I could really do with some advice please.......

[CutterBill]

...That said, a lean angle stop switch would have come in handy when I low sided my FJ...

I got excited when I saw that lean angle switch. I wondered if it could easily be added to an FJ to control the fuel pump, or perhaps even an electrical fuel valve. I did some research and the short answer is... No.

I uses a swinging magnet inside to detect lean angle, which tells me it uses some kind of Hall effect circuitry. So it's a sensor for a computer; it's not a discrete device. But that got me thinking... (always dangerous)... the clever mounting of two mercury switches might do the trick. Hmmm, this calls for more experimentation. Back to the laboratory...
Bill

[T Legg]

I haven't seen the switch but it is more likely the swinging magnet would close a small leaf switch where two thin metal blades are sucked togethor by the magnet to complete the circuit and open when the magnet swings away.

[CutterBill]

Nope. I found a photo of a disassembled sensor... no leaf switches. All solid-state devices. Also, for testing the sensor, you are measuring very low voltages, not continuity. See attachments.
Bill

[T Legg]

Your right it isn't a simple leaf switch. It seems like an overly complicated device to provide a two state on or off signal.maybe the computerized monstrosity it is meant for uses other inputs like velocity so it doesn't cut out in a deep corner although I've never leaned down to 65 degrees while riding I'm pretty sure.

[CutterBill]

...although I've never leaned down to 65 degrees while riding I'm pretty sure.

Doesn't matter how much or little you lean. The force vector on a bike is always straight "down" thru the center of the bike (unless you are crashing.) Bikes are balanced thru the turns, that's how they work. If you want a visualization, tape a glass of water to the top of your tank and go for ride. The water level will always stay "level" relative to the bike.
Bill

[FJmonkey]

...although I've never leaned down to 65 degrees while riding I'm pretty sure.

If you want a visualization, tape a glass of water to the top of your tank and go for ride. The water level will always stay "level" relative to the bike.
Bill

I tried that once, the water stayed put when turning in either direction. Very much like being in a plane when turning. But the front of my jacket kept getting wet during Kookaloo moments. 

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Bill for looking into that switch...I found the same information.

[ribbert]

I always look to what I already have first. In this case I thought of these, sump or pit pump floats, I have quite a few lying around and they are robust and waterproof.





For me though the thought went as quickly as it came. It's not a problem for which I need a solution but there are hundreds of gravity switches on the market, it wouldn't be difficult to rig something up.

Noel

[iWant2RideMyBike]

You did not mention if you replaced all the o rings in the carbs when you cleaned them.
You should have, but, if you did not, you need to....dried out float needle seat o rings is a common cause of leaks. Spend $24 for this kit. It is a bargain
http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=carbkit

Next, is a leaking diaphragm on your fuel pump.
With the key off, fuel tank full (for the head pressure)  on the fuel pump, remove the fuel line that goes to the carbs (output side of the fuel pump)
Now, do you see any fuel dribbling out of the fuel pump?
You should not.
If so, the fuel pump diaphragm is knackered and is letting fuel thru to the carbs when the bike is not running. This is bad and bad things happen when FJ's piss fuel on the floor of your garage.


Replace the fuel pump.
Do not buy a cheap eBay Chinese fuel pump. Ask me how I know this (Thanks again Robert)
Buy a oem Yamaha pump for best quality.
http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=YamFPump

Welcome to our Forum.  Cheers. Pat

Pat,
I stumbled upon this while looking for symptoms of a fuel filter/clogged fuel system problem. I pulled my carbs yesterday to try and clean them again, and I noticed that...

1) On the Y fitting with the fuel line that runs into the carbs themselves, the right hand side line was pinched pretty good. I don't think it was enough to stop fuel flowing, but enough to restrict it I would guess.

2) The far left float bowl was empty, which concerns the heck out of me.

3) There were some small puddles of fuel underneath the carbs, which I didn't notice last time I pulled them

4) Fuel most definitely did come out of the line running into the petcock

After reading your comment, does point #4 mean that I need to replace the fuel pump diagram on my FJ? Granted that my tank was not full at all, but now I'm concerned I have some other issues that I was not anticipating. But I'd like to get it done in one fell swoop while the carbs are off, if there is.

Gabe

[Pat Conlon]

Hi Gabe, you have a '86 FJ1200 so you do not have a fuel pump. (The fuel pump FJ's started in 1989 in the US)
You have what we call a "gravity flow" FJ that uses a vacuum petcock to open and close fuel supply to the engine.
One of your fuel lines is pinched.....a common problem when the incorrect fuel line route is used.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18286.0
You must follow this fuel line routing ^^^ or you will pinch your fuel line.

When your vacuum petcock is closed (engine off) it should be closed, as in fully closed...no gas dribbling out.
If you have gas dribble, replace your petcock. That's my recommendation...some folks will say to try and rebuild the petcock, but not me....just buy a new one from RPM and be done with it.
http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3A1TX-24500-02

You have a goofy electric reserve function on your '86/87 that I personally do not like, so if you want to use a less expensive non reserve  '84/85 petcock (plug and play) it would not break my heart.
http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3A36Y-24500-01

Finally, gravity fuel flow FJ's are sensitive to anything that impedes fuel flow...like fuel filters....they don't like them....they don't use them.  All they use is a filter screen over the petcock inlet inside the tank....
Fuel filters are used on the Fuel pump FJ's but not on the gravity flow FJ's.

Cheers

Pat

[iWant2RideMyBike]

Hi Gabe, you have a '86 FJ1200 so you do not have a fuel pump. (The fuel pump FJ's started in 1989 in the US)
You have what we call a "gravity flow" FJ that uses a vacuum petcock to open and close fuel supply to the engine.
One of your fuel lines is pinched.....a common problem when the incorrect fuel line route is used.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18286.0
You must follow this fuel line routing ^^^ or you will pinch your fuel line.

Pat,
thanks for the links! My FJ doesn't have the air box anymore so I had no clue that was how the line is supposed to be routed. (I physically have it, but it isn't installed and I never saw the instructions on it) As for the petcock, I'll likely put it on my list of things to do, haha. Money isn't really an issue, but I find my self hesitating before making purchases when it hits over the $100 mark. lol

- Gabe