Things you wish you had of checked...

[flips]

Hello fellow FJ'ers

I'm going over my old 86 in preparation for the Australian FJ rally in Queensland in feb 2012,which by the time I ride up from Sydney,cruise around with the Aussie FJ'ers and ride home will be in the vicinity of 2000km.This would be the most km in one go I have asked of my fj.I was hoping to get some pointers on things on the bike that I should double check to prevent mechanical failure/disaster on the journey that others may have discovered on long rides.I have already secured the petcock hose union,fixed a few small oil leaks,fixed a few bad connections in the wiring,tightened/loctite scews/bolts etc.

Thanks in advance 

Cheers

Jeff P

[rktmanfj]

If you have a conventional type battery, check the electrolyte level.

[Arnie]

Not much in addition to normal maintenance you should have to do.  The FJ is a very reliable bike.  I've owned my FJ for over 14 years & 95,000 kms and the list of "failures" I've had on trips is very short.  Fix is also listed

Carb float needle got stuck - empty float bowl and refill
Blown fuse on "signals" (& heated grips/GPS circuit) - shorted wire on grips (my bad wiring)
Punctured tire - plugged with external tire plug from kit I carry
fuel pump died - bought new overpriced pump from RipEveryPoorCuntOff
Oil light came on - add 1/2 L of oil (after 3000 kms since change)

That's it for the list.  Pretty impressive lack of problems, I think.
BTW  You don't have a fuel pump :-) so scratch that off the list and the punctured tire could happen anywhere or anywhen.

If the bike has been serviced well, ride relaxed.  It is very unlikely to fail you.

Cheers,
Arnie

[Pat Conlon]

If you have a conventional type battery, check the electrolyte level.

+1 long trips *may* cause the voltage regulator to act up. It's happened to me several times. Good call Randy.

[rktmanfj]

If you have a conventional type battery, check the electrolyte level.

+1 long trips *may* cause the voltage regulator to act up. It's happened to me several times. Good call Randy.

BTDT.  Pulled into the Kennebec, SD KOA late one afternoon, and the bike would not restart.

About 2/3 of the electrolyte had boiled off in 2 days of riding.

[markmartin]

My clutch slave went kinda all of a sudden two years ago. I keep an extra Rebuild kit now.  A slave cylinder rebuild kit is less than $20, packs light, and is easy enough to change on the road should the need arise -  easy, granted, if you've got the rebuild kit.

I'd use RPM, Randy's kit comes with the spring, not all of them do.

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Clutch%3AS%2FK&cat=39

[FJmonkey]

Check all the simple stuff, Oil level, Dot 3 level on both Brake master and clutch master, tire tread depth. I ran the rear very thin at the 2011 WCR, if it was not for all the rain killing the rides I would have fibers showing by the end of Friday. Don't forget your riding boots, not a problem if you riding there, don't ask why I added this.... It just happens to be a recent add to my list of "lessons learned" (note: K-Mart snow boots cropped out of picture on the Left). Brake pad wear, blinker fluid, Lights. Battery fluid level, chain tension, chain condition, etc... Hope this helps.  

[Tengu]

FJmonkey, what's blinker fluid?

[FJmonkey]

FJmonkey, what's blinker fluid?

Every FJ owner knows what blinker fluid is...... You mean you haven't even checked yours??? I bet you don't even have a spare bottle for topping off. Once you run out, all the blinkers just quit.... Just like that..... Next thing you know you get a citation for failing to signal.... 

[Travis398]

When I first got my FJ I didn't know about the blinker fluid, sure enough I ran it out.
A few hundred dollars later I got it fixed, I won't make that mistake again.

I check it before every ride now.

[moparman70]

I guess I will bite -- I've owned and FJ since 87 and not once have I ever checked my blinker fluid...I do keep spare bulbs though ... I betcha thats what you boys are talking about...well is it?

or is this going to be one of these.. ( How do you keep an idiot in suspense?.........I tell you later.)

stevecc

[FJmonkey]

I guess I will bite -- I've owned and FJ since 87 and not once have I ever checked my blinker fluid...I do keep spare bulbs though ... I betcha thats what you boys are talking about...well is it?
or is this going to be one of these.. ( How do you keep an idiot in suspense?.........I tell you later.)
stevecc

And your poor 87' sits and sits.....

[flips]

Hey Guys.

Thanks for the tips .Its been a long while since I have checked the valve clearance's so I will do that.I have a sealed type battery so that should be ok.The clutch slave is about 1 year old,so that should be good to go.I noticed some very slight cracks in the front tyre...still heaps of tread,so I might change that.I think it unlikely that the invisible fuel pump will fail .I have just fitted a new DID gold/black x-ring chain & 18/40 sprockets.I do have some boots
Seems like my shopping list will only include:-
1.puncture kit.
2.a hand full of lamps & fuses.
3.small bottle of top up oil.
4.some very elusive blinker fluid
5.some Kookaloo retardant.....

Thanks again

Cheers

Jeff P
p.s I like the way the spell checker wants to change Kookaloo to..... Kickapoo

[tmkaos]

4.some very elusive blinker fluid
5.some Kookaloo retardant.....

I've always found scotch an acceptable substitute for blinker fluid... Does get a bit expensive after a while but luckily the bike reservoir doesn't need topping up often and it's always handy for topping up your own reservoir after the riding's done for the day.. 

Also - the only KOokaloo retardant I know of would involve amputation of the right hand and wrist. That shit's just too fun to give up!

Safe riding mate, enjoy your holidays

James

[weymouth399]

Hey Guys.

Thanks for the tips .Its been a long while since I have checked the valve clearance's so I will do that.I have a sealed type battery so that should be ok.The clutch slave is about 1 year old,so that should be good to go.I noticed some very slight cracks in the front tyre...still heaps of tread,so I might change that.I think it unlikely that the invisible fuel pump will fail .I have just fitted a new DID gold/black x-ring chain & 18/40 sprockets.I do have some boots
Seems like my shopping list will only include:-
1.puncture kit.
2.a hand full of lamps & fuses.
3.small bottle of top up oil.
4.some very elusive blinker fluid
5.some Kookaloo retardant.....

Thanks again

Cheers

Jeff P
p.s I like the way the spell checker wants to change Kookaloo to..... Kickapoo

Be VERY carefull where and how you store your Kookaloo retardant and your blinker fluid, never together.
That could be dangerous, I would leave the Kookaloo retardant home. It could only keep you out of jail, but it also will take all the fun out of the ride. But you really need the blinker fluid with you. (hard to find)

Advil, Tylenol, gasx, Imodium. toilet paper, paper towels/rags, basic tools, credit card are some of the things I would bring.

Bob W