Australian FJ Rally 9th March 2013

[X-Ray]

Thanks for the great feedback fellas. I haven't done anything with the engine mounts yet, is the "fix" as simple as putting new rubbers in etc?. I know the rear adjustable mount bolt doesn't do anything anymore, I think it is stripped. My main vibes occur really badly around 80kmh, up to around 100, then smooth out at 110kmh.

[FJSpringy]

Thanks for the great feedback fellas. I haven't done anything with the engine mounts yet, is the "fix" as simple as putting new rubbers in etc?. I know the rear adjustable mount bolt doesn't do anything anymore, I think it is stripped. My main vibes occur really badly around 80kmh, up to around 100, then smooth out at 110kmh.

Ray,

Nothing to replace you just have to remove the mounts, clean, grease and rebuild, its harder building the simple tool required, which is described in a post on this forum somewhere.

Dave

[FJSpringy]

some more

[ribbert]

Thanks for the great feedback fellas. I haven't done anything with the engine mounts yet, is the "fix" as simple as putting new rubbers in etc?. I know the rear adjustable mount bolt doesn't do anything anymore, I think it is stripped. My main vibes occur really badly around 80kmh, up to around 100, then smooth out at 110kmh.

Ray,

Nothing to replace you just have to remove the mounts, clean, grease and rebuild, its harder building the simple tool required, which is described in a post on this forum somewhere.

Dave

Dave's right. (Dave, we must stop pissing in each others pocket and get back to some good old interstate rivalry).

Ray, if you're still not sure about the value of this fix, below is a post from Andrew.



Well just got back from a long ride after removing, cleaning and re-greasing the engine mounts on my 92 and all I can say is... HOLY F$#%&*ING SH&%#@T!!!!! What a difference!! I can't believe it. I couldn't stop giggling like a little school girl every time I twisted the throttle. NO vibration in my hands which used to tingle after a hour of riding. Smooth as silk. At 60 mph and 4000 rpm it doesn't even feel like the engine is on. My problem with rumble at 1500 is almost undetectable. Quote from: Tapartacus on September 01, 2012, 06:44:18 PM
I will say that the most noticeable difference is at the higher rpm range but what a difference. I used to want to shift up to get rid of the vibration but now the more throttle I give it in any particular gear the smother she rolls. Anyone with a 91-93 who hasn't done this yet needs to do this NOW! Big thank you to all who suggested this and a big thank you to Bob from Ontario(good Canadian kid) for his guide and of course Pat, Randy, Kurt, DavidR, Noel. I'm just so giddy.
Andrew

Andrew, I love this post. I have tried a number of times to get this message across to anyone that owns one of these models but I've clearly been too conservative with my language. Your description is excellent and to anyone reading this who hasn't done the mod, he's not exaggerating.

The word you used, HOLY F$#%&*ING SH&%#@T!!!!! describes the feeling perfectly. I wish I'd thought of it at the time. Perhaps it could join "kookaloo" in a list of FJ specific words.

I've said it before, this mod didn't improve the bike, it transformed it.

All Hail DavidR

And here is a previous post of mine on the subject.


A number of people here have given up when trying to remove the collars seems impossible. DON'T GIVE UP. Do what ever it takes. It's worth it.

I have done 2 bikes, one came relatively easy, the other you'd swear had been cast as one part.

I ended up making 3 pullers, each one stronger than the last.

Puller Mk111 could have extracted the crankshaft through the exhaust pipe and with the help of much leverage I was able to apply enough torque to shift the earth's axis. Finally, with an almighty "crack" it let go. I expected to see half the crankcase and a couple of cylinders sitting on the floor.

Oddly enough, the difficult one was the low mileage bike that had never spent a night out in the weather in its life.

When done, and as previously stated, it will at first be disbelief at the improvement then give way to a smile you can't get off your face.

You can now use your mirrors.

Just what you wanted, a crystal clear vibration free image of your shoulders and elbows

Noel

[X-Ray]

Excellent, thanks chaps. I'll be doing this before March as well then. Got the new rear Dunlop fitted today, better get a few days out in the shed organised, lots to do! So the cause of the engine vibes are the cylindrical mounts "seizing"? I'll have a hunt for the instructions for the tool needed to remove said engine mounts.

Thanks again,

[ribbert]

Excellent, thanks chaps. I'll be doing this before March as well then. Got the new rear Dunlop fitted today, better get a few days out in the shed organised, lots to do! So the cause of the engine vibes are the cylindrical mounts "seizing"? I'll have a hunt for the instructions for the tool needed to remove said engine mounts.

Thanks again,

Ray, you sound like a bloke looking for more jobs.
I fitted these when doing the mounts and used them for the first time a few months back.  It was very satisfying seeing grease oozing out uniformly from both ends.
It was a very quick job and much better done while the collars are out.



Noel

[baldy3853]

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

Been here before it is one of the most important things to do, especially if the bike has been ridden it the rain,it is amazing how much difference it will make in the smoothness of the engine.

I did put these viberantors on my US FJ and it did smooth out the annoying little vibe you get @ about 140 to 150kph, good choice Ray.
if you want a hand to do this can help out did it every 5000 K's on my 93 when i worked out greasing it and cleaning made it smoother.
Baldy

[FJSpringy]

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Noel

Oh no, oh no, why did I have to see this  what a great idea nipples I love nipples  oh well at least it's a quick jobbie 

[X-Ray]

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

I know what you are saying Dave, and I did some maintenence things ( new plugs/oil change/fuel filter) before the Kennilworth run earlier this year. Since then the poor ol FJ has gone to the shops, thats about it. So now its time to spend quite a few hundred dollars on some proper gear, and be really prepared. (Sorry Mrs X-Ray, I will get you that new cooktop and washing machine soon, I promise  )

[The General]

PM sent. Cheers, Doug

[Bozo]

Gents,
        Re: vibration issue, I noticed the topic is for 3XW Fj (91 onwards), does any of this information apply to the 1989/90 3CV version which appears to have a solid block on the RHS (no internal sleeve) with a spacer going the the LHS rubber mount. I have the same vibration you gents experienced before the engine mount fix. I have read the engine mount fix column but it again refers to the 3XW.

The old girl vibrates around 80kph to around 100kph. Any help please.

[Arnie]

Bozo,

I don't think the previous models had the same design mounts at the front of the case.
I could be very much wrong here, and I'm sure someone will correct me if so :-)

Another source of vibes is the bolts that hold the lower frame cradle to the main frame. These bolts can strip, or snap without it being evident, especially the ones behind the footrest plates.  Check 'em.

Arnie

Gents,
        Re: vibration issue, I noticed the topic is for 3XW Fj (91 onwards), does any of this information apply to the 1989/90 3CV version which appears to have a solid block on the RHS (no internal sleeve) with a spacer going the the LHS rubber mount. I have the same vibration you gents experienced before the engine mount fix. I have read the engine mount fix column but it again refers to the 3XW.

The old girl vibrates around 80kph to around 100kph. Any help please.

[Bozo]

Arnie, thanks for replying, I just had the engine out a couple of weeks ago, so I'm certain these are not a problem. I guess I was hoping there was something much simpler.
I'm swaying towards the chain and sprockets but they still look good (they have covered a lot of kms), I'm using a hyabusa chain which doesn't appear to stretch but after todays >300km ride thats where the vibration appears to originate. Just in case you ask, all wheel bearings are new and the new tyre has been balanced.

[flips]

Gents,
        Re: vibration issue, I noticed the topic is for 3XW Fj (91 onwards), does any of this information apply to the 1989/90 3CV version which appears to have a solid block on the RHS (no internal sleeve) with a spacer going the the LHS rubber mount. I have the same vibration you gents experienced before the engine mount fix. I have read the engine mount fix column but it again refers to the 3XW.

The old girl vibrates around 80kph to around 100kph. Any help please.

Hi Bozo.

Sounds like yours is the same setup as my old 86 1tx.I haven't found any threads on the forum to suggest any upgrades ppl may have done to this setup to smooth out the vibes.Both the frame and lower rails are different to accommodate the later pivot/bush style engine mounts,so its not an easy bolt on upgrade. I have installed the vibranator bar ends http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AVibranator and use the spongy foam grips which help ALOT  for vibration at the bars but didn't smooth it out completely(at a guess 15-20% improvement). I also found steeper gearing on the sprockets (lower rpm) help with vibes on the freeway too,and for rattling farings,lots off rubber washers on all the mounting  bolts and stick on black rubber sponge cut to suit where plastic parts overlap.I have been contemplating knocking the solid RHS mount and using nolathane bushes in the front to see what improvement/detriment might happen (hopefully not the engine falling out!).Maybe someone else might chime in...

Cheers 

Jeff P

[wog57]

I am going on my 1200 leaving Nowra South Coast travel to Goulburn then up to Black Springs 6 Km's (last Oct) gravel then into Bathurst via the Mountain for 3 laps then work the back way out to Bellingen. Anyone coming up from south and want a night stop call me 0400558150 i may be leaving Wednesday or Thursday.
Cheers
Wog 57 (Joe)