FJ1346 from ashes to... Well, we'll see...

[skymasteres]

Okay, so I have been lurking on these boards for the better part of six months gleaning as much information as I can. (You guys are a gold mine) 

Anyway, I picked up a 1990 FJ1200 with 120k miles and it looks good but mechanically it's a basket case.  On the test ride that I took it in I was impressed with the power, but terrified when I went over some bumps and the forks bottomed out in compression and rebound. (Not a good feeling at all) So I get it home knowing that I have a project and a half to complete.
Once I got it home the first order of business was to check the compression. Starting from left to right I got 90psi. Okay, not the end of the world. Then 110psi, now things are looking a little better. Then the next cylinder came up 45psi. But last and most certainly least the last one weighed in at a whopping  30psi. I'd assume it's safe to say that I had my work cut out for myself.

More to follow...



Oh, if you want pictures or measurments of anything while I have it appart please let me know.

[racerman_27410]

those numbers sound kind of suspect to me if you test rode the bike and were impressed with the power.


Kookaloo!

[Pat Conlon]

Adjust your valves then do another compression test. On a warm engine, Hold the throttle WFO, see if the numbers don't improve.

[aviationfred]

Wow, from the photo, that is an extremely clean bike for having 120K miles on it. Looks like it was well cared for and garaged.

Fred

[Pat Conlon]

Yea, I love that color combo on the FJ, most beautimus.

[skymasteres]

Adjust your valves then do another compression test. On a warm engine, Hold the throttle WFO, see if the numbers don't improve.

Thanks. There was another thread on compression tests that was an invaluable resource. Those were the better numbers. (Hooked up to a craftsman start kart with the throttle open)

Turns out the exhaust valves were burnt. i.e. Had good size holes in them.

The sucker has been torn down to just about all the pieces it rolled down the assembly line in.

[skymasteres]

Soooo, let dial up users be warned. I'm going to be posting a whole slew of pictures...


Some general tear down photos

Engine out and working on the wiring harness.

[FJmonkey]

Grate pics and story on your restore. Keep the info going, it will be worth every effort and we get to enjoy your adventure.... Thanks.

[Pat Conlon]

Ok, so top end work is in order. What's your plan? Gonna do the rings while you're in there?
If so, it would be a good time for new starter and cam chains...

[FJmonkey]

Ok, so top end work is in order. What's your plan? Gonna do the rings while you're in there?
If so, it would be a good time for new starter and cam chains...

Maybe some polish on the frame, decals and mirror stalks..... Wait for it Pat.... I did some clean up on my new to me AL SupperTrapps. Pics posted soon.....

[skymasteres]

those numbers sound kind of suspect to me if you test rode the bike and were impressed with the power.


Kookaloo!

It's funny, it doesn't take a whole lot of power to be impressive compared to a tired V45 with compression down to 85psi per cylinder (Book says it's supposed to be 165psi +- 25psi)  That and with the front fork so bad it's down right scary.

[skymasteres]

Ok, so top end work is in order. What's your plan? Gonna do the rings while you're in there?
If so, it would be a good time for new starter and cam chains...

Well the plan started out being "lets do a rebuild and get this bucket back on the road"
Of course then I looked at the cost of doing a proper rebuild and decided that it wasn't going that much further to do a big bore upgrade.... (I know, not even hardly realistic...) Of course then there was the secondary goal of building a motorcycle that I wasn't always wishing that there was more power....

That being said, yes. I have purchased new chains and dampers for the engine.

[skymasteres]

Here's the rear axel before I tore it down...

[skymasteres]

Of course that's before I chopped the ass off of it...


It's amazing how quickly these things break down into hardly anything.

[racerman_27410]

Of course then there was the secondary goal of building a motorcycle that I wasn't always wishing that there was more power....

its possible to do exactly that with the FJ ..... you're gonna love it! 


KOokaloo!