New to FJ- a couple observations......

[Blackcloud89]

I all- I apologize if this isn't really in the correct location.   I rode my FJ home about 300 miles after buying it this weekend; cruising around 72mph on the freeway.  I noticed two things:
1.  Bars seemed pretty buzzy at that speed- so much so that my throttle hand was a little wore out when I got home.  I'm wondering if I should be checking my motor mounts?  Is there a typical culprit or should I just give everyone a once over?
2.  My front brake lever seems to build resistance, and then squeezing a little harder it seems to "break" and then the brakes respond with more force than I initially wanted.  It's a little herky-jerky.  I'm thinking the piston is sticking in the master cylinder- but the PO did fork seals recently- so there is a possibility its a caliper seal as well.  I'm looking at doing the R1 caliper swap (master cyl. too) anyway- so perhaps I should just step up the time frame on that change rather than trying to diagnose the current brakes?

Thanks in advance!

[FJ_Hooligan]

1 - Check engine mounts and lower frame leg bolts (these sometimes break behind the footpeg bracket and go undetected.
1 - Next check the valve clearances then sync the carbs.

2 - I had the exact symptom when leaking fork oil had contaminated the seals in the front calipers.  Small squeeze had almost no braking at all.  Squeeze harder and braking would improve but not in expected proportion to the lever force applied.  Continue squeezing then you would feel something give in the lever then way too much braking.  New caliper seals fixed me up.  Good reason to move on to the monoblocks.

[Blackcloud89]

I'll start shopping for calipers!  Kinda figured that's be the easiest solution.

I'll look around at motor mounts and frame bolts too.  Thanks for the frame suggestion- wouldn't have thought of that.

[movenon]

I'll start shopping for calipers!  Kinda figured that's be the easiest solution.

I'll look around at motor mounts and frame bolts too.  Thanks for the frame suggestion- wouldn't have thought of that.

Consider upgrading the front brake calipers to Yamaha blue dots (or gold ones) if you are going to buy a set.

Most FJ's hit a vibration point at somewhere around 3-3500K. There are things you can do to reduce it but it will always be there to some degree.  I try to run at 4500 -5000 RPM. At 5K it is pretty smooth.  Lugging it a 3000K not so much .  Do the carb adjust and sync first, foam grips help, I don't have any but they say Vibranators work good also. http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AVibranator&cat=22.
George

[ribbert]

My front brake lever seems to build resistance, and then squeezing a little harder it seems to "break" and then the brakes respond with more force than I initially wanted.  It's a little herky-jerky. 

Another common reason for what you describe is the end of the piston becomes pitted where the lever contacts it and it "catches" as you apply pressure, then lets go. Easy enough to check visually.

Noel

[fjfool]

I'll start shopping for calipers!  Kinda figured that's be the easiest solution.

I'll look around at motor mounts and frame bolts too.  Thanks for the frame suggestion- wouldn't have thought of that.

hey there,
i have a couple of pair of the blue dot calipers- used
let me know if you want to go that direction

[Blackcloud89]

Well- the yard had me tied up last night so I didn't get to spend any time investigating things further on the FJ.  Maybe tonight........

[Blackcloud89]

I'll start shopping for calipers!  Kinda figured that's be the easiest solution.

I'll look around at motor mounts and frame bolts too.  Thanks for the frame suggestion- wouldn't have thought of that.

hey there,
i have a couple of pair of the blue dot calipers- used
let me know if you want to go that direction

Dang!  I pulled the trigger on a set of gold dots last night!  Decided I better just start accumulating parts as I find them.

[red]

1.  Bars seemed pretty buzzy at that speed- so much so that my throttle hand was a little wore out when I got home.  I'm wondering if I should be checking my motor mounts?  Is there a typical culprit or should I just give everyone a once over?  Thanks in advance!

Blackcloud,

Check the motor mounts.  I think you have rubber inserts there.  If the mounts have rubber inserts, the rubber can become hard and seized.  You may be able to replace them with new, or at least clean and lubricate the ones that you have.  Randy at RPM would have a line on the the rubber, if anybody.
http://www.rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39

Check that no frame assembly bolts are cracked or rusted.

One member here has suggested to sync the carbs at about 3500 rpm, then again as per normal.

RPM sells Vibranators, which are more than just simple bar end weights.  They helped a lot on my FJ1100.

Foam grips can also be a help with vibrations.

Welcome to the FJforum.
Red

[Blackcloud89]

Here it goes.....at the risk of being flamed......

I bought Yamaha gold dot calipers.  And RC-51 master cylinders. 

Here's my rationale- I wanted the master cyl. upgrade as well- but I have to have the levers matching- so I decided I needed to find a hydro clutch bike too.
I know superhawk would work- but then I found the RC ones I decided that I might as well get the high-zoot ones if it costs the same.  So now my lever and cylinders will match each other.  All with pee cups.
I guess it's a throwback to my sportbike days.

[Blackcloud89]

Rode it to work today!  Man that was nice!I can elaborate now on the buzziness- seems pretty good about 4k- light buzz on the left bar- doesn't seem abnormal.  Around 5k, the left side is a little more pronounced and the right side gains some.  I don't know that I can saw its out of the realm though.  Didn't make 6k (in 5th anyway- there wasn't room  ).  Anyway- not trying to complain- just making note.  I know the FJ is notoriously smooth- and I think from memory it is smoother than my RR was.  Just want to make sure it's ok.  I will still look at the motor mounts this weekend.