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This part fell out of my instrument cluster, what is it?

Started by duanelr, November 11, 2019, 12:28:47 PM

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duanelr

My bike is an '87 FJ1200. The gas gauge was broken, that's why I took apart the instrument cluster. This was rattling around in the housing. Should I be concerned?
I'm a new owner / first time poster. Thank you.
Duane
My bike is an '87 FJ1200

FJmonkey

That is a counter balance that fell off the speedo. It balances the needle. It can be glued back on when you have the cluster out.
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

duanelr


Thank you! When I take it apart, will it be obvious where it goes or is there a picture somewhere that might give me a hint?

On a related subject, my gas gauge moves around wildly, I've purchased an Ebay replacement and it does the same thing. This is common? What might the fix be for that.
Thank you again.
My bike is an '87 FJ1200

FJmonkey

Quote from: duanelr on November 12, 2019, 01:51:48 PM

Thank you! When I take it apart, will it be obvious where it goes or is there a picture somewhere that might give me a hint?

On a related subject, my gas gauge moves around wildly, I've purchased an Ebay replacement and it does the same thing. This is common? What might the fix be for that.
Thank you again.

I am not sure if I took any pictures but one may have been posted from earlier posts. But I remember finding the spot it goes just by looking for it.

The fuel gauge bounces due to a loss of damping fluid. Some have performed surgery to replace it but it is not a simple task for the average mechanic. The process involves making some room for a hole by moving/spreading some very fine wires/winding. Drilling a very small hole, adding a few drops of fluid and sealing the hole up. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2026.0
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

Troyskie

Mark, did you note the end comment from http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2026.msg75073#msg75073 ?

"This works a treat for the 1100's, since they have no extra circuitry for simulation of running out of fuel after which the 1200-owners flick the switch."

I've corrected the text from 'at leat' to 'a treat', but STREWTH! Simplest explanation of the 1200 reserve yet.
1984 FJ1100 Ms Effie brand new :)
1984 FJ1100 Pearlie, stock as.
1985 FJ1100 Mr Effie 647,000K and still running hard.
1985 FJ1200 'Yummy' takes a licking & keeps on ticking
After all is said and done, more is said than done :)
2013 Trumpy Tiger 800, let's do a lap of Oz

Pat Conlon

Yes, we know all about the electric reserve vacuum petcocks on the gravity flow 86/87 FJ's, but the question on the fuel reserve switch function on the fuel pumpers remains unclear...
Question being: When the fuel pumpers go on reserve and the engine begins to stumble, Is it a fuel pump interrupt....or is it an ignition interrupt?
CutterBill's most excellent single line diagram helps me understand the relationship of the fuel tank sending unit, the reserve switch and the fuel pump relay. (Scroll to the right)
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18991.0;attach=14020

1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

ribbert

Quote from: Pat Conlon on November 13, 2019, 12:58:40 AM

....but the question on the fuel reserve switch function on the fuel pumpers remains unclear...
Question being: When the fuel pumpers go on reserve and the engine begins to stumble, Is it a fuel pump interrupt....or is it an ignition interrupt?



Pat, this guy below seems sure he knows, ask him.

Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 20, 2018, 11:51:44 PM

There is no discussion....we know what happens when the fuel pump FJ's go on reserve.......it ain't got nothin to do with no stinkin ignition interrupt.


Noel
"Tell a wise man something he doesn't know and he'll thank you, tell a fool something he doesn't know and he'll abuse you"

Pat Conlon

It's about anecdotal evidence vs empirical evidence.
I know what happens when I turn on the reserve switch....now I can see why.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

duanelr

I'm sorry, you might need to dumb down your conversation for a new guy.
With the ignition on, I've put my ear against the petcock/tank, flipped the reserve-switch back and forth, and listened for some kind of actuation, solenoid, or anything, I could hear nothing. I've looked at the schematic Pat linked to, I see a reserve-switch but not a petcock. What do the wires running to and from the petcock do? Thank you for your patience.
My bike is an '87 FJ1200

Mike Ramos

Quote from: duanelr on November 14, 2019, 09:45:25 AM
I'm sorry, you might need to dumb down your conversation for a new guy.
With the ignition on, I've put my ear against the petcock/tank, flipped the reserve-switch back and forth, and listened for some kind of actuation, solenoid, or anything, I could hear nothing. I've looked at the schematic Pat linked to, I see a reserve-switch but not a petcock. What do the wires running to and from the petcock do? Thank you for your patience.

Duaneir,

Sir, first the chain lube question and now this question about the reserve switch...?!

Okay, there is no solenoid that is activated by the reserve switch.... The reserve switch function involves the - well....

Anyway, please note Tuned Forks' comment about Pandora's Box & do not ask about that other topic...!

All in good fun!

Ride safe,

Midget

 

Pat Conlon

Duaneir, please disregard my post. Sorry about that.
My post, as well as CutterBill's diagram, was referring to the reserve function on the ('89/93) fuel pump FJ's and not to your gravity flow '87.
The only thing in common between the two is that the reserve function involves interrupting fuel.
Your '87 is interrupted at the petcock, and the '89/93's are interrupted at the fuel pump.

Cheers

Pat
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

ZOA NOM

Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

Sparky84

1984 FJ1100
1979 Kawasaki Z1300
1972 Honda CB750/4 K2

Pat Conlon

Chain lube....it's all about the correct chain lube....
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

1tinindian

Come on guys, we all know it's all about the tires!
Contact patch and tire pressures is what keeps us alive!
"I want to be free to ride my machine without being hassled by the "man"!
91 FJ1200