Topic: What did you do to your bike today ?

[rickman750]

Scratched another job off the list for the steaming pile.
Welded a 2 to 2 and a quarter inch adapter onto a daggy set of 4into1, and final fitted the muffler.
Only bakes, seat and possibly replace the stupid back rim/tyre.

[AJK]

A continuation from ...
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=61168.msg1571816#msg1571816

I really like it when things have a dual or tripple use. The kids swingset is no exception. I use it for jobs like this and I've also used it to pull the motor out of my cb750. I ended up doing 2 coats of gloss black & I think this will do it. There is a slight wrinkle line at the bottom underside of the swingarm. This was due to me applying the 2nd coat before allowing the first to cure properly. (Make sure you observe cure times as per manufacturers specs). Nobody will notice that, after all, its just a swingarm.

[Terry in Australia]

Looks good to me Alex, and better than when it came out of the factory! Cheers, Terry.

[Terry in Australia]

Well the clouds parted and the sun came out, and even though it was freezing I bravely braved the cold and took the Yamaha FJ1200 out for it's first legal ride this year.

I stopped at a gas station and pumped the tires up, they were both down around 10 psi, and after falling off the thing on my first ride when the tires were pretty flat, I've been careful to make sure that they're well inflated before I ride it far.

I was scooting up a road at around 60 MPH and I couldn't decide whether I was hearing something trying to tear itself off the bike, or if it was just wind noise, when something large and black whizzed past my left ear. Hmmnnn, did I hit an errant crow?

I rode on to another gas station, and discovered that the front section of my front fender was AWOL!





I put some gas in it and then rode back to where it came off, hoping to find it in pristine condition, but sadly although I found it on the other side of the road, a couple of cars had obviously run over it, and it was broken where it had torn itself off the forks, so I left it there as a memorial to 1980's Japanese superbikes.

In the process of riding the 10 miles or so back to find it, I managed to have a stop light drag with a guy on a Harley, and I think I broke his heart when I crapped on him, he wouldn't look my way when we stopped at the next set of lights, and he made no attempt to take off fast like he had at the last set. Then when I was merging onto the freeway, a jerk in a Merc tried to overtake me (on the on ramp, what was he thinking?) and I kicked his arse, by the time I hit the freeway I was doing over 140 MPH and he was a mile behind me, wondering how the hell a 27 year old motorcycle with no front fender could blow away his $100K piece of Eurotrash?

So even though I'm now in need of a new front fender half, all in all it wasn't a bad day really. Cheers, Terry.

[AJK]

Well the clouds parted and the sun came out, and even though it was freezing I bravely braved the cold and took the Yamaha FJ1200 out for it's first legal ride this year.

I stopped at a gas station and pumped the tires up, they were both down around 10 psi, and after falling off the thing on my first ride when the tires were pretty flat, I've been careful to make sure that they're well inflated before I ride it far.

I was scooting up a road at around 60 MPH and I couldn't decide whether I was hearing something trying to tear itself off the bike, or if it was just wind noise, when something large and black whizzed past my left ear. Hmmnnn, did I hit an errant crow?

I rode on to another gas station, and discovered that the front section of my front fender was AWOL!

I put some gas in it and then rode back to where it came off, hoping to find it in pristine condition, but sadly although I found it on the other side of the road, a couple of cars had obviously run over it, and it was broken where it had torn itself off the forks, so I left it there as a memorial to 1980's Japanese superbikes.

In the process of riding the 10 miles or so back to find it, I managed to have a stop light drag with a guy on a Harley, and I think I broke his heart when I crapped on him, he wouldn't look my way when we stopped at the next set of lights, and he made no attempt to take off fast like he had at the last set. Then when I was merging onto the freeway, a jerk in a Merc tried to overtake me (on the on ramp, what was he thinking?) and I kicked his arse, by the time I hit the freeway I was doing over 140 MPH and he was a mile behind me, wondering how the hell a 27 year old motorcycle with no front fender could blow away his $100K piece of Eurotrash?

So even though I'm now in need of a new front fender half, all in all it wasn't a bad day really. Cheers, Terry.

Hi Terry,

Its a very satifying thing getting your number plate from the RTA and being legal. Just makes you want to ride into the sun afterwards. Nice FJ mate so enjoy it!
 Sorry to hear about the front gaurd, but i'm sure you'll find a replacement soon.

PS: Before i started on the swingarm, it had 40 years of dirt, and grime on it. I wish I took a picture of it.

A jerk in a Merc. Lol, funny how that rhymes.

[Stev-o]

Hey Terry - funny how some Harley riders think there bike is the fastest bike on the road, they just don't know better. Nice looking Yammie, bet it's a blast to ride. 

[Vinhead1957]

Harley riders don't think they are the fastest.  Different ride, try both! 

[seanbarney41]

Harley riders don't think they are the fastest.  Different ride, try both! 

yep, fastest tractors on the road

[goldarrow]

Dammit. I just bought a k2-k3 franken bike!

[Retro Rocket]

Harley riders don't think they are the fastest.  Different ride, try both!

I had my first "Harley race" way back in the early 80's and by the look on the guys face,  after i blew the doors off his tractor on my 900F2 rolladoor, he definitely wanted to race and also thought he was going to win, not the first time thats happened either, even had a cop on a BMW police bike want to have a race, I wasn't too keen on that occasion...

[ekpent]

Well got the bikes loaded and the firewood etc. Just a little more 'junk' to throw in the trailer. I am heading out in the morning for the Traverse City area for a week or more for the annual fish camp and cycle riding party. I bring the bikes and my riding buddy brings the big overpowered bass boat and other people, Son and wife included filter up later. Be offline so enjoy your time without my big mouth around   

[Jerilee]

Finally got a little more paint removal done. Stripped the rest of the tank bare and about half the frame. Then kebabs on the grill. After all the rain here in the north eastern us the last few days, today was amazingly nice! a little gusty, but a perfect day all the same. : )

[Tews19]

Dammit. I just bought a k2-k3 franken bike!

Pics or it didn't happen!

[goldarrow]

Dammit. I just bought a k2-k3 franken bike!

Pics or it didn't happen!

Mehhhh dang it Tews.  Here goes. With a frozen motor.  Plug #2 looks a bit rusty. 

[Terry in Australia]

Harley riders don't think they are the fastest.  Different ride, try both! 

I'm a Harley fan mate, I know what they're capable of and I like them for what they are. Sadly the Harley rider didn't, and he got his expectations mixed up with his bike's capabilities. The old FJ1200 has 130 BHP and weighs 570 pounds, his Hog has a whopping 48 BHP and weighs 620 pounds.

Now to be fair, the Hog has a ton of low down torque and even my old Iron Head Sporty would kick a CB750's butt off the line for the first 20 or 30 yards, but once you get a big four wound up, it'll leave a stock Harley in it's wake. Not the case yesterday though, the big Yam was in it's element and the poor old Harley was no match. 

As I said though, I'm not bashing Harleys, I fully intend to buy another one, I know a lot of guys here measure everything by BHP figures alone, but there's a lot more to enjoying motorcycling than just riding at illegal speeds. (which I do enjoy as well, occasionally.............) Just don't get me going on folks who buy new Mercedes cars, probably the worst investment anyone could possibly make..........  

[Terry in Australia]

Dammit. I just bought a k2-k3 franken bike!

Pics or it didn't happen!

Mehhhh dang it Tews.  Here goes. With a frozen motor.  Plug #2 looks a bit rusty. 

Nice Patina Bike mate!

[Tews19]

I will take those blacks faced gauges buddy!

[goldarrow]

I will take those blacks faced gauges buddy!

Those weren't black, had been replaced with blue face.

Terry perhaps you know what this is? Found it under the tank.  Followed the wire and it goes to the headlight bucket.

[Terry in Australia]

That looks like a really big flasher can mate? Cheers, Terry.

[krusty]

Well the clouds parted and the sun came out, and even though it was freezing I bravely braved the cold and took the Yamaha FJ1200 out for it's first legal ride this year.

I stopped at a gas station and pumped the tires up, they were both down around 10 psi, and after falling off the thing on my first ride when the tires were pretty flat, I've been careful to make sure that they're well inflated before I ride it far.

I was scooting up a road at around 60 MPH and I couldn't decide whether I was hearing something trying to tear itself off the bike, or if it was just wind noise, when something large and black whizzed past my left ear. Hmmnnn, did I hit an errant crow?

I rode on to another gas station, and discovered that the front section of my front fender was AWOL!





I put some gas in it and then rode back to where it came off, hoping to find it in pristine condition, but sadly although I found it on the other side of the road, a couple of cars had obviously run over it, and it was broken where it had torn itself off the forks, so I left it there as a memorial to 1980's Japanese superbikes.

In the process of riding the 10 miles or so back to find it, I managed to have a stop light drag with a guy on a Harley, and I think I broke his heart when I crapped on him, he wouldn't look my way when we stopped at the next set of lights, and he made no attempt to take off fast like he had at the last set. Then when I was merging onto the freeway, a jerk in a Merc tried to overtake me (on the on ramp, what was he thinking?) and I kicked his arse, by the time I hit the freeway I was doing over 140 MPH and he was a mile behind me, wondering how the hell a 27 year old motorcycle with no front fender could blow away his $100K piece of Eurotrash?

So even though I'm now in need of a new front fender half, all in all it wasn't a bad day really. Cheers, Terry.

Hey Terry, Those front fenders on the FJ would have to be its weakest point. They all crack around the mounting bolts. I've had to replace a couple (on present and past FJ) after numerous attempts to keep them all in one piece. It's also damn hard to find a good one because of this. I managed to find a good replacement for my present FJ and fitted it with thick O rings on the bolts on both sides of the plastic. Seems to have worked so far. The rear piece can crack too but not to the same extent as the front.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks Krusty, does the fender mount anywhere else apart from those 2 bolts on the fork brace? I've seen a couple with holes drilled near the fork tubes and zip ties holding them on, probably to stop them from lifting away at speed? Now all I gotta do is find another one, are they all the same? Cheers, Terry.

[krusty]

Four bolts, 2 each side mounted to fork slider. http://www.cmsnl.com/yamaha-fj1200ad-1992_model9807/partslist/E-03.html#results
I'm fairly certain they're all the same, but don't know if the 1100 is. The one on my 88 was the same as my 95. Good Luck

[PeWe]

Took the K1 out for a ride before sunset. Took this quick pic with the new seat.

The seat allow passenger too?

[PeWe]

My engine got additional zinc.
I read this thread where half recommended doze was used.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=138592.msg1565987#msg1565987

I bought different brand of additive in a local US car-part-restorer-builder.
Edelbrock Zinc Additive for 6 quarts/liter oil. Content 12oz (35,5cl) I'll use it for 3 treatments. (3x3,5L oil)
I used 12cl (2x6cl)
Removed 2dl oil, added 6cl Edelbrock Zinc Additive. Started engine, added additional 6cl after a few minutes idling, revving +2000rpm. Let it run a few minutes more. (Used oil: Castrol Act-Evo 4T 20W-50)

I hope my clutch will work smoother and no more stucked plates which is new for me, never back in the days. OK cam with rockers will be something to check at next time opening the head cover.

Find NOS Castrol GTX 20W-50 from early 80's might be a good idea. A barrel of ~200L somewhere...?

I'd never use the old GTX in a CB750 mate, the "Friction Modifiers" would make your clutch slip horribly. I've never wasted money on motorcycle oil either, back in the day I used "Mobil Super Drop" car oil in my CB750's, my first GL1000 and my Kawasaki Z900, and it was excellent. Nowadays I use the cheapest car oil I can find, it's still way better than the best oil available back then. Cheers, Terry.

Interesting... I used Mobile 1 car oil the last years of the 80's to 1990. I noticed some clutch slip when switching to 5:th gear at ~ 190km/h, released throttle and WOT again sounded as shifting to 6:th gear. Before that Vance & Hines red oil that they stopped sell here.  Quaker State single grade popular here in the beginning of the 80's. I used cheap car oil from 1979 and a few years. Rings and pistons did not like that and foam in the oil tank. I was a rather wild driver...
Castrol GTX and GTXII were OK back then. I think the oils are different in different countries.

I noticed that the clutch is still not that smooth as it should be. I'll add some more zinc... It look like I need to try different motor cycle oils. Always something to fix...

[Terry in Australia]

Four bolts, 2 each side mounted to fork slider. http://www.cmsnl.com/yamaha-fj1200ad-1992_model9807/partslist/E-03.html#results
I'm fairly certain they're all the same, but don't know if the 1100 is. The one on my 88 was the same as my 95. Good Luck

Thanks Krusty, I found a new one on the RPM site, so it won't be long before it's looking like new(ish) again!