A Lighter Shade of Wail(ing)

[threejagsteve]

Everybody knows that compared with the latest literbikes, FJs are about 100 lb overweight. Everybody also knows that a 4-into-1 saves about 20 lb over the stock exhaust, and leaving the centerstand at home saves more.

Of course one can spend about $1000 each for magnesium wheels that only weigh about 6 lb each, but not only is that, I suspect, out of most of our price ranges, also those wheels' ability to survive the first major pothole is questionable.

What are some other ways to trim that unwanted flab?
Just something to talk about... 

[Pat Conlon]

Go on a diet, work out, and get thee to track school....Your bike will feel 100 lbs lighter.

[junkyardroad]

magnesium wheels that only weigh about 6 lb each

They sure are bitchin though.

[Mark Olson]

put more air in the tires ,  it will  make the bike lighter

[Dan Filetti]

Maybe if you were to fill the tires with helium?

Dan

[Firehawk068]

I use Hydrogen in the tires.......
Not only is it lighter..........but it makes you a more careful, and safer rider.

[threejagsteve]

Ooo! A bunch of wise guys, huh? 

Here's a small example:

An aluminum rear brake stay arm, weight: 5.8 oz. offset: 5mm on both ends; ought to be just about right for a 180!


Don't have the weight of the stocker handy (mine's in use at the moment) but the offset alone makes it worth the $25 I paid, and it's likely a bit lighter! 

[higbonzo]

Go on a diet, work out, and get thee to track school....Your bike will feel 100 lbs lighter.

That is what I always say, "Get Smaller".  Works for me.

Also, the newer sports bikes need to be lighter because they lack the torque in the lower RPM range that the FJ has.  Sure they have 30 plus hp on the fj, but they have about the same torque in their peeks range.  Torque is what make you move, hp is what is used once you get moving.  Actually, the newer sports touring bikes, which is what the FJ is, are actually heavier with the exception of the Aprilia Futura and maybe some Ducaties,and the Honda VF, but they are not 1200 + cc.  And the Ducati and VF are geared way more towards the sports side of "Sport Touring".

Later   

[Bill_Rockoff]

I'll have to verify with a scale when I take things off for cleaning.

YZF600R rear wheel and tire feels about 5 lbs lighter than the FJ 16" wheel and tire.  Not as light as Dymag, etc. but a lot cheaper.

The factory exhaust feels pretty darn heavy, I thought I remember 26 lbs front to rear versus about 6 lbs for a stainless 4-1 with single muffler.

FZ1 aluminum calipers feel significantly lighter than the cast-iron FJ ones.

I imagine front wheel weight savings would be similar to rear...

So, I imagine I could get my 590+ lb FJ down to a Hayabusa-esque 560 lbs just by completing the typical Modifiers-Anonymous checklist. 

FWIW, I don't remember the centerstand feeling quite that heavy - maybe a pound or two.  Useful as it is, I'd just keep it assuming it wouldn't foul the Supertrap stainless pipes I have....

[andyb]

According to the scale at the track, my FJ weighs 525lbs (740 with rider), when nearly out of fuel.  So the easiest way to drop weight is to carry less gas around

[threejagsteve]

Go on a diet, work out, and get thee to track school....Your bike will feel 100 lbs lighter.

I'm 6'3", right now around 180. About the last thing I need is to lose weight. I do work out, to maintain/gain strength.

And I'll be first in line at track school as soon as they start offering scholarships for the unemployed!

[rktmanfj]

Go on a diet, work out, and get thee to track school....Your bike will feel 100 lbs lighter.

I'm 6'3", right now around 180. About the last thing I need is to lose weight. I do work out, to maintain/gain strength.

I could give ya about 30lbs, and we'd both be good...      

Randy T
Indy

[ren-dog]

I could have listed all the heavy stuff I've removed, but a picture says a thousand words 

[Pat Conlon]

Hey Steve, I'm just yanking your chain....I'm also 6'3" but a more portly 190...
I have yet to weigh my '84 FJ (T-Ace rear end, FZR USD front end, slipons) but I suspect 510-520lbs.

Go on a diet, work out, and get thee to track school....Your bike will feel 100 lbs lighter.

I'm 6'3", right now around 180. About the last thing I need is to lose weight. I do work out, to maintain/gain strength.

And I'll be first in line at track school as soon as they start offering scholarships for the unemployed!

[racerman_27410]

i have weighed my 86 on certified truck scales... with tankbag and half a tank of fuel it's 527lbs

KOokaloo!