nhchris

Thanks @betoney. I respect you knowledge and experience. What confounds me is the counter intuitive nature of the adjustment. If we are seeking improved high speed stability (+100 mph) why would we ever reduce the trail value? I think most road race bikes are equipped with steering dampers. Maybe these nullify any reduction in straight-line stability caused by moving the fork tubes up in the clamps and resulting reduced trail. I might try this as an experiment just for the fun of it. (Can someone tell me the torque spec for the triple clamp pinch bolts?)

This topic makes my head hurt. Please help! By sliding the fork tube UPWARDS in the clamps the stock rake and trail measurements are both REDUCED. Correct? Reducing both these measurements has to make the bike more unstable, especially at speed (less trail). Correct? Take a look at this series of diagrams to see what I mean. But... does the increased weight on the front wheel offset the instability caused by the reduction of rake and trail? And... has anyone actually (accurately!) measured the real-world increase in weight on the front wheel caused by a 10mm raise of the forks? Or is this fix another internet urban legend? And no fair saying "I did it and it just feels better." Of course it feels better YOU did it!! Thanks for the help getting my bean around this topic.

There is a weird state in the drivetrain when the bike is moving yet all drivetrain forces are neutral. There is no positive load driving the bike forward and no negative load slowing the bike down. This occurs for me cruising along a straight and level section of road. In this state my 2016 is its noisiest as the drivetrain components rattle about and freewheel. I assume an undamped front sprocket would only add to the cacophony since it is one more metal-on-metal interface joining the chorus.

So this issue is why I've switched from expensive helmets to economy helmets. I am wearing a Bilt modular that costs $119. It is DOT (FMV55 No218) and ECER22-05 certified, but not Snell. I plan to replace it every 3 years. While the fit n Finish is not quite as good as my old $650 Shoei, it is pretty darn good. What do you folks think? Are you really buying more protection with an expensive Arai, Shoei or Scubeth lid? For those interested, here is a link that describes how the various helmet certifications are performed and what they mean. I admit I used to be a Snell snob, but I've evolved into a DOT dude!

Ok. So what does 1.5 inches of slack with sag taken up by rider weight equate to with the bike on the center stand? I assume a larger number, correct? How much larger?

Mt Equinox is a great ride in central VT. Don't miss it if you have the time. Also, the ride up Mt Washington in NH is a classic. cb

Yes, slack creates noise, but you gotta have it! Rear wheel alignment right on? I have never used undamped primary sprocket. Maybe someone here can chime in regarding noise factor of damped vs. undamped. I assume Yamaha uses damped as OEM for a reason: less shock on drivetrain for sure, and possibly noise? When I pulled my rear wheel I was amazed at how many pieces of rubber fell out of the rear sprocket!

How much chain slack are you running? (1-1.5 inches recommended) Same noise in neutral with clutch out and baskets freewheeling? Is front sprocket damped?

That should fix the decel pop. Every British bike I've owned would tell me when an exhaust header was loose by popping on decel! Tighten em back up and all would be good.

To put the bad flash idea to rest... Is there another FJ you can swap ECUs with? Just replace yours with another and ride and you'll quickly have an answer to that question. cb

Attended a memorial ride for 7 riders killed in NH last week after a pickup truck crossed the centerline and plowed into their group. About 3000 bikes participated in the ride and there was a good mix of brands and styles of machines. The weather was very hot in the 90s deg F and sun unrelenting. But the caravan of bikes took 45 minutes to pass by nevertheless. Fitting tribute to the victims who through no fault of their own were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Driver of the truck had a history of alcohol and drug abuse and should have had his license pulled months before. You just never know who's behind the wheel of that approaching vehicle. Stay alert out there!!

It is pretty common for high performance sport and race bikes to be equipped with a steering damper. So why not the FJ or GT? What's the big deal here?

Egads, I had you pegged as a Nikken early adaptor Wordy! But, now you can join the chorus on suspension, oil filters, throttle snap, ECU tweaking, tire pressures and the like. Oh wait... you're already a member in good standing of that chorus! Best of luck with the new girl mate!;)

Don't forget to convert your Ausi pounds to U.S. pounds when you report th weight @wordsmith! I was shocked at how much the GT cost down there until I ran the currency conversion. At first a just figured the extra $5,000 was shipping:)

Here's what we need an enterprising forum member to do.... Someone with TWO accurate scales needs to put an 09 or GT to the test. Get the bike front and rear tires up on the scales and note the weights indicated for each. F + R = (469???) As an added bonus, lift the forks 10mm and see how much (if any) the front weight increases. (I have only 1 scale and when I stand on it it reads way high.) cb

I think if you look at overall cost of longterm ownership the Duck will be A LOT more expensive than a GT. Valves, belts, it never ends!! (assuming you can find someone to wrench in Italian:)

Did a 250 mile ride to scrub in my new set of Mich Road 5s. Played with pressures a bit and ended up running 38 / 36. Hope that's a good compromise for ware and grip. Tires felt good when I pushed them and a treat to have totally oval tires again. cb

I have an aftermarket Stebel LOUD horn I'd like to install on my FJ. But... The Yami OEM horn has two connection wires and the Stebel horn has only one. I assume Stebel horn makes ground connection through the mount. Anybody have advice on how to wire in the Stebel using only one connection wire from the FJ? Thanks!

Not a bad deal at $90 / day out of Vegas. Only 4 hours to Grand Canyon. cb

I use this inexpensive alignment tool and it works quite well (with bike on center stand)... Amazon.com: Motion Pro 08-0048 Chain Alignment Tool: Automotive Buy Motion Pro 08-0048 Chain Alignment Tool: Wheel Alignment &... Not sure it's available in U.K. cb

Thanks guys. I ran 37/34 yesterday on a 230 mile scrub in ride and they felt fine. I'll up pressure a bit and see how they go. Very predictable at good lean and solid in high speed sweepers. But, they seem a bit noisy compared to the OEMs I replaced. Maybe all those sipes? cb

For those of you running Michelin Road 5s, what pressures do you run front and rear? (I am about 250 pounds kitted out.) Thanks!

That's a good strategy @betoney. I am spoiled by my old ST 1300's 7.2 gal tank and 45 mpg. I could do 300 miles before refueling. I usually had to piss well before I need gas!

I was just guessing that in the chain of causality if ECU had been flashed the fan setting might have inadvertently been turned off or set too high. Thus no fan operation even if fuse is good and fan motor / wiring is good.

Has the ECU on the bike been flashed? If so, the fan on/off temp ranges might be fouled up. The FJ has a BIG radiator and when the fan hits it pulls the temp down very quickly. Engine temp should not get above 225f before fan fires.