Prospect purchase

[rktmanfj]

If things really get colder than expected, a newspaper in the front of one's jacket can be a lifesaver.  BTDT

[Arnie]

Tourmaster make an electrically heated vest and electrically heated gloves that should meet all your needs.
Cost is under $200 in the US.

Arnie

[FJmonkey]

So: Warm gear on a budget, what's a minimalist approach?

Stop for Pizza every 30 min, stuff it in front (don't worry about the hot cheese in your crotch), remember to toss the prior pizza.

I rode over the Grape Vine (So Cal) and thought the rain was gonna turn to snow. I was so Fucking Cold in the the only gear I had, insulated rain suit, winter rated water proof gloves, rain cover on my boots (not heated).  Like riding in traffic, have an exit plan at all times....

[Dan Filetti]

Tourmaster make an electrically heated vest and electrically heated gloves that should meet all your needs.
Cost is under $200 in the US.

Arnie

There is NO SUBSTITUTE for heated gear in the cold and wet; hands down, none.  Given where you are going, I would spend that $200 and go dirt cheap on accommodations, hostels, couch surfing etc. for as long as it takes to get back on budget, without blinking an eye.

My $0.02

Dan

[movenon]

The post below is from another area in the forum. The last part of it might help in troubleshooting your bike or at least something to think about.



zz28zz
Jr. Member
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Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 38


   
   
Re: Bringing FJ out of hibernation
« Reply #32 on: Today at 11:38:35 AM »
   
I'm getting close. Got the new clutch slave cyl installed. Master is mounted.
Now for the line flush. I went to a few different stores but could not locate "contact cleaner".
I did find some "electrical cleaner".  Guess I'll try that.

In regards to flushing the master cyl: I got the master cyl off ebay. It's pretty dry but the banjo bolt was a little wet with old brake fluid. Can I just spray some cleaner thru the holes in the reservoir into the the master cyl and spray in thru the banjo fitting, or does the plunger need to come out and get all traces of the Dot3 out?

I'll be introducing the Dot5 into the slave cyl bleeder port and back filling the reservoir anyway. So after the reservoir is full, I could suck all of it out with my vacuum bleeder gizmo and refill it again thru the slave bleeder port.

Sounds like I may have answered my own question.. yes

Oh yeah, I also got my flasher relay (from ebay) today. It's installed and I'm happy to report the turn signals are working like a champ!
I also discovered the starter circuit goes thru the flasher relay (I was wondering what the 4 extra wires were for. Schematic showed 5 wires, relay physically has 9 wires). I tried to crank eng with relay disconnected. Headlight went out so I know the starter switch was working, but the starter didn't make a sound. With replacement relay installed, eng cranks normally. That might be a handy piece of info to have in the future since the wiring diagram does not indicate the flasher relay contains starter circuitry. shok
   

[pdxfj]

Cyclegear has a new line of heated gear.  $150 for a jacket liner with a free heat controller through the end of the month.

http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/heated_jacket_liner/web1011442

Damn good deal.  $150 well spend and will likely save your life. Take it from someone who put off buying heated gear for too long.  It's worth every penny spent.

[Flynt]

So: Warm gear on a budget, what's a minimalist approach?

Go to Craigslist and buy some heated gear...  you will be infinitely happier in anything below 55 degrees.

I'm in San Jose and would be happy to host for a night if it works out.

Frank

[Mark Olson]

Previous owner claims to have already rebuild clutch slave when I asked about it.

Mark Olsen, know what the connector you have in mind is called or what it does that could cause this? Color maybe?

when was the slave changed ?the connector is the big ass one ,you can't miss it after the faring is off.
also pdxfj is a great resource in that area of the country,

[fintip]

Thanks Mark, that's a good tip.

Not sure exactly when it was done, and I also never got around to checking whether or not he used DOT4 or 5, unfortunately. I do know he switched to synth oil before he parked it, and I only use 'dino' oil, so I'll be doing an oil change for sure right away.

I appreciate that Flynt. I might take you up on that, just to get a good look at a nice later-model FJ and expand my education, get an expert's eyes on my FJ and see what you notice that I might not.

As far as craigslist... For the past two days, at least, I CANNOT get the seattle craigslist to work for me. I get a blank page, 'server not found', etc. No idea why. I can get other Washington craigslists, or other craigslists around the country, but not seattle. Most bizarre thing.

But I'll definitely be getting heated gear one way or another. I think I have found a reasonable setup on jafrum.com and will have it shipped out to my friend in Seattle.

Movenon, that's SUPER helpful, thanks so much. Will definitely keep that in mind.

Dan, monkey, arnie, point taken. Definitely getting heated gear. lib, good to know about the newspaper. I remember hearing that was a homeless person's trick, never knew if it actually worked.

Cold weather gear discussion I went ahead and started having in the cold weather thread: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7470.msg69285#msg69285

[Goetz]

i have been a year round rider for about 3 years now. I have learned that if I can keep my core warm, my extremities don't get too bad (uncomfortable, yes, but not life threatening) a heated vest is great for that. But heated gloves and boot inserts would be freaking heaven. I have made do with pocket warmers in my socks on really bad days. tho, in Va/ Nc a bad day is low 40's or 30's, rarely gets below that.

[racerman_27410]

I've had some good luck with the firstgear carbon heated gloves ...... one of the few (only?) heated gloves with some actual crash protection for your hands.   Nice and warm AND waterproof!

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/67/904/10885/ITEM/Firstgear-Carbon-Heated-Gloves.aspx


i love the fact i can get have the dexterity of a summer glove and still keep my fingers nice and warm (even with the power off)


KOokaloo!

[I make oil]

I understand you are looking for an adventure but to to be honest I think you are screwing up with this plan of yours.  There are so many unknowns on this bike.  The having sat up so long is a huge deal on a bike of this age......  Seals, hoses, carbs, clutch on and on and you are planning on picking it up getting it running and taking a long trip on this bike with so many unknowns. It's not like you can just go into any dealer and get parts for this bike in the middle of BFE.    

I bought a low mile bike and I've owned it a while and I'm still not comfortable getting that far from home on it.  I guess your risk tolerance is much higher than mine.  Good luck. . Watching to see how this goes.

[SlowOldGuy]

It's not like you can just go into any dealer and get parts for this bike in the middle of BFE.

You don't even need to be in BFE to NOT get FJ parts.  I gave up ordering parts from the dealer years ago.  They want to charge me full retail price to order the part, wait till it gets sent to them, not call me to let me know it's in, then drive back there to pick it up.

Much better that I order it, pay a decent price and it get shipped directly to my home.

I had to call 6 different dealers for a shift detent spring for my '02 FZ1.  Finally got a dealer that had one in stock.  Amazing that the price was only $3.47!  He even had 3 in stock!  Unfortunately, he didn't have the gasket for the cover that the spring sits behind.  Good thing I didn't rip the original.  Took me longer to chase down the part that it did the actually fix it.

DavidR.

[fintip]

Guess who just arrived in Seattle...



Let's see if I can get this thing running and drive it home or not. Anyone up for taking bets?

What kind of battery will be readily available that I could pick up at wall mart or auto zone that would do the trick?

[Steve_in_Florida]

FinTip,
I'm a fan of what you're attempting, and sending good thoughts up your way from Florida.

Take many pictures of your progress to keep us informed. This is better than any reality TV show!

Your trusty steed awaits. You just have to wake her up. :-)

Good luck to you, Sir!!!

Steve