North American Fj1200's new Aussie life

[The General]

Thanks mate, Lions road hey...Where is that?
The forks and emulators worked well on the 1100 last weekend, and that is pretty much the same set-up as for the new Yummy, but the bigger wheel will add a new dimension  pardon the pun.

Over the range (west) of the Gold Coast. http://www.redzaustralia.com/2014/11/7-reasons-to-road-trip-the-lions-road/

I had a mate drop his brand new Suzuki right in front of me on the last wooden bridge crossing heading south, at the start of a Phillip Island Run. (real slippery after floods so you have to straighten up before it rather than on it as the road drops down to it from a curve!). Apparently those Lions like ta cerve it up for their community!   

[Troyskie]

Front end is now done and I've learnt a few things.
1 I never realised I can't bleed a brake line that is totally dry.
2 I really am incompetent when it comes to using tools.
3 When people say replace old tyres, THEY"RE RIGHT!!!!!!
4 There are two ways to remove the fairing on 86 FJ's, by the manual, or the fast way.

Some other things that came in handy.
Pete (Oldktmdude) suggested making a tray for tools that sits over where the battery is once the seat is off. Great idea!
Noel 'Ribbert' showed me the way to easily and quickly remove the front top fairing.
Some other people suggested I learn to use tools. GREAT IDEA. I'm trying.

The 91 to 86 front end swap went very well. I made some mistakes, but easily fixed.
I really need some guidance on bleeding the brake lines. They are still mushy, but work.

Now, the most important thing I've learned today about tyres.

Once the bike was done I took her for a test thrash.

Coming out of a tight corner I blipped the throttle and had a very nice power slide. This wasn't enough juice to make the 1100 (Effie) break loose. Yummy (this 1200) has not much more power.

I had a bit of a Casey Stoner moment with the power slide  , but really, I'm no where near good enough a rider to do that on purpose.

The old rubber on the back wheel is the only answer. I bought the bike not knowing how old the tyres were.
They looked ok, but now I know, they've gone off.

So to anyone reading this, if your tyres are over 5-6 years old, change them.

Is one moment enough to know this. YES, but in the interest of science, I experimented. Same thing again, and again. I don't know how old the back tyre is, but the front is brand-spanking-new. As the PO had 70 or so bikes, I assume this fairly neglected FJ didn't have the latest and greatest.

So, what's next for my North American ex-pat?

A minor top-end rebuild. Yummy smokes more than me (yes I really need to quit, but so does she, and I can force her  !).

GSXR rear wheel.
If the improvement is anything like the front end, I'm there. Any skips on the forum have a rear they want to sell?

If not I'll be trawling the wreckers for one.

In the mean time I'll be arranging for a boob-job for Yummy.

One last thing. For those who have 'mud wasps' or wasps that make mud/clay nests in your area (yep they're global) check the hidden parts of your bike. They make nests in the most inaccessible places that can completely f%$k your bike. I was astounded at how many and varied types of nest this bike had scattered through it. Sure some must have been from the good ol US-of-A, but STREWTH! Nearly every orifice this bike has was plugged, the cooling fins on the top of the engine were FULL, also underneath the switch blocks, in the fairing, under seat, crikey fellas, almost more mud than bike.
Easy to fix, but they will likely stop up important bits & pieces if you don't watch out.
Having said that though, we are talking about FJ's here. If there's a way they'll still start, run and get you home.

Next post will be either the boob-job or rear wheel, or more f#@king wasp anectdotes (none have been alive thankfully!)....

[Troyskie]

Fooling around with Yummy up on the hoist I decided to put some air in the front tyre....one distraction out of the shed...all my fault...

[FJmonkey]

Bugger!!!

[roverfj1200]

That has to be the saddest pix I've seen..

[Troyskie]

Amazingly only major damage was the windscreen is smashed and the LH handle bar is bent a bit. Some scratches on the fairing, but in spots where there were already scratches.
The mirrors, side covers and seat were off. Effie copped a smack from the handle bar on the way over, but again, the side cover was already needing a re-paint.
The rear sub-frame was shoved about 150mm to the right but came back almost exactly into position.
My main problem now is it seems to only run on two or three cylinders.
Should I start by giving the carbies a gentle tap?

[oz.fj]

That has to be the saddest pix I've seen..

+1 not good mate.

[The General]

That has to be the saddest pix I've seen..

Nahhh....just looks like they`re trying to mate!...good time ta check out that oil pump gauze, sump plug etc!
(there`s always a positive me thinks!) 

[Country Joe]

Amazingly only major damage was the windscreen is smashed and the LH handle bar is bent a bit. Some scratches on the fairing, but in spots where there were already scratches.
The mirrors, side covers and seat were off. Effie copped a smack from the handle bar on the way over, but again, the side cover was already needing a re-paint.
The rear sub-frame was shoved about 150mm to the right but came back almost exactly into position.
My main problem now is it seems to only run on two or three cylinders.
Should I start by giving the carbies a gentle tap?

You probably should start with the carbs, but if that doesn't do it, check the plug wires. When I lowsided my FJ, one of the plug wires fell off. It was pretty tricky trying to ride it out of the ditch back onto the road on three cylinders.
Joe

[ken65]

Bloody hell, how'd ya end up get him pointing the right way up?.

Same thing nearly happened  to my RD last night. Lucky it only weighs about half the FJ

[oldktmdude]

   You silly bugger but I don't need to tell you that.  Pull the spark plugs and give it a good long wind over with the starter. You have probably oiled the plugs and got too much oil to burn when trying to start it. Let it sit for a few hours, to let the residual oil drain back to where it belongs and don't do it again.
   Regards, pete.

[Harvy]

Troy..... I have a spare set of handle bars....... yours if you want them mate.

Harvy

[Bones]

Ouch!!! Your lucky there wasn't more damage Troy. They bend and break shit just falling over off the stand, let alone a 2 foot drop off the lift.

[FeralRdr]

I know your pain Troyskie.  I tried loading my FJ into the back of my pickup once (by myself), and well... it didn't end well for me.  Luckily though, the bike didn't land on it's topside, but instead rolled 360 degrees off the loading ramp and landed back on it's tires. I was lucky; just a smashed front fender (which was the only piece of plastic still available from Yamaha), a small, barely noticeable crack on the tail cover, and an oily K&N air filter and air box.  At the time, I was advised to clean the filter and air box, let the bike sit for a bit to let the oil drain back down, and to expect oil to seep out of various vents and/or drain hoses (and yes it did, but fortunately it was minimal).

Glad to hear your damage wasn't worse, and hopefully cleaning the plugs solves your "missing" cylinder problem.

[simi_ed]

Ouch!  Troy, that sucks.  Bad enough to get road rash due to making a rider error, or car driver error.  Glad to hear it wasn't worse.  Keep that USA FJ on the path and keep updating and polishing.

Ed