New Owner........What 1st Jobs/Mods/Maintenance?

[Little Pink Steve]

Looks like I'll be collecting a 1989 1200 on Saturday. 40k miles and a full set of hard luggage.  Not that I'll use the luggage, but can sell it to buy parts.

[Little Pink Steve]

Hi Guys,

I pick up my "new" 3CV on Saturday.  I have long term plans to carry out the usual BIG mods.  But to kick things off what little things should I be replacing, modifying, swapping etc to make sure every is reliable and runs, starts as it should.  You know all those little bits that can save a lot of headaches.

1, Change all fluids.

[red]

Hi Guys,
I pick up my "new" 3CV on Saturday.  I have long term plans to carry out the usual BIG mods.  But to kick things off what little things should I be replacing, modifying, swapping etc to make sure every is reliable and runs, starts as it should.  You know all those little bits that can save a lot of headaches.
1, Change all fluids.

Steve,

2.  Check the actual age of the tires.  Google for "tire age decoder," if needed.  Forget the remaining tread depth; if the tires are more than five years old, or in any way cracked, dried, or damaged, do not trust them.  The FJ is a heavy and powerful beast.  If you do replace tires, replace the valve stems as well.  All metal, angled valve stems would be my choice, there.  If you need 16 inch tires, I run on bias-ply Pirelli Sport Demons, and the Avon radials may be a bit better.  It's a popular upgrade here to change to 17 inch wheels, at least for the front wheel, but my Pirellis do the job very well for me.  Either way, a TPMS is a great bolt-on upgrade, there.

3. Spin-on oil filter adapter, from the site owner, Randy at RPM, is a good (and inexpensive) upgrade there.  Then you can use automotive spin-on filters, which gives you some real choices on the filter size and quality that you can use.  WIX makes a good one.

4. Only if you have serious handlebar vibrations, a Throttle Body Sync (TBS) would be a good first step to fix that problem. Bar end-weights or Vibranators (from RPM) will help to reduce any remaining handlebar vibes, as will a set of foam handgrips.

5. Some other popular upgrades are the mirrors, a headlight relay, louder horns (and/or a horn relay), handlebar changes, and custom-comfort seating.  Beyond that stuff, the list is long, if you get the bug that we call mod-itis.  

[wainot-Phil]

The things that I done 1st was
Change all Oils ,Filters ,Check condition of Fuel lines and clean out the Petrol Tank and clean Petcock filter in needed,
Fit new Tires (if needed)
Check Drive Chain and sprocket's and all so check the chain Rivet Link  condition (replace the lot if unsure)
Check all Brake calipers , MC ,Brake Lines etc  are all working and free of damage and wear,
OK its safe to RIDE the Bike now,
THEN ASAP I WOULD 
Fit new Plugs
Check and adjust the Valve clearances  to spec.
Balance the Carbs
Adjust Mixtures
and if you are a big Boy like me (fit some wider Mirrors) so you can see whats behind you ,instead of just looking at your shoulders
hope you have lots of good times with your new Bike ,,

[Pat Conlon]

No telling when the PO last checked the valve clearances, so that would be on my list.

[PaulG]

4. Only if you have serious handlebar vibrations, a Throttle Body Sync (TBS) would be a good first step to fix that problem. Bar end-weights or Vibranators (from RPM) will help to reduce any remaining handlebar vibes, as will a set of foam handgrips.

IMHO - A suggestion before you do this is to:

a)  Make sure the carbs are balanced and set up properly.
b)  Make sure the tires are in good shape
If you are still getting any excess vibration, then:
c)  Remove/clean/relube the rubber engine mounts.  There are a a few posts re this, but this is the primary post from the Files Section: General Maintenance  http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=594.0

I did it last spring and is covered in this post - just scroll down a bit http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=15537.msg156899#msg156899.  I also used thid post as a reference http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=14814.0

If you have any excess vibration that should eliminate most of it.  If not to your satisfaction then get the TBS or vibranators.  The FJ is always a little buzzy, it's just a matter of what you consider tolerable.

To save your front fender tabs from cracking - and help the handling - invest in a quality fork brace - I bought the RPM brace this winter.  Weather still sucks here so I haven't had a chance to use it.  But everyone swears by them. 

RPM Handlebar Risers are great for the wrists and back if that's an issue.

Since your eventual goal is to sportify it even more then obviously an eventual rear shock change.  There are quite a few aftermarket ones out there from $500-$1500 new. There's RPM, Hagon, Penske, YSS etc. I picked up a used Hagon from a parted out FJ for $65.  Again waiting for the weather to evaluate it.  Then there's the front forks.  Again RPM to your service for plug-n-play RPM Fork Valve.  There are other manufactureres that make them, but some assembly/chopping required.

I better stop now.

PS - I am in no way affiliated with/paid by/or am an agent for RPM...     - they just make good shit!  Hey! A new T Shirt Logo! 

[Tor-King]

When I buy a used bike I...

Number 1: Make it Safe
- ensure that tires are safe, clear of cracking, not dated, full of air and clearly have sufficient tread
- all brake lines are changed (bin all the rubber hoses and replace with braided)
- check calipers for possible leakage of brake fluid, while in there check brake pad wear
- check all fuel lines and petcock (in particular early model FJ 1200) as the elbow is prone of falling out and require wiring
- make sure that all fluid levels are changed and at appropriate levels and clean or replace air filter
- check sprockets and chain for wear, clean and lubricate if satisfactory (DO NOT cheap out in this area if you need to replace!!)
- check all lighting, charging system...
- take some time to make sure that all fasteners are tight (you never know who has been wrenching on it)

Number Two: Make it Yours
- do some simple modifications to start or where you see fit
- change front calipers with R1 or FZ1
- 17" rear wheel mod change
- bar risers
- Corbin seat
- Rentecc engine bars
- CBR mirror replacement
- Unipod air filters
and on and on...

There are many guys on this site who have done some impressive improvements on their bikes...

...and as Pat said, "check valve clearances"

Dean

[Little Pink Steve]

The bike is now siting in my garage.....runs really sweet.  Plan on changing all the fluids at the weekend.

I'm going to be stripping and cleaning the forks as they are as soft as sh!t.  As I'm looking at a front end swap later in the year are there any little tweeks or mods that'll give it a boost whilst it's apart?  I've got a machine shop at my disposable.

[jscgdunn]

How about this?

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16432.0

[Urban_Legend]

How about this?

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16432.0

If your budget can't steatch to the Uber cool GSXR Upside down front end (and they really are a chic magnet), I would go with the RPM springs and emutators. They will make a massive difference to the front end. Contact Randy (forum owner) and he will hook you up with what you need.

Mark

[Little Pink Steve]

Later this year I'll be scouting for parts for an über sexy front end swap.  Looking for ways to ditch the 3 spoke wheels.

But in the meantime I'm just looking to do a quick rebuild.........the sun is shining and I want to ride.

Unfortunately I'm in merry old England and the cost of shipping from the States for parts is silly money

[Urban_Legend]

Racetech Springs and gold emulators would be plan B for the upgrade. That is what i run in my front end and it is a 100% improvement over OEM.

Mark