my clutch is a little hard to disengage, i have to squeeze pretty hard to move it, is it just my bike or is that pretty standard across a lot of bikes (fyi, i have never touched another motorcycle in my entire life, crazy right?) :wacko2:
thanks!
If your bike was raced, it's entirely probable that the prior guy upgraded it so it wouldn't slip so much (especially when using a power adder).
If you sit on the bike, look at your right foot. It's almost leaning on the clutch cover. Pop that cover off (get a spare gasket first as a rule) while leaning the bike on the sidestand a good bit (oil is behind that cover, tipping the bike a bit prevents the mess), and see what's in there. Odds are it's either got the diaphram springs doubled up or a coil conversion to the pressure plate. Either is a very good way to prevent slippage, but if it's too much to use you can do some things to calm it down (return it to stock, look for shims on the coils, remove a pair of coil springs, etc). The best answer may be leaving it as it is and instead looking for a new master cylinder for under your left hand, if the one on the bike is still stock. A 14mm bore master for the clutch side will give you better leverage against the pressure plate, and lighten the amount of work your hand does by ~20% or so.
The other option is to ride around singing the manly men song to yourself until you have enough grip strength that it doesn't bother you.
Robin Hood: Men In Tights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lUjhEHlh7s#)]
hahaha thanks for the info! your descriptions on where things were was incredibly helpful, ill go look at the bike now and see what its got and if i can recognize anything based on the parts you specified
I should mention that if you read this (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1808.0) it should comfortably cover anything that you're likely to find under the clutch cover.
Unless you find something with little movable arms on it, which is a lockup, and the correct answer would be to PM me immediately (they're a bastard to find!)
holy hell thats waaaayyyy to many moving parts for me, ill pass on opening it and stick with men in tights! :flag_of_truce:
my FJ is running now, and i'd hate to be the reason it stops running! :scratch_one-s_head:
and what exactly is this?
(http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i429/chriscartermusic/ffca9392.jpg)
Nah, it's really not bad. With the diaphram setup, once the cover is off you have like 6 screws to deal with and you've got the clutch pack out.
You may want to lightly lubricate the pivot point of the clutch lever, also.
Quote from: Carterc on March 17, 2011, 06:16:46 PM
and what exactly is this?
A reflector that has been spray painted black...
Why would he spraypaint it black? This PO is costing me money left and right! :negative:
Carter, the oem FJ has a 5/8" dia. piston in the clutch master cylinder (m/c)
If you get a 14mm m/c off a FJR it will be a easier pull.
Look closely at the body of your clutch m/c, down by the banjo port, if it shows a 5/8 you can do this mod.
Cheers!
Pat,
im lovin your advice, but its more foreign language to me than Icelandic... i appreciate the help, maybe Google will help me decipher the code! off to find the Rosetta stone!
Translated>
Sit on the bike. Grab clutch in. Make note of lever that left hand is using. Get off bike, follow lever to master cylinder for clutch. Has a reseviour on top that you dump fluid into, a lever to sqeeze that you just had your hand on, a line going out the side, and it's bolted to the handlebar.
On the body of that piece may be cast "5/8", kinda near where the big hydraulic line is connected. That means it's (probably) original. When you squeeze the clutch lever, it shoves a little piston inside that assembly. That lil piston's size is 5/8", which is about 16mm.
If you replace the master cylinder assembly with a comparable one that uses a 14mm piston in it, you'll have better leverage on the lever against the springs in the clutch on the motor. It'll be about 20% less effort at the lever, and the engagement point will be longer by 20% (makes it easier to feather things more finely).
The yamaha FJR1300 is a good possibility for a donor for the master.
is there a website that you guys use that has the lowest prices for things like this? :mail1:
LOL thank you Andy! Sorry about that Chris.
Ok Chris, as you realize, for better or worse, you have bought yourself a modified high performance FJ, so in order to keep you on the road, you have some homework to do..
1) Do you have a 1987 owners manual? You need one. If not go here and down load one (free): http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3483.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3483.0)
2) Get both a Haynes and Clymer Owners Work Shop Manual for the Yamaha FJ1100/1200.
The first section in these manuals have a great tutorial on motorcycle basics, including terminology. For example, to help us help you, *eventually* you need to know the difference between the clutch slave cylinder and the master cylinder in order to communicate. I say eventually, 'cause this course of study will take time, so don't go into vapor lock and try to absorb and retain this stuff overnight. Become familiar with the manuals. Don't waste brain cells and memorise data. (except tire pressures) Instead just remember where to go to look it up. Memorize important shit like dates of birthdays, anniversary's, pin#'s, *tire pressures*, etc,etc and not FJ valve clearance or float height data. Again, just remember where to go to look up the info. you need.
Don't go into vapor lock. Try and learn 3 things a week about your bike. 1st thing to learn is, yep you guessed it, *tire pressures* which we will tell you to check before every ride. How to adjust your chain will be next....
3) Start a log book on the work you do on your bike. It's a pia and the pages will undoubtedly get smudged with grease but the ability to look up and see what you did, when you did it, will become most helpful. (thank you Lee)
4) Also....Read all the info. in our Files section, Andy's got some good shit in there.
5) Ask a lot of questions. Beware we can tell by the way you ask the question, and the words that you use, if you have or have not, done your homework.
..Cheers!
phew! the thing that sucks is, ever since i got the bike i have not taken it out of my apartment complex but instead i got a clymers manual and have been reading non-stop, day and night and you guys are STILL talking spanish lol (i wanna make sure my first ride isnt my last) but the good thing is, the guy put a tire pump in the bike that runs off the battery, i dont know if all of them came with one, but its super convenient!
great ideas on the logging of what ive done to the bike, but im way ahead of your advice :dance:
my clutch m/c is a 5/8 and soon im going to go through the clutch when i have an extra gasket and a torque wrench, and find out exactly whats in there (ill take pics)
Cool, now you know that you have a 5/8" clutch m/c, now go over to eBay under motorcycle parts and accessories, enter "FJR clutch"and see what's for sale.
All FJR clutch m/c's are 14mm and as Andy eloquently stated, your pull at the clutch lever will be 20-30% easier with a FJR clutch m/c vs. the oem 5/8" m/c.
(oem= original equipment manufacturer, meaning stock)
Take a flashlight, take your oil cap off, and look at the face of your clutch pack. You can only see just the top portion. See anything that looks like this?:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/49_09_04_10_12_47_15.jpeg)
If so then the PO put in a Barrett spring clutch conversion. Visit out clutch section and Andy listed some softer springs you can replace the heavy springs with.
If you are not planning on drag racing with nitrous, no reason to have a *overly*stiff clutch.
Looking thru the oil fill hole, If you don't see the above blue spring plate, this means that your PO probably doubled up the oem FJ diaphragm springs. The FJR m/c will be your solution. Your bike is hopped up, so I would not run with only one diaphragm spring, sounds like you need both. Cheers
Also it may not be blue, it may be a reddish/purplish color. If you don't see any colorful stuff in there, more likely it's using two diaphrams.
Quote from: Carterc on March 17, 2011, 03:05:45 PM
my clutch is a little hard to disengage, i have to squeeze pretty hard to move it, is it just my bike or is that pretty standard across a lot of bikes (fyi, i have never touched another motorcycle in my entire life, crazy right?) :wacko2:
thanks!
Hey Chris, is this your first bike?
Quote from: Pat Conlon on March 18, 2011, 07:47:22 PM
(fyi, i have never touched another motorcycle in my entire life, crazy right?) :wacko2:
thanks!
Hey Chris, is this your first bike?
[/quote]
Fawwkk. Goin' right for the deep end, eh? Keep us in the loop Chris and we'll help all we can!
Doug
Yes its my first bike, and i want to make sure i know everything about it before i take my first ride and find my ass on the floor with my bike out the door :dash2:
Chris, last questions:
When you say that you have never "touched another motorcycle" what do you mean? Do you know how to ride? If you do, what other bikes have you ridden?
Did the guys at the Harley store know that this was your first bike?
Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to figure out what you should be looking for and how to help. Pat
He'll be fine,those blokes at the H.D boutique know what they're doing,it's only a 1200 ,not like its a 1570 or 1340cc Harley.
Quote from: Klavdy on March 19, 2011, 05:59:48 AM
He'll be fine,those blokes at the H.D boutique know what they're doing,it's only a 1200 ,not like its a 1570 or 1340cc Harley.
You know, those HD fools may actually believe that. We, the educated, know better and can see the proof in our mirrors anytime we choose. ;-)
However, our newby, may not know your history of buffoonary, so you might just put a little clue in there to let him be aware you're talking shit.
Arnie
to answer all questions, yes the is my FIRST bike, I've literally never touched another one before this. the HD guys knew it was my first bike. im getting my endorsement next weekend, i have countless friends with hayabusa's, ducati's and CBR 1000's who are excited to teach me to ride. yes im takin it slow and easy. im 22 years old, 6'0" and weigh in at 240 pounds (and i have no intentions to hurt myself or anyone else). I've raced wave runners (still never opened it to work on the engine) and now im lookin for somethin to take to the road instead.
im fully aware of the speed and torque of my FJ1200, one of my hayabusa friends took it out yesterday to test the gear shifts and speed and to find if theres anything weird sounding about it (because i refuse to ride it out of my apartment complex untill ive mastered the mental side of riding and have my endorsement and insurance in place)
Quote from: Carterc on March 19, 2011, 09:58:30 AM
to answer all questions, yes the is my FIRST bike, I've literally never touched another one before this. the HD guys knew it was my first bike. im getting my endorsement next weekend, i have countless friends with hayabusa's, ducati's and CBR 1000's who are excited to teach me to ride. yes im takin it slow and easy. im 22 years old, 6'0" and weigh in at 240 pounds (and i have no intentions to hurt myself or anyone else). I've raced wave runners (still never opened it to work on the engine) and now im lookin for somethin to take to the road instead.
im fully aware of the speed and torque of my FJ1200, one of my hayabusa friends took it out yesterday to test the gear shifts and speed and to find if theres anything weird sounding about it (because i refuse to ride it out of my apartment complex untill ive mastered the mental side of riding and have my endorsement and insurance in place)
Go take an approved riding class somewhere.
1. You'll learn stuff your buddies won't teach you.
2. You'll probably get an insurance discount that will offset the cost.
3. You're more likely to have your head in the right place when you finally do hit the streets.
JMO,
Randy T
Indy
Plus 1 on what randy said, I know we don't like to take directions but in this case it's a good idea. :shok:
Bob W
Quote from: Carterc on March 19, 2011, 09:58:30 AM
im getting my endorsement next weekend
got it covered :hi:
Quote from: Carterc on March 19, 2011, 10:53:52 AM
Quote from: Carterc on March 19, 2011, 09:58:30 AM
im getting my endorsement next weekend
got it covered :hi:
Thank god! Make sure you DEFINETLY take that MSF course! I've been riding since I was 7 years old (I'm 35 now) and I nearly killed myself on each step up the cc ladder I took. I couldn't imagine starting to ride a motorcycle on an FJ1200...
you guys are starting to scare me, everyone previous to you guys said i could do it no problem with some practice :shok:
Quote from: Carterc on March 19, 2011, 01:04:31 PM
you guys are starting to scare me, everyone previous to you guys said i could do it no problem with some practice :shok:
ROFLMAO, do they own FJ's or have they riden them??
Its your bacon but I'd be looking into a motorcycle safety traning class, or up your insurance on your backside...
Eric M
Relax , don't be scared . Just take it nice and slow .
If one of your friends has a smaller bike like a 250 or a 500 for you to get your basics down first that would help you a bunch.
If not just take it easy and stay under 6000rpms till you get a feel for the fj.
practice practice practice.
This article will help keep your head in the right place.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/flashback/122_0911_the_pace_nick_ienatsch/index.html#13005602893971&DISPLAYINTERSTITIAL_15 (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/flashback/122_0911_the_pace_nick_ienatsch/index.html#13005602893971&DISPLAYINTERSTITIAL_15)
and this.
http://micapeak.com/info/thepace.html (http://micapeak.com/info/thepace.html)
Quote from: Mark Olson on March 19, 2011, 01:41:47 PM
Relax , don't be scared . Just take it nice and slow .
If one of your friends has a smaller bike like a 250 or a 500 for you to get your basics down first that would help you a bunch.
If not just take it easy and stay under 6000rpms till you get a feel for the fj.
practice practice practice.
What he said...
The FJ is a heavy, powerful bike. It would be a good idea to have a halfway decent skill set before testing yourself in real traffic. There are a lot of ruthless assholes driving these days, and bones heal slowly...
Do your homework, and be careful... you'll be fine.
Randy T
Indy
well those articles about "the pace" sounds like my kind of riding! i think ill be fine, ive owned the bike for a week now and havent done anything stupid so thats a good start :good:
Chris, yes, yes, yes on the MSF training course.
Swear to God, last question: When you go down and get your "endorcement" on your license, do you have to take a driving test on your motorcycle? In Some states you do.
If so, I would suggest that you take the driving test on a (much) smaller bike. If you are not used to your FJ, she can be heavy girl at slow speeds.
when i go to get my endorsement i am required to take the Motorcycle safety foundation's "BRC" (basic riders course) and will be supplied some sort of 250 bike, i think theyre naked bikes, but either way im supplied with everything i need, then i can turn around and take the intermediate or advanced course, whichever one they offer.
lol and dont worry about all the questions, im glad you guys actually care enough to make sure youre not the last person i talk to before i have an accident (God forbid)
Quote from: Carterc on March 19, 2011, 02:29:05 PM
ill be fine, ive owned the bike for a week now and havent done anything stupid
You forgot about the buying it. Seriously, we're here to help though. Listening to and/or taking lessons from your peeps will get you maimed. Peer pressure and anxiety plus bikes is like a recipe for disaster (rallies excepted!). Any motorcycle can be a handful. If you're completely scared of it you'll make dangerous mistakes due to being paralyzed by fear. If you're not scared of it a little it's no fun. Respect it or learn the hard way. The FJ ain't the fastest bike in the world or an ill tempered beast that will turn on you, but it takes a while to get used to. Notice that nobody said get rid of it, just be smart and ease into it. Be aware that you will only want a faster bike as time goes on... :biggrin:
Doug
PS- Learn from other's mistakes-
Motorbike Crashes Into Wall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qW20ADG-vc#)
haha that sucks, he never put his feet up either. talk about not in control
Carterc,
We "old farts" are trying to help you. The FJ is a lot of bike to start on. Its weight as well as its speed make it not quite learner friendly. You're big enough to control it - once you learn how, but take it easy.
Take the MSF course and pay attention to what they say, they're also there to help you.
And, once you take the course, pass the test, and get some riding in....
REMEMBER that the most dangerous time for any motorcyclist is about 6 months after they start to ride - when they think they know what they're doing.
When I started riding (in 1967) I was told 3 rules to live by:
1. Don't drink (or drug) and get on your bike
2. Look at every other road user and try to figure out the stupidest thing they could do - and be ready for it.
3. Ride as if every other road user is intentionally trying to kill you - you'll be wrong most of the time.
Cheers,
Arnie
Arnie, you forgot 3a) You're invisible!
1. they dont look
2. they dont care
3. they dont like you because you can ( wether you do or not), lane split, do wheelies and burnouts, corrupt the younger generation, you obviously are a drug dealer and have a link to some form of patch wearing community.
4. they will want to race you.( Had a "P" plater in a camry offer a race to me the other night on the way home from work.... nobend... and no i didnt and no i don't)
5. the old adage of " it goes twice as fast and is needs half the space to stop" is BS.
6. ride to your ability and comfort. If you push it, it will probably hurt.
7. re visit rules 1-3
and what arnie says... try to predict the worst thing they can do and react before it happens. i do have an thing that i do, which is the problem isnt a problem if its behind you, spot the nobend , work out how and then get past him safely. watch blind spots, and remember they DON'T LOOK!!!!!
all that done and said, enjoy your course, and have a nice safe ride!!
(P.S. these are just things i have noticed over time i have been riding, it may or may not be news to you, i have been lucky and only come off from my own stupid fault, but have seen at least 5 bike accidents and none of them were like mine where i got up, looked at the skin missing and clutch and brake levers, the bruised fingers, the sore hips and knees and the pain of trying to ride back home with no gear selector and not much skin on hands forearms elbows ribs and knees. and yes i was wearing good gear. the other accidents i have seen were not as lucky. the bloke that went through a tree and down onto a creek bed 12 ft below the road was concious but.... sorry to rant on but i hate the thought of someone wiping themselves out or being wiped out.... i guess the thing that makes me slow down these days is cost. time off work, cost of a new lifestyle thanks to an accident, and the cost of seeing my baby slide down the road. fairings aint cheap.)
stay safe , rubber side down... o theres one more thing.... the most dangerous part of a engine cycle is the nut connecting the seat to the handlebars.
Quote from: rktmanfj on March 19, 2011, 10:39:21 AM
Quote from: Carterc on March 19, 2011, 09:58:30 AM
to answer all questions, yes the is my FIRST bike, I've literally never touched another one before this. the HD guys knew it was my first bike. im getting my endorsement next weekend, i have countless friends with hayabusa's, ducati's and CBR 1000's who are excited to teach me to ride. yes im takin it slow and easy. im 22 years old, 6'0" and weigh in at 240 pounds (and i have no intentions to hurt myself or anyone else). I've raced wave runners (still never opened it to work on the engine) and now im lookin for somethin to take to the road instead.
im fully aware of the speed and torque of my FJ1200, one of my hayabusa friends took it out yesterday to test the gear shifts and speed and to find if theres anything weird sounding about it (because i refuse to ride it out of my apartment complex untill ive mastered the mental side of riding and have my endorsement and insurance in place)
For a first bike the FJ can be intimidating -- and I remember the days way back when I bought my 86. The key for me was when I first started out with riding the FJ I never took it past 6000 RPMs -- this is where the real power of the FJ comes in. Slowly ....I graduated myself into that range --- do the same and ride to your abilitiy not your buddies .