Quote from: Sparky84 on September 14, 2025, 04:18:24 PM

Quote from: MTLZD on September 14, 2025, 06:20:14 AMHi all,

I'm trying to change the geometry a little bit to make the bike slightly more eager to change direction. I will drop the forks for about 1.2cm, that's all that the slip-on risers will allow before they touch, and that's what has worked in the past for me. I'm also thinking about putting a spacer under the rear shock, so I want to see if anyone has done it before I go ahead and figure it out ony own.

Any land all suggestions welcome!

Not sure how you would fit a spacer.

As suggested you can get length adjustable shock, but you can also get a shock with a longer thread for the lower eye, YSS do one but sounds like you want to do it a bit cheaper, maybe your existing shock has a removable eye you could replace.

Good Luck

so yeah, I have a Wilbers with remote adjustment, and I always want it cheaper, ideally elbow grease and that's it  I'll dive in over the weekend and see what I can do about it

I'll probably change my oil before winter using my normal Valvoline VR1 20W-50 but with the cold temps comming I'll exchange 1 quart with VR1 10w-30 which should net me a 17.5w-45 for winter 

I also got some Rislone zinc additive recently so I've put some of that in the crank case to bump up the zinc content.

Quote from: axiom-r on September 16, 2025, 11:48:29 AM

Quote from: MarioR on September 16, 2025, 11:05:29 AMUpdate:

I did a bit of work on the engine and trying to restore compression first.
Soaking in Seafoam and other specifics, clean all up, fresh oil, than over again.

So far compression on cold improved after a couple cycles:
#1 - 135, #2 - 130, #3 - 135, #4 - 130

I will keep doing it until no changes. Still need to rebuild carbs so no driving/testing yet....

Check valves - next step....

Thanks

Hi MarioR - I am curious about the soaking process and what you are doing to restore compression.  Can you provide some details on how you are doing this? Are you just adding to the oil?

Your compression values have bumped up considerably - especially #2.

Cheers!

tim

Hi Tim,

Basically I use cocktails of solvents and lubricants, than gradually working the engine back into service.

So, trying to line up all pistons. Injecting all stuff directly to the cylinder through spark plug.

I use Regular Seafoam + Marine Seafoam + WD40 and soak it for 24 hours.

Than I use Liquid Moly diesel injector cleaner (since it is strong and aggressive) + Wurth rust off spray directly to cylinder + a bit off diesel. Same thing, I leave it for 48 hours to soak it.

Toping up all penetrators if I see that all is gone. I make sure I spray directly around piston rings (small plastic extension). Since engine is a bit tilt forward you want to penetrate rings from the carb site (at least this is my theory).

So 2 days later, when all liquids are gone, I add a bit off oil to each cylinder and turn engine over a few times (without ignition) so it doesn't turn dry.

Next I drain oil, install new filter and fresh oil. Start the engine and let it work for 10 minutes. Than I let it cool and start again...... Repeat starting and cooling process a few times. Best to ride it a bit with WOT and clean all liquid from exhaust. It will smoke heavy in the beginning but it will go away with time.

I repeat soaking process again if needed. On this engine millage is low I have a hope that compression can be restored. There is high possibility that rings were stuck based on the soaking process and results.

Did not check valve yet like Pat suggested. Next on the list.

I will be repeating this process again and see if compression goes any higher. Also I like to add a bit Liquid Moly Ceratec to the oil and Lucas stabilizer for short time.

Thanks

I've been running "Yamalube Ring Free Plus Fuel Stabilizer" in my fuel for several hundred miles and it did help clean up my pilot circuit on my carbs, the bike starts a bit easier now without as much choke. After reading many positive reviews about it from others that run it in their bikes and outboards I plan to keep using it with every fill up. It's expensive but goes a long way using only 1/2 and ounce per tank full (5 gallons) of gas. Also in NJ I can only get E10 so this will help keep my carbs cleaner than if I wasn't using a fuel stabilizer. Although a local guy told me the local airport sells leaded fuel without E10 so I was thinking of getting 5 gallons of that to put in my tank for when it sits over winter.

Quote from: MarioR on September 16, 2025, 11:05:29 AMUpdate:

I did a bit of work on the engine and trying to restore compression first.
Soaking in Seafoam and other specifics, clean all up, fresh oil, than over again.

So far compression on cold improved after a couple cycles:
#1 - 135, #2 - 130, #3 - 135, #4 - 130

I will keep doing it until no changes. Still need to rebuild carbs so no driving/testing yet....

Check valves - next step....

Thanks

Hi MarioR - I am curious about the soaking process and what you are doing to restore compression.  Can you provide some details on how you are doing this? Are you just adding to the oil?

Your compression values have bumped up considerably - especially #2.

Cheers!

tim

Update:

I did a bit of work on the engine and trying to restore compression first.
Soaking in Seafoam and other specifics, clean all up, fresh oil, than over again.

So far compression on cold improved after a couple cycles:
#1 - 135, #2 - 130, #3 - 135, #4 - 130

I will keep doing it until no changes. Still need to rebuild carbs so no driving/testing yet....

Check valves - next step....

Thanks

I pour 10w40 into my FJ, but now I bought 15w50. In spring and autumn I start my bike when the temperature is slightly above 0 Celsius. There were no problems with oil ..40, let's see what happens with more viscous. But in summer, when the temperature is above 20 degrees, definitely ..50. Ideally, pour in thinner oil in September, and change to thicker oil at the end of spring))

My son Ian and I and My nephew Josh have definitely decided to come.We can't get the entire week off. We were thinking sunday monday and Tuesday might be the best riding days traffic wise and we would head home on wednesday.
  I'm wondering what days others are planning to be there.

Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 15, 2025, 06:58:04 PMExcellent Tim! She is a beauty. Did you use the FJR clutch master?
I sure like mine. That adjustable lever is cool beans.

On your old FJ clutch slave, did you do an autopsy? Were your walls pitted?

We are long long over due for a ride! Perhaps Willits?

Cheers lad

Paddy.

Yes, Pat the clutch master is an FJR unit and I did rebuild it with a new seal kit when these parts went on.  So, the whole system was refreshed. Only thing left to do would be steel braided line I guess - but I don't feel like I need it. I have not looked at the old OEM clutch slave - too busy to be curious I guess. I'll have a look and report back on that though...

I am aiming to make it to Willits for sure!!!

Cheers!!!

Excellent Tim! She is a beauty. Did you use the FJR clutch master?
I sure like mine. That adjustable lever is cool beans.

On your old FJ clutch slave, did you do an autopsy? Were your walls pitted?

We are long long over due for a ride! Perhaps Willits?

Cheers lad

Paddy.