you Dave, we have our share 'round here as well but not like in the states that get some severe winter weather with lots of ice and snow. I like Jims anology from awhile back, the DRAGON is said to have 318 turns in 11 miles, he said Pennsylvania has 318 pot holes in 11 miles ;D
Holy shit...Pennsylvania is supposed to have great roads. Come on up to Ontario. I'll show ya some pot holes. Had to put emulators in my front end to save my teeth.. ;D
Cheers..Jake
Quote from: jvb_ca on February 21, 2009, 05:21:16 PM
Holy shit...Pennsylvania is supposed to have great roads. Come on up to Ontario. I'll show ya some pot holes. Had to put emulators in my front end to save my teeth.. ;D
Cheers..Jake
Here's a few +/- useless points of information regarding PA:
1. PA has more miles of paved roads than any state in the US. Many of which are somewhere between a little and a lot twisty.
2. PA -given it's state store system, is the largest single purchaser of alcohol in the WORLD -with the possible exception of my brother-in-law...
3. While not nearly as long, Wycoff Run road, near State College is every bit as twisty as the Dragon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_A0yVbfXG0#hq (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_A0yVbfXG0#hq)
-PS. riding in that area is some of my favorite riding anywhere 872, 44, 144 great fun -big sweepers.
4. We have some pot holes sure, but I've seen MUCH worse.
All I can think of at the moment.
Dan
Dan, I really have not idea of the roads we were on for the ECSR that anchored at Bellefonte, ???, but there were plenty of twisties and most of the road surface was pretty good :). The troubling were the tar strips and a few sections of road that we somewhere between asphalt and tar & chip, not the best of traction but not the worst I've been on either. ;)
Frank,
Try Hays Machine Works for a simple, light weight steering damper.
http://www.haysmachineworks.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=19&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26 (http://www.haysmachineworks.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=19&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26)
The "lollipop" is popular with both the dragrace crowd (guys pushing 180 mph plus on grudge bikes) and the LSR crowd - over 200 mph on an un-faired Busa!
Chris
Frank has done an absolutely fan-freakin'-tastic job on Brutus...it's been a pleasure to watch the transformation over the years. But...
That paint. You have GOT to see it up close and personal, in full sunlight. My father's an auto bodyman\restorer, and I've done my share of (fairly half-assed) custom paint jobs. The paint on Brutus looks about three inches deep and pictures just don't do it justice. Plus...it's quite tastefully done.
Sweet bike, for sure.
Boone is soon!!!
Rossi
Hey Frank,
My name is Bazil & I'm from Oz (feel like I'm at a AA meeting!), was wondering if you could help, how do you get your photos up with your messages? :dash2:
Regards
Bazil.
you have to either upload your photos to the gallery here or have them hosted on the web somewhere..... then you just put the image url in the body of your post.
and it pops up just like this.........
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/gallery2F2008_Spring_Rally2C_East_C.jpg)