Rode the FJ1200 to Vienna, Austria today... but a slight problem on the Autobahn

[Lotsokids]

I'm not sure if I should put this thread in Trip Reports, Modifications, or Running Problems, so I'll just post it here.

Today was beautiful sunny weather, so I topped off my oil, lubed the chain, installed my wrist rest plastic piece on the throttle, threw my backpack on, and hit the road for a ride to Vienna, Austria - about 100 miles from my house. The FJ roared down the Autobahn perfectly. I even slowed down my normal pace all the way there to enjoy the ride. I did some shopping and bought new mirrors (posted in the Modifications section - http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4421.msg39030#new).

I accidentally got on the A2 Autobahn going south. When I got turned back around, I found myself riding an FJ1200 on 4 lanes of open Autobahn. At this point, what would you do? So I opened the mouths of my "carburetor quartet" and "Old Shakey" started to rotate the earth. My goal was to hit 150 MILES per hour, which I did (indicated of course, not actual). Just as the needle hit 150, something bad happened. It started coughing and shutting down. I told her I was sorry as I eased it back down. No catastrophic sounds, just missing on some cylinders and backfiring a little. It is running rich after I changed the main and pilot jets (in another post). So maybe I was just pouring too much gas into the cylinders and drowning it? I slowly pulled into a nearby gas station, refueled and took a break. She fired back up, and ran perfectly the rest of the way home. I'll be adjusting the carbs leaner to see if it runs better. But no more 150 MPH for me!

That's pretty scary when you're a couple hours away from home and nobody speaks English.

The best part is that I tangled a little with a Porsche, who found himself getting smaller and smaller in my mirrors!

[carsick]

That is very cool, at least the first part! Regarding the misfire, it seems unlikely you could be rich enough on the jets to kill it at WOT near redline. An engine can eat a tremendous amount of fuel under those conditions without misfire. My understanding of WOT carb operation is that the fuel delivery is entirely the main jets and bowl level. Moving the needles is the midrange. More likely fuel starvation (tank venting, fuel line routing) or the ignition not having enough power to keep up. Valve float is an outside possibility, but if you were below redline probably not. The race car guys can speak more to these, most of us not running way up there for extended periods. Congrats on the 150, I could only pull 145 last month, but it was 2 up

[Lotsokids]

That is very cool, at least the first part! Regarding the misfire, it seems unlikely you could be rich enough on the jets to kill it at WOT near redline. An engine can eat a tremendous amount of fuel under those conditions without misfire. My understanding of WOT carb operation is that the fuel delivery is entirely the main jets and bowl level. Moving the needles is the midrange. More likely fuel starvation (tank venting, fuel line routing) or the ignition not having enough power to keep up. Valve float is an outside possibility, but if you were below redline probably not. The race car guys can speak more to these, most of us not running way up there for extended periods. Congrats on the 150, I could only pull 145 last month, but it was 2 up

Good thoughts. I wasn't past the redline and I certainly wasn't "up there" for an extended period. Just a quick blast and I backed off.

I do have new ignition wires on hand and new plug boots coming (thanks, Randy).

[Mark Olson]

sounds like a fuel starvation dealio.

[racerman_27410]

have you de-flapped your gas cap ?

very important to do this mod on the non fuel pump models.


Kookaloo!

[Lotsokids]

have you de-flapped your gas cap ?

very important to do this mod on the non fuel pump models.

Never heard of this. I did a search - is it the red diaphragm in the top picture of page 4?
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2024.0;attach=603

[racerman_27410]

Never heard of this. I did a search - is it the red diaphragm in the top picture of page 4?
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2024.0;attach=603

yes thats the item that needs to be removed.....high speed running  will starve the engine if that flap is not working correctly and after 20 years i seriously doubt if any of them are still working correctly.


KOokaloo!

[weymouth399]

 : Congrats on the 150, I could only pull 145 last month, but it was 2 up
[/quote]

Now that's breaking HER in, be careful with her she's a FJ virgin.

Bob W

[carsick]

Now that's breaking HER in, be careful with her she's a FJ virgin.

Mm, it wasn't my wife. 

[1tinindian]

Cool ride!
I hit 153mph indicated, with my FJ just this past satuday and the bike was running very smooth, of course I  was in-trail  with my buddies ZX14 on his way to 165 mph.

That was alot of fun!

[Mark Olson]

watch out for his jet-wash.

[moparman70]

You guys need to get a GPS some how mounted to the bike for those high speed runs.... my Garmin has it where it records the top speed -- so all you have to do is watch the road.  If you have the Garmin you could just secure it in the cubby area above the gauges but secure it well.  You don't have to actual watch it just look at it after and see how high it went.

Most of the time the speedos are so far off that you not at what you think.

My last  run showed 145 but the GPS was 129.

stevecc

[the fan]

Hit speeds between 135-138 mph over 40 times Monday... Per GPS lap timer. Wonder what I could do on a real bike instead of my beat up old 600....



(Mid Ohio track day the day after superbike weekend)

[rktmanfj]

You guys need to get a GPS some how mounted to the bike for those high speed runs.... my Garmin has it where it records the top speed -- so all you have to do is watch the road.  If you have the Garmin you could just secure it in the cubby area above the gauges but secure it well.  You don't have to actual watch it just look at it after and see how high it went.

Most of the time the speedos are so far off that you not at what you think.

My last  run showed 145 but the GPS was 129.

stevecc

Do I win?       



Randy T
Indy

[moparman70]

I would say so Randy T.....those are Hyabusa speeds

stevecc