OLD new guy, Hope I don't have to go through the hazing thing here.......... LOL as a moderator of a MC forum I understand the pains.
got an 04 this week, cheap but while looking at a pic I posted (shakes head), a ding in the front rim has me doing more looking. Oh well it rode fine for 150 miles so far bent wheel and all. Got a replacement wheel in my sights. but gotta check fork tubes now.
Well did some front end diving
The good: the tubes ARE straight.
A video of how I check them
On the ist gen FJR I remove; the calipers, fender, loosen the axle pinch bolt on the RH side, loosen axle several turns
ONE side at a time loosen all three triple clamp/tube bolts on the RH. Now a 15/16" wrench on the cap nut will turn the tube (CW or the cap may unscrew). you want to be watching where the axle sticks out of the tube and behind it where the wheel spacer is about 3mm or so from touching the lower. As you turn the tube watch for any change ie in out movement. see video for how the end of the lower "orbits" with a bent tube.
Tighten the pinch bolts on the RH tube, loosen the LH pinch bolts, repeat, you will still be looking at the RH lower axle junction for movement. before tightening the pinch bolts check the tube top/cap joint is flush with the top of the triple.
Anyways these tubes are good.
The bad:
RH fork seal had been leaking for a long time, apparently the PO "cleaned up", but caliper was oily, and there was a black grit trail down the back of the lower. When I removed the pads and cleaned up around the pistons I found two of the dust shield o-rings had "grown" after being soaked in fork oil and loops of seal were sticking out around the pistons. That explains why that caliper seemed like it was dragging a bit.
The ugly;
the oil/dirt mess on the tube, caliper, pads, etc.
Needed;
front rim
fork seals
brake pads
Caliper piston seal kit.
a little bit of labor.
So that's how my first week of ownership has gone........
Welcome aboard!
On those Gen1's and 2's up to late '07, if the cam chain tensioner has not been replaced (no paint dot), I'd say do it with the latest version at your earliest convenience.
As for the wheel, there are places that can straighten minor rim bends....... might be a shop local to you. Saves buying a new wheel.
Keep yer stick on the ice........... (Red Green)
Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can sure muffle the sound.
Sourced and received a straight replacement wheel (thanks ignacio) also got a nice set of calipers and doing an R&R on them before install with new pads. Got a set of fork seals and bushings. Now for some labor. Thinking about SS brake lines as long as I gotta break open the brake system.
gggGary wrote:Sourced and received a straight replacement wheel (thanks ignacio) also got a nice set of calipers and doing an R&R on them before install with new pads. Got a set of fork seals and bushings. Now for some labor. Thinking about SS brake lines as long as I gotta break open the brake system.
And to the OP, what does your thread title mean? FONG? Fookin OLD new guy?...okay, I get it.
I have no problem with a certain person named Ignacio, I just thought he micro-moderated at a whim. It's just a relief to be able come back from an FJR event I plan and organize and not having to worry about being able to sign on to a board to post photos for my friends. Simple as that.
Last edited by wheatonFJR on Wed Dec 07, 2016 5:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
