New owner from Atlanta, GA (USA)

[nsr250]

Just picked up a 1993 FJ with ABS. Has 25K miles but hasn't been on the road since at least 05 or 06. Other than a minor tip over, it's pretty much in stock condition. Only mods I can find are braided brake and clutch lines and a K&N air filter.

I've already cleaned the carbs and eventually got it running today. I need to go back and check the choke passages though. Hard to start when cold and the choke only makes it worse. Anyway, after that I'm on to tires and brakes before it gets on the road. Any suggestions for tires?

Thanks
Don

[Urban_Legend]

Welcome and congratulations on your purchase.

Tires.....Mmmm. Tire threads are dangerous. Everyone will have an opinion on what is best. In short, your choices are very limited with the 16" rear wheel. There are 3 or 4 popular choices. Bridgestone Battlax and Avon seem to be the most used ones. Plan B is to upgrade the rear wheel to a 17" rim. There are many examples of this and How To's in this forum. With a 17" and 17 Front (already on the 93), the world is your oyster.

Good luck. Please don't ask what oil is the best. 

Mark

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the forum 

As Mark mentions, tire choices can be a hot topic among members. When I purchased my current FJ. The tires that were on it were Avon Storm 3D X-M. I don't know how many miles were on the tires when I picked up the bike. I put 4000 miles on them and they still had plenty of tread. Purchased new, they have a 15,000 mile warranty. Another Avon tire that I have heard good things about is the Avon Spirit ST. These tires also come with a 15,000 mile warranty. Another option is the Pirelli Sport Demon. Some members like them and some members don't like them.

Also as Mark mentioned... The best option IMO is the 17" rear wheel mod. This opens up your tire choices from ultra sticky track day tires too the latest and greatest Sport-Touring tires in the 180/55/17 size.

Photos

1. Avon Storm 3D X-M
2. Avon Spirit ST
3. Pirelli Sport Demon
4. GSXR1100/RF900R rear wheel mod


Fred

[ZOA NOM]

Oh boy! A virgin! Welcome aboard! Get your wallet out and click on that RPM banner. Also, look through the "Mods" subforum. You're gonna love that bike.

[nsr250]

I was a bit hesitant asking about tires but the 16" rear was throwing me out of my comfort zone.

Nope, will never ask about oil. I'm on enough motorcycle forums and have seen the carnage.

The engine on this bike is all stock. Since I need to take the carbs back off to clean out the choke passages would it be a good idea to richen up the jetting while I'm in there? Stock airbox and stock exhaust. Maybe 112.5 jets and shim the stock needles? Any suggestions? I've been searching but most searches end up showing me settings with aftermarket exhaust and pods.

Really looking forward to riding this thing soon!!

Thanks guys.

[Paul.1478]

Hello,
when you get it running we need to take it to the mountains this spring. I am in Newnan and have a 93. I have the fork valves from RPM and new springs on my bike, I cannot tell you what a huge difference it made. Just need to get the rear shock (out of stock at RPM). Also new tires were a big improvement.

[ZOA NOM]

Go with the GSXR 17" rear wheel mod asap.

[FJ_Hooligan]

If everything is stock and you're going to keep it that way then about the only thing you need to do to the carbs is bump the idle jet up to a 37.5. 

You can also shim the needle to richen up the midrange. 

On the choke, it sounds like the fuel pickup orifices in the float bowls are clogged.  If there was gunk in the float bowls, chances are the orifices are obstructed.  If this is the case, the choke will be getting little/no fuel and will just make cold starting worse.

Do yourself a favor and get the stainless steel carb bolt/o-ring kit from RPM.

[Paul.1478]

or just send RPM your carbs like I did. best 150 I have spent on the bike. Carbs perfect and also bench synced. My bike was sitting for several years when I got it.

[nsr250]

If everything is stock and you're going to keep it that way then about the only thing you need to do to the carbs is bump the idle jet up to a 37.5.  

You can also shim the needle to richen up the midrange.  

On the choke, it sounds like the fuel pickup orifices in the float bowls are clogged.  If there was gunk in the float bowls, chances are the orifices are obstructed.  If this is the case, the choke will be getting little/no fuel and will just make cold starting worse.

Do yourself a favor and get the stainless steel carb bolt/o-ring kit from RPM.

Isn't the stock pilot jet already a 37.5?  According to my Haynes manual it is. Is the manual wroing?

[nsr250]

or just send RPM your carbs like I did. best 150 I have spent on the bike. Carbs perfect and also bench synced. My bike was sitting for several years when I got it.

Thought about it but I like a challenge!! That and I wasn't sure the carbs could be salvaged. They'd been sitting with gas in them for at least 12 years.

[Pat Conlon]

If everything is stock and you're going to keep it that way then about the only thing you need to do to the carbs is bump the idle jet up to a 37.5.  

You can also shim the needle to richen up the midrange.  

On the choke, it sounds like the fuel pickup orifices in the float bowls are clogged.  If there was gunk in the float bowls, chances are the orifices are obstructed.  If this is the case, the choke will be getting little/no fuel and will just make cold starting worse.

Do yourself a favor and get the stainless steel carb bolt/o-ring kit from RPM.

Isn't the stock pilot jet already a 37.5?  According to my Haynes manual it is. Is the manual wroing?

Yes Don, you are correct. The USA FJ's oem pilot jets are #37.5.
My friend DavidR miss spoke. I'm sure he ment to say to up the pilot jets to #40.
David has forgotten more about Mikuni BS36 CV carbs than I will ever know.
Back in the old days before we had Randy and Robert at RPM to help us, we had this guy we called the "FJ Carb Guru" who would help us with our carb woes: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=655.0;attach=293
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=46.0;attach=43
^^^Yes, it's the same DavidR

Here's a link to the RPM O ring/SS screw kit for the carbs David mentioned. It's by far the best $22 you will ever spend on your FJ http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=carbkit

Welcome Don!   You sound like you have some experience

[Troyskie]

Welcome to the FJ fun house Don  .

I'll stay out of any tyres shenanigans.

You seem to know your way around bikes, so excuse me if I'm being too obvious..

As I'm sure will be mentioned, wire the petcock under the tank (if not already done).

If it has been sitting for so long with fuel in I'd drain and flush the tank and have a close (awkward) look in the tank for rust.

You probably want to check the chain for stretch & sprockets for wear.

Give the shims a check for clearances. I've discovered that some supposed carb issues were actually the shims. Smoother too.

A cheap and easy mod (free!) is to do the timing advance http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4292.0

Troyskie

[nsr250]

Welcome to the FJ fun house Don  .

I'll stay out of any tyres shenanigans.

You seem to know your way around bikes, so excuse me if I'm being too obvious..

As I'm sure will be mentioned, wire the petcock under the tank (if not already done).

If it has been sitting for so long with fuel in I'd drain and flush the tank and have a close (awkward) look in the tank for rust.

You probably want to check the chain for stretch & sprockets for wear.

Give the shims a check for clearances. I've discovered that some supposed carb issues were actually the shims. Smoother too.

A cheap and easy mod (free!) is to do the timing advance http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4292.0

Troyskie

Yeah, gas tank will get a thorough cleaning with vinegar and the petcock will be cleaned out.

Valves have been checked. A few are on the tight side but I've decided to get it all running before swapping them around.

Chain and sprockets look good. Chain needs to be cleaned but it seems to be turning with no kinks.

This bike was a one owner bike and was the owners pride and joy. It was well taken care of until his passing. Then it got stored in a horse barn and was covered in dirt.

Thanks for the link to the timing advance mod. Hadn't seen that one yet.

[FJ_Hooligan]

I blame dementia.....

It's been so long since I've been into my carbs that I don't remember anymore. 

Either that .... or .... What were we talking about?