Hello from Atlanta

[Buz]

Buz here. Newby. Found a 93 FJ1200A (ABS) with 12K miles. Really nice and clean. Progressive fork springs, Corbin seat and K&N air filter otherwise stock.

Above 2k runs like a freight train. Will not idle. Way lean. Pulled carbs. Have stock 155 air and 37.5 fuel jets in idle circuit. Idle fuel jets were clogged. Will clean the carbs and put all back together. Plugs tan brown indicating lean.

Question: Given a K&N air filter, should that alone push me up to a larger Idle fuel jet? Say a 40 or 42? Also, living in Atlanta, should I go to a cooler spark plug?

Thx for the help. Have already learned a lot from this site. E.G. I dropped the rear frame section to ease in air filter housing removal. Also, before dis-assembly, with engine running, did the spray test for air leaks. Found none.

Again, many thanks.

PS: Any Atlanta FJ members active?

[Bill_Rockoff]

Welcome! Nice find, that's some pretty low miles.

Sounds like you're on the right track with cleaning the carbs. Stock jetting has been fine for me, and I also have a K&N panel filter in the stock airbox. I have no idea what plugs work best, I can't remember the last time I've changed or even seen mine; the bike has mostly been "fine." I have followed Carroll Smith's advice from "Prepare to Win" / "Engineer to Win" series, "there's an engine up there, as long as it's working you should probably leave it alone." That said, mine is noticeably oil-thirsty and down on power, which is whatcha get after 25 years with some rush-hour traffic. I have lost count of the valve cover gaskets I have cooked and replaced, and mine is weeping from the head gasket too. A rebuild is on my financial-planning spreadsheet for next year.

I'm in the Roswell area, Jeff Hoffman (suspension guru) is also in the area but travels a lot. I have a valve tool you're welcome to borrow when the time comes. I'm bringing my FJ's wheels to Cobb Parkway Saturday for tires, and then getting my wife's Miata back on its wheels, so I don't know if I'll get free for a trip to north Georgia or not, but I should be in good shape to ride the FJ to work this week, and I plan to do some weekend riding over the summer. You just missed the spring rally (we meet in Boone NC the weekend before Memorial Day every year) but there's also a group of people planning to meet up in Wytheville VA this fall, I think another group going to Tellico Plains TN the weekend before that, and a group of folks are going to Petaluma.... well, I think they're mostly there now actually. One of these years...

Have you ridden much / lived in the Atlanta area long? We have some of the best riding in the world less than three hours from town. 30 years ago I used to go do a triangle of 129, 180, and 60 with college friends just about every Sunday, and a friend's stepdad who lived in Kennesaw used to do Deal's Gap / Cherohala Skyway as a Sunday ride (you've never seen a Sportster corner like that, or at least I haven't.)

[Buz]

Thx for your reply. Very encouraging. Will stay with stock jets for now.

Yes riding Atlanta and north Georgia area since 1990. Been in and out of over a dozen bikes. Have done the loop you mentioned many times. I live near Canton so my brother and I go out on Sunday's and just try to get lost. Beware roads that turn to gravel just around the bend or over the hill! Prefer standards. Mildly mechanical. Had a 98 Buell S1 with a Mikuni that I never sorted out but learned a lot that is helping me now with the FJ.

I will get out the 3rd pilot mixture screw with an "easy out" and make sure the pilot fuel jets are squeaky clean, re-assemble and try it out. May go to a new fuel filter. I'm sure this time I can get it going smooth. I may take you up on the valve tool loaner. Also I may need help with the suspension setup. It rides stiff and a little pogo. That may be our roads or the rough idle.

Thanks again.  Hope to meet you and the others sometime.

Buz near Milton/Canton just northwest of Atlanta.

[Moto1te]

I have a 89 FJ1200. I live in Acworth, GA. Looking for for a left mirror, either OEM or one that will fit with little mods.

Buz here. Newby. Found a 93 FJ1200A (ABS) with 12K miles. Really nice and clean. Progressive fork springs, Corbin seat and K&N air filter otherwise stock.

Above 2k runs like a freight train. Will not idle. Way lean. Pulled carbs. Have stock 155 air and 37.5 fuel jets in idle circuit. Idle fuel jets were clogged. Will clean the carbs and put all back together. Plugs tan brown indicating lean.

Question: Given a K&N air filter, should that alone push me up to a larger Idle fuel jet? Say a 40 or 42? Also, living in Atlanta, should I go to a cooler spark plug?

Thx for the help. Have already learned a lot from this site. E.G. I dropped the rear frame section to ease in air filter housing removal. Also, before dis-assembly, with engine running, did the spray test for air leaks. Found none.

Again, many thanks.

PS: Any Atlanta FJ members active?

[Moto1te]

Hey Buzz,

I am in Acworth, GA. If you need a riding buddy or have questions about the FJ. I have a 89 Midnight blue bike with 30K miles on the clock.

Todd

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Hi Buz, Welcome. Your in the right place. I'm always amazed when these low mileage FJs are found. Good for you. Could be that bike sat around a bit (like mine did) and carbs are gunked up.  Complete disassembly and run through ultra sonic cleaner, may do the trick. I removed my carbs, and sent to RPM years ago (this after trying to clean just with carb cleaners). I let them know about my air cleaner swap (uni pods), altitude I am at most of the time. Man I have been fine ever since. If your not super comfortable with carburetor disassembly,  I recommend using RPM.
Mike

[Paul.1478]

Hey Buzz,

I am in Acworth, GA. If you need a riding buddy or have questions about the FJ. I have a 89 Midnight blue bike with 30K miles on the clock.

Todd

Todd,
I actually have his bike. I got it a little over a year ago. I live in Newnan and would love to go ride with another FJ.
PM if your are interested. we have a LOT of good areas in North GA and NC.