FJ1300 with a European Twist

[aviationfred]

A year after I purchased the '89 1200, my FJ was smoking a lot on start up. After a lengthy amount of downtime. I got the head to RPM for a much needed rebuild, knowing the cylinders were not far behind needing freshened up with a ring job at minimum.

Now 2 1/2 years later the oil eating gremlins are back. On an all day 350 mile ride, consumption is about 1 quart...

I have decided to go a similar route that George (movenon) did last winter. Tear the motor down and re ring the pistons. I discovered that I would be able to easily take the task a bit further.  I have found a 1297cc overbore kit. New Pistons, Re-manufactured and re-sleeved cylinder block, and associated hardware. The sleeves are modified to be short, so no lower case modification is required. After the nightmare that unfolded with trying to get the head rebuilt locally, I dreaded buying a set of oversized pistons and relying on a local machine shop to bore/re-sleeve my cylinder block. Having spoken to a few people that have knowledge with what I am attempting. I have decided that this is going forward within the next few weeks.

After I was rear ended 18 months ago, and the FJ gods smiling on me and my scoot. Basically no plastic was effected.   Afterwards, I realized how difficult it would have been had the main fairing or fuel tank been damaged. I began the hunt for a complete 2nd set of bodywork and fuel tank. Through a great member on this forum, I sourced a nearly pristine Theft Deterrent fuel tank. Setting up a FJ1200 follow search on eBay. After 18 months a nearly new Theft Deterrent main fairing and side scoops showed up. I could not let those pieces slip past.

The European Twist

After I had the black/gold '87 and the appreciation of the bike from fellow members. Plus I really liked the paint job.



I am going to do a slight variation. One of the 1986 European paint schemes has really caught my eye, and I am going to reproduce it on the spare body work. I will go with the Satin Black and the Black/Red/Silver graphics.



Fred

[TexasDave]

Dare to be different Fred! Every &%$#en motorcycle manufacturer offers bikes in flat black. Most of them cruisers. They all look like they were left in primer black to me. Your second picture shows a beautiful shiny gloss black FJ. Just my opinion--showing my age--rant over.     Dave

[giantkiller]

Hey Fred that's what I'm doing on the Turbo. Already have the Euro stickers. But I went with all red, lettering and all. And I'm going to use the midnight blue. Only slightly more blue. I really liked your satin black one too. I've gotten the Turbo system ceramic coated in satin black. Just bought a 1450 block and pistons and cases. And ported head. If I can figure out how to drop the compression enough I'll use it all  for the Turbo. If not I'll just use the ported head on the Turbo. And put the 1450 on the 89.

Sorry I just got carried away. Didn't mean to jack your thread.
I think the satin black is cool I almost went with it. But decided on the slightly bluer midnight blue.

[Pat Conlon]

Dave, the only reason the current generation bikes are offered in flat black is....

THEY ARE FUCKING UGLY MOTORCYCLES

....not so with our FJ's

I like Fred's idea. I think a blacked out FJ (satin black, not flat black) with red accents would look bad ass sinister.

IMHO I would not use the white Yamaha lettering on the side of the fairing....just carry the red stripe thru.

[movenon]

Good on you for refreshing the FJ Fred !  Sounds like fun (other than the cold).   Keep the pictures coming (long winter) .
George

[aviationfred]

IMHO I would not use the white Yamaha lettering on the side of the fairing....just carry the red stripe thru.

I agree, White would be all wrong....

The YAMAHA on the fairing is actually Silver.

Fred

[aviationfred]

Shot of the graphics and some of the body work waiting for the dark side conversion

[Pat Conlon]

White lettering, silver lettering, no difference. I think it distracts from the lines of the bike. Again, just MHO.

I recall Leon winning a contest here on the FJ Forum where he found the word YAMAHA written in 14 different places on the exterior of the FJ (actually my '84) Exterior, meaning visible to the eye without removing parts.

Yes, that number is correct....14

I know Yamaha is proud of this bike but sheesh....

You are gonna love the torque of that 1300cc engine.
If you're going to use your oem CV36 Mikunis, let me know when you're ready, I have some suggestions for jetting I have found that works well on my 1350.

Cheers

[aviationfred]

You are gonna love the torque of that 1300cc engine.
If you're going to use your oem CV36 Mikunis, let me know when you're ready, I have some suggestions for jetting I have found that works well on my 1350.

Cheers

Thank you for the offer.
Carbs are a wizardry that eludes me. In the 3 1/2 years that I have owned this FJ, I have never opened the carbs. I truly have no idea what the jetting is or even if it has adjustable needles installed. My plan at the moment is when I actually place the order for the big bore kit, I will send the carbs to RPM and have them rebuilt with a base setting for the added displacement, and the stainless screw kit.

Something else that I forgot to mention, when I start moving and I don't give it a lot of throttle, the engine makes a dieseling/pinging/rattle sound for a few seconds. clears up once the clutch is fully engaged and the rpms start climbing.

Fred

[Bones]

Sounds like starter chain rattle Fred, common thing with them and nothing to worry about, but an ideal time to replace along with the timing chain while the engine's in pieces.

[The General]

Some of you may be aware I`ve stuffed up my knee and am restricted to a bed (rather uncomfortably) but am able to operate the computer to help with this "colour" question as I now have heaps of time on my hands to google sites for help.

http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/meaning-of-colors.html
This one is quite spiritual and says "RED" is for Action while black means "secretive and unknown"
Also reckons Silver is for girls and white is for perfection and black means "secretive" (as in 1350 when the sign says 1200)

http://www.helpscout.net/blog/psychology-of-color/
Marketing stuff...... note the colour that makes both men and women happy is "blue" !

http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-properties-of-colours
This one says red means physical courage while black means primarily "Sophisticated"

http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/colorpsych.htm
This one is more factual cause it`s written by psychologists so must be right....
"More recently, researchers discovered that the colour red causes people to react with greater speed and force, something that might prove useful during athletic activities."

By now my knee is killing me despite sitting, so I`ve taken one more pain killer and seek my favourite colour by googling "what colour is bullshit" and discover...... it`s all of the above!
However I did discover why so many KTM riders are fat bastards (orange is for food), why Harvy scored so well with his missus, and why a particular Aussie spider is beautiful to me.
So Generally I`m with you Fred and I do like "FJ" more than "Yamaha"   

[aviationfred]

Here is a photo of the Big Bore kit that I will be getting.





Fred

[aviationfred]

I placed the order today......

The cylinder kit is scheduled to arrive December 8th.

[aviationfred]

 I went to Wiseco's web page this afternoon and looked at the piston kits offered for the FJ1100/1200. The kits that are currently offered, jump from 1250 to 1314. There was not a listing for the 1297 kit that I ordered. I started to get a bit concerned. Could this be a one of a kind special order? A customer special ordered this size and then backed out?....I was thinking....What if I need a head gasket in the future?? So I called Andrews Motorsports this afternoon.

I found out some interesting things. The 1297cc pistons are a custom order size just for Andrews Motorsports. They market the pistons mostly to European race car drivers. There is a class that allows up to 1300cc air cooled motors. The pistons are high performance and lighter weight than normal Wiseco pistons. The sleeves are custom and are designed to slide into the lower case without modification. These kits also come in 1250cc size.

Fred

[Pat Conlon]

Take some pictures of those pistons when they arrive Fred....love to see what they look like.

I'm calling you now...