The last bit

[FJTillDeath]

So I am back after a good few months now and the FJ is about 3 days away from being back on the road.

To summarise the problems and what all has been done I will put it all here.

A huge thanks to Randy for the parts and advice he supplied and also for explaining things so that I could understand them. Still got a bit to do, but the bulk has at least been done.

So first the main problem: The timing chain. Took the old one out, which was in a really sad and sorry state and replaced with a brand new one.
Secondly some form of silicone was used to seal up the head instead of the actual valve cover gasket. the person who did it, did a really crappy job and so I had the lovely task of making sure there were no loose pieces floating around the engine. Cleaned gunk off and replaced with a brand new valve cover gasket. This was the cause for the main oil leak that made me give everybody headaches

Replaced all the valve stem seals

Then we(the guy who is helping me out and basically doing most of the work on my bike) found a wire or was it a pipe that had broken off from its original place many years ago. The guy helping me named Craig said it was responisble for timing/ throttle response and poor mileage. I had had a slow response from my throttle before so it sounds about right. Anyway that was fixed.

Then I was told that by the looks of things the bike had been standing for a good many years before I ever got ahold of it, so we did a bit of maintenace to spruce things up a bit.

Then we moved on to the carbs. Sure enough some very old and worn parts. Replaced with almost new parts(will be ordering from Randy when I get cash again hopefully) but at least the carbs will be clean and properly synced when we are finished.

Will also be putting fresh clutch fluid and brake fluid in and doing the bleeding

Then the last problem was the shims. We measured a week ago and found no gaps or clearance whatsoever(luckily no damage to the valves) and with Randys advice I got  a bunch of shims which I think are the correct size. I was one short until this morning when I got lucky and found the last one needed. Now I wait 3 days for it to arrive, pop it in, assemble everything back together, pop in some petrol and ride it to see if all really is well. From there I will decide whether to cut my losses and sell the FJ and get a better condition one or continue to fix mine up.

I am gonna be needing a lot of general maintenace parts soon(brake pads, sprockets, some tyres etc etc) but hopefully this is enough to get the bike back up and running

Sorry for the long post
PS I messed you guys

[FJTillDeath]

Oh and the exhaust problem: The clowns who fitted the new exhaust did not use gaskets and instead use some sealant. I had to clean that out too - not fun. On my way today to get proper gaskets, or I will order from Randy.

As many members had suspected before with the countless problems I had mentioned, many of you were spot on just thought I would let you know.

Next major project for the bike are the forks, still got that leak thinking I should just hang in there and upgrade the forks or repair now and fix later

[Harvy]

Good to see you back here Jesse.....if it were me with your bike - you've done so much to her now.......keep going and keep the bike. You now know what's what with this one......selling it and getting another is just going to introduce a new set of unknowns to your bike-riding life.

Just my opinion mate.

Harvy

[FJTillDeath]

Thanks Harvy, I appreciate your opinion:)

I probably will keep the bike

By some strain of luck I got ahold of a guy in my city who keeps a mountain load of spare shims who just happened to have the size I needed. So I popped it in and tested. Had enough clearance so I set towards putting everything back in place.

I would have been on my bike this morning had I not forgotten 2 crucial things
1: Fill up on petrol
2: Charge the battery. Well actually I did but the charger I used wasnt working

My result, had the bike on for 15 seconds, then it died. This was at 11 last night so me and Craig called it a day.

So hopefully tonight we'll get her up and running

The one thing I did notice however was that there was a bunch of fluid on the floor next to the front tyre. Doesnt look like ano of it is on the tyre or the brakes, but I am assuming that with the bike standing on its sidestand for the last 4 months the fork leak just got worse. So for now Im just gonna top it up and then see the extent of the leak after that

I cant wait! Hearing my bike for those 15 seconds was just pure lust and music to my ears

[fj11.5]

welcome back Jesse, hope she runs well , , have you tried cleaning the fork seal with a thin feeler gauge , may stop it leaking for awhile longer 

[FJTillDeath]

Havent tried that no..

Awesome news.

Tuesday night, plugged the battery in, gave the FJ a few liters of petrol. Started right up but died the moment I put the lights on, so battery is still a bit weak.

Rode a good couple of miles and then turned the lights on, no problem.

She started right up yesterday with no problems or choke - nice hot day.

This morning she died a bit, but it was a very cold night last night, once I got her on and kept her on, no problem at all.

Report, she sounds brilliant!
Pull off and accellaration feels so much smoother

All in all im  very happy to be back on her, the power is quite scary.
With new spark plugs im sure she will start nicely no problem