Ok, so I am about to be 24 and returning to college this year, having done most of my online coursework that I can. Not too long ago I picked up a desert eagle .44 mag for right at $1000. Being a college student with no money, I came across an fj1100 close by, and a deal was made. There is fairly extensive cracking around the mounting bolts of the fairing, but the bike is in tremendous shape. Odometer has 40k on the clock, but the speedo bearing is shot, because it whined and then snapped my new speedo cable. Im guessing the valves have been adjusted due to the rtv all along the valve cover. Ill list some of the other mods, then go take some pics and post them.
braided front brake lines
drilled rotors
17" 3 spoke (yamaha?)rims...no idea on the model...170 rear tire.
yoshi can with 4-1 exhaust....headers now wrapped
K&N oval pods..(not personally something id add)
carbs entirely cleaned/rebuilt with appropriate jetting
seat recovered
integrated rear tail lights, with trimmed fender
wickedly fast
Everything works great excluding speedo, gas gauge, tach(bounces), and the horn. I also think the second gear problem might be rearing its ugly head. When i get up in the revs in second, occasionally the bike will lurch and the revs will jump way high.
All it really needs is some new tires(dry rot), horn fixed, and a new chain(severe neglect of the old one)
Thats most everything that I can think of off hand.
So what do you think? I loved my desert eagle, but I think I got a good deal, and the other gent loved the gun...everyone is happy
Now im going to to snap some pics of it.
Welcome,
Well, you can get into trouble with both pieces of equipment. Somehow the FJ seems like better trouble to me; besides you can use it everyday, and gas is cheaper than rounds.
Sounds like a good deal. A good runnign FJ with new tirres for less than $1500....you are in good shape.
Good luck,
Jeff
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Looks pretty good. Wheels look like YZF 600 (same as mine). Cannot really see front brake calipers but I think they may be blue spots from the same bike.
Rear signals...I dunno?
Jeff
looks cool, id say rear indicators are zzr ,or some other kawasaki gpx?¿?
Quote from: jscgdunn on August 01, 2013, 01:24:15 PM
Looks pretty good. Wheels look like YZF 600 (same as mine). Cannot really see front brake calipers but I think they may be blue spots from the same bike.
Rear signals...I dunno?
Jeff
A few years ago I came across a web site with those rear turn signal mods. I think they are replacement rear side panels made of fibreglass with the indicators built into them.
Harvy
oh ok..cool. I was really curious about the wheels. Can a 180 fit on the rear?..im thinking yes because the 170 that is on it..it's sidewall is nearly vertical...no apparent stress with the fitment whatsoever.......so the 180 might fit on there quite nicely..maybe? Im curious purely because 170 tire options are a little scant.
Yea, those turn signals have me stumped
Quote
A few years ago I came across a web site with those rear turn signal mods. I think they are replacement rear side panels made of fibreglass with the indicators built into them.
Harvy
cool deal! good to know
Welcome. Take some time to get acquainted with the bike. Ask questions as they come up. Lots of help here with years of experience. Some have owned there FJ's since new.
What part of country are you from ? Sometimes help is close by when you need it if we know where you are located. There are members here from all over the world. "there is always an FJ in the sunshine".
George
Quote from: movenon on August 01, 2013, 04:38:55 PM
Welcome. Take some time to get acquainted with the bike. Ask questions as they come up. Lots of help here with years of experience. Some have owned there FJ's since new.
What part of country are you from ? Sometimes help is close by when you need it if we know where you are located. There are members here from all over the world. "there is always an FJ in the sunshine".
George
Thank you (and everyone else) for your welcoming attitude. Im definitely loving the fj, especially after owning an xj750..and riding a 1200 sporty for most of my short motorcycle experience.....the fj is a dream to work on and a pleasure to ride! Ive only had it a week and ive put somewhere over 300 miles one it through little hops to and fro.
I live in central Texas, just about 40 miles north of the geographical center. I would be elated if there were someone close by.
Pretty certain fintip/kyle lives somewhere in texas :scratch_one-s_head: ,, is your rear wheel 4.5" or 5.5" ,,
Welcome to the group. :hi:
There are a couple of members in the Austin area, and I think 1 or 2 in the DFW area.
For your question on the use of a 180 tire. Look on your rear rim, there should be a width number molded in somewhere on the wheel. 5.5" is good for a 180. OEM FJ rear wheel size is 3.5" x 16"
Fred
Oh ok..yea, austin and dallas are about 3 and 4 hours, respectively, from me.
My rim says 5.5! so im gonna hunt me down a 180, unless I pick up a sweet deal on a 170. Currently waiting on student loan money to drop in because I am broke as a joke! haha
thanks!
Quote from: jrk4295 on August 01, 2013, 05:21:30 PM
Oh ok..yea, austin and dallas are about 3 and 4 hours, respectively, from me.
My rim says 5.5! so im gonna hunt me down a 180, unless I pick up a sweet deal on a 170. Currently waiting on student loan money to drop in because I am broke as a joke! haha
thanks!
If I could make a recommendation? The Conti Motions are great tires at a better than great price. There are a few of us here that love them. I just bought a pair for under $170. Here's the links:
Front: 120/70-17
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_108_869&products_id=4847 (http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_108_869&products_id=4847)
Rear: 180/55-17
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_108_869&products_id=4851 (http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_108_869&products_id=4851)
CraigO
A lot of smiles are in your future, and as you can see........ people envy the 1100 owners.
Don't let it go to your head though, Just get use to it :drinks:
post a close up picture of your rear brake setup.
We've seen this bike before? Nice looking and once you get the gremlins out, it'll be a fantastic bike. Well done. :good2:
CraigO
Quote from: Travis398 on August 01, 2013, 05:55:47 PM
A lot of smiles are in your future, and as you can see........ people envy the 1100 owners.
Don't let it go to your head though, Just get use to it :drinks:
post a close up picture of your rear brake setup.
Rear brake looks like a Yamaha set up. The gixxer set up is underslung. This one is on top. But could be a GSX???
CraigO
Kind of looks stock......from a distance.
Quote from: jrk4295 on August 01, 2013, 04:27:33 PM
Quote
A few years ago I came across a web site with those rear turn signal mods. I think they are replacement rear side panels made of fibreglass with the indicators built into them.
Harvy
cool deal! good to know
Somewhere around here I have the Motorcyclist magazine article where they did a project FJ. IIRC, they used some of those on it.
Quote from: not a lib on August 01, 2013, 07:14:32 PM
Quote from: jrk4295 on August 01, 2013, 04:27:33 PM
Quote
cool deal! good to know
Somewhere around here I have the Motorcyclist magazine article where they did a project FJ. IIRC, they used some of those on it.
Randy....you got me thinking and yeah, I think it was posted on the old Yahoo group a few years back.........I've lost my link to the archives, was it GMF or something like that (memory is going I'm afraid....lol).
Harvy
Quote from: Harvy on August 01, 2013, 08:22:16 PM
Quote from: not a lib on August 01, 2013, 07:14:32 PM
Quote from: jrk4295 on August 01, 2013, 04:27:33 PM
Quote
cool deal! good to know
Somewhere around here I have the Motorcyclist magazine article where they did a project FJ. IIRC, they used some of those on it.
Randy....you got me thinking and yeah, I think it was posted on the old Yahoo group a few years back.........I've lost my link to the archives, was it GMF or something like that (memory is going I'm afraid....lol).
Harvy
My feeble memory says it was a 1st gen, a theft recovery that they turned into a project with PM wheels & 6-pot calipers, those signals, etc.
Pretty sure the title was
Red Hot ResurrectionI used to have a scan of it somewhere.
EDIT: Duh, I shoulda known to look here first... http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1377.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1377.0)
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The bike came with this fairing on just the one side. Does anyone know where I can source a left side (engine) fairing, as well as the lower chin fairing
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Is this a standard amount of rtv? like does is come from the factory like this, or would you say that someone has gotten into it?
Quote from: jrk4295 on August 02, 2013, 10:30:12 AM
Is this a standard amount of rtv? like does is come from the factory like this, or would you say that someone has gotten into it?
There should be no RTV on that gasket.
If it were mine, I'd pull the cover ASAP to see how much is on the inside.
Quote from: not a lib on August 02, 2013, 11:03:42 AM
Quote from: jrk4295 on August 02, 2013, 10:30:12 AM
Is this a standard amount of rtv? like does is come from the factory like this, or would you say that someone has gotten into it?
There should be no RTV on that gasket.
If it were mine, I'd pull the cover ASAP to see how much is on the inside.
Is removing that cover just a matter of removing those bolts on the topside? There arent any external adjustments that im going to turn, is there?
Nope, just remove the top bolts.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on August 02, 2013, 01:28:27 PM
Nope, just remove the top bolts.
Wait, guys, doesn't pulling that cover mean he needs to replace the gasket while there, lest it leaks thereafter? If so, at least he should have said gasket in-hand before pulling the cover?
Or do I have this wrong, -can the cover be removed and replaced without causing leaks etc?
Dan
Quote from: Dan Filetti on August 02, 2013, 03:25:03 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on August 02, 2013, 01:28:27 PM
Nope, just remove the top bolts.
Wait, guys, doesn't pulling that cover mean he needs to replace the gasket while there, lest it leaks thereafter? If so, at least he should have said gasket in-hand before pulling the cover?
Or do I have this wrong, -can the cover be removed and replaced without causing leaks etc
Dan
+1 and the gaskets around the bolts...
One of the things that would be nice is to get rid of the RTV. Small pieces of RTV can end up dropping down into the oil system so be careful, clean up all the RTV, install new gaskets. There is nothing that you can adjust with a wrench. If you have a service manual you can check the valve clearances that's not a bad thing to know with a "new to you" bike. If you check the valves, write the info down and save for future use. :good2:
George
Looks like stock rear caliper to me; surely I'm wrong? What 5.5 allows fitment of the stock rear caliper?
Front--no idea, but it's not a blue spot...
Last two posts are to be heeded on the valve cover. Good to just do an adjustment while your'e in there. Buy a gasket, spend some quality time with a razor blade getting the old stuff off, (DON'T let your shavings sit in the oil well--lay out rags in the oil gallery beforehand, etc.) read the walk through here (and/or get a manual) (this bike uses the same shim setup, except 4 valve per cylinder instead of 2, as the XJ750, so assuming you did that job on that bike, you should know the general idea. (There is a special tool for this bike that is different from the special tool for the XJ's. Don't know if anyone has a method here that doesn't use the tool, never looked.)
For the fairing, not sure, search around, there is info on fairings scattered around here and there on the forum. If you find yourself researching, collect the data and put it at fjowners.wikidot.com/plastic--you can either learn the basic formatting (http://fjowners.wikidot.com/how-to), or just stick it all at the bottom and someone (probably me) will organize it later.
But basically searching for one will require checking ebay regularly and just waiting, maybe/probably for months. Keep an eye on craigslist as well, of course.
cool deal...ill see about checking the valves tmmr(sunday). Had all my signals and neutral light go out last night, and I kind of panicked. (memories of the xj and wiring nightmare flashback) haha. Turns out it was a simple fuse blown out, but gave me an excuse to pull the left side controls off the bar, and inspect the horn button. Still sitting with the controls off right now due to my inability to remove the little choke adjuster. Any tricks to that?
Also, is there a walk-through on here for adjusting the valves? I have the feeler gauges, and necessary tools...excluding special tools....but if the special tool is not MANDATORY, I can work around it. We have a full on blacksmith shop, and are totally accustomed to fabricating specialized tools, if need be.
Thanks again to everyone's input. Forums can get pretty dicey, and have a lot of jerks just throwing snide comments; but from everything Ive read, FJowners seems like a pretty tight nit crowd...which is nice.
The tool looks like this:
Randy at RPM offers nearly everything we need for our FJ's.
http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=tools%3AVAT&cat=39 (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=tools%3AVAT&cat=39)
(http://www.rpmracingca.com/prodimages/large/tools%20VAT-1.jpg)
When you do get around to replacing the cover gasket (and cover bolt grommets), be very careful in tightening the bolts back up.
The cover bolts have a very low torque value. Overtightening them will not seal the grommets any tighter, but it will strip out the hole.
http://fjowners.wikidot.com/valve-shims (http://fjowners.wikidot.com/valve-shims)
Still haven't found a how-to for the adjustment procedure after extensive searching. There used to be a good one on the XJR forums (almost identical engine), but that link has died. :\
Anyone else feel free to chime in. There is nothing in the Files section, either.
I may need to go ahead and make one myself... Would probably do a video, more my style.
Quote from: fintip on August 03, 2013, 12:29:23 PM
Looks like stock rear caliper = What 5.5 allows fitment of the stock rear caliper?
FZR1000, i think :hi:
Quote from: TRoy on August 03, 2013, 08:03:24 PM
Quote from: fintip on August 03, 2013, 12:29:23 PM
Looks like stock rear caliper = What 5.5 allows fitment of the stock rear caliper?
FZR1000, i think :hi:
Is that the one that's 18"? :scratch_one-s_head:
Quote from: not a lib on August 03, 2013, 08:34:35 PMIs that the one that's 18"? :scratch_one-s_head:
multiple choice. right? i think the 88 fzr had 18" rear then others had 17". ah fuck gonna have to go search yahoo archives
Quote from: fintip on August 03, 2013, 03:12:05 PM
http://fjowners.wikidot.com/valve-shims (http://fjowners.wikidot.com/valve-shims)
Still haven't found a how-to for the adjustment procedure after extensive searching. There used to be a good one on the XJR forums (almost identical engine), but that link has died. :\
Anyone else feel free to chime in. There is nothing in the Files section, either.
I may need to go ahead and make one myself... Would probably do a video, more my style.
oh man....rent a shim kit?? that would be perfect....Thanks for the link!