Finally got to ride my fj

[EnrAgeD]

I don't know if anyone remembers since it's been a year since I have been on the site but I finally got my carbs takin care of and actually got to ride my fj a few days ago and let me tell you it's everything I hoped it would be and much more. Not only is it fast as can be but a very smooth ride as well. Just have to get the piston ring replaced on cylinder #2 because she is smoking quite a bit but I have to say it's been well worth the time and money. I'm dropping it off in the morning to get the ring replaced and then I'm good to go.

[Pat Conlon]

Good for you David.

Is compression low on #2? The reason I ask is sometimes a leaky valve guide seal can be the source of smoke.

[aviationfred]

Great news on getting your FJ up and running.


Having just rebuilt my engine. Everything that i have read during my project about pistons and rings, make the same statement. ...... If you remove the cylinder block from the pistons..... you need to hone all 4 cylinders and replace all 4 sets of rings.

IMO, if you only replace the #2 piston ring set, the other 3 cylinders will begin to smoke and there will be reduced compression due to old rings not re-seating.


Fred

[Arnie]

Great that you finally found the joy that riding the FJ can bring.

As Pat says, valve stem seals are more frequently the cause of smoking exhaust, and cheaper to replace.

Have you done anything to try and free the possibly stuck ring that's causing the smoking?
This is certainly worth trying before you go to the time and expense of a teardown.

If you do need to replace the rings, you might as well do the rest of the internal maintenance at the same time, since the engine is apart.  This would include valve job, stem seals, cam chain replacement, and honing and re-ringing all the cylinders.

What year is your bike, and how much milage does it have?  These engines usually go for a long time needing very little major work.

Arnie

[EnrAgeD]

It's a 91 fj1200 with 10500 original miles. I actually did have the cylinders honed and put all new rings and valve seals in as well as having the valves reseated to spec. But I did the rings my self and i didn't have the ring tool so I think it's my mistake and that's why cylinder 2 is leaking. I also just had the carbs rebuilt,front and rear calibers rebuilt,new tires,fork seals,chain, and a few other things. But I'm dropping it off today to have the rings done so within a week or so I should be good to go. Then I'm going to pull all the plastics and paint them all gloss black with some high viz yellow in the mix,replace the windscreen, and get new grips and I'm 100% done.

[EnrAgeD]

I'm not sure on the compression on #2 but there gonna do a leak down test when I drop it off.

[Pat Conlon]

........I'm 100% done.

I've told myself that before......several times.

[EnrAgeD]

So my mechanic had some bad news on my fj I put aftermarket rings in which turned out to be complete crap the ring on cylinder #4 bent and scored up my cylinder wall pretty bad and the piston on #2 cylinder cracked in between the oil rings.now the cylinder head has to be bored out and have have to buy 4 new pistons and ring sets.plus replace all gaskets and do an oil change. I was quoted $1800 for all the work is the bike worth dumping money in? I have put $5000 in it in 2 years rebuilding everything. But if I just spend another $1800 it will be good as new so should I do it? The one ride I got to take was about 20 mins long and smooth as hell just was smoking like crazy which now I know why. It seems like a great bike to me just wanted some input.

[Flynt]

You won't find another bike as nice for $6,800...  one way to look at it.

You also couldn't sell it as-is for $1500...  another way to look at it.

I'd do it, but then I'm bat shit crazy... 

Frank

[Arnie]

Just got back from the Harrietville Rally on my '91.
This bike has over 150,000 Kms on it, uses less oil than a new BM, and has never had the head off.  Great bike. Reliable as a stone. Still faster than I ever was.

Make sure your mechanic is competent, and fix it.
You'll never find a better do-it-all bike.

[Pat Conlon]

......I'd do it, but then I'm bat shit crazy... 

Oh God, how I can relate......^^

[FJ1100mjk]

I have put $5000 in it in 2 years rebuilding everything. But if I just spend another $1800 it will be good as new so should I do it?

You're in a tough spot. At $5,000, you're in deep, and riding season is starting.

Can you source a good used set of jugs and pistons, put a new set of rings on them, hone the cylinders, then be good again for riding? May be a cheaper route to take.

Another option is find another complete, good, engine for it, and swap the damaged one out for it. Swapping the engine wouldn't take long, and you'd be on the road sooner, and probably for less money too.

I doubt you'd get much of your initial $5,000 back, if you sell it as is. Probably get the most for it if you parted it out, but that's a hassle in itself.

[ribbert]

.......But if I just spend another $1800 it will be good as new so should I do it?

To me, this is a no brainer, do it.

Think of as an investment in riding, not an investment in the bike.


You've already done most of it and you will never get your money back however you sell it.

A well sorted FJ is a great machine and holds its own well amongst more modern bikes. Buy another bike and you run the risk of doing it all over.

I don't keep lists, I don't add up or even record the money I've spent but my bike would owe me at least twice what yours does not counting consumeables. I don't care, I love riding it, 20,000km every year.
i am yet to find something I enjoy riding more, regardless of price (well, almost) and I get to ride plenty of modern bikes.

Noel

[aviationfred]

I have put $5000 in it in 2 years rebuilding everything. But if I just spend another $1800 it will be good as new so should I do it?

and riding season is starting.

Can you source a good used set of jugs and pistons, put a new set of rings on them, hone the cylinders, then be good again for riding? May be a cheaper route to take.

I have a cylinder block and piston set currently listed on eBay...... It could ease the cost of the rebuild a bit.

Many members have seen this engine run at the Black Hills FJ rally 2015, which was shortly before the engine was torn down.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182043432359?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_383wt_1362

Fred

[fj johnnie]

 I agree with Noel 100%. My FJ has more value in upgrades than I paid for it. Does it make sense? No. Should it? No. It's a hobby. You will have a great bike when you are all done. Fix it and ride it. You will enjoy that much more than stopping now and never know what it could have been like. After a week of 5-600 k days you won't remember the cost. You will remember the great rides and how much fun it is to ride.
I would say that at least half the guys on this forum have spent more on their beloved FJ's than they should have. Almost none would say they regret it.