Hands go numb

[Joe Sull]

I'm not sure why but my hands go numb in about 20 minutes driving. I figure it could be one of three things. Carpal tunnel, Bike vibration or  just holding on for dear life. It's mostly my throttle hand. I have to shake it down and rotate my wrist to come out of it. Any FJ doctors out there? 

[Country Joe]

I'm sure others will chime in, but foam grips, bbs in the clip-ons and a throttle rocker get me by just fine. Try to make sure you are not holding yourself up by the handlebars as well, support your upper body with your abdominals.

Joe

[red]

I'm not sure why but my hands go numb in about 20 minutes driving. I figure it could be one of three things. Carpal tunnel, Bike vibration or  just holding on for dear life. It's mostly my throttle hand. I have to shake it down and rotate my wrist to come out of it. Any FJ doctors out there? 

Joe,

Vibration is most likely the cause.  Have you done a Throttle Body Sync?  I tamed my FJ's bad vibes with bar-end weights, and foam grips.  No more numbness.  I found out that I had not been relaxed (at the hands) because of the vibrations; now it's easy to relax my hands and arms, and just ride.

Cheers,
Red

[Pat Conlon]

Yep, sync your carbs....then....

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2825.msg22783

FYI, RPM sells them, but currently out of stock.....they do work.

[racerrad8]

Yep, sync your carbs....then....

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2825.msg22783

FYI, RPM sells them, but currently out of stock.....they do work.

The RPM Vibranators are supposed to be back from powder coating this coming week, assembled and headed my way late this week or early next.

Just click the link on the website and you will receive an email when they are back in stock.

Randy - RPM

[movenon]

Also if you ride with your fingers on the brake lever, it helps sometimes to adjust the angle of the lever and as noted try to relax on the grips.  I like the foam grips and gloves with some padding (gel or foam) in the palm and fingers.
George

[Joe Sull]

Ok guys, I'm glad my FJ's not giving me Carpal tunnel. I've tried to loosen up on my grip and I noticed that if I lay my thumb over the grip and clutch the grip in my palm helps. I angled the lever some and tried putting my index and middle finger over the lever and it helped.
The bike came with some foam grips over the stock but they were ratty and I discarded them.

I'm sure others will chime in, but foam grips, bbs in the clip-ons and a throttle rocker get me by just fine. Try to make sure you are not holding yourself up by the handlebars as well, support your upper body with your abdominals.

Joe

I will do this as soon as I can.

Thanks for the info guys, Glad this has been thought out already.

[1tinindian]

Bar risers, vibranators , Caterpillar O-ring C/C,  a job sync job on the carbs, lubing the rubber engine mounts, and a throttle rocker were the things that tamed the numbness for me.
Loosen your grip and enjoy the ride.

Leon

[rktmanfj]

l used to have the same problem... the OEM FJ bars were just the wrong angle for me.

When I swapped over to the YZF600 forks, I mounted the bars and set them the perfect angle for me, and drilled and tapped the new locating screws in that position, splayed out just a few degrees.

Problem solved.

[theLeopard]

man up! mine go numb if I don't pay attention 

[Arnie]

Numb hands are not a joke.
Aside from the lack of control, and the pain, the lack of blood flow can be dangerous.
Certainly try adjusting your clutch & brake levers down so your wrists are not bent back.
Use foam grips and/or sorbothane or gel gloves.  Buy some Vibranators. Sync your carbs.
If all else fails and your hands are still going numb after 10-15min, go to the doctor and get it assessed.
You may need to have Carpal Tunnel surgery on one or both hands.
Be glad that the current procedure is much less invasive than when mine were done, and leaves only a tiny scar.
This will allow you to continue your career as a hand model.

Arnie

[Joe Sull]

l used to have the same problem... the OEM FJ bars were just the wrong angle for me.

When I swapped over to the YZF600 forks, I mounted the bars and set them the perfect angle for me, and drilled and tapped the new locating screws in that position, splayed out just a few degrees.

Problem solved.

I think you nailed it! It's the angle! My arms and wrists are torqued out from the kind of work I do and the angle on the bars is wrong for me. This is the only thing that makes my hands go numb. I must be pinching nerves. When I shake them down it goes away almost instantly.
You got a picture of what you got? I can't afford to change the bars right now so I'll probably do the grip and vibro mods first.

[Joe Sull]

And another thing... I've been sync'n my carbs every other week, they won't stay. It's like the screws are worn out and keep loosing adjustment.

[red]

And another thing... I've been sync'n my carbs every other week, they won't stay. It's like the screws are worn out and keep loosing adjustment.

Joe,

I am a great believer in Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) Silicone Sealant on screws which need to stay put, between adjustment sessions.  The stuff hardens into a soft rubber, but no further.  It absorbs vibration forever, and yet the screw can still be removed, cleaned with a wire toothbrush, and used again.  Any home-improvement or hardware store will have RTV for you.  There are many expensive thread-locking compounds available, sure, but I never have to worry if I will be able to remove a screw later, or have a screw come loose, with RTV.  It has lots of other uses, as well.  Apply some RTV to the threads of the screw before installation, make the adjustment, then allow at least a few hours for the sealant to cure.

Once your carbs stay in sync, I would hope that you will not have a bad problem with vibrations.

As a purely ergonomic fix, Spiegler makes a handlebar adapter for the FJ which accepts standard motorcycle handlebars.  It includes new brake lines, and other hardware.  You will have a huge selection available to you in aftermarket handlebars, with this adapter.  Contact www.spieglerusa.com directly, or maybe eBay, for the adapter kit.  It is kinda pricey.

Cheers,
Red

[Joe Sull]

The RTV is a great idea Red I will try it. When I got the oring / screw kit from RPM, it had replacements for the choke shaft plunger actuator things. Those fit so tight I thought I had the first one cross threaded. Just saying I could use screws like that for the sync.

I popped over to the spiegler site. Very interesting. The clipons are cool and they come in RED!

Thanks for the tip.