Lazy Carb Fix

[Dads_FJ]

Getting to the carbs isn't too bad if you pivot the sub-frame down.  It's only a couple of bolts and it allows room for the air-box to slide back.  I ditched the uni-pods and installed a stock air box with UNI filter, the benefits I experienced from everyday riding outweighed the rare removal of the carbs for me.  To each their own.

[movenon]

I ride instead of dragging pegs and seeing how much I can scrub off the chicken strips.  I've had some good asphalt skin donations, broken bones and high price bike rebuilds and I guess I'm at a different place.  Enjoying my little kookaloo in my own little way. 

I hear you brother ... The mods I make are for reliability, looks, safety and availability of parts. And maybe a little because I am also retired and have the time to play around with it. During the winter it is sleep, shovel snow or work out in the garage ....
George

[yamaha fj rider]

I used to ride at the edge of my ability, now I just want to go fast for a little bit. I have gone through a section turned around and did it again letting it all out, that is all I need now. I don't need to eat the whole cake to enjoy it, just a nice piece or two is enough. With age comes wisdom I hope.

Kurt 

[feederbb]

Most of the riding I do is by myself or with guys who have Hardlys or Jap wannabe Hardlys. I miss my road burner buddies but most of that was "pre kids" and responsibilities were to work, ride, party and hopefully to work again to pay for the process. When I ride with guys around here I usually follow what ever pace they set, which is slow, put up with it till I can't take it anymore, then blast on by with the FJ howl, go up the road an wait.  Sometimes they jack with me and pull over so I come back but most are older and just glad to be out riding. When I'm alone, it's hard for me to justify taking many chances because most of the roads are two laners with very little traffic and help might be a while.  My wife and I ride two up with the saddle bags and do a lot of "sport cruising", which is really cool in South Utah. When I was looking for a bike, we looked at some big Honda thing and it just didn't seem like riding, thankfully my current wife feels the same and takes her place on the back without complaint. 
  I'm not sure that wisdom comes with age but I do think you heal slower and have at least THAT wisdom when your twisting the throttle.  Hell, I hope I never grow up, it just doesn't sound like fun.  When discussing with an older friend about  my sons and where they were in their lives, he made a great comment, "Heck they're into their 20s, that's when they start learning and start realizing that your not as stupid as they thought you were. Now we're old enough to realize that we probably were stupid AND still are. It's called life."   Kevin. 

[movenon]

Let me know if you are planning a multi day ride/tour sometime... I love Southern Utah I think it was hwy 12 ? Might be wrong on that but it sure was nice with the RV. Frurtia / Bryce / Zion / Las Vegas  etc.  There might some other members that would be interested in a extended run ?
George

[feederbb]

George, I will do that.  It really is some of the best riding that I have ever experienced.  I had a friend come out last year from my old area of So Cal.  We rode every day for a week straight (only jumping on the frwy for 40 miles once).  There is just so much two lane hwy that runs all over the state.  He has ridden many places as well and said, hands down the best riding he has ever experienced.  He has invited me back to Cali a bunch of times but I just don't like riding there.  I actually went through a time when I didn't even own a street bike there because of all the crazy close calls with idiots, road rage, angry bitter people all fighting for space on the road or parking spaces, etc.  In my younger years I would split traffic to and from work for 30 miles, the only option to sitting in my car for TWO frickin hours to go that distance in my car.  I didn't blitz like some guys did but went a "safe" speed just in case and still had people trying to squeeze me, throw coffee on me, etc., because they were probably going ballistic, frustrated in traffic.  I busted a few mirrors on my bike AND some cars.  Never again.  Luckily during those years my ex worked at a ktm dealer for some of them and I got my fix riding with the owner on a lot of demo bikes, 950 supermotos, superdukes, adventures, etc., (unfortunately never a RC8).  I rode motocross and for a couple of years supermoto at some really cool places.  Now I'm just enjoying the FJ as much as I can and a little "old guy" 50+ motocross.  It's really nice having both again.  NOW if I can just convince my "current" wife to a third, "adventure touring" bike.  I have a lot of miles on the ktm adventures and would love to have one to explore the thousands of miles of dirt roads around here (some I've already done on the FJ, VERY carefully, and not exactly on purpose).  I'll say this for Idaho, went on a trip with the ktm owner to area around Cour d'alene and rode off road in some of the coolest, tree lined, sticky single track EVER!

[ELIMINATOR]

When you lay your bike up next time, disconnect the fuel flow to the carbs, and run the engine until it runs out of petrol, then your carbs will be fuel free, and  there's nothing to go off.

[FJ111200]

When you lay your bike up next time, disconnect the fuel flow to the carbs, and run the engine until it runs out of petrol, then your carbs will be fuel free, and  there's nothing to go off.

That's a very good tip. 

[Pat Conlon]

When you lay your bike up next time, disconnect the fuel flow to the carbs, and run the engine until it runs out of petrol, then your carbs will be fuel free, and  there's nothing to go off.

+1  Good point Trev, that's what I do.

Add Star Tron to the gas and ride around a bit mix it up real good, then lift the tank and disconnect the vacuum line to the petcock (put a plug in it) and run the carbs dry.....Of course the carbs aren't completely dry, but there is less fuel in the bowls to evaporate.

I've had good results with Star Tron. (fingers crossed)

[feederbb]

Thanks again for all the help.  Spring break so I had some time to fiddle with it.  Ran some good quality fuel system cleaner and did the stop and go deal.  Right away started getting results with easier idle.  Still had a bit of a hick up low speed but soon cleared that out as well.  I'm back to enjoying the smooth, low end grunt that makes the bike so fun to ride, well at least at legal speed fun.  I did pick up some Start Tron for next time it's down, although that might be a good 8-9 months now that spring/summer seems to be here for good!