1 missing vacuum nipple on #3 carb. Replaced.
1st and 4th carb boot seem to be leaking on engine side, yay. May be a new set of boots for chrismas this year...
aaaaaaaaaaaand. What appears to be an oil leak from the acorn nut in the middle of this photo. the one under the terminus of the air scoop
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8296857299_0a7626984a_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8296857299/)
DSC00426 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8296857299/#) by goetzjordan (http://www.flickr.com/people/87853494@N07/), on Flickr
well, I need new boots. :dash2:
The oil leak is PROBABLY the valve cover gasket. Not such a big deal to fix.
Im going to let her cool down, clean her up, and try to pinpoint the oil leak.
May gob some rvt on the boots or wrap em in silicone tape. cant hurt.
If you clean the area really well and spray it with aerosol foot powder (or something similar), it makes the source of minor leaks easier to spot. :yes:
good idea! thanks
Im pretty sure this will be the first time it has ever had the engine cleaned. Hope the dirt wasnt holding anything important in.
The culprit is definitely the valve cover gasket. It seems to be seeping at a few spots, is cleaner now, tho.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8298209680_14814e4bca_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8298209680/)
DSC00428 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8298209680/#) by goetzjordan (http://www.flickr.com/people/87853494@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8298204416_c5cfa728f4_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8298204416/)
DSC00431 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8298204416/#) by goetzjordan (http://www.flickr.com/people/87853494@N07/), on Flickr
Get a new gasket from RPM and while you doing it, replace your cam cover bolt grommets and be done with it.
Quote from: Goetz on December 22, 2012, 12:52:09 PM
well, I need new boots. :dash2:
The oil leak is PROBABLY the valve cover gasket. Not such a big deal to fix.
I'm going to let her cool down, clean her up, and try to pinpoint the oil leak.
May gob some rvt on the boots or wrap em in silicone tape. cant hurt.
Clean the motor and the boots...
Oil leak(s)...Talcum powder sprinkled in the general area will tell you were the oil leak is coming from... :good2:
Carb boots...Liquid electrical tape, well brushed on to the boots and in to the cracks will seal them for you...or, you can use a bicycle inner tube, cut to length and stretched over the boots, (apply some rubber glue) will give you a great seal to... :good2:
John.
I like the inner tube idea... Though after replacing the vacuum nipple on #3 and letting the idle mix out to 3 turns its running MUCH better.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on December 22, 2012, 02:35:53 PM
Get a new gasket from RPM and while you doing it, replace your cam cover bolt grommets and be done with it.
I find RPM quite expensive on parts some times . That gasket works out at £30 for us in the UK with postage (its only 1$ more in postage than it is in the US) but here in the UK i can buy them for £21 max no matter where I get it from which is almost a third cheaper, so you may want to shop around a bit . I dont know if we have more options than you in the states maybe but RPM definitely isn't the cheapest
(popcorn)
Quote from: fj12_rider on December 24, 2012, 06:05:37 AM
I find RPM quite expensive on parts some times . That gasket works out at £30 for us in the UK with postage (its only 1$ more in postage than it is in the US) but here in the UK i can buy them for £21 max no matter where I get it from which is almost a third cheaper, so you may want to shop around a bit . I dont know if we have more options than you in the states maybe but RPM definitely isn't the cheapest
David,
I find this very interesting as your are the first person to tell me that I am expensive. Now with that said, the US market does not have as many options for FJ parts compared to other countries who had the FJ later in the production years and then still have the option of the XJ1200 and the current XJR1300. All of these use the same engine platform, and subsequently the same parts.
The latter two bikes were never offered in the US and it has been 30 years since an FJ was stocked in a Yamaha dealership.
Now, there other issue is genuine Yamaha or aftermarket regarding the gasket. I sell genuine Yamaha gaskets and not the lower quality aftermarket gaskets. I have sold the aftermarket gaskets, which were cheaper, in the past. I found the molding of the product to be inconsistent and the rubber compound seems to be softer which allows them to get pinched out when tightened.
I cannot tell you what you are getting from any other vendor unless they are your Yamaha dealer, only then you will know for sure. I can tell you I did a US search this morning and the cheapest Yamaha gasket I found for $49.71 and the rest are all over $55.00.
The cheapest place I found it online in the UK was from the UK FJ owners group. They have there gasket on sale right now, unknown if Yamaha or aftermarket, for $37.01 (22.97GBP) and it is normally $48.89 (26.00GBP). Now take into consideration that their V/C grommets are listed on the website for $2.49 (1.55GBP). So, take into consideration the actual cost of the part comparing RPM to the
membership required FJ owners site for the purchase of the gasket & eight grommets.
RPM: Yamaha Gasket $39.25 (24.35GBP) - 8 Grommets $2.02ea (1.25GBP) = $55.41 (34.38GBP)
UKFJ: Unknown gasket 37.01 (22.97GBP) - 8 Grommets $2.49ea (1.55GBP) = $56.93 (35.33GBP)
And finally, I cannot control the shipping costs to get the products from the US to the UK. If you are willing to forward your full shipping address to me either via email or PM, I would like to make sure the shipping charges are appropriate for your location. I do know if you have not gone completely through the transaction including entering your actual address, my website is only giving estimates of shipping. You also will have shipping options for international of 1st class mail or Priority shipping. Have you ever gotten to the page for that selection?
I am also interested in the initial comment you have made stating that I am quite expensive on
some parts. Please let me know what you are referring to, I would like to know what you are finding expensive. If they are Yamaha parts or aftermarket?
Please forward your shipping information and the parts your are referring as being expensive, to me as I would like to do some research on your comments and see if there is any issue I am not aware of.
Randy - RPM
randy@rpmracingca.com
(popcorn)
Quote from: Goetz on December 24, 2012, 09:19:59 AM
(popcorn)
Might be the first person to say it but not first person to think it! No Harm intended but i can source everything you have listed cheaper with a bit of google work its just you have it one convenient shop but its far from being the cheapest! Just sayin yall ! :flag_of_truce:
Quote from: fj12_rider on December 24, 2012, 06:05:37 AM
I find RPM quite expensive on parts some times . That gasket works out at £30 for us in the UK with postage (its only 1$ more in postage than it is in the US) but here in the UK i can buy them for £21 max no matter where I get it from which is almost a third cheaper, so you may want to shop around a bit . I dont know if we have more options than you in the states maybe but RPM definitely isn't the cheapest
Randy is not expensive! Like with pretty much everything these days there is a cheap, crappy version available somewhere. What Randy has done is save you all the trouble of discovering this for yourself the hard way and only sells tried and proven products. There are parts such as seals, bearings, brake parts AND gaskets etc out there that you would not go to the trouble of fitting if they were free.
I'm sure when it comes to fork valves, oil coolers, filter adapters, rear shocks, vibrinators or any of the other FJ specific parts Randy has developed for us or as a source of hard to find OEM parts there will be no price shopping because he is the only bloke on the planet developing and manufacturing these new bits for our 20+ yo bikes and then passing them on at a very modest price and can only be expected to do so with our continued support.
I'm in Australia and I have noticed that freight from the US is, on average, nearly double that from the UK regardless of the seller.
If you want to buy a cheaper gasket locally, do so, but it is not necessary (nor correct) to make a general announcement on the forum that Randy is expensive. Perhaps when you have been here a little longer you will realise the full extent of the service he provides to the FJ community and if you are comparing apples with apples, he is not expensive.
Below is part of a personal exchange I had with Randy when he suggested I could probably buy the goods in question cheaper locally and it sums up my view on the subject.
Yes, I can buy cheaper here, but that's not the point, as I said before, I like to support and establish a rapport with businesses that serve me well rather than always hunting around to save a few dollars (within reason). In the long run
this has proven to be much better value and served me well over the years.[/u]
Noel
Quote from: Seanextra on December 24, 2012, 06:06:42 PM
Might be the first person to say it but not first person to think it! No Harm intended but i can source everything you have listed cheaper with a bit of google work its just you have it one convenient shop but its far from being the cheapest! Just sayin yall ! :flag_of_truce:
No foul taken and I am sure you will be able to some find items cheaper through online sources. I am troubled by your statement that you can source
"everything you have listed" cheaper. I regularly check pricing on parts that I get in by doing the exact same thing, a Google search, and find that I am either the cheapest or in the top 5% of vendors that are selling the part. The difference with most online sellers, at least in the US is the do not stock the part. You order it, they take your money and you wait.
Everything I have listed on my website is in stock if you are able to order it and it goes out the same or next business day.
I am not a large corporation that buys a large amount of Yamaha parts for all model of bikes and get larger price breaks. I am an single man or individual that specializes in the Yamaha FJ and my purchases from Yamaha are quite a bit smaller.
I do want to know if there is something that I am losing sales on because I am significantly too high in comparison shopping. I will not be able to be the
"low price leader" in Yamaha FJ parts because I do not purchase the volume to allow for larger discounts. I
spend my money to compile the large inventory I on the shelf to supply those when they need it.
But, if say for instance, I am getting beat on a $100.00 part by $30.00, I need to know about that because I need to search out a better source. If I am getting beat on a valve cover gasket by $2.00 I can't do too much about that, I am in the price range.
That was the point of my post as it was just put out there that, "RPM definitely isn't the cheapest" and I would like to know what I am being compared to and what I am getting beat on. No examples, not reference to specific parts, just the statement. I need that feedback so that I can stay competitive in the market place. If I am not competitive or I am unable to compete then it will be time to close the doors because it is my money that is sitting on the shelf waiting for you to buy the parts you need.
Randy - RPM
I have no problem supporting Randy, he is so focused on customer service and is a pleasure to deal with.
I recently wanted some Rentec engine bars for my 92 and did my homework and in Australian dollars got the following prices landed to my front door.
91-93 Renntec FJ1200 91-93 engine bars delivered to Australia
From renntec UK $267.00
From renntec's Australian distributor $317.90
From RPM $256.76
so guess what I went with a guy I trust.
Quote from: Seanextra on December 24, 2012, 06:06:42 PM
Quote from: Goetz on December 24, 2012, 09:19:59 AM
(popcorn)
i can source everything you have listed cheaper
I assume you are not referring to the FJ specific parts he has developed an manufactured.
I have been a mechanic for 40 years and these days only work on vehicles that have been out of production for decades, some of them over 90 years old.
The net has proven to be a wonderful tool in sourcing parts from all over the world but not without grief.
This year alone I have had wrong parts, the cost of return postage, lengthy deliveries, the right part that's not quite right, hollow punching a head gasket to line up the holes, paper gaskets that should have been fibre, head studs with the thread pitch just off enough to strip when torqued, a head gasket folded in half for mailing!!, switches that fell apart in my hands while installing them, one empty box and so on.
The one thing all these had in common was the difficulty in resolving the problem and the very long delays they caused.
Some of the most expensive parts I have ever bought cost the least amount of money.
Saving a few bucks up front can be a very expensive exercise.
Noel
Quote from: fj12_rider on December 24, 2012, 06:05:37 AM
I find RPM quite expensive on parts some times . That gasket works out at £30 for us in the UK with postage (its only 1$ more in postage than it is in the US) but here in the UK i can buy them for £21 max no matter where I get it from which is almost a third cheaper, so you may want to shop around a bit . I don't know if we have more options than you in the states maybe but RPM definitely isn't the cheapest
For A novice fj engine builder such as myself,Randy has saved me big bucks and major self inflicted stuff ups with his expert advice that he makes time in his extremely busy schedule to freely give to help me out.All questions answered quickly and with tried and true real experience.He even knows when I have ordered the wrong thing or the wrong amount and contacts me to clarify/correct my order.This to me is worth far more than the few bucks I might save by "shopping around".
Previous to knowing of the forum and RPM many times I bought "bargain" parts on ebay only to find that that it either didn't fit, didn't work or failed very quickly costing more money and time in the long run.I will only use after market parts if there is no choice or its definitely better than OEM (eg s/s brake lines etc)If you can buy OEM parts locally cheaper, go for it,but you will not get the same excellent service and fj specific expertise from someone who is also a fellow fj enthusiast and all round top bloke!
Just my 2 cents worth :smile:
Cheers :drinks:
Jeff P
Quote from: flips on December 25, 2012, 01:11:22 AM
For A novice fj engine builder such as myself,Randy has saved me big bucks and major self inflicted stuff ups with his expert advice that he makes time in his extremely busy schedule to freely give to help me out.All questions answered quickly and with tried and true real experience.He even knows when I have ordered the wrong thing or the wrong amount and contacts me to clarify/correct my order.This to me is worth far more than the few bucks I might save by "shopping around".
Previous to knowing of the forum and RPM many times I bought "bargain" parts on ebay only to find that that it either didn't fit, didn't work or failed very quickly costing more money and time in the long run.I will only use after market parts if there is no choice or its definitely better than OEM (eg s/s brake lines etc)If you can buy OEM parts locally cheaper, go for it,but you will not get the same excellent service and fj specific expertise from someone who is also a fellow fj enthusiast and all round top bloke!
Just my 2 cents worth :smile:
Cheers :drinks:
Jeff P
I'm sure you speak for many here, well put.
Noel
Let me explain this from another angle...A suppliers customers are his 'life blood'...not something to be messed with :empathy3:
I'm an 'on-the-road' saleman of 33 years standing. The last 12 years proudly selling North American hardware, chemicals, electrical connectors, welding wire/rods, cutting tools, abrasives, etc, etc...selling to automotive/trucking/industry, etc.
I sell above average products/tried and trusted brand names and therefore sell at above average pricing. If I have a prospective customer/customer bitchin' about price all the time, guess what buddy, go find another supplier!!!
One that will give you the same, or better quality, of products... :scratch_one-s_head:
One that will give you the same, or better, service than what your getting from me now... :scratch_one-s_head:
One that will give you a decent over-all 'bang for your buck'... :scratch_one-s_head:
Someone that is honest, knows his product(s), cares about his customer(s), goes that extra mile for you, is dedicated to 'the cause', etc, etc...In this case, someone like Randy/RPM :good2:
Remember...YOU CAN ALWAYS BUY CHEAPER...but believe me, you get what you pay for in the long run...price should not always be the determining factor!!!
I always tell my clients...If there is something that your not happy with regarding what I do, please let me know...Give me feedback.
Give Randy 'FEEDBACK' before you go telling the world that he is to expensive... :mad:
Randy may not be the cheapest...but he has a living to make and a family to keep.
Rant over... :bad:
John.
Randy provides customer service like no other . its the right part and it fits with no hassle , priceless.
So,back to topic.is it ok to just leave the boost sensor vacuum port unplugged or should i put a nipple on it?
The port on the carb needs to be plugged, the hose from the vacuum unit does not. The lack of vacuum will prevent the advance of ignition it was designed to perform.
Make sure you get your plug from Randy... :biggrin:
:bad: oops.
Made one from silicone tape. Works like a charm, we will see if it holds up over time.
Quote from: Goetz on December 25, 2012, 02:13:31 PM
:bad: oops.
Made one from silicone tape. Works like a charm, we will see if it holds up over time.
It should hold till you need to remove it to balance the carbs.
It's very hot on that side of the heat shield. Make sure the glue on the tape glue won't get soft and come apart or you will have a hot cylinder as the vacuum port opens up and the fuel/air mixture goes lean.
Burned exhaust valves are expensive. Just get a proper plug and no worries...
Re:RPM...For my dealings with Randy, it comes down to just one word........loyalty.
I am assuming he is referencing the silicone tape that self seals without adhesive. Just a soft ribbon of silicone that bonds to itself on contact. But I could be wrong.
A little late , but buy from rpm , you won't regret it , , and while your at it , I'd like some fork valves please :biggrin:,, yessss don't get burnt valves, makes Fj,s run like crap , and hard to start, especially if the clearances have not been adjusted ever :ireful:
Quote from: FJmonkey on December 25, 2012, 03:48:03 PM
I am assuming he is referencing the silicone tape that self seals without adhesive. Just a soft ribbon of silicone that bonds to itself on contact. But I could be wrong.
There is a reason Yamaha made those vacuum caps so thick, it's the heat.
When I removed the calif smog gear from my '84, I went down to the auto parts store and bought some generic vacuum caps to use on my FJ.
I learned my lesson...They lasted about 6 months before the heat split them.
If the material is silicone then the heat will not be an issue. We lose silicone plugs and caps in our powder coat oven that runs 5 days a week 10 hours a day at 380F. We fish them out every 6 months and they are good as new. But just for the record, I prefer to have the correct part when possible. Some repairs I do just last till I can afford it or bother to order it.
Its self bonding silicone tape under a generic cap. All will be made right eventually. I will check the valve clearances when i replace the vcg.
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 25, 2012, 11:00:17 AM
Randy provides customer service like no other . its the right part and it fits with no hassle , priceless.
And if something is wrong. He makes it right. I have only been getting parts from randy for a short time. But I have to say I'm really impressed with his customer service. If I should find some of his parts are a little more than some one else's. I would still buy from Randy. Just because of his honesty and his customer service is worth the peace of mind, knowing that it'll be right.
Quote from: giantkiller on December 25, 2012, 10:30:09 PM
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 25, 2012, 11:00:17 AM
Randy provides customer service like no other . its the right part and it fits with no hassle , priceless.
And if something is wrong. He makes it right. I have only been getting parts from randy for a short time. But I have to say I'm really impressed with his customer service. If I should find some of his parts are a little more than some one else's. I would still buy from Randy. Just because of his honesty and his customer service is worth the peace of mind, knowing that it'll be right.
+1
Either you support RPM, or you don't.
But if you don't, it's your loss.
My FJ-money will always go to RPM, as he has proven to be the right person, at the right time in the lifespan of out beloved FJs.
I don't know if any other member has had this experience. The city I live in has 1 Yamaha dealer. They are quite large and are a multi brand dealership. Shortly after I purchased my FJ, I was leaving town for a week and decided to drop my bike off to have some work performed. I was told by the service department, "your bike is to old, we don't service bikes older than 10 years." I found it absolutely amazing that an authorized Yamaha dealership and service center would not work on my bike. I now refuse to even frequent this establishment and order OEM parts from Randy @ RPM as I need them. The price has never been an issue, it is all about the service. Thanks to Randy and his company our 20+ year old bikes will continue on for another 20 years.
Fred
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/Christmas20121.jpg)
Ooooh, nice shirt! Does Randy have the beanies yet?
I've gone to my local Yamaha dealer 4-5 times now for parts. As someone who used to make his living as a mechanic, I'll give you my opinion of the dealer: Utterly FU>€*NG WORTHLESS! Gawd, it was SO irritating to tell the monkey behind the counter where to look up valve shims in the parts catalogue! ("Ok, are you in the Yamaha section?"). Grrr... How do they stay in business, it's not through service.
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 25, 2012, 11:00:17 AM
Randy provides customer service like no other . its the right part and it fits with no hassle , priceless.
+2
Randy at RPM has the best deal.... no question. His prices are in line with the best, easily.
Buying from other on line sources is 'taking a chance' that you will get right part, or any part at all....
I once spent $15 gas to go to a yamaha dealership to order a part..... The parts lady told me that the part did not exist! :pardon: I left there dumbfounded. Randy had that part to my front door within a week, which was also faster than the dealership could do!!
Suppliers like Randy at RPM are hard to find.
Oil leak(s)...Talcum powder sprinkled in the general area will tell you were the oil leak is coming from... :good2:
Yes......it is the same method you use with a BIG GIRL.........the telcum powder will always point the way.....isn't that right TANK(TIGER) KILLER?? :mocking: :biggrin: :rofl2: :empathy: :lol:
PM sent. Cheers, Doug
Happy New Year everyone,
I have not been on the Forum for a while or I would have chimed in sooner on this subject ...
Randy @ R.P.M. has invested a very substantial amount of time and capital in being an official Yamaha parts dealer to ensure all FJ owners receive the correct, FJ specific part(s). He is not a middleman, but actually has the items he sells in stock as supplied to him by Yamaha.
He has also invested a very substantial amount of time and capital developing FJ SPECIFIC items such as the Fork Valves and other items [as discussed on this Forum] which are currently in development.
He has also offered to us non FJ specific products such as are listed on the R.P.M. web site.
Randy's knowledge and experience with regard to engines and set ups is in itself invaluable; as is his willingness to share this knowledge is well above what you will find anywhere else.
Speaking in the States, his products are very competitively priced & shipping is nominal.
Any price difference (if at all) doesn't even pay the inventory tax on all the products sitting on the shelves.
Randy has to approach this diplomatically however as an appreciative customer I do not; anyone who bitches about the pricing offered by R.P.M. (and ignores the other positive aspects noted above) is just that; and is ignorant as well.
Keep smiling & ride safe,
Mike Ramos.
:good2: