Australian FJ Rally 9th March 2013

[The General]

Well, just ordered some nice parts from Randy, among them the Oil Cooler Kit, Vibranators, Spin On Filter Kit, new 18T front sprocket, plus some small bits. Now to go rear tyre hunting and get the new chain organised. March will be here soon enough!

Shit. Sounds like he`s out ta defend his title!   Ummmm....he bought another shiney new Rally shirt too. (there was nuthin wrong with tha old one! ...maybe he got a crease in it!) - Can ya polish an existing stock oil cooler? Is it midnight in tha U.S.? 

[FJSpringy]

Well, just ordered some nice parts from Randy, among them the Oil Cooler Kit, Vibranators, Spin On Filter Kit, new 18T front sprocket, plus some small bits. Now to go rear tyre hunting and get the new chain organised. March will be here soon enough!

Shit. Sounds like he`s out ta defend his title!   Ummmm....he bought another shiney new Rally shirt too. (there was nuthin wrong with tha old one! ...maybe he got a crease in it!) - Can ya polish an existing stock oil cooler? Is it midnight in tha U.S.? 

I will only get worried when I see him coming down the driveway of the lodge with the FJ on a trailer, with six vestal virgins dusting the bike with ostrich feathers.

[big r]

It is 12:08 Happy New Year everybody. Hope you all have a good one and enjoy the koookaloo. All those down under, I know it is almost the day after new years and it is way warmer than it is here. -18c and 2 ft of snow. Won`t be ridding until at least late April or early May. Have a good one all from the great white north. Big R

[The General]

Well, just ordered some nice parts from Randy, among them the Oil Cooler Kit, Vibranators, Spin On Filter Kit, new 18T front sprocket, plus some small bits. Now to go rear tyre hunting and get the new chain organised. March will be here soon enough!

Shit. Sounds like he`s out ta defend his title!   Ummmm....he bought another shiney new Rally shirt too. (there was nuthin wrong with tha old one! ...maybe he got a crease in it!) - Can ya polish an existing stock oil cooler? Is it midnight in tha U.S.? 

I will only get worried when I see him coming down the driveway of the lodge with the FJ on a trailer, with six vestal virgins dusting the bike with ostrich feathers.

Nahhhh.. Where`s he gunna get ...Nah not possible!

[X-Ray]

Sadly no, I don't even know 2 virgins, let alone 6 Vestal ones,  

Steady on fellas, these things I am doing are "maintenance" items, but a bit of cleaning/repainting/polishing etc along the way doesn't hurt, does it ?,  

[FJSpringy]

Omg I have just realised the 013 rally is this year

[roverfj1200]

Sadly no, I don't even know 2 virgins, let alone 6 Vestal ones,  

Steady on fellas, these things I am doing are "maintenance" items, but a bit of cleaning/repainting/polishing etc along the way doesn't hurt, does it ?,  

Ride the bloody thing will ya....

[FJSpringy]

so am I to understand there will only be FJ1200 rally virgins not vestal virgins at the 013 rally, this is most disappointing and a grave oversight   

[X-Ray]

I'm sure once I get these new things sorted out Richard, mainly the flat back tyre and wack on the Vibranators, you won't get me off it again. Out I go to the shed now to rip out the back wheel and pull a few things apart ready for the "Randy Shipment". lol.

Going to get the new chain from "Feked" in the UK, mate across the road got one 6 months ago for his GTS 1000 Yam, no complaints so far. Probably get the X-ring, around 60 pounds + delivery for the
110 link 530 range. They are SSS brand, have read some good reports on them.

http://www.feked.com/x-ring-motorcycle-drive-chain-530-102-to-130-links.html

[FJSpringy]

ray,

I would be very interested in your feed back on the Vibranators I put mine on a few weeks back but have not synced my carbs yet so I can't really tell how much of a difference they make.

[X-Ray]

I'm hoping they work as well as some of the feedback I've read on their website etc. I know some of the vibes I get are from the worn chain, some from the engine mounts/engine. Currently have the handlebars stuffed with lead sinkers    (they don't really work). But I will know straight away if the vibes are less or not once the Vibs go on.

[ribbert]

I'm hoping they work as well as some of the feedback I've read on their website etc. I know some of the vibes I get are from the worn chain, some from the engine mounts/engine. Currently have the handlebars stuffed with lead sinkers    (they don't really work). But I will know straight away if the vibes are less or not once the Vibs go on.

Ray, you are heading down the wrong path here.  I recently said in a discussion about best model, that all other things aside, the smoothness of the 3XW alone does it for me. 3XW's DON'T vibrate.  At highway speeds in particular they are turbine smooth.

When I first got mine I had the fairing off every other weekend, used kilometres of foam tape and generally spent a silly amount of time chasing buzzing and vibrations.

Then, like a religious awakening, I discovered the engine mount fix. I could not believe the difference, and with the source of the vibration eliminated,  all the buzzing stopped.

You don't need vibranators because there is no vibration to tame.

There are many stories here from late model owners who talk in terms of disbelief at the difference it made.

My mirrors, for example are as clear at speed as when it's parked.  Previously I would avoid the top end of the tacho unless necessary just because of the vibes.

Fix the cause and you eliminate the effect.

Noel

[FJSpringy]

I agree with Noel to a point, I did the engine mount fix and it did make a dramatic difference but I still notice a minor but somewhat annoying vibe mostly when the carbs haven't been synced for a awhile (yes I know sync the darn things but I am busy and haven't had to to do it lately), but wait there is more    I still have a slight vibe which hopefully the bar ends will assist with.

I guess each bike is different so each will have a combination of fixes.

Noel sounds like his is a really nicely setup FJ, whilst my 92 still has some emotional issues  

[ribbert]

Well, I agree with Dave to a point, but find the carbs and chain add roughness more than vibration.  I know, I'm being pedantic, but higher frequency vibration, the type generated by seized engine mounts, goes right through you, makes your teeth chatter and your ears hurt and is what causes all the buzzing and roughness is, well, just roughness.

Noel

[FJSpringy]

Well, I agree with Dave to a point, but find the carbs and chain add roughness more than vibration.  I know, I'm being pedantic, but higher frequency vibration, the type generated by seized engine mounts, goes right through you, makes your teeth chatter and your ears hurt and is what causes all the buzzing and roughness is, well, just roughness.

Noel

reading your explanation I agree totally and it has given me some food for thought, when I get my shit together I will have to sync the carbs and give the bike a general  (not you Doug) going over, it's not bad by any means but a little TLC won't hurt.  

This rally is costing me but its been a good excuse to get some stuff