Another +1 for #40 pilot jets!

[Capn Ron]

So, as many who know me can attest, I'm very hesitant to change things...insofar as the FJ is concerned anyway.  I generally think that Yamaha got it right the first time around and hey, if everything is working well enough, why fix it?  Add to that, my long list of other projects and I find myself not wanting to open up a new can of worms...so I tend to maintain to the best of my ability the parts that were originally supplied from Yamaha.

That being said, I had a chat with several folks at the WCR this year about the start up procedure with their bikes.  They would pull the choke out one notch, hit the button and everything was smooth.  Idled fine...and was ready to ride in short order.  For the 17 years I've owned my '92 FJ1200, starting it and warming it up has been a pain!!!  Two to three clicks on the choke...start it...listen to it sputter...run over and blip the throttle...one notch back on the choke...set the throttle up with the throttlemeister...put my helmet on only to hear the revs go up to 6,000...back off the throttle...less choke...  Good lord that thing wouldn't really run with *no* choke until I rode it down the street a mile or two and then everything was fine.

The universal response I got from other FJ-ers was, "#40 pilot jets", so I started looking into this.  Apparently, the 37.5 jets in my bike were an attempt to meet US EPA regs and the rest of the world got 40's and 42.5's.  Okay...this is compelling.  I had a nice ride and chat with SimiEd about this and expressed my concern of chasing carburetor issues for the next six months if I started down this path.  He assured me they were plug and play and didn't effect anything else in the carbs.  Well, he was right...and so was everyone else!

I installed the 40's this last week and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!



The bike now starts instantly on just one notch of choke and idles perfectly...It's also ready to ride much sooner than with the old setup.  I couldn't be happier and what a simple upgrade!!!  If you're debating this like I have been for so many years, just do it!  WELL worth the small effort!

Randy has these for less than $4 each:  http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Carb%3APilotjet&cat=39

In the interest of full disclosure, I live relatively close to sea level...am running the stock air box with factory air filter...and also did a valve adjustment and carb sync at the same time as the #40 jet install.  Given that, this is the first time in 17 years that starting the FJ is a joy and not a hassle.  


On a side note, would this be considered "idle conversation?"   

[The General]

On a side note, would this be considered "idle conversation?"   

...very clever, you jet setter! 

[ribbert]

On a side note, would this be considered "idle conversation?"   

...very clever, you jet setter! 

Good one Doug, now you've started it!

[cclase]

Hi Cap'n!  It's about 2 weeks on since installing #40 pilots, #115 mains and shimming the needles.  The bike has been transformed!  Start up procedure and subsequent warm up exactly as you describe.  Stock airbox with UNI OEM replacement filter, V&H 4:1 exhaust.  A huge word of thanks to the slowoldguy!!! 

Chris

[movenon]

+1  .   Easy way to clean your pilot jets  .  Anyone that has a reason to pull there carbs should evaluate this change.
George

[Pat Conlon]

yep....and your air cooled engine will run cooler!

[Bminder]

How do you remove or add shims to the needles?

[simi_ed]

Glad to say  "Told ya so"    Glad it worked out as well as I expected. 
When are we riding again?  I can tell you some more 'words of wisdom'. 

[racerrad8]

So, as many who know me can attest, I'm very hesitant to change things...insofar as the FJ is concerned anyway.  I generally think that Yamaha got it right the first time around and hey, if everything is working well enough, why fix it?

Ron, Ron, Ron...

I don't want to hijack the thread, but here is my recent experience over the last few weeks. I have been riding & modifying my two 86's since I bought them many years ago. All of the RPM goodies from the fork valves, to the rear shock, handle bar risers, vibrantors, carb work, oil filter adapter, shift kit and more.

After you have done all of that and you hope on a stock bike you quickly come to realize what a poor riding bike the stock FJ was.

I started riding my recently acquired ABS 93, which was basically stock, with the exception of blue dots and an FJR brake M/C. I mean stock all the way down to the bias ply tires...

All, I have to say is that last weekend, the bike is no longer stock with the exception of the bias ply tires. I can tell you after my daily commute this week those are on the way out too with the 17" wheel upgrade when the wheels arrive. While the bike rides much better it still chases all of the lines in the road because the bias ply tires are sucked into the valleys of the roadway cracks, I cant wait for radials.

The only upgrade that I haven't gotten to yet is the shift kit and that will happen this weekend, you don't realize how buttery smooth the shifting became due to the roller detent and heavier spring of the RPM shift kit...I miss at least one shift every trip as I have to hold pressure on the shift lever to ensure the detent rolls to the point required to engage the drive cogs of the transmission. Where as with the RPM shift kit installed I guess I am just "flicking" the lever and it detents into position smoother & quicker for sure, positive shifting.

Next time you are up this way, you need to stop by and take one of my FJ's out for a ride and feel the difference for yourself.

P.S... there are still a few things to do to your carbs & bike to make it run even better.

Randy - RPM

[Capn Ron]

Randy,

Yeah, I agree with most all the mods folks are doing to their FJ's and the improvements they realize.  I am slow to change more things on the bike, mostly because I enjoy riding it...rather than having it apart in the garage.  I have to prioritize anything I do to the FJ with many other projects/hobbies I support single-handedly (nine things registered at the DMV and a house   ).  All those get prioritized against always having the FJ ready to ride.  I manage to keep all the plates spinning at the same time (barely) and have to have a VERY good reason to add another project to the list!   Thus the "If it's not smokin' or broken, it's probably not getting upgraded" mind-set.  

That being said, I have upgraded my front and rear suspension, new oil cooler, installed all SS brake/clutch lines, fork brace and have done a variety of electrical/relay mods.  Those were all "must-do's" in my opinion.  My next addition will be a set of wider ABS wheels to accommodate radial tires for my "canyon days".

I would love to stop by the shop and check out your place and a bike with your fork valves and the shift kit installed.  I'll plan a ride up there when the heat breaks!  

[FJ_Hooligan]

My next addition will be a set of wider ABS wheels to accommodate radial tires for my "canyon days".

What source do you have for wider ABS wheels?  I know you can have the stock wheels widened (Kosman?).  But that's kind of expensive.

[Capn Ron]

My next addition will be a set of wider ABS wheels to accommodate radial tires for my "canyon days".

What source do you have for wider ABS wheels?  I know you can have the stock wheels widened (Kosman?).  But that's kind of expensive.

That's the route I'm taking...

Re-read my above post about juggling a dozen projects.  The "bolt-on-swap" wheel projects I've followed here end up involving some or most of the following issues:  speedo drive, bigger axles, swing arms, cush drive spacer machining, off-set sprockets, rear brake/arm relocation AND losing my working ABS to boot.  Doing a wheel swap *may* seem cheaper and it probably is for those that are staring at snow drifts all winter long, but here in SoCal, those are prime riding days!    I have a spare set of ABS wheels that need to be powder-coated anyway so I can do this all off-line with NO down-time.  All things considered (for me anyway), this is the way to go.

[Pat Conlon]

......I have upgraded my front and rear suspension....

Ron, did you already replace the weak sauce oem rear shock?  That is (IMHO) a very necessary upgrade (#1 on my list).

Whatever route you take in getting modern 17" tires on your bike, so be it....just do it. (2nd on my list of necessary mods)

[Capn Ron]

......I have upgraded my front and rear suspension....

Ron, did you already replace the weak sauce oem rear shock?  That is (IMHO) a very necessary upgrade (#1 on my list).

Whatever route you take in getting modern 17" tires on your bike, so be it....just do it. (2nd on my list of necessary mods)

Yeah, I think the first major mod I did was a Penske Sport shock (years before the RPM shock was available) dialed in to my riding/loaded weight...  Soon thereafter, I upgraded to 1gk straight-rate springs in the front end via Racetech...but I did not have the emulators installed at the time.  I know a nice bump up in fork performance can be gained with the RPM fork valves...They're on the list, but with all my projects, it's a *very* long list.   

I'm looking forward to getting some wider rubber on a set of wheels dialed in for the canyons! 

[FJ1100mjk]

the shift kit...you don't realize how buttery smooth the shifting it detents into position smoother & quicker for sure, positive shifting.
Randy - RPM

Since this thread has been "hijacked" already, and has become a post listing various "necessary" mods, I have to ask:

Do you mod this shift kit in any way before your sell it? I installed the same brand kit (with the stiffer spring, and roller bearing detent roller) on another bike that was notorious for false neutrals, and crunching sounds that would make you cringe when you stabbed at the lever while in one of those false neutrals. It definitely cleared up the false neutrals, and did exhibit positive shifting. However, the shifting was not "buttery smooth", in fact it became more notchy. Something that I would attribute to the stiffer spring. All and all, it was a mod that was necessary on that particular bike, because of the false neutrals that plagued it.

And I don't know if Yamaha did anything with the shifting components on later year bikes, but the shifting action between my '87 and my '85 is apparent. I would even go so far as saying the 87's is buttery smooth when compared to the 85's. Maybe the former does have the RPM shift kit in it.  Installed by the PO.

Ron, you are correct about "staring at snow drifts". Although the long winters in my area offer time to do mods and maintenance, I'd rather be riding.