1989 FJ1200 Suspension settings

[markmartin]

First:  How do you know the seals aren't leaking?  If it's had little to no upkeep done, it wouldn't suprise me that the fork seals are leaky, but they don't leak because the oil is all long gone.

:

That's a damn good point

[Scooterbob]

So you're saying it could be like a military chopper?  I was told that if a military chopper is not dripping oil, don't ride in that one becuase that means IT'S OUT OF OIL!

That is an ugly thought, but very likely.  I will check oil content this evening.  Thanks.

[andyb]

When I got my FJ, it had a really bizarre wear pattern on the front tire.

Turns out having about 2oz of filthy fluid in one fork and nothing at all in the other can cause unusual things to happen..

Handled rather better afterwards, too.

[markmartin]

  I will check oil content this evening.  Thanks.

Yup, prop it up at the frame, suspend it from the stem, or just do one leg at a time.....just saying....

[junkyardroad]

a little intimidating at first is all

You can do it, and the special tools (except the seal driver by SlowOldGuy) aren't always necessary.

Here is an opinion; I am coming off a bike with a Marchesini (Paoli) inverted cartridge fork and some nice Progressive rears, and today I ran my favorite curvies hard. I mean really hard for the first time on my '89 FJ.  It has stock springs, Gold Valve emulators at the factory setting, the stock rebound damper in the fork set at the middle setting with 10w, and the stock rear on 3. Tires are Avon AM26 Roadriders. I didn't expect much from this setup.

I am 6'7' @ 240 and was doing those curves with the 40mph warning sign (in a 55) at almost 90.  The suspension worked fine.
It never bottomed, never slid, felt vague or unsettled.  Took a little rubber off my boot.

Tire wise, I would rather have the Azaros that you can't get in FJ sizes, BUT, the AM26s stuck nearly as well, so well that I was dissappointed to not find those little rolly pieces of rubber that you find on the edge of soft compound tires. Tire is not spelt tyre, BTW.

I have not ridden with a load (besides me), however.  I wonder how much harder really a guy could ride on public roads with better components. Understand that we have every kind of road you can think of from decreasing radius curves to damn near banked curves, every kind of rise and slope you can think of.

Bottom line is I will probably buy the Penske rear, but won't jump to Ohlins.

It all depends on what you expect/need.

I held at 137 for 4 1/2 minutes. What a ride. Snow knee deep on both sides. weee

[Scooterbob]

Junkyardroad - Thanks for the vote of confidence.  Judging by your story (if even a part of it is true), you are one crazy rider.  I push my bike fairly hard at times, but nothing close to what you are saying.  I don't expect to go to the racetrack with my bike, but it would like it to perform and have a stable feel when I need it.  Maybe I'm just being too scientific about it with doing all the "sag" and everything.  I may just adjust a couple of different settings (after fork oil change) and give it a "seat of the pants" test.  
Where did you get your emulators from?

All-  I did find that my oil is nasty looking.  I will be changing it all out this weekend, even if I don't have the seals and other parts yet. Any last minute hints on getting the perfect measurement of oil?

[Arnie]

All-  I did find that my oil is nasty looking.  I will be changing it all out this weekend, even if I don't have the seals and other parts yet. Any last minute hints on getting the perfect measurement of oil?

Sure.  When you refill your fork legs, work them slowly in & out to purge any air, then compress the leg fully.  With the springs OUT fill the leg till the oil level is slightly higher than you've decided to use.  Then take a hypodermic syringe with a tube on it (not a needle) and put it into the fork leg so the tip of the tube is exactly the distance you want the oil to be from the top.  Then just pull the plunger back slowly and suck the extra oil out.  Do the same with the other fork leg.  Re-assemble the forks, make sure you remember to put the spring and spacer back in and you're all set.

Cheers,
Arnie

[SlowOldGuy]

Bottom line is I will probably buy the Penske rear, but won't jump to Ohlins.

Uh, that would be a jump BACKWARDS.  Penske is superior to Ohlins.

DavidR.