New FJ owner from Fort Wayne,IN

[josh_smith91]

hey guys. name is josh. from fort wayne indiana. this is the 5th bike ive owned
1st-2009 hyosung gy200-sold
2nd-1982 yamaha xj750r-sold
3rd-2000 kawasaki zr7-stolen
4th-2003 suzuki gsxr 1000-traded it for a car
5th/current-1985 yamaha fj1100-not going anywhere anytime soon

picked it up for 500 bucks runs n rides great needs a few minor fixes but nothing serious, had to repaint the tank but other than that i think i got a great deal on it.

i found a page that describes how to adjust the fuel air mixture which after reading the article mine needs it done. few things i have questions about.
-how do i adjust the idle out of the 4 previous bikes i owned 3 of em had carbs and the idle adjuster was out in the open well on the FJ i cant seem to find it anywhere. so what im wondering is, where the heck is it?!?!?!?! maybe post a pic of its location
-my petcock is leaking, the petcock on my seca leaked from the seals but the seals on mine right now seem to be in good shape, but there is an elbow guessing a breather or vacuum line, well it looks like its leaking from there. is there an o-ring thats suppose to go on it or should i get a silicone sealer rated for gas and put the elbow on and seal it?

well theres my intro everyone, hello to everyone. also thanks in advance for answers to my questions

[Capn Ron]

hey guys. name is josh. from fort wayne indiana. this is the 5th bike ive owned
1st-2009 hyosung gy200-sold
2nd-1982 yamaha xj750r-sold
3rd-2000 kawasaki zr7-stolen
4th-2003 suzuki gsxr 1000-traded it for a car
5th/current-1985 yamaha fj1100-not going anywhere anytime soon

picked it up for 500 bucks runs n rides great needs a few minor fixes but nothing serious, had to repaint the tank but other than that i think i got a great deal on it.

i found a page that describes how to adjust the fuel air mixture which after reading the article mine needs it done. few things i have questions about.
-how do i adjust the idle out of the 4 previous bikes i owned 3 of em had carbs and the idle adjuster was out in the open well on the FJ i cant seem to find it anywhere. so what im wondering is, where the heck is it?!?!?!?! maybe post a pic of its location
-my petcock is leaking, the petcock on my seca leaked from the seals but the seals on mine right now seem to be in good shape, but there is an elbow guessing a breather or vacuum line, well it looks like its leaking from there. is there an o-ring thats suppose to go on it or should i get a silicone sealer rated for gas and put the elbow on and seal it?

Welcome to the group Josh!
Yeah, it sounds like you got a great deal on that bike!!  I'm sure others will chime in on the petcock issue (I'm on a fuel pump '92 model so still don't completely understand the issues/options for a good fix there).

I suppose I'll throw out that same disclaimer on the idle adjustment screw...I imagine it's in the same place on all the years.  Mine is dead-center left to right and in FRONT of the carburetors.  Basically between carbs 2 and 3.  Mine is conveniently, a nearly dime-sized thumb screw, but very inconveniently, you can't possibly get a thumb back in there to turn it!  If the threads aren't all gummed up or corroded, generally you can poke a long flat-blade screw driver back in there and catch the side of that thumb screw to adjust it up or down.  Generally speaking, you're looking for around 1,100 RPM at idle.

Hope that helps!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[FJmonkey]

I suppose I'll throw out that same disclaimer on the idle adjustment screw...I imagine it's in the same place on all the years.  Mine is dead-center left to right and in FRONT of the carburetors.  Basically between carbs 2 and 3.  Mine is conveniently, a nearly dime-sized thumb screw, but very inconveniently, you can't possibly get a thumb back in there to turn it!  If the threads aren't all gummed up or corroded, generally you can poke a long flat-blade screw driver back in there and catch the side of that thumb screw to adjust it up or down.  Generally speaking, you're looking for around 1,100 RPM at idle.

Hope that helps!

Cap'n Ron. . .

The carbs are the same for all years regarding the idle adjustment. I can adjust mine with a (cotton) gloved hand, engine at proper temp (HOT). I reach in and adjust as required. I have small-ish hands and can get away with this technique. I did the long screwdriver method till I discovered that I bent the adjusting screw. Aside from that I can only offer one more bit of advice. Don't try to adjust your idle while at a stop light and wearing your armored riding gloves. When the light turned turned green, I discovered my gloves prevented my hand from pulling out of the engine....  I yanked and got my hand clear, but the emotional damage was done.

[ribbert]

I suppose I'll throw out that same disclaimer on the idle adjustment screw...I imagine it's in the same place on all the years.  Mine is dead-center left to right and in FRONT of the carburetors.  Basically between carbs 2 and 3.  Mine is conveniently, a nearly dime-sized thumb screw, but very inconveniently, you can't possibly get a thumb back in there to turn it!  If the threads aren't all gummed up or corroded, generally you can poke a long flat-blade screw driver back in there and catch the side of that thumb screw to adjust it up or down.  Generally speaking, you're looking for around 1,100 RPM at idle.

Hope that helps!

Cap'n Ron. . .

The carbs are the same for all years regarding the idle adjustment. I can adjust mine with a (cotton) gloved hand, engine at proper temp (HOT). I reach in and adjust as required. I have small-ish hands and can get away with this technique. I did the long screwdriver method till I discovered that I bent the adjusting screw. Aside from that I can only offer one more bit of advice. Don't try to adjust your idle while at a stop light and wearing your armored riding gloves. When the light turned turned green, I discovered my gloves prevented my hand from pulling out of the engine....  I yanked and got my hand clear, but the emotional damage was done.

Also helps if you open the throttle a little, lifting the adjuster off it's rest. Makes it easier to turn. As monkey says, the gloved hand (once you know what you're feeling for) is much easier than the screw driver which can easily bend the screw.

Noel

[josh_smith91]

thanks for your answers guys. i had a feeling it would be in an inconvenient spot haha. all the other bike i owned that you could adjust the idle it was out in the open and i could adjust sitting at a light if i need to with or without gloves on, but none the less thank god i can adjust it now. rode it home from the guy i got it from and even after being warmed up at stop signs at stop lights it idled at like 500ish so yea much needed adjustment. when i get done painting the tank and get the leaking petcock done ill get it all back together and let ya guys know how it turns out

[movenon]

Welcome Josh !  Sounds like you have a project.  Lots of help an information here.
George

[josh_smith91]

well just went out to the bike and did some searching for it and as soon as i seen it first thing i said, are you F'ing kidding me!!!! that is possibly the most inconvenient spot ive ever seen. i guess its like those rotisserie oven info commercials, set it and forget it!!!! well my hand is to fat to fit in there, time to call upon a skinny friend. thanks for your help on that guys. now to figure out the leaking petcock issue

[movenon]

well just went out to the bike and did some searching for it and as soon as i seen it first thing i said, are you F'ing kidding me!!!! that is possibly the most inconvenient spot ive ever seen. i guess its like those rotisserie oven info commercials, set it and forget it!!!! well my hand is to fat to fit in there, time to call upon a skinny friend. thanks for your help on that guys. now to figure out the leaking petcock issue

I just use a long screwdriver.  After it is set you very rarely have to adjust it.  It is inconvenient as you say.  If you think that is inconvenient read about pulling your air box so you can remove the carbs............ Fortunately there is an easy fix for that.  UniPods..... http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Carb%3ARPMPod&cat=24.
George

[racerrad8]

After it is set you very rarely have to adjust it.  It is inconvenient as you say...
George

George,

I have a "easy fix" for the idle speed adjustment as well.

90* Hex Driver Idle Speed Tool

Randy - RPM

[josh_smith91]

actually i do wanna pull the airbox that way i can easily get to the vacuum lines so i can replace them with nice new hose, mine is pretty stiff. also nice find on that 90 degree adjustment tool. price is pretty salty though

[andyb]

If it's rideable enough, it's a good hike to where I am, but you're welcome to show up and have some help with it in my garage (figure 2-3 hours west, depending on the route and speed you roll).

And then only a little farther, 42.5miles from here, will get you to my home track and we could measure what it does when used in anger!

(In fairness, this offer is pretty much open to anyone locally.  I work every other weekend and have a life and such, but some advance notice means I can go help teach you how to launch your bike and give you some help tuning it to not suck.)

[theLeopard]

In fairness, this offer is pretty much open to anyone locally.  I work every other weekend and have a life and such, but some advance notice means I can go help teach you how to launch your bike and give you some help tuning it to not suck.

Noted. Don't get upset if I call this one in.

welcome to the forum, josh. 

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the group Josh. 

As you have seen, there is a large bit of help available. If in doubt, ask on here first. Eliminate a lot of headaches. 


Fred

[andyb]

Noted. Don't get upset if I call this one in.

No worries to you mate, I know a lot of people get concerned rapidly when their carbs vomit fuel back after being parked, or sing to them, or need help with a synch, and so on. I've got the tools, lord knows I've got the experience (for better or worse!), and figured I'd throw it out there.  

I can mount tires, though I don't have a balancing stand, too.  I can also drink beer and proffer advice and stories, which sometimes is all you really need.

And if anyone in the chicagoland area has a CAN-BUS capable VAG-COM, I will buy them the beer in trade for various services (PLEASE HELP ME TURN THE FUCKING DRLS OFF THANKS!).

For those who aren't nearby but have some computer knowledge (enough to be dangerous), I can offer things like a copy of the proper factory service manual in pdf format.

[Bones]

well just went out to the bike and did some searching for it and as soon as i seen it first thing i said, are you F'ing kidding me!!!! that is possibly the most inconvenient spot ive ever seen. i guess its like those rotisserie oven info commercials, set it and forget it!!!! well my hand is to fat to fit in there, time to call upon a skinny friend. thanks for your help on that guys. now to figure out the leaking petcock issue

I've got fat hands and can reach in there and turn it, and unlike the girls above, don't wear gloves. Burnt hands, skinned knuckles, blood loss etc.... all part of the fun.

Welcome to the forum.

                                                      Tony.