1st Time w/New Lift Table

[red]

In all fairness, the fella said to safety wire the master link "at a minimum". 
Personally "minimum" is not the road I'd choose, but it is an improvement.
With a servicable chain I'd say the rivit link is the best compromise but the "best" thing would be to use an endless chain (anybody have a source?)
I'm thinkin' that with the service life of today's top quality chains, when it is time for a new one it is probably also time for fresh sprockets and inspection/lube/replacement of the suspension bushings; with the swing arm off your best bet for a new chain is endless.

Burns,

Thanks.  Since the OP has already installed a new clip there, it seemed likely to me that he intended to use it that way, at least for a little while.  I agree about the riveted master link, though, and anything better than that is just better.

Cheers,
Red

[movenon]

In all fairness, the fella said to safety wire the master link "at a minimum". 

Personally "minimum" is not the road I'd choose, but it is an improvement.

With a servicable chain I'd say the rivit link is the best compromise but the "best" thing would be to use an endless chain (anybody have a source?)


I'm thinkin' that with the service life of today's top quality chains, when it is time for a new one it is probably also time for fresh sprockets and inspection/lube/replacement of the suspension bushings; with the swing arm off your best bet for a new chain is endless.

Cheapest I can find. I and others have bought from them with good reports.  The chain is 120 links so you need to cut out 10 links. Stock FJ = 110 links.

http://www.indysuperbikes.com/product.php?productid=700059

Cycle Gear has an inexpensive riveting tool that works good enough.  But ask around there may be someone in the local area that has one you can borrow. On the low buck side you can use a Harbor Freight chain breaker (modified) to also do the job. Check You Tube.  All kinds of ways to get the deal done. Buy a Cycle Gear set then when you are done sell it at a discount.  On sale usually for less than 40.00.  Also check in with a local forum and see if someone has one.
http://pnwriders.com/ probably others in the area.
Hope it helps.
George

[Burns]

yep, that's the one I bought.

But when I said the BEST choice was "endless" I was being literal.  An "endless" chain has no master link of any kind and cutting one would defeat the purpose of its purchase. It is all riveted at the factory and you have to take the swing arm off to install it.

In retrospect I should have freshened up the bushings and gone that route in the first place (assuming I could find an endless chain). Reckon y'all should give that notion some thought.  I suspect there are a lot of dry/scored bushings in your collective garages.

[pdxfj]

The HF lift table has been one of the best tools I've ever purchased.  My back has thanked me for years after buying it.

I never even installed the funky clamp.  Bought a wheel vice and installed it when I put the table together.  Required me to drill holes in my brand new table, but it works great.  Never had any issues using the vice or even questioned the stability of any bike I've put on the table.

[red]

There is no comment under the photo, are you suggesting this is a good idea or a bad idea?
Noel

Noel,
I'm not too sure about that one, because there is no telling what material that safety wire may be, or what material the next guy might use, instead.  It should be rust-proof, at least.   The picture that I linked earlier uses the correct hardened steel link clip, safety-wired in place, so rust should not be any concern.  The steel clip is designed to handle the stress, certainly.
Cheers,
Red

Really?
I suppose if one were stupid enough to do it with fishing line or the like instead of appropriate safety wire, yeah, it would be a bad idea.  Exactly how much lateral stress do you figure the clip is under at any given point, anyway? 
I should've known better than to offer an opinion on anything the least bit technical with masterminds like you guys in the group.
Fuck this shit.

Not a lib,

If what I said offended you, I apologize.  By no means should you think that all of your knowledge and experience has no value here.  I think we can all bring good stuff to the discussion.  The picture that I linked was not mine.

The method suggested (wiring around the steel clip link) came to me from wrenching at the dirt tracks, and I really would not trust wire to do the job of a hardened steel clip.  I (for one) have no idea what "appropriate" safety wire might be, especially for a chain drive.  I have been handed NiChrome, Stainless Steel, Monel, and even common iron when I asked for some "safety wire" at various outlets.  Rider safety was my only thought, here.  A chain failure can be very serious stuff.  If the chain wads up at the front sprocket, it can fracture the engine cases and total the bike (as in, another bike is cheaper to buy than the repairs).  If the chain locks up the rear sprocket, the bike is a sitting duck for anything coming up behind it.

No offense was intended.

Red

[ribbert]

There is no comment under the photo, are you suggesting this is a good idea or a bad idea?
Noel

Noel,

I'm not too sure about that one, because there is no telling what material that safety wire may be, or what material the next guy might use, instead.  It should be rust-proof, at least.   The picture that I linked earlier uses the correct hardened steel link clip, safety-wired in place, so rust should not be any concern.  The steel clip is designed to handle the stress, certainly.

Cheers,
Red

Really?

I suppose if one were stupid enough to do it with fishing line or the like instead of appropriate safety wire, yeah, it would be a bad idea.  Exactly how much lateral stress do you figure the clip is under at any given point, anyway?  

I should've known better than to offer an opinion on anything the least bit technical with masterminds like you guys in the group.

Fuck this shit.

Firstly, not wanting to make presumptions I only asked a question, although I assume from your reaction it is your handiwork pictured.

Secondly, toughen the fuck up!

I've been a mechanic for 45 years, a real one, with my apprenticeship split between cars and bikes. Schooled,trained, qualified and experienced with 20 years full time and I have my advice here ignored, disputed, scoffed at, argued with and patronising demands made for evidence to prove the simplest findings more often than not by people whose total experience with vehicle repairs would be lucky to represent a couple of weeks work for a full time mechanic.

In terms of having the right to be offended by relplies, I'm waaaay ahead of you.
But I persist (for reasons not relevant in this context) without cracking it.

You don't like the reaction to your suggestion? suck it up. It wasn't abusive or offensive.

I have had people seeking and taking automotive advice from me all my life, the same as you would consult a plumber, electrician, accountant etc, it's what they do and what they know about and who you consult when you have a query in their particular field of expertise.
They are always receptive because they have come looking for help but unlike here on the forum, they don't bring hundreds of people with them, many of whom are keen jump in if they think they know the answer or have a better idea regardless of whether that's the case or not.

No one vets the posts and the ones that piss you off are generally only the view of that person and not representative of the forum community (although sometimes I suspect they might be)

It is a recurring problem here that many seem unable to disagree agreeably, it's not personal.... well, maybe sometimes. , get over it.

Noel

[Steve_in_Florida]

Fuck this shit.

Secondly, toughen the fuck up!

I *LOVE* this place!   

Steve

[motohorseman]

In all fairness, the fella said to safety wire the master link "at a minimum".  
Personally "minimum" is not the road I'd choose, but it is an improvement.
With a servicable chain I'd say the rivit link is the best compromise but the "best" thing would be to use an endless chain (anybody have a source?)
I'm thinkin' that with the service life of today's top quality chains, when it is time for a new one it is probably also time for fresh sprockets and inspection/lube/replacement of the suspension bushings; with the swing arm off your best bet for a new chain is endless.

Burns,

Thanks.  Since the OP has already installed a new clip there, it seemed likely to me that he intended to use it that way, at least for a little while.  I agree about the riveted master link, though, and anything better than that is just better.

Cheers,
Red

I do use a riveted master link on my motorcycles that make real horsepower  

Always buy the best chain you can afford!

And my FJ chain, well, it's clean enough for me - I do actually ride mine  

ribbert - Thanks for the idea, in a bind, that's a great solution!

Also - I thought up a better idea for the saddle, a modular design that I should be able to make fairly easily. Once I've found a proper replacement rod, that is.....

[motohorseman]

Here are my current thoughts on the saddle design -It should stay in place better, yet still slide forward or backward depending on the desired height - I better get back to bed....

[Tuneforkfreak]

I'm noticing a trend on this site and in fellow FJ ers garages, where's there's one motorcycle there's usually 5  The lift table is sweet! I made a stand long ago from some light weight steel for my dirt bikes but since it don't scissor I tend to not use it unless i have something major to do. I would use the scissor lift all the time.

[motohorseman]

Firstly, not wanting to make presumptions I only asked a question, although I assume from your reaction it is your handiwork pictured.

Secondly, toughen the fuck up!

I've been a mechanic for 45 years, a real one, with my apprenticeship split between cars and bikes. Schooled,trained, qualified and experienced with 20 years full time and I have my advice here ignored, disputed, scoffed at, argued with and patronising demands made for evidence to prove the simplest findings more often than not by people whose total experience with vehicle repairs would be lucky to represent a couple of weeks work for a full time mechanic.

In terms of having the right to be offended by relplies, I'm waaaay ahead of you.
But I persist (for reasons not relevant in this context) without cracking it.

You don't like the reaction to your suggestion? suck it up. It wasn't abusive or offensive.

I have had people seeking and taking automotive advice from me all my life, the same as you would consult a plumber, electrician, accountant etc, it's what they do and what they know about and who you consult when you have a query in their particular field of expertise.
They are always receptive because they have come looking for help but unlike here on the forum, they don't bring hundreds of people with them, many of whom are keen jump in if they think they know the answer or have a better idea regardless of whether that's the case or not.

No one vets the posts and the ones that piss you off are generally only the view of that person and not representative of the forum community (although sometimes I suspect they might be)

It is a recurring problem here that many seem unable to disagree agreeably, it's not personal.... well, maybe sometimes. , get over it.

Noel

Cheese and crackers to go with that?

[motohorseman]

Busted the FJ out for a ride tonight...,.

[motohorseman]

Went for a good ride Monday night. I let a friend from Michigan ride the FJ, and he came away impressed.

He set a personal high speed record on a motorcycle, 120MPH indicated.

Carbs burped that night, and that's not good.

I'm not a fan of leaky carbs and have been fighting these for a while.

Plan to tear into the upper fairing for the first time to try and repair the headlight adjustment linkage.

Thank goodness it's a long weekend -

Enjoy it everyone!

[motohorseman]

There is a gentleman in Minneapolis that has expressed interest in my XX, and I'm thinking, well, it's as close to being a done deal as the cash is from my hands.

I think the time is probably here.

Then what.

My thoughts, build the FJ.

Try as I might, the Bonneville Record bike with it's 1350 motor is still just out of reach.

Thoughts about rebuilding mine, basic, if it ain't broke, don't break it kind of stuff.

Motor mounts, I think mine are shot. I've not seen any on RPM's site, OEM?

Upper end maybe, alternator brushes, starter brushes, just go through it.

The XX had power that was and is intoxicating. I'd like to be able to build close, but retain reliability and durability?

The future look bright

[Arnie]

Boy, hasn't this thread wandered topics all over the place.

Did it.     Broke down and bought a lift table today.
Now I have to straighten up my shed so I can put it where I can use it and still get everything else in and out as necessary.  I think a few items have an upcoming date at the tip.