Weight loss

[PaulG]

- to improve it or even remove the abs that was heavy and of unqualified benefit.

Heavy? I suppose.  Unqualified benefit?  Not true.  False.  Fake News. Never.

Removing it to save weight is fine.  But where would you get the idea that it's of unqualified benefit?  Just don't toss it in the bin.  Keep everything associated with it and shelve it.  You never know you might want it reinstalled one day.  Or you can sell it off on EBay easily enough.  Might even pay for the wheels.

[2big]

- to improve it or even remove the abs that was heavy and of unqualified benefit.

Rode the FJ into work today. Great weather empty roads - like motorcycling should be. Really need to get the brakes working properly. Period!

Also sort the annoying vibration from the fairing pocket....
So with a tight budget it's all about making it work with budget upgrades

Agreed Paul hang onto the abs unit it may work! I keep all the stuff from all my bikes. Found a blue spot rear calliper under my desk this morning and a CNC machined calliper hanger from the last bike project a 350LC with a drag tuned Duncan racing banshee engine....

[2big]

Update - new 'motobatt' lithium battery fitted - saved 3.5kg weight and works a treat.
Removed the 'stabilisers' or engine bars as they need a repaint and that saved another 3.5kg...tempted not to put them back on. It's not like I'm planning to fall off!
Next stop the brakes - remove (and keep) the abs and fit the blue spots, how much does the abs system weigh?

Also working on a new GSXR rear wheel - saw somewhere that saves a few kg more

[Millietant]

Hey Jan,

Just reading through this and I thought of a couple of things.

1) To dampen vibration in/from the fairing, I covered every mounting bolt junction between the plastic and metal with self adhesive foam washers/pads. (and also covered the bracket that the reserve switch sits on). I bought a couple of A4 sheets of self adhesive foam from Hobbycraft (£1 each I think, or maybe 50p each), used a paper hole punch to make bolt holes and then just cut the appropriate shape to match the mount with a pair of scissors - and all the buzzing and vibration has gone. But also, maybe you have a little piece of stone/gravel sitting in the bottom of the pocket (you don't need to ask how I know that makes an annoying buzz  ). I've been using that foam for a while now and it also sorted out buzzing from the Fazer 1000 (FZ1) fairing too.

And

2) I saw a picture of a pink stripe FJ the other day with gold wheels and I thought it really set off the paint job and made it look just a bit "different" - maybe something to think about before you fit the new wheels finally.

[ribbert]

Hey Jan,

Just reading through this and I thought of a couple of things.

1) To dampen vibration in/from the fairing, I covered every mounting bolt junction between the plastic and metal with self adhesive foam washers/pads. (and also covered the bracket that the reserve switch sits on). I bought a couple of A4 sheets of self adhesive foam from Hobbycraft (£1 each I think, or maybe 50p each), used a paper hole punch to make bolt holes and then just cut the appropriate shape to match the mount with a pair of scissors - and all the buzzing and vibration has gone. But also, maybe you have a little piece of stone/gravel sitting in the bottom of the pocket (you don't need to ask how I know that makes an annoying buzz  ). I've been using that foam for a while now and it also sorted out buzzing from the Fazer 1000 (FZ1) fairing too.

Jan has a rubber mounted motor model, I must have taken my fairing off twenty times in the early days chasing vibrations and buzzing, just about had a controlling interest in the foam tape company.
The key to it all, which remains so to this day and hundreds of thousands of km's later, was to simply fix the source, the engine mounts!

Get rid of the vibes and there's nothing to cause the buzzing. These model bikes with the engine mount lubed are literally turbine smooth, smoother than most modern in-line 4's.

Some owners have found the difference so night and day words fail them, particularly if they've put up with the vibes for years. Highway speeds in top gear it's difficult to tell if the motor running (well, almost )

Noel

[Millietant]

I suppose I'm lucky, having the "old" solid mounted model  . Never actually experienced the smoothness of a 3XW, but I do know what you mean about even my old FJ being so smooth and quiet (on standard exhaust) at highway speeds, especially on the. 18/38 sprockets.

The Aprilia RSV still made the FJ feel like a buzz box though. On standard gearing that thing felt like it was just ticking over at 80mph in top gear !

[ribbert]

The Aprilia RSV still made the FJ feel like a buzz box though. On standard gearing that thing felt like it was just ticking over at 80mph in top gear !

Funny you say that Dean, I rode a BMW S1000XR a couple of years ago. When I first became aware of them I thought the bike Gods had been peaking into my dreams, a 1000RR motor (well, most of one) in a GS frame, yeeeees!
Yes it was quick and yes it did this and that but the one thing I remember most was the vibration (and induction noise that required ear plugs) that I guess I wasn't expecting, having just stepped off the FJ.

Those FJ's well set up really are smooth.

Noel

[2big]

The vibes the vibes - they drive you crazy! goes away when you switch it off and starting pulling it to bits....

Great advice to lube the mounts - copper grease? Turbine smoothness here we come.

To try and isolate the source I had stuffed a scouring sponge into the cigarette pocket and catch which helped, then noticed the left mirror glass was 'loose' in its frame so to add to the slightly scruffy (& hopefully temporary) patina went round the edge of the mirror glass with some black insulation tape. That helped too. So will add some cbr mirrors to the list unless there's a yamaha alternative that allows a decent view of the road behind.

[2big]

I'm tempted to change the colour too...go all out for an FZ750/ FJ1100 red black silver or a 1TX red and white.

I know it's sacrilege to lose the factory paint but these colours look slimmer right?

[2big]

Silver red and black pint, black frame and wheels look so trick in an 80's way
So does the fairing - I know the FJ's barn door is super efficient but the bike would look lighter again if you cut the original one down, used an FJ100 fairing (I know it's not a straight swap) or perhaps make one of those FZ's fit my 3XW..z

[ELIMINATOR]

I changed the pads for softer ones, more by luck than design. Made a difference, although mine is a 3CV.

[Millietant]

I love both of those FJ colour schemes Jan  and I think the FZ 750 scheme is really classy, especially with the gold wheels.

Not sure about going back to the 1100 fairing though  - is the 3XW fairing much bigger than the 3CV? With the smaller screen it doesn't "feel" like a big tourer 

[Little Pink Steve]

Howdo, from England.  There's a decent U.K. FJ group on Facebook.  The earlier 3CV swingarm is ally, might save you a few grams and doesn't rust.

[Millietant]

The Aprilia RSV still made the FJ feel like a buzz box though. On standard gearing that thing felt like it was just ticking over at 80mph in top gear !

Funny you say that Dean, I rode a BMW S1000XR a couple of years ago. When I first became aware of them I thought the bike Gods had been peaking into my dreams, a 1000RR motor (well, most of one) in a GS frame, yeeeees!
Yes it was quick and yes it did this and that but the one thing I remember most was the vibration (and induction noise that required ear plugs) that I guess I wasn't expecting, having just stepped off the FJ.

Those FJ's well set up really are smooth.

Noel

LOL - the RSV wasn't smooth Noel, but the V-Twin engine vibes at motorway speeds seemed to make the bike feel like it was ticking over, rather than revving. A strange feeling at first, but very relaxing (not at all like a Harley "rumble" though).   

[Little Pink Steve]

Update - new 'motobatt' lithium battery fitted - saved 3.5kg weight and works a treat.
Removed the 'stabilisers' or engine bars as they need a repaint and that saved another 3.5kg...tempted not to put them back on. It's not like I'm planning to fall off!
Next stop the brakes - remove (and keep) the abs and fit the blue spots, how much does the abs system weigh?

Also working on a new GSXR rear wheel - saw somewhere that saves a few kg more

3CV ally swing Arm?


Good shout on the battery, save the trouble of looking.  I believe you need a Li-ion specific charger.  Ctek do one https://www.ctek.com/products/vehicle/lithium-xs