Back from my vacation to the U.S.

[Lotsokids]

Hey Y'all,
I just returned to Hungary from my vacation in the U.S. where I got to fix my V-Max. I had to replace the starter clutch. THAT SUCKED. About 2 of my 5 days of vacation were spent on that. But I got it running and back on the street. A friend is keeping it for me. As I rode it, I am confident that my FJ1200 here in Hungary would kick my V-Max's butt in accelleration. Strange. But then, the Max was sitting for quite a while and the carbs need to be cleaned well. I put some fuel stabilizer in it before I left the first time, then again a few days ago. My friend is supposed to get that beast on the road now and then, but it seems to just stay parked. It's a fun bike, and the 4-into-4 exhaust sounds like a V8! Awesome! I'll try to post better pics and a video later.

Here's a pic the day I got it running:

[Mark Olson]

the ol max vs fj debate will never be solved.  depends on the rider.

[andyb]

Looks like a UFO pipe on the max there.

Depends on the rider, depends on the bike.  Haven't felt a vmax pull the way my FJ does though.  They make power in a different way, and have a much harder time putting it to the ground.  They feel pretty fast though, with the exposed riding position and all.

[Pat Conlon]

1) Get a 17" rear wheel conversion with some modern sticky rubber and, 2) loose the driveshaft and convert over to a ZZZ chain, and there will be no question which bike is faster. I love the howl of Mr. Max.

[andyb]

Have you SEEN how much work is required to do the chain conversion?!  It's unreal, machining this and that and so forth.  A friend is now on his 3rd driveshaft (which are supposedly pretty bulletproof... bwahahhaha), and looked into it.  It's ridiculous! 

A quick-ish, comfy-ish ride, and imo it feels faster than the FJ because it doesn't handle the speed as well.  Three gears on the max and it's hauling ass and pulling like a train.  Three gears on the FJ and it's relaxing and waiting for the real speed to show up, even though you're both in triple digits.

Though, once I get my FJ back together, I imagine there will be some impromptu testing to measure exactly what's what.  So far lined up is a FZ1N (an 08 converted), a ZX11 (piped, usual tricks done), the max (pipe'd, jetted, and so on), a ZX9R (10.40's at the track in good air, QED); all against the FJ which should be comparable to the 9, approximately 740lbs with rider and around 135rwhp.

At the dragstrip, I'm guessing the FJ will prove easiest to launch (gawd, I hope) and should be at least tied for fastest with the kawi.

[Pat Conlon]

Have you SEEN how much work is required to do the chain conversion?!  It's unreal, machining this and that and so forth....... 

Naaa...Just whip out your wallet: http://www.pcwracing.net/page2.htm

[Klavdy]

What have you done to get 135RWHP from an FJ?

[Lotsokids]

What have you done to get 135RWHP from an FJ?

Nothing... but my '85 V-Max put out 145 HP stock. From what I read, the FJ only put out about 130 HP, and that wasn't RWHP.

In defense of the FJ, the V-Max is TERRIBLE in corners. Feels like I'm riding a wet noodle. What I like about it is it's big, loud, and does 0 - 60 like a rocket. That's how I like riding.

[andyb]

http://www.factorypro.com/dyno/true1.html

Scroll down a lot.  The FJ1200 stock rwhp (93~94, 109 on a dynojet) is higher than the early first gen Vmax stock (90hp, 105 on dynojet).  "Advertised" hp numbers are like any marketing... mostly lies.  After racing against what I'd call a typical early vmax (pipes, etc) at the track, and riding a different example on the street, this seems about right to me.

Legends builders seem to get around 135hp to the wheels from their builds, so copy their builds, presto, more power.  My own is stock displacement, but using many of those ideas and specs, minus things required to stay within their rulebook.  Expect a full report eventually.  As of yet, I'm guessing at power output, depending on how badly the carbs choke me off and what kinds of gains I get on good fuel, we'll see what happens.

[Lotsokids]

Just found another picture and a video from my time with my V-Max in June.



4-into-4 Cobra exhuast. The video doesn't do it justice. You would have to ride it to appreciate the muscle and noise!
Next year, I'll get rid of those big pumpkin-sized turn signals!

[Mark Olson]

so that v-max is just sitting there in a open carport while you are in hungry ..........hmmmm

you should drop it off at my place in cali so it can be safe and warm.

[Lotsokids]

so that v-max is just sitting there in a open carport while you are in hungry ..........hmmmm

you should drop it off at my place in cali so it can be safe and warm.

Ha! Actually that was the apartment we stayed at while we were there. It's safe in a friend's garage now. Thank you for the offer, though. 

[Mark Olson]

so that v-max is just sitting there in a open carport while you are in hungry ..........hmmmm

you should drop it off at my place in cali so it can be safe and warm.

Ha! Actually that was the apartment we stayed at while we were there. It's safe in a friend's garage now. Thank you for the offer, though. 

well ok, the offer still stands , I have owned two v-max's over the years and have to warn you if you keep riding the fj you are gonna get rid of the v-max.