Burns a little oil - new owner questions about ABS

[honeybadger]

Hi everyone, bought a '92 1200 /w ABS a couple weeks ago.

It's got 77,600 miles, but runs like a top. everything on it is so clean you could eat off of it. Custom touches like hard wired radar detector, wired for heated gear, 12v outlet, spin on oil filter adapter, progressive fork springs, tank sealed, custom fork seal boots, protective tape on lower fairing/tank, protective headlight cover, custom 3 inch extensions for the mirrors, a full set of replacement screws for the carbs that are allen head and all milled to the right lengths, all new electrics fused, full service manual, and the owner's manual has every single service since new written in, including a rebuild at 62k miles that included .5 bore /w new pistons + rings, 8 exh valves, and a year later @ 66k miles with a rebore on the new pistons, new rings again and 8 new exh valves again... it looks like there was a usage problem because at 67k miles, he switched to 40w NAPA oil (valvoline) and it says that it cured the oil usage. valves haven't been checked since 67k miles, what are the valve check intervals on this bike?



Overall, the bike was a steal. the original owner only sold it because he turned 90 and decided to give up riding, and I got it from a guy who couldn't justify 5 bikes after buying an FJR1300. Both were mature, older guys who knew their stuff, kept the bike garaged and gave it loving tongue-baths. I'm continuing this theme by pulling off all the panels, doing a deep clean and making sure it's in tip top shape.

Took the bike home /w all the goodies for a whopping 2 grand.

When I test rode it, there was no oil usage I could see. but a long, hot ride back in stop and go traffic had it smoking when the throttle is really cracked and the revs break 4k. I figured it just cooked its oil, so the next day I swapped in fresh valvoline 10w40, and it still smokes. But once I've warmed it thoroughly, about 10-15 minutes into riding, the oil burning clears completely. but towards the end of my ride as I idle it pulling into the garage, it burns oil again (only under WOT and past 3-4k)

One thing that was off was the case said 3000cc, which would be 3 quarts, but it took the better part of 3.5 quarts after running the oil into it and retopping it to the sight glass (checking sight glass while on center stand.) I may have ever so slightly overfilled it, or would the spin-on oil filter increase the capacity slightly?

I've only had the bike a couple weeks, and have only put about 150 miles on it, and aside from the oil burning, the thing pulls like a freight train, has no stumbling anywhere whatsoever, fuels absolutely flawlessly, sounds like a swiss watch and overall rides like a brand new motorcycle. Is the oil burning when cold likely from the rebore opening up the ring tolerances slightly? I know air cooled engines are designed with lots of expansion tolerance to prevent heat seizing, but still, it's a niggling annoyance with an otherwise stupidly awesome bike. If it wasn't so heavy, I'd just sell my RST1000 futura! as it is, the futura is for 2 up touring and sportbike blasting, whereas the FJ is for commuting and solo long distance rides. Would switching oils to synthetic or a heavier (say 15w50) oil likely help? would straight 40w be as terrible as it would be in a car? I ride in seattle year-round, so cold starting is going to happen, even in my garage. but I always let my bikes warm up. The FJ is ever-so-slightly cold blooded, taking 2-4 minutes with 3 clicks of the choke before being able to take the choke off (I can ride it after ~30 seconds with the choke still out, however.)

I'm also averaging ~35-40mpg non-freeway. is this about right?

Finally, the ABS system. Is there a way to test it? the light cycles on and off properly when starting, but I really don't want to just try to lock the thing up. I can always test the back, but locking the front is suicidal, and It would be nice to know if it needs servicing before i need to rely on it in the rain!

Bike also came with sprockets, various replacement bits, original jets (has been rejetted for the rebuild, still standard intake and exhaust setup) an extra rear tire, whole nine yards. I'm chuffed to bits with the thing, I just want to see if I can get this oil problem solved.

Pic of the girl

[Arnie]

HI Honey,
Welcome

Couple of thoughts about your oil usage.  You're right that it may be burning a bit of oil due to the re-bore.  Probably not because of excess clearance, but not yet bedded in.  Especially if the rider was 90, he may have been way too gentle with the bike and the rings may not yet be seated.  They could also be gummed and stuck in their lands.
The bike is running well you say.  Then give it a good hard ride.  Take it for a couple of hundred mile run and use the revs.  Try not sitting on a steady 4,000 rpm cruise, but run it up and down the rev range spending a fair bit in the 6-8Krpm part of the dial.

The oil level sensor is a bit touchy and most run the oil level to between the upper line and the top of the window.

Oil type, brand, weight is a touchy subject on this and many other bike forums.
Some believe that they must run the most expensive magic formula techno wizardry synthetic oil, and others find dead dinosaur's food stuff works just fine.  Still others choose to use 15W40 Diesel oil with a CH4 spec.  I'm in the last catagory.  My bike now has ~135K kms (84K miles) and I use about 1/2 liter between changes.  The faster I spin it, the more I use.

Valve check intervals of 10K miles is reasonable after they've settled down.  If he's replaced all the ex valves twice now, I'd check them at 5K mile intevals till you get 2 or 3 checks with no or almost no change.  It is typical that these clearances close up over time.

Your fuel usage seems pretty normal.  Some get better, some worse.  It really seems to depend on how hard and fast you ride.  Your gearing will also play a part here.

I have no personal knowledge of the ABS system.  I'll let others talk about that.

Your bike looks great.  Go out and ride it.

BTW  Where are you?  There is probably an experienced member here who'll be happy to help you get acquainted with your new baby as well as go riding with you.  And, use the "files" section to answer many or most of your questions.

Cheers,
Arnie

[Dan Filetti]

Welcome here, nice intro.

Dan

[fj11.5]

hey mate, welcome to the land of Fj,s

[Pat Conlon]

Arnie knows of what he speaks. Even with 15k miles on the rebuild, perhaps the rings need a bit more seating.
Run it hard for the next 5k miles then switch over to a ester based synthetic. In my experience, in hot weather desert riding I have found that Redline oil does not burn off like other Dino oils I have tried.
Run it hard first.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome HB, I would have punched in earlier but I was enjoying the the hills of Napa Vally with a few other FJ riders during the Renegade rally, nice way to wrap up the rally season, leaving you wanting more. Get your self to a rally and meet some us misfits. Get ride time in to seat the rings, good advise has already been posted so follow it and report back.