What is this??

[Tuned forks]

I saw this part while perusing ebay.  Do all the FJ's have a control panel for the rear shock?  The rear shock is not purely mechanical/hydraulic?  Randy/Robert, what happens to this part when using the RPM rear shock?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1990-FJ1200-REAR-SHOCK-CONTROL-PANEL-YAMAHA-FJ-1100-1200-1984-90-36Y-22460-02-00-/173588829080?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

Joe

[FJmonkey]

That part is an adjuster for the damper only. It is not required with the RPM shock, or any other, or the original....

[Millietant]

Hi Joe,

Yes, that's the remote adjuster for the original FJ rear shock - it works just like the final drive system - small sprocket on the adjuster attached by a chain to a sprocket on the shock to wind the preload adjusting ring up or down the shock and there was a damper setting knob as well.

It only "works" with the standard OE shock and is not needed (nor is it compatible) for any aftermarket shocks. With the relatively poor quality of the standard shock, it seemed more of a gimmick than a useful suspension tuning tool - I wound my preload up as far as the adjuster would allow, then unhooked the chain, unwound the remote adjuster, hooked the chain up and then wound in some extra preload (I did a lot of fully loaded, 2-up touring and track day riding, and the extra clearance from the lifted rear was useful).

In truth, the adjustment made no really beneficial difference. When I swapped to a new aftermarket shock, I junked the adjuster.

The properly set up new shock made a huge difference, without the gimmicky remote stuff  

[Tuned forks]

Thanks for the info guys.  Now I'll have to look for it.  Just curious.

Joe

[Millietant]

Hey Joe, something in the back of my mind has just popped to the front - I think they might have stopped putting that system on when the model changed to the 3XW.

[Millietant]

Hey Joe, something in the back of my mind has just popped to the front - I think they might have stopped putting that system on when the model changed to the 3XW.

I've marked up the area where it used to sit on my 3CV in the photo below.

[RPM - Robert]

Randy/Robert, what happens to this part when using the RPM rear shock?

Joe

Sorry, late to the party again...

But to answer your question, "throw it away with the shock that came off"

[andyoutandabout]

What knowledge indeed. Joe, a timely post. I was wondering the very same, since I was aware that 86 shocks had different mounting ends compared to later models. Then I wondered even more when I got to the UK and looked at my 3xw 1991 ABS model than didn't have this remote thingy. So in conclusion there must be at least 3 original rear shock designs that Yamaha toyed with over the model run. Even so, regardless of OEM edition, it is what Robert said.

[Pat Conlon]

Yep, the oem under sprung, under dampened, non rebuildable  FJ shock (all models) was weak sauce the day it left the factory.

Props to Yamaha, that shock adjuster turned out to be a very effective sales gimmick, along with those uber trick anti dive forks.