What did you do to your bike today?

[rktmanfj]

That thing just looks badass.

I like it.

Randy T
Indy

[Marsh White]

That thing just looks badass.

It DOES look badass - there is a MadMax quality to it. 

[fj1289]

Thanks guys   

That picture took very well - i.e., doesn't show all the rough spots!  It's had a pretty hard life - even before I bought it in pieces 10 years ago now.  The bodywork had a "custom" gloss black paint job with red "wing" design on the tank - beautiful paint, crap prep work.  Had a large buble in the paint on the tank about 2 inches accross that broke loose and started to rust.  Strapped for $$, out came the sand paper, primer, and flat black paint!  A few years later Ducati, then Harley and Honda started painting them that way on purpose!  When I first met my wife, she used to be after me to get a real paint job for it (she like the blue on the R1's then).  Now she says I can't paint it, because that's who I am. 

The black supertrapp worked better than I thought it would.  The header was bought off eBay - was ceramic coated but never installed.  The guy "thought" it was a supertrapp -- I figured it was probably a kerker.  It is a supertrapp though - a dead ringer for the stainless header I bought later.  Then, cruising eBay, saw something for the dragbike - then noticed it was from a salvage yard I used to get parts from when I was in high school.  Looked around to see what they had (while imagining I was 17 and walking around there myself) and saw a new supertrapp muffler but they didn't know what the application was.  Took a chance, and with a 2 1/2 to 2 1/2 pipe adapter from Autozone, it was a perfect fit.  I like it now better than the kerker white tip I had on it.  More discs have been ordered of course...  Think the stainless system will be in the parts section soon...

[billwest]

Finally replaced the busted up fairing (courtesy of some young thing in a little yellow car forcing #3 son onto the median strip and crashing) with one I imported from the UK.  Replaced front fender (rear part, closest to the exhausts - hope it doesn't deform again).  

Getting closer to a finished product.  Still need to:

- fit new belly pan
- adjust ventura rack
- put Randy's oil filter adapter on (In Oz, what filter best suits that?)
- clamp the exhaust mufflers
- keep son off the bike...........


Bill.

[RichBaker]

 42.5 is too big.... I put 40.0s in my '90 a couple years ago, have 1 mixture screw just under 1 turn out, the rest are just over 1 turn out, which is about perfect.

Finally got the 89 road ready again!



"New" engine from a 90, back to stock carbs (for now – RIP Keihin FCRs),  a Frankenstein Supertrapp to replace the missing Kerker White Tip, replaced the missing side scoops, and cleaned up a lot of the wiring mods (removed most of the added-on drag race stuff – shifter, kill box and data logger). 

Still haven't ridden it yet, so don't know how 2nd gear is, etc. 

Side story – the carbs gave me a new challenge.  Completely rebuilt them, added a Factory jet kit (including returning the carbs to "stock" from the previously installed Dynojet parts).  The bike would only start and run on the "choke" – would not idle at all or accept any throttle.  Went through the carbs again to make sure I didn't goof something up.  First thought the issue was the idle speed setting being WAY OFF from the complete tear down.  No dice.  Then figured the idle mixture was way off.  Worked from 5 turns out to 1/2 turn out – still no luck.  I'm at 4300' here, so thought maybe the pilot system was way off since the Factory kit replaces the stock 37.5 pilot jet with a 42.5 (also recommend an optional 45.0 if you need it richer!).  Didn't think this would keep it from idling since you can usually compensate with the idle mixture and at least get it to idle (the tip-in to 1/8 throttle would probably still be off though).  I put the stock 37.5 pilots in and it runs!!!  I then looked at the 42.5's, and it looks like they were not drilled to size!  Looks like only a VERY SMALL hole was drilled through (looks more like a 12.5 than a 42.5!) – almost like a centering hole was drilled, but never opened up to the proper size!  That's a new one on me. 

Time for this!

[Firehawk068]

The back wheel is off, but I started mine today.
I put the battery tender on it a couple days ago to make sure the battery was full.
She fired right up 1st crank after sitting for two months not running with 2 clicks of choke.
after about 30 seconds I shut the choke off and she settled right down at about 1000rpm.
I let it run for about 5 minutes then shut it off. I din't want to melt my fender or chin fairing.

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

I repaired, replaced really, mounting tab on front fender. I used product called "Plastifix". Easy to use. We shall see how it holds up. Seems strong.
Mike

[Smola67]

New set of pilot power 2ct's, cleaned and lubed chain, changed oil and filter, and put on a new double bubble windscreen. Oh and scuffed in new tires with A 150 mile ride up to the BRP and back. 

[jvb_ca]

Installed new fork seals, polished and buffed lower forks legs, new brake pads. New FZR wheel should be ready this week from powder coating, then the new Pilot Road 2's get mounted...

Cheers..Jake

[Yamifj1200]

Hmmm put some gas in it and rode it 160 miles or so with my good buddy Calvin on his FJ.

Eric M

[Mark Olson]

today my fj is finally home, I have had the situation of storing it at an off site location for 3 1/2 years and had to visit it for rides and mods. although it made sense at the time the sacrifice was a true test of patience and insanity.

The fj now sits proudly at my new residence in the garage surrounded by all my tools and parts ready for action.

such a good feeling, I just had to share

now I just have to finish the mods before the wcr.

just can't stop riding it.   

[tqmx1]

Mark we are going to have a pair of house warmings beside you Jason just bought a house about six blocks from me.

[Harvy]

Went for a spin down to Pete Waricle's place this morning with my spare starter motor...... Pete's was playing up.
We swapped it in, and while better, it would on the odd occasion not engage...... I have a bad feeling the starter clutch is crook??
The starter spins but the engine does not turn over.
Anyway, we went for a little spin, swapping bikes for a short time. Pete has done a very nice job on his FJ. I especially like his solo seat mod!

Harvy

[racerrad8]

Went for a spin down to Pete Waricle's place this morning with my spare starter motor...... Pete's was playing up.
We swapped it in, and while better, it would on the odd occasion not engage...... I have a bad feeling the starter clutch is crook??
The starter spins but the engine does not turn over.
Anyway, we went for a little spin, swapping bikes for a short time. Pete has done a very nice job on his FJ. I especially like his solo seat mod!

Harvy

Harvy,
         The FJ starter drive is susceptible to loosing spring tension on the one-way clutch. When looking at the exploded view, the problem parts is #8. http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/showschematic/m7148sch217477

These springs are about as fine as the spring within a retractable ball point writing pen. The use of some synthetic oils, thicker oils and/or a lack of changing the oil can also cause these rollers to slip and not allow the starter to turn the engine. There is no easy repair as the bottom of the case would have to come off to service the springs. Previously, I have never replaced the springs, but have chosen to simply stretch them to increase the spring pressure when doing rebuilds.

Since the introduction of the XJ model engine, Yamaha change this three ramp/roller system to a one-way sprag which has eliminated the problem all together. That is now what I install into every rebuild I do so that problem never leaves anyone having to bump start the engine.

Randy - RPM

[Harvy]

Harvy,
         The FJ starter drive is susceptible to loosing spring tension on the one-way clutch. When looking at the exploded view, the problem parts is #8. http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/showschematic/m7148sch217477

These springs are about as fine as the spring within a retractable ball point writing pen. The use of some synthetic oils, thicker oils and/or a lack of changing the oil can also cause these rollers to slip and not allow the starter to turn the engine. There is no easy repair as the bottom of the case would have to come off to service the springs. Previously, I have never replaced the springs, but have chosen to simply stretch them to increase the spring pressure when doing rebuilds.

Since the introduction of the XJ model engine, Yamaha change this three ramp/roller system to a one-way sprag which has eliminated the problem all together. That is now what I install into every rebuild I do so that problem never leaves anyone having to bump start the engine.

Randy - RPM

Randy, yes, we were wondering about the oil part of the equation.
Pete is using Castrol Edge 10-60 fully synth, which to me seems too extreme at both ends for Queensland conditions.
I don't want to buy into another oil thread here, but I personally use 20-50 dyno, and with just shy of 100,000kms, I have not had any starter problem - touch wood!

Thanks for the tip on the XJ engine update.......when the time comes that's a good way to go.

I'm sure Pete will see your response........ he is putting together a bit of a list of parts.... so he will be in contact.

Still waiting to hear some good news from you about your back mate....... its a bugger when something so small can change your whole perspective on life....chin up mate!

Harvy