Australian FJ Rally 9th March 2013

[Bozo]

Hi Jeff, thankyou for your feed back, done all that, the vibranators work well around 110kph to whatever, unfortunately they bring the slightly harsher vibs to 80/ 100kph range. I am a bit fussy because my other bike (Z1R Kawasaki) is smoother below 120KPH but then again it vibrates above that, so I have two bikes with back to back characters.
To be honest I can live with the FJ vibs so they are not bad enough to make me wish for something better (not like my mate with his new Harley, he rides in 4th gear because it vibrates badly in top at 120kph).

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

[Arnie]

Bozo,

Take a look here:  http://tinyurl.com/a4nkfbw

Yes, I know this is of an '86, but the picture is much clearer.

Anyhow, if you made (or had made) parts # 40, 41, 43 in some other material you might move the vibration to a rev range that is less objectionable.
Can we assume that your bike's valves are all within spec and that the carbs are balanced?
If not, do that first.

Also worth checking:  Drive chain tension and sprocket tooth wear can also make the vibes worse.

Go shopping and try to find a pair of gel gloves to absorb the vibes.

Cheers,
Arnie

[Bozo]

Arnie, just re-coed the engine, all valves are like new / lapped and shimmed correctly, the carbies have all butterflies opening evenly and the idle jetting - still needs to be done, so that might have a slight affect (one plug is slightly richer then the other three that are even grey).

Gel gloves/ maybe the New Zealanders will advise me to use sheep  skin grips.

Just looking at the diagram of the FJ1200 engine, I'm wondering whether part No 40 should be tight onto the engine block or able to rotate??(as the mount on the 3XW is able to rotate on a bush). Mine is very tight.

Any comments?

[Arnie]

Bozo,

Any change you make to the mount and collars will be in the "suck it and see" category.
Perhaps there's an engineer on this forum who could make reasonable predictions about what the effect on handling and vibration modifications to the engine mounts will produce, but I am not that engineer. :-(
I'm just a guy with experience of both the Norton Isolastic system (on the Commando) and the late model FJs. I would guess that changing to a urethane or bonded rubber part wil change the rpm range you feel the vibes.  It might also make the nice solid feeling FJ feel like a Vincent Black Widow or Kaw H3 when you get to the first set of twisties.

Best of luck in your quest for a turbine like FJ.
Oh, get the carbs sync'ed before you put any $$ or huge slab of time into changing the mounts. Syncing might make all the difference you want.

Arnie

[The General]

Hi Flips, PM sent. 

[fj11.5]

Hey all you rally goers from the southern end,, where is everone staying overnight for the 3 day ride from Melbourne to the rally ,, ditches, rellies , pubs, tarp over the Fj

[FJSpringy]

Hey all you rally goers from the southern end,, where is everone staying overnight for the 3 day ride from Melbourne to the rally ,, ditches, rellies , pubs, tarp over the Fj

the 1TX and 3CV owners will be using tarps by the side of the road, the 3XW owners will breeze the trip though in a day and be relaxing by the pool at bellingen 

[fj11.5]

  that funny pink stri :lol:pe , and bizarre headlight must add to the comfort, long trip from Melbourne 

[Arnie]

Rod,

Unless you are planning to make us a better offer, we'll probably be staying in pubs Wed and Thurs nights.
We'll be in Bellingen for Friday night.  Are you going to join us?

Arnie

[fj11.5]

Hey arnie
pubs are fine with me 

[fj11.5]

Bellingen,  cant find it on google maps, whats the nearest big town

[FJSpringy]

Bellingen,  cant find it on google maps, whats the nearest big town

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/place?ftid=0x6b9c21cc6a8e815f:0x40609b490439360&q=bellingen&hl=en&ved=0CAwQ-gswAA&sa=X&ei=ylz7ULTDBuqJmQWPkIGwBQ

[fj11.5]

thanks mate, just a little further inland than i thought,

[The General]

   Asked if he could join us for some refreshments Sat arvo, and would park the "Legends" Aussie equivalent near the FJ petting area

That would be someting cool to see actually Doug. Haven't see a Legends car close up!

I had quite a few PM`s on the subject of personal interests in Aussie Race cars. Now we have one attending our Rally (No 10 - I`ll be keeping an eye out for him on TV coverage of the clipsal 500 in a few weeks) I thought this link would be of particular interest. Noted; I didn`t see recognition that their driving force is from the mighty FJ.
http://www.speedcafe.com/2013/01/11/twelve-new-aussie-racing-cars-for-2013-season/ 

[oldktmdude]

   Yeah, no mention of the FJ power source in that article. However during telecasts of their races, the commentators usually make a few comments about being powered by Yamaha 1200 motorcycle engines, sometimes they actually mention that they are specifically FJ motors.     Pete.