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Berge32 · April 07, 2013, 02:01:21 AM

I've been a member for a couple weeks now and just haven't had a chance to introduce myself. I live in Spokane, WA and got my 86 FJ1200 from my dad, which I had shipped down from Alaska last September. The bike is in really good condition but has been sitting around for about 4 years without much use. It is pretty hard starting and I think it is a combination of the fuel tank pet cock solenoid failing and the carbs being gumbed up. I have been going through the maintenance files and looks like there is a lot of good information on here, and a lot of very knowledgeable members too.

Anyway, i have the bike half torn apart now and hope to have it back up and running before too long.

Luke.

racerman_27410 · April 07, 2013, 02:24:34 AM

Welcome aboard Luke

nice work keeping the bike in the family!

I'm sure you will get her running good as new again.

Kookaloo!

Frank

FJmonkey · April 07, 2013, 07:37:48 AM

Welcome Luke, with the bike sitting that long your first issue is cleaning out the carbs. If your handy and like that kind of work then dig in and make sure the idle jets (the smallest ones) get properly cleaned out. Better yet swap them out for #40, your idle will be less finicky. If you don't like working on carbs then send them to Randy at RPM and he can give them a through clean and upgrade the fasteners to socket hex that are Stainless Steel. The original Philips bit screws suck and strip out easy. If you get her back to running soon then maybe you can make the West Coast Rally at the end of May. Its loads of fun and all the best lies get told there. And you get to meet some of the really cool members face to face. Stay tuned and tell us how your bike is progressing.

crzyjarmans · April 07, 2013, 08:58:33 AM

Welcome Luke, from another newbie this forum, Best of luck getting your FJ back in top shape

Berge32 · April 07, 2013, 10:57:44 AM

Thanks for the comments, it is appreciated. I have already dug into the carbs and throughly cleaned everything. My pilot jet was a #37.5, which I think is the stock jet. The original owner (which my dad purchased the bike from) had done some mods to the bike, and actually took pretty good maintenance notes too. There is a jet kit, with a/m supertrap exhaust and K&N filters.

For the carbs, I already upgraded the fasteners and replaced o-rings by purchasing RPM's carb kit (thanks Randy). I ended up stripping out several of the phillips head fasteners, even after apply a buch of penetrating oil... luckily I had borrowed an impact wrench from a friend and was able to get the screws out without too much effort. Once I figure out how to post pics, I will do that. Did I mention this is my first carb re-build...

FJmonkey · April 07, 2013, 11:38:42 AM

Quote from: Berge32 on April 07, 2013, 10:57:44 AM
Did I mention this is my first carb re-build...

Taking the bull by the horns eh? I like that... Bump your jets up to #40, 37.5 is too lean. Many here have decided that we are gonna learn everything we can to maintain our FJs at home. I don't want a mechanic that is likely younger than my FJ working on it. Since joining I have swapped out my rear wheel to a 17" x 5.5" inch wide GSXR wheel. Swapped out the front wheel from an FZR1000 17" x 3.5". To do that I swapped out the forks from an 89' FJ, and added the RPM fork valves, R1 Blue dot calipers, Galfer style wave rotors and braided brake lines. Kind of rebuilt my carbs, my original set is now a basket case, I converted over a set that were set up for fuel pump. Installed UNI filters and Suppertrap slip-on pipes. Adjusted the valves. Advanced the timing plate. My most recent project was mounting and balancing both front and rear tires.

Steve_in_Florida · April 07, 2013, 12:39:49 PM

Quote from: FJmonkey on April 07, 2013, 11:38:42 AM

Since joining I have swapped out my rear wheel to a 17" x 5.5" inch wide GSXR wheel. Swapped out the front wheel from an FZR1000 17" x 3.5". To do that I swapped out the forks from an 89' FJ, and added the RPM fork valves, R1 Blue dot calipers, Galfer style wave rotors and braided brake lines. Kind of rebuilt my carbs, my original set is now a basket case, I converted over a set that were set up for fuel pump. Installed UNI filters and Suppertrap slip-on pipes. Adjusted the valves. Advanced the timing plate. My most recent project was mounting and balancing both front and rear tires.

You've been a busy lil' Monkey, haven't you?

Berge32 · April 07, 2013, 05:29:25 PM

Thanks for the advice. Also, each carb has a vent port on them, but didn't have any hoses connected to them. Is this normal? It seems that if there was some fuel overflow out of these ports, you would want them routed elsewhere, other than on the top of the crankcase. I am trying to attach an image, lets see if I got it... [C:\Documents and Settings\Luke\Desktop\Motorcycle stuff\FJ1200\PICS\DSCF4722_c]

Berge32 · April 07, 2013, 05:33:25 PM

Lets try this again after reading the help section...

FJmonkey · April 07, 2013, 10:27:42 PM

Quote from: Berge32 on April 07, 2013, 05:33:25 PM
Lets try this again after reading the help section...

Try this if you use Flicker:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8587.msg79892#msg79892

Berge32 · April 07, 2013, 11:44:59 PM

I don't use flicker, but also didn't realize the pics need to be on the web to work. Ok, lets try this again...

Pic of vent line off carb.

It didn't have a hose attached to it (any of the four carbs for that matter), and seems like this would be good to have. Again from my previous post, is this normal? It seems that if there was some fuel overflow out of these ports, you would want them routed elsewhere, other than on the top of the crankcase.

Harvy · April 07, 2013, 11:58:28 PM

Quote from: Berge32 on April 07, 2013, 11:44:59 PM
I don't use flicker, but also didn't realize the pics need to be on the web to work. Ok, lets try this again...

Pic of vent line off carb.

It didn't have a hose attached to it (any of the four carbs for that matter), and seems like this would be good to have. Again from my previous post, is this normal? It seems that if there was some fuel overflow out of these ports, you would want them routed elsewhere, other than on the top of the crankcase.

From memory (as mine have been missing for many moons) 4 tubes which route down and behind the rhs of the crankcases, in front of the swingarm pivot......

Harvy

fj11.5 · April 08, 2013, 12:04:28 AM

well harv, your memory is still spot on mate

Berge32 · April 08, 2013, 02:45:26 PM

Quote from: fj11.5 on April 08, 2013, 12:04:28 AM
4 tubes which route down and behind the rhs of the crankcases, in front of the swingarm pivot......

Anybody know why these are removed? It seems like a common trend.

SlowOldGuy · April 08, 2013, 03:20:33 PM

Lazy previous owner who didn't feel like reinstalling them.

The 4 small hose fittings near the float bowl are actually inlet bleed air for the choke circuits. Although fuel will occasionally seep from these small ports, the actual overflow/breather hoses are attached to T fittings between the 1/2 carbs and the 3/4 carbs higher up on the carb body. Definitely make sure you have overflow hoses attached to these T fittings and routed around the backside of the engine.

If you still have trouble starting it, you may have to re-clean the choke fuel orifice on the side of the float bowl. This tiny orifice is easily plugged up and often overlooked during cleaning.

Get rid of those K&Ns and install some UNIs (see Randy).

DavidR.

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