Running ragged in SoCal

[threejagsteve]

Hello, all!

As you may have seen in the "Intro" section, I'm a new guy here.

I've lately been getting my '91 FJ1200 back on the road after it sat in my carport for 6 years.

She ran when I parked her, and she runs again, but poorly. I really had to crank up the idle screw to get her rideable at all. I've cleaned out the carbs the best I can without taking them off, and run enough gas through her (with and without fuel injector cleaner) that they should be ok.

Plugs are cleaned and gapped, and the next indicated step would be to sync the carbs. But I didn't want to have to do that twice, so it seemed best to check the valves first. That hadn't been done in about 20K mi. and sure enough, I've got 5 exhaust shims that need replacing (all the intakes are still in spec) but I have no valve shim tool.

So here's my plea: I'm currently unemployed and reluctant to spend $60 on a tool I'm not likely to need again for years. I'm sure just about everyone here already has one, so I'd be ever so grateful if someone would be so kind as to loan me one for a few days. I'm in the 91205 zip code (SoCal); obviously in-person would be easiest for both of us. And I'd be happy to leave a cash deposit to guarantee your tool's safe return.

PM me or email to threejagsteve (at) yahoo.com

Thanks in advance,
threejagsteve
(My "other" hobby is '60s Jaguars )

[SlowOldGuy]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
She ran when I parked her, and she runs again, but poorly. I really had to crank up the idle screw to get her rideable at all. I've cleaned out the carbs the best I can without taking them off, and run enough gas through her (with and without fuel injector cleaner) that they should be ok.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If it sat that long, then I seriously doubt that running gas and cleaner through the carbs would make them "ok."

If it's running badly, then the carbs probably need just a little more attention.

DavidR

[FJmonkey]

I am with David on that, I had to pull my carbs after sitting for only one year. Your idle jets (the very small) ones are most likely very clogged. I am in SoCAL (91214) and just got the tool from Randy (R.P.M.) that I can loan out. I don't have a shim collection other than what is in the valves now. How soon do you need the tool?

[Yamifj1200]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
She ran when I parked her, and she runs again, but poorly. I really had to crank up the idle screw to get her rideable at all. I've cleaned out the carbs the best I can without taking them off, and run enough gas through her (with and without fuel injector cleaner) that they should be ok.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If it sat that long, then I seriously doubt that running gas and cleaner through the carbs would make them "ok."

If it's running badly, then the carbs probably need just a little more attention.

DavidR

David, I wanted to thank you for the bolt kit I got from you years ago at Boone. I used it this past weekend and sure does a great job. I even removed the plugs over my mixture screws. The carbs were amazingly clean for just over 100,000 miles.  The only problem I really found was a couple of pilot jets that had become clogged over the years. I think the bike runs as well as it did brand new, Thanks again...

Eric M

[FJmonkey]

David, can I order a one of your carb kits for an 86?

[threejagsteve]

.
I am in SoCAL (91214) and just got the tool from Randy (R.P.M.) that I can loan out. I don't have a shim collection other than what is in the valves now. How soon do you need the tool?
.

Holy smokes, FJmonkey, we're practically neighbors! Your kind offer is greatly appreciated; check you PMs
______________________________

And thanks to all who posted regarding my carbs. Yes, you're probably right that I need to clean the idle jets, I've just been hoping against hope that I wouldn't have to pull the carbs. I guess I may as well just bite the bullet and do it...

Cheers,
threejagsteve

[LA Mike]

Get one of David's crab kits and give them a good cleaning w/ some Berryman b12 chemtool

LA Mike

[threejagsteve]

Thanks to FJmonkey's loan of his shim tool (Thanks, FJmonkey!), today I was able to get the valves back in spec.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Pasadena (CA) Yamaha for swapping my 2 wrong-size shims for 2 right-size ones. (See also my post in the Reviews section)

Though I haven't run the motor yet, after getting them sorted out I turned the motor by hand a few times and rechecked my work. Minimum clearance went through on all, and maximum clearance didn't, so it looks like that can be checked off my list.

Tomorrow, the carbs!

[andyb]

Get one of David's crab kits and give them a good cleaning w/ some Berryman b12 chemtool

LA Mike

Avoid getting crabs from anyone, nice or not.   

[threejagsteve]

Today I got the carbs off, which took half an hour longer than it should have. Not because of crabs, but because of the accursed California antismog plumbing - has anyone tried just losing all of that, and plugging the empty hose fittings?

I had previously taken the carb tops off, checked the diaphragms and sliders, and cleaned the needles and main jets. I had such a time with the top screws that I replaced all with hex-head bolts.

At this point, I'm mostly just interested in getting her running well, so I simply cleaned the outsides, pulled the float bowls (which were fairly clean, with only minor crud in the bottoms) and removed and cleaned the idle jets (which were dirty enough to make a difference). I used a plastic broomstraw and liberal applications of carb cleaner, and buttoned them back up. The float bowl screws weren't as bad as the top screws, so at this point I didn't bother to replace them with allens - maybe next time.

By then I'd had enough fun for one day, so tomorrow I'll put them back on the bike (with all the accursed antismog hoses) and fire her up!

Oh, and I also took the opportunity to lube the throttle and choke cables, which gives me the opportunity to mention this tip : Graphite lock lubricant works great on motorcycle cables - and lasts a lot longer than any kind of oil!

Cheers,
threejagsteve

[Ratchet_72]

Get one of David's crab kits and give them a good cleaning w/ some Berryman b12 chemtool

LA Mike

Avoid getting crabs from anyone, nice or not.   

No wonder my bike never ran right...I gave it crabs! That explains the itchy seat.

[RichBaker]

Today I got the carbs off, which took half an hour longer than it should have. Not because of crabs, but because of the accursed California antismog plumbing - has anyone tried just losing all of that, and plugging the empty hose fittings?

I had previously taken the carb tops off, checked the diaphragms and sliders, and cleaned the needles and main jets. I had such a time with the top screws that I replaced all with hex-head bolts.

At this point, I'm mostly just interested in getting her running well, so I simply cleaned the outsides, pulled the float bowls (which were fairly clean, with only minor crud in the bottoms) and removed and cleaned the idle jets (which were dirty enough to make a difference). I used a plastic broomstraw and liberal applications of carb cleaner, and buttoned them back up. The float bowl screws weren't as bad as the top screws, so at this point I didn't bother to replace them with allens - maybe next time.

By then I'd had enough fun for one day, so tomorrow I'll put them back on the bike (with all the accursed antismog hoses) and fire her up!

Oh, and I also took the opportunity to lube the throttle and choke cables, which gives me the opportunity to mention this tip : Graphite lock lubricant works great on motorcycle cables - and lasts a lot longer than any kind of oil!

Cheers,
threejagsteve

Yep... Dri-Slide is a winner!  I've been using it for years on my dirt and street bikes...

[threejagsteve]

Well, I got the carbs and airbox back on today, put the tank back on, and took her for a warm-up spin so I could set the idle.

She's running much better, but still not right.

I wound up with the idle screw turned all the way in and she was still just barely running - had to keep the choke out one click to avoid stalling.

Then I remembered I'd forgotten to plug the PCV hose back into the airbox. Hopefully that's the main problem.

But by that time I was too hot and tired to mess with taking the tank off again... tomorrow's another day!

Cheers, and have a great weekend one and all!
threejagsteve

[racerman_27410]

what idle screw'd all the way in? the one underneath the carbs?that is a serious problem


Frank

[RichBaker]

Well, I got the carbs and airbox back on today, put the tank back on, and took her for a warm-up spin so I could set the idle.

She's running much better, but still not right.

I wound up with the idle screw turned all the way in and she was still just barely running - had to keep the choke out one click to avoid stalling.

Then I remembered I'd forgotten to plug the PCV hose back into the airbox. Hopefully that's the main problem.

But by that time I was too hot and tired to mess with taking the tank off again... tomorrow's another day!

Cheers, and have a great weekend one and all!
threejagsteve

The bold makes me think the pilot jets aren't clean enough, any time you need to use the choke to supply additional fuel, the pilots aren't doing their job fully. The breather is NOT a PCV system, it just breathes.... no vacuum on it to affect the idle. I think the carbs need a more complete cleaning.
Blow B12, then compressed air (it really helps to have a compressor, or a tank for holding compressed air when doing carb work) through all the carb body passages. 100+ PSI makes short work of clogged carb body passages...