It's been a while...

[Zwartie]

...since I last posted anything on the forum. I've been reading a few posts here and there over the past few months or so but just never really had (or made) the time to post anything. Anyway, it's the middle of winter here in Ontario and that means it's maintenance time! To help facilitate the laundry list of work that "needs" to be done, my siblings went in on a really nice gift for my 50th birthday a couple months ago:



The only thing I'm wondering is - why didn't I get one of these years ago!!! Really would have been nice considering all the tear-downs I've done on the Blue Bunny. As soon as I got the lift assembled I realized that there must be a way to load the bike without needing an extra person on hand to clamp down on the front wheel while I steady the bike. A few 1 1/4" EMT straps and self-tapping screws did a great job of holding the wheel chock down on the front so I can just roll the bike onto the lift all by myself! "Do Self!" as my younger son used to say when he was a toddler (he's 15 now). I also made up a "customized" support that helps me to raise the center of the bike with the scissor lift so get both the front and read end of the bike suspended for servicing. Me Like!



Here's my "FJ To-Do List" for the winter of 2017:

• Install new mirrors with integrated turn signals that I purchased a couple months ago on eBay
• Install new-to-me V-H SSR2 exhaust system that I purchased off an FJowners member a few months ago
• Realign right-side muffler mounting bracket on rear sub-frame that is precariously close to the FZR1000 swingarm
• Tires (may wait until late spring to do that as there's still some life on these tires)
• Valve adjustment - with the help of Rob Hersey, of course!
• Left-side fairing marker/signal light bracket is loose inside the fairing itself. I'll be removing the fairing anyway to do the mirrors. The lens has been loose for a number of years and it's just one of those PITA jobs to get at the bracket through the fairing. I think it's just a matter of getting in with a stubby screwdriver to tighten the plastic bracket.
• One of the mounts holding the Givi MonoRack has loosened or broken (again). Time for a better solution so it will take a tear-down and some exploratory surgery to figure out the best solution.
• Remove, clean and lube rear swing-arm and rear shock linkage. Also toying with the idea of changing the dog bones to jack up the front end just a wee bit. The foot pegs just seem to contact the pavement a little sooner than I would like
• Inspect, clean and service carbs. Once again Mr. Hersey's expertise in this area will be utilized. One of the carbs has an intermittent leak that results in a pool of gasoline under the bike, in my garage and stinking up the whole house.
• Related to the point above, Install a fuel shut-off solenoid so that the leaking carb does not result in a major fuel leak. I installed a new fuel pump from RPM last year and Randy did tell me that it is not guaranteed to act as a fuel stop when it is de-energized but it should. Well, it doesn't. I just purchased a solenoid on eBay and should get it next week. In case you're interested, this is what I'll be installing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321966087552?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT . I believe the original fuel pump does act as a shut-off but mine crapped out in Winner, SD en route to Alaska in 2013 and although I still have it, I would rather go with a new fuel pump and solenoid than a 25 year-old rebuilt fuel pump. Besides, nothing else is stock on this bike, so what the hell?

We had a bit of a reprieve from Old Man Winter for the past week or so, which meant I got to get a January ride in last Saturday. Went for a little 135 km (85 mile) ride. It got up to about 10C (50F) Saturday and Sunday. Except for the fog the last 20 minutes it was a great ride!





That's all I've got for now. Time to get to work!

Zwartie

[ribbert]

The only thing I'm wondering is - why didn't I get one of these years ago!!! Really would have been nice considering all the tear-downs I've done on the Blue Bunny. As soon as I got the lift assembled I realized that there must be a way to load the bike without needing an extra person on hand to clamp down on the front wheel while I steady the bike.
Zwartie

Excellent stuff Zwartie, you have just echoed the sentiments of every member here who has one....why didn't I get one years ago!!!

I don't have a centre stand on my bike either, for years I have just loose fitted it when I have wanted it upright or to service the chain or remove the one or both wheels. Poke the bolts through, no nuts or spring, only takes a second and once the weight of the bike is on it, it's not going anywhere.

To simplify the one man loading, just run it up onto the table and put it on the centre stand, no clamp or tie-downs needed and it's as stable as it is on the ground. You can raise the front wheel with a bottle jack on the lug in front of the drain plug (with the lower fairing on)

I put my bike up most weeks, if only to wash it, using the centre stand it only takes a few minutes from riding in to up in the air.

I removed the wheel clamp on mine today (which I have never used anyway), not being able to turn the bars lock to lock frequently made jobs diffucult.



The uses for a bike lift extend way beyond just bikes, I've had ride on mowers, mulchers, pressure cleaners, engines, car chassis etc on mine, all too heavy or big to lift onto a bench. Also makes a good welding table.
Even if your back and knees are in good nick, it's a joy working at a convenient height.

If you haven't already got one, gets an adjustable mechanics stool, they're cheap and eliminate the need for bending.



Noel

[Zwartie]

I definitely need one of those! Thanks for the tip Noel!

If you haven't already got one, gets an adjustable mechanics stool, they're cheap and eliminate the need for bending.



Noel

[Zwartie]

A couple spy photos of the highly-engineered, super-customized FJ1200 lift bracket:





It keeps the bike nice and stable and it only takes a couple ratchet straps to hold the front and/or back end of the bike in place for service.

Let the tear-down begin!

Zwartie

[X-Ray]

Throw up some photos of the works in progress Ben, you know we love that sort of stuff, 

[balky1]

Throw up some photos of the works in progress Ben, you know we love that sort of stuff, 

Yep, bike porn always welcome! 

[Zwartie]

As is often the case, I never get quite as much work done in the time allotted as I would like. That being said, I never thought I would be able to ride 3 days in a row in February either. It's been a very warm winter here in SW Ontario. I did get a chance to remove the fairing, do a little plastic repair and install the mirrors with integrated turn signals. Just got the fairing back on and I do believe the mirrors look pretty good.

Here's a short video of what they look like in action: https://youtu.be/BUNUTNXrGsQ

Zwartie

[Zwartie]

Here are a few pictures of the mirrors installed.

Front View


Rear view


Front View with the left signal on - yes, it took a few attempts to get the timing right.


I also shot a couple more videos of the signals in action and did this in the middle of the day with full sunlight to see how visible they are during the day. It was about -2C out and yes, the choke is on - the engine is above idle.
https://youtu.be/Rk_lwQgwbA0

https://youtu.be/tlOBNjDv0hU


Zwartie

[Zwartie]

I also got around to installing the fuel solenoid valve. This means that when the bike is turned off, no more puddle of gas on the floor of may garage if one of the carbs decides to overflow. This was an intermittent problem and yes, I know that this does not fix the root cause. That being said, it gives me just a little peace of mind. The replacement fuel pumps do not shut off the flow when they are de-energized.

Here's the solenoid installed


I rode about 50 km on Tuesday afternoon/evening without any issues.

Zwartie

[red]

I also got around to installing the fuel solenoid valve. This means that when the bike is turned off, no more puddle of gas on the floor of may garage if one of the carbs decides to overflow. This was an intermittent problem and yes, I know that this does not fix the root cause. That being said, it gives me just a little peace of mind. The replacement fuel pumps do not shut off the flow when they are de-energized.  Here's the solenoid installed
http://fjowners.com/gallery/10/112_23_03_17_6_11_36.jpeg
Zwartie

Zwarte,

What Part Number solenoid valve did you use?  How much did it cost?

[Zwartie]

What Part Number solenoid valve did you use?  How much did it cost?

I purchased it on EBay and it looks like there are still some more available: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/321966087552?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The cost was around $40 USD including shipping - I had it shipped to my sister's house in Michigan to keep shipping costs down.

Zwartie