arthur

Beautiful bike,and whoever did the expansion cuts in your concrete did a nice job 

The black plastic honeycombs - cleaned with soapy water and a q-tip - then applied armourall with a q-tip - it took a couple of hours

Thank you to all,

I looked on progressive website - interesting stuff - they have a 25mm lower rear spring which presumably drops the back end down 15mm or so. 95 euros is affordable too (for the rear shock). Actually, although I have owned 15 motorbikes or so, I am least comfortable on this one partly because how high it is (I've dropped the front 7mm) so the idea of my bike sitting a little lower is very appealing..

when you say you put a progressive spring in - I'm guessing you are talking about the front..? Racetech states the stock is 0.70kg/mm, and that I should go with 0.93 = I have to choose between 0.90, and 0.95

I'm thinking of 0.90 because 95% of the time I am riding solo without luggage...

Thank you all

Hi,

. Good day to you!

Well my seasonal job ended today, and I need something to do

I would just like to know if there are any threads that people would particularly recommend  regarding putting another- better rear shock in from another bike, or threads that discuss front suspension upgrades.

I don't mind reading through all the threads, but in the past I've found that one are two threads are outstanding.

Thank you

2015 FJ09  8000ish Kms

Is it ok to mix mineral and synthetic? Same weight 10-40, same manufacturer liqui moly.... It's not just about the money, it's also the environment..

7 hours ago, arthur said:

Would this work?

Thank you in advance - I'm just looking to find something I can afford..

Thank you in advance

 

Richard

It looks like it doesn't - the tracer has a longer swingarm. If some one knows this to be correct or incorrect, please comment -thank you

Would this work?

Thank you in advance - I'm just looking to find something I can afford..

Thank you in advance

Richard

Oh my goodness - hope everything works out for you, and maybe a neighbour can loan you a baler for this cut.

Hello! welcome.

Flushed brake fluid - I think the first change since the factory in 2015

I got it - pdf download - about $10US... No where near as nice as a book, but a sixteenth of the price - from ebay

Thanks! I don't have a cd player, but I'm sure I will find a way

My old boss was a lawyer - one day we were talking about text messages, and she said that a text message doesn't show who sent it.  - I rode on the Vancouver Island highway - beautiful road surface - much of it fenced from animals. I guess Ontario is nice too - but big, lol

Hi, I don't want a service manual in Spanish, the Haynes ones just aren't any good anymore (the last 43years) I don't want to be ripped off, and although I am sure there are very many fine copies out there, there is just too much potential for screw ups.

Can you point me in the right direction please - good places to buy etc

Thank you

I know this is a really really old thread, but if anyone has the knowledge.....(my 2015 FJ09 only has 4500 miles, but oh my goodness what a racket it makes, but quietens in neutral when I pull the clutch in.

Just wondering if buying a new clutch basket could have been an option for OP (by the way Bill, if you are still around - thank you

So I live on a small island where it is impossible to safely go over 60mph other than a few places - and even then only for a few hundred yards.

Finally, I got to open her up today, and I can say  WOW, OMFG what an engine this thing has. I haven't had lots of powerful motorbikes, but I have had a couple of 750's putting out 100bhp

This FJ feels like it is putting out 155bhp, not the claimed 115. For me it is a seriously fast bike. I couldn't go too fast today because there were gusty crosswinds, but I had it up to 187kmh -116mph, and it just felt like the engine wasn't even begining to slow. I don't normally do those kind of speeds, but I wanted to check it out for potential tank slappers (none)

So my review is that it is a handfull of engine. I am not comfortable enough with it to criticise the handling. Its a big change for me going from lightweight sportbikes to this.

Incidently, I've been going into corners too fast, which isn't much fun as there is quite a bit of grit on the roads where I live. I think I have figured it out: That I am so high up it seems I am going slower than I am.

Windshield - garbage, I'm amazed they got out the factory door - it's worse than nothing.

I'm starting to really like it - at high speed it feels so planted, and relaxed. I'm really looking forward to camping with it!

Mirrors - yay! Mirrors that work (unlike my last two bikes)

I don't think the fuelling is great - but I have it on "B" which makes it more tolerable.

I don't like the unique fasteners that are on there, and it looks like quite a complicated bike to work on.

There are some pet peeves - like the ignition switch being buried, but overall I think this might be a keeper

Well, I haven't actually done it yet, but I am so committed that it is as good as done - as soon as I have written a couple of posts and had some supper.

Today I took the stock windshield off! - For me, it is worse than nothing.

Oh gosh, I feel so stupid. The trouble is I am a know it all. And I knew that the seat was in it's lowest position.

You know how this ends.  After lowering the seat I can get the balls of my feet on the ground and am no longer tiptoeing. Thank you for all who have replied to this thread.

Disconected clutch cable at the top - flushed with wd40 then let some 80/90 gear oil go through. Reconected.

Drew blood (mine) in process

19 hours ago, OZVFR said:

I'm 5'6" with 29" inseam and lowered it with the Yamaha lowering links, and also lowered the front by the same amount (0.6").

......I've replaced all the stock suspension though, as it was outright awful and impossible to make it handle anywhere near acceptable (to me at least). ........Could I ask you what weight did you use for calculating the spring rate (yourself + clothes+ baggage ) - what spring rate did that work out to? Did you put emulators in there? Thankyou

19 hours ago, OZVFR said:

 

 

 

 

11 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

.....You can buy expensive motorcycle boots with tall soles, or try a less expensive option like Chippewa Logger Style boots. They are a pain in the ass to lace up......

That is great advice for people.  I just don't want the pain of having to lace up. I think I take my safety seriously, I just don't want the pita of lacing up, and if I'm honest I feel like a power ranger lol.

I have an almost new Shoei helmet and 95% of the time I either wear a heavy leather jacket or a jacket with armour in. Also I wear good quality leather motorcycle gloves

11 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

I would do that before dramatic suspension changes. In the meantime you could drop the forks a small amount and reduce rear preload a bit and see if that is enough.

That's a great idea. I'm just wondering whether hanging it from above and letting it down slowly, or lifting it from below will work best for moving fork. 

Thank you Lone Wolf

5 hours ago, OZVFR said:

I definitely wouldn't recommend 1.25" on stock suspension.

Is the seat in the low position? How short are you?

The bike carries it's weight quiet low, and once you get used to it, it's a lot easier.

Ride it for a while and decide then.

yes, you probably have a good point. I will give it more time.. I am 5ft 8 ....30" inseam I can get all of my toes on the ground - icant put much weight on the balls of my feet as they are barely making contact - thank you

Hi,

I did use the search function before posting. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether lowering 1.25" is too much? (I don't want to wear inserts as I vary rarely wear riding boots0

AND as I intend to lower the bike then it seems the low sump becomes even more of an issue. Any opinions on the most durable/ effective sump guard?

And finally, whoever had the idea of using a Mazda drain plug is a genius -

thank you in advance

(sorry I'm posting so much - new bike and all that)

Today I will likely take two hours and two ferries so I can get to a piece of road where I can FINALLY open the bike up a bit - over 6000rpm

Joe Rocket Ballistic (Facebook Marketplace FM)

Joe Rocket summer mesh FM

Really really nice leather jacket - really heavy leather, not harley, or racer type, just a plain black leather jacket (sadly no armour) that fits me well, and looks sharp FM

well it turns out some B'stard put on weird valve caps and the first time i saw them i didn't spot the thread coming out at the bottom - so I unscrewed it slowly and carefully. Regular valve stem = needless humiliation. Sigh. lol.

I will buy the 90 degree valve stems for sure. There are a couple of low res photos. The valves I have look weird - almost like a  pressure bicycle valve - I suppose I should read the owners manual thouroughly, instead of selectively.

My tires are Michellin Road 4's which I am happy with, but they were made in 2015

I guess I should change the coolant. I know it has an oil and filter change.