Greetings from Ohio!

[MidwestFJ1100]

Hello fellow FJ owners!

My name is Justin. Just purchased my second motorcycle, an 85 FJ1100. I had a 75 XS650 but had to part ways with the old lady. I rode the bike all day yesterday for the first time and I'm completely satisfied with my purchase  

I'm 23 years old, been licensed for almost two years and I don't see myself ever not owning a bike. I'm a pretty conservative rider who does like the occasional spirited ride. If they've anyone in my area, I'd love to get together for a ride and gain some knowledge on my new investment.

On my first day of riding, I've noticed a couple issues. My speedometer bounces at highway speeds, above 15 mph I get a kind of whoo whoo sound from the front fairing area and my throttle will kill the engine if I bring it back to the closed/idle position. I've read about the speedometer issue already and the previous owner already replaced the cable so I guess that leaves the gear or the actual gauge itself.

Anyway, enough about me haha glad to have find a lively forum!

Justin

[racerman_27410]

Welcome to the group Justin,

Lots of FJ speedos bounce.... might try lubing the cable to see if that will help.

if the engine appears to be running correctly then maybe you just need to adjust the idle speed?

congrats on the new purchase!


KOokaloo!

Frank

[markmartin]

Welcome Justin.  What racerman said. I used white lithium grease and it helped quite a bit.  I may try it again and leave a little more grease on the cable the next time. Good luck and enjoy your FJ

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Welcome Justin,
I had an XS 650 too..... just outta of high school, but that was about 40 years ago. Big change to the FJ. Enjoy. Be sure to get a repair manual. The idle adjustment is pretty easy, just takes a long screwdriver to turn the knurled idle adjustment knob hidden between engine and carbs. If that doesn't do it let us know. Go to vender's section, see RPM. Great source for FJ goodines, pretty
sure he has manuals too.
Mike

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Justin, we need all the Red and Whites we can get. We will have a Majority soon. However votes aren't binding as March has a totalitarian grip on this site.....Of course, it is his site so he gets to be the King. Get your Kookaloo on and keep us posted on your FJ adventures.

[cyclenutk75]

Hey Justin.  I'm in Ohio and it aint that big a state, so that puts me in the area.   Bring her by and we'll lube that speedo cable and adjust the idle.  Then we'll ride.  That is if you don't mind hanging with an old dude.  Where are you in OH?
GT

[MidwestFJ1100]

Thanks for the advice! I'm an auto mechanic and motorcycles scare me kinda. I tinkered around with the XS a bit and I don't see this being TOO foreign to me.

Cyclenutk75: I live in Springfield and work in Columbus. It's a pretty nice commute on the back roads ... plenty of gentle twisties to keep me occupied.

On another note, I haven't scoured the forum very much (work keeps me busy) but if someone could point me in the direction of any DIY's, I'd like to get elbow deep and learn as much on my bike as possible. Most manual's I've dealt with (excluding FSM's) deal with a pretty fair range of years and I tend to end up with specifics that are, either, too old or too new. Any recommendations on a good publisher?

[cyclenutk75]

Springfield to Cow Town and back every day, and not on I70 - that's quite a daily commute.  I use Haynes and  Clymer manuals for my DIY references.  Actually used a manual like these to split the cases and replace a shift fork in a '73 XS650 back in about '75 when I was a fearless teen.  Either covers all years.  I actually prefer the Haynes over the Clymer.

Lots of good riding starting just east of Columbus.  If you like the curves, SR 555 (famous in the sport/sprot touring circles) starts in Zanesville and goes south to the river.  Actually, any of the state routes in that area are good.  I'm outside of Shreve, south of Wooster which is midway between Canton and Mansield.  The flatlanders refer to it as "Amish Country".  If you're up for a ride sometime we could meet at Iron Pony in Col if you need any MC goodies, or at a rest area on I70 between Col and Zanesville and hit some of those SE Ohio roads.   Or anywhere else you like.  I'll bring Mr. Haynes and Mr. Clymer with me.

GT

[baldy3853]

Welcome to the nut house Justin you will truely love the FJ it is a great bike 
Baldy

[cyclenutk75]

Any recommendations on a good publisher?

Here you go Justin - answer to your prayers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Haynes-Service-Repair-Manual-Yamaha-FJ1100-FJ1200-Fours-84-96-A-condition-/120907530376?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item1c26a68088&vxp=mtr