My new FJ.

[Striker]

Just bought an 85 FJ1100 a few weeks ago and loving it!! Tons of power, stable at speed and very comfortable!! It's my daily driver, so I get to enjoy it a lot. My only thing is that the rear brake caliper needs to be replaced. Other than that it's been awesome.

[rlucas]

What's the problem with the rear caliper? Leaking? Binding? Stuck pistons? They're dead easy to rebuild...or, if it does need to be replaced, I think I have a couple lying around gathering dust.

Rossi

[Striker]

It looks like it needs to be replaced because it seems to have a dead piston. And it looks like the previous owner cross threaded the bottom bolt that holds the caliper to the bracket. So I'll need to get a new bracket too.

[Striker]

Oh also one more thing is that when I hit the rear brake a little hard, I feel it torque the wheel to the right. And it messes a little with the axle adjustment sometimes. Was wondering if that is because of the dead piston and it's not grabbing right or something else?

[Arnie]

Oh also one more thing is that when I hit the rear brake a little hard, I feel it torque the wheel to the right. And it messes a little with the axle adjustment sometimes. Was wondering if that is because of the dead piston and it's not grabbing right or something else?

Striker,

How does it do that?  Is the axle tight?  The wheel/chain adjusters are only to provide a location for the axle.  The axle must still be torqued to 110 ft/lbs according to the Yamaha manual.

Arnie

[Striker]

well when I hit the brakes before I have felt the rear wheel pull off to the right then straighten out when I let off. But i wasn't hitting the brake hard enough to slide the tire. I did try tightening the axle down as much as possible to hopefully keep it from doing that. Helped a little but I can still feel it do it.

[Arnie]

Striker,

If the bike is pulling to the right when you hit the rear brake.... YOU HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM !!
The swingarm axle may be broken, the frame may have a bolt missing or broken, or the frame is broken.
Do not ride the bike until you have carefully examined it.  OR, have an experienced mechanic examine it.  You've just joined the group, we'd like to keep you.

Cheers,
Arnie

[Striker]

Wow, ok will definitely have it looked over before taking it out again.

[SkyFive]

I just disassembled my rear suspension and while cleaning the swingarm I noticed a cresent shaped 1/4" divot on the top of the right axle slot. It appears as though the axle had spun inside the swingarm slot. I wouldn't have seen it with the axle bolt and nut in place because it would have been covered. Oddly, it was only on the right side, left side was fiine. I don't have any pictures but I had it welded up today, good as new.
Just something you might want to check.


ETA; Mine is 1984 FJ1100.

[Striker]

thanks I'll take a look and see if there is something going on with the swingarm.

[Striker]

Okay here's the update, me and another mechanic looked at the swingarm and could see anything broken or warped. But it looks like that even tightening the axle nuts to spec it still moves. So I what we came up with is that maybe a spacer is missing and it's not tightening down on the arm like it needs to to hold the axle straight. Any ideas on where to get that checked? Or what spacer I might need? I know this sounds odd but it made sense to me. Let me know if I'm off my rocker or just need to have another opinion. I don't have money to throw at a mechanic so any garage ideas would be great! Thanks

[Harvy]

Compare what parts you have in there with this Diagram of an 1100 rear wheel assembly.
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1985/FJ1100N/REAR%20WHEEL/parts.html
Look for 3, 32 and 33........they are the spacers. Anything else missing?

Harvy

[Arnie]

Compare what parts you have in there with this Diagram of an 1100 rear wheel assembly.
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1985/FJ1100N/REAR%20WHEEL/parts.html
Look for 3, 32 and 33........they are the spacers. Anything else missing?

It could very easily be part #22 the "Chain Puller" block too.

At least you've now found *where* the problem is.  Now its just a matter of elimination of all the parts that are present.  The part(s) you don't have is the problem.  Also, fairly INexpensive even new.

Cheers,
Arnie

Harvy

[carsick]

Striker,
I have the entire back end to fit that bike, caliper, rotor, mount, spacers, axle, chain tensioners, wheel, etc. Give me a PM if you need anything, I'll make you a heckuva deal.
Doug

[Striker]

Very nice! As soon as I figure out what it is exactly that I need to fix the problem and will definitely let you know!