Evan an old monkey can go from soft to hard...

[Capn Ron]

I added the Givi tail lights to my top case about a year ago.  I'm sure I was just finishing up in the wee hours of the morning so they looked crazy bright when I tested.   

Out in the daylight, they weren't as impressive, but it all helps!  A month later on one of my rides, someone told be to check them out because they weren't staying on...just randomly "flickering"...Yeah, I could see that as the case jiggled around a bit, the contact points on the connection would be intermittent.  I just sort of ignored this project and the other day I see that they're not working at all anymore.  I need to look into why before i come to any solid conclusions, but I'm already forming theories and opinions about how I would do it better next time out.

[Firehawk068]

I added the Givi tail lights to my top case about a year ago.  I'm sure I was just finishing up in the wee hours of the morning so they looked crazy bright when I tested.   

Out in the daylight, they weren't as impressive, but it all helps!  A month later on one of my rides, someone told be to check them out because they weren't staying on...just randomly "flickering"...Yeah, I could see that as the case jiggled around a bit, the contact points on the connection would be intermittent.  I just sort of ignored this project and the other day I see that they're not working at all anymore.  I need to look into why before i come to any solid conclusions, but I'm already forming theories and opinions about how I would do it better next time out.

Mine currently do the same thing.......................The connection that is made with the wingrack when you wiggle the top case is dodgy.............
I am planning a fix for mine. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Zwartie]

Monkey,

If you haven't done so already, you may want to beef up the former signal light brackets that now support the luggage rack. Mine snapped off en route to Alaska and the top case base ended up sitting on the tail section of the FJ for the rest of the ride back home. Made for a nice (not!) groove worn into the tail section. I had the brackets re-welded in place this spring.

Once you get hard luggage, you'll never go back to soft!
http://youtu.be/8C-e96m4730

Zwartie

[Capn Ron]

Monkey,

If you haven't done so already, you may want to beef up the former signal light brackets that now support the luggage rack. Mine snapped off en route to Alaska and the top case base ended up sitting on the tail section of the FJ for the rest of the ride back home. Made for a nice (not!) groove worn into the tail section. I had the brackets re-welded in place this spring.

Once you get hard luggage, you'll never go back to soft!
http://youtu.be/8C-e96m4730

Zwartie

Yep...what Zwartie said!   

My turn signal brackets both cracked off as well.  Fortunately for me, not on the same trip!  The starboard side cracked off after 17,000+ miles carrying around 110 pounds of gear.  I eventually discovered this and re-welded that tab.  Fast-forward to a month ago and on a wipe-down, I found that the port side tab had also broken off.  That was another 9,000 miles.  I just re-welded that one the other day.

You'd be wise to reinforce those both with a few passes on the MIG before you even mount up the Wingrack.

[FJmonkey]

Maybe after my trip next week. I won't load them up too much.

[Pat Conlon]

Nicely done Markus!       Very good point on the tail light brackets.

I will have a complete set of Givi Monokey luggage up for sale...soon....no tail light on the top box.
Complete....Including all the frame pieces...Bolt on and go.....Very good condition.

SoCal pick up only...I'm not shipping this stuff

[FJmonkey]

When I get the chance I will look into reinforcing the turn signal brackets. Thanks for the heads up on that. I did think about it but was too eager to bother. I needed to test fit it to see if further modification was required. I will post up a few more pics tomorrow (with my F#&@!!! seat on) and freshly installed rear hugger.

[FJmonkey]

I got a few details wrapped up today. The hugger is on and top box is in a better position.

The naked pics:





And with GIVI bags:





The rear hugger in there somewhere.... And the seat fits so I don't have to sit on the battery....

[Pat Conlon]

Very cool Mark! Looks spectacular....what did you work out on the shock?

[FJmonkey]

Very cool Mark! Looks spectacular....what did you work out on the shock?

Thanks, for the support Father Pat. The 89+ upper shock mount is physically welded higher inside the frame of the FJ. So to make an 84/87 frame fit the 89+ shock with 89+ shock link 89+ swing arm and dog bones, the upper shock mount needs to be raised about an inch. At present the shock is not mounted properly so the geometry is less than proper. I don't want to comment too early on the RPM rear shock with my improper set up, I can say it is better than my sacked out 27 year old OEM shock...

[racerrad8]

Very cool Mark! Looks spectacular....what did you work out on the shock?

The 89+ upper shock mount is physically welded higher inside the frame of the FJ. So to make an 84/87 frame fit the 89+ shock with 89+ shock link 89+ swing arm and dog bones, the upper shock mount needs to be raised about an inch.

Hold on there monkey...

Until I can get all three models on the rack and get all of the frame measurements taken, don't go too far. I can tell you the 89-90 shock mount is higher than the 84-88, but I do believe the 91+ has the same upper shock mount as the early model FJ's

So, we need to figure out what and where they changed things.

I did compare an 89 aluminum swing arm to a 92 steel and they are the same as far as the geometry, so something else is different.

Hopefully late next week I can get my 93 back here to the shop, get it torn down a little and get some measurements and figure out where the difference is...

Randy- RPM

[Steve_in_Florida]

Wow! You've been a busy little monkey, haven't you?

Looks great!

Steve

[FJmonkey]

Hold on there monkey...

Randy- RPM

I am not ready to cut and weld yet so no hurry Randy. I did see photos of an 89 and the mount point looked higher, assuming the cross-member was in the same place. And the distance looked very much like the difference I need to get the geometry looking better. But as I posted, I am not cutting anytime soon. I like to get all the information before I fire up the plasma torch.... I will ride it like it is with caution and enjoy the improved ride conditions...

[andyoutandabout]

Mark, what a long way your Fj has come since the distant days of the purple rear wheel. The exhaust looks great, i'm jealous of the spiffy seat and your new luggage rack seems well positioned (bet you're glad you got that correct fitting kit - mine was originally put on with the givi 'universal kit' and the flex was quite alarming). I think the hugger looks amazing from the exhaust side, but a little bulky on the chain side - perhaps another dremel run.
Andy

[Pat Conlon]

Andy, I'm not so sure....I have to see the hugger in person.
I know that Mark will appreciate how much better this hugger will be on keeping his back end clean...

My suggestion would be to get a white chin fairing....that would complete that beauty....

Again, WELL DONE!