SUPER Discouraged!

[Lotsokids]

4 days!! ? You're frustrated at having to wait 4 days   That would be considered instant service in most dealerships in Australia, and many in  the US even for brand new bikes.
Your FJ is over 22 years old and the model run ended in 1993 - 17 years ago.  Be glad that parts are available at all.  Patience is your friend.

Cheers,
Arnie

No, I think you missed it. I'm not frustrated with the wait. I'm fine with waiting 4 days or even a week. I'm talking about the language barrier. The sales person does not know how to tell me when the part will come in. We usually find a calendar and figure it out. I've learned limited Hungarian words, so at least I can understand if he can even order it or not. That was a challenge in the beginning.

Think of it like this... if you walked up to a dealership's parts counter with your mouth taped shut, and the parts guy had his mouth taped shut, then try to order something. It's the same.

With respect to the Hungarians, I don't expect them to learn English because I'm in their country. Just like if you live in America, you shouldn't demand special provisions if you don't speak English. Ooooo let's open that can of worms. 

[indyblue]

Thanks, all. 
I took a breather, and all should be fine. But hey, I didn't wreck, or trash the transmission (which I have experience in), so it could always be worse. I just get frustrated with trying to save money by buying old crap that I have to CONSTANTLY keep working on, then miss time spent with my wife and 6 kids. I'd probably be better off just dumping about $10,000 into a bike that I don't have to tinker with. You can't put a price on time with family.

Good advice about the seals. I emailed a parts request today to the Yamaha shop. Another factor is that I live in Hungary where they DO NOT speak English. So you can imagine the challenge ordering parts.

At this point, I still do not know if I broke the bolt off or just stripped it. If I stripped the head, that creates another challenge. I'll know in a few days.

It was explained to me that (fiber) gaskets should be installed dry because once installed they will soak up oil and expand to fill the gaps between tightened surfaces.  If a sealer is added, the gasket may not expand consistently if oil can't soak in.

Anyone else HATE driving a car on nice sunny days?   

Nope!  Not this car.  And we had record high temps the past two days here in Indy

[rktmanfj]

And we had record high temps the past two days here in Indy

Yes we have!       

Randy T
Indy

[Firehawk068]

Nope!  Not this car.  And we had record high temps the past two days here in Indy

You suck!!!!!!!
I'm jealous!

[Perez]

Just a short story that in the end should serve as encouragement and you will hopefully feel less bad.

I collect and fix old bikes. I have a honda magna V45 that I am working on. The type of engine you have (an in-line 4) is Sooo much easier that the V twins or V4's on cruisers. You have to completely pull the tank, the carbs are a MoFo to get out, long story short I clean the carbs put them back in and find I have a coolant pipe leaking that was UNDER my carbs. Pull it all back out and fix leak, pressure test. Good. Start it and it leaks AGAIN!.....also an absolute MoFo to work on.

Once you pull that gas tank the cylinder heads are right there, even if you have to re-tap a thread. In the big picture, while you may be pissed, I would not sweat it. It happens to all of us.

Your parts procurement sitch is another story. What about using ebay and having them ship to Hungary? Find a friend that speaks both languages and bring him to the parts counter with you?

[indyblue]

Just a short story that in the end should serve as encouragement and you will hopefully feel less bad.

I collect and fix old bikes. I have a honda magna V45 that I am working on. The type of engine you have (an in-line 4) is Sooo much easier that the V twins or V4's on cruisers.

I hear ya on those V45's.  I had an '82 V45 Sabre with the Hondaline full Faring for the last 15 yrs.  Great bikes to ride and I really loved the look,  but the parts and labor necessary to work on it was overwhelming.  I got rid of it for the FJ and can't be happier to work on the inline 4.

More parts seem to be available for the FJ as well.

This one's not mine but exactly like it.  On cold days you could install the lower farings and be toasty, mine had a Kerker 4-1 on it, plenty of torque to go around.

[andyb]

I'll third the motion... the honda V-4's are a real bastard to get the carbs in and out.  Worse, they plug the pilots really quickly if you let them sit.  At least you can often change mix screw settings without taking the bike to bits.

[Lotsokids]

I got my baby repaired again - the valve cover bolt was broken, but easily removed. I had the Yamaha shop order a couple new bolts, a new vavle cover gasket and a whole set of new rubber grommets that are fitted onto the bolts. I gave him a picture, description, part number and everything. He ordered washers instead of rubber grommets. I had to wait a couple weeks for the wrong parts. Bummer! He ordered the right parts, and in the mean time I just put a large amount of sealant around the valve cover bolts. I doesn't leak at all. With your advice, I installed the valve cover gasket dry. Works great! Thank you.

I got the bike repaired in time to join some bikers in a benefit ride for the victims of the "red sludge" incident near Devecser, Hungary (about 15 minutes south of where I live). I rode about 2 hours to the starting point in Budapest. Then we rode 120 miles to Devecser, the the ride home. I think I rode about 250 miles today. It was a very good time, but kind of cold.



The stop lights here go: Green -> Yellow -> Red -> Yellow -> Green



Representing the FJ's! Yes, I had the only one there.



And finally a [slightly cheesy] pic of my new Vance & Hines pipe...
I know it goes black into chrome, but it's better than rust.

[Yamifj1200]

Way to go, I know the repair was a pain but simple for the most part and you can now ride your bike and still be happy with it. Trust me if you got rid if the FJ you would be sorry...

Eric M

[paulfj03]

Excellent! Sounds like a great ride. It was worth it, eh!
The more you ride it,the more you will thank yourself.

[karl61]

I liked reading this thread. I learned things and glad things worked out. I agree that sometimes you just need to back off for a while - take a breather.

I also found something recently regarding translating languages and thought I would share:

http://translate.google.com/?hl=en&tab=wT#en|bg|

[Lotsokids]

Yes, I use Google Translate quite often!