MajBach
Well-known member
Hi all. After reading the Bin-O-Facts from start-to-finish, spending hours combing through threads on various forums/sites and consulting with a fellow rider, I’ve decided to put it out there and see what others have to add.
I have a 2009 that is about to turn 100,000 kms (okay, a Canadian century) and, other than changing all fluids (excluding forks) annually, I haven't done a lot of work to it. Last fall I began to notice the suspension seemed to be showing signs of age and I decided it's time to do some major maintenance. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have a shop and tools, I've just reached a stage that I would rather pay an expert than fix things myself. Unfortunately, I just haven't found a local mechanic I trust so I intend to do as much at home as I reasonably can. Aside from the obviously little things outlined in the manual like lubrication points, fluids, plugs etc., there are a few more significant areas I'd appreciate some input; mostly about suspension.
Last fall, I noticed taking the twisites didn't seem as sure-footed as it had in previous years and it felt a little bouncy. I'm not even that sure how to tell when it's time to change the shocks but the fact that I seemed to notice it on my last few rides would suggest I need to do something. At the two FJR rallies I've attended, the most recommended upgrade/farkle for the FJ is performance suspension, (also seems to be the most $$$). I've read numerous times about how crummy the stock suspension is but frankly, I've never had issues with it. I've been told as well that stock suspension is good for 30,000 miles tops. Mine still seems adequate at double that. Perhaps I don't know what I am missing because I have never driven an FJ that has upgraded shocks, but it's never been an area that I gave a lot of consideration. I have, on the other hand, read up considerably on suspension settings so it's not completely foreign to me.
I’ve read many of you speak of GP Suspension, however the exchange rate and distance may make a trip there prohibitive. I also met the owner of RMR in Vancouver - which is also highly acclaimed. He clearly specializes in off-road and racing but he certainly sold me on his knowledge and service. He's not a big fan of stock suspension - no surprise there- and basically left me with the impression with "go big or not at all". Although, I may have given him the impression I wanted to spend big $$$ for a big upgrade. For the rear suspension, he really only recommended one brand - Ohlins - and also said they're the most expensive for a reason. He also recommended I get a set-up that allowed for compression adjustment and not just preload, like with stock. He explained that since I have two distinct riding styles: local aggressive sport riding in the mountains and long distance cross country touring, that the wide range of load on the rear suspension would make that option desirable; (I'm about 275 out of the shower and always wear full gear. When I am on a long journey, I typically camp so I likely have 150 pounds of gear or more).
For the front, he recommended new springs and bushings and shocks - the whole ball of wax. I was really impressed with his thoroughness at this point. He said there were two brands he recommended (I can't recall the first one's name, I think it came from Quebec). The other was one manufactured by GP racing in Oregon. He said there was a slight design difference but it had been awhile so he actually called both places and spent 5 minutes getting some info - including price. In the end, he said GP had changed their design and both were near identical now so may as well go with the lower priced one in Canada - which would also make warranty claims, shipping, brokerage fees etc., simpler. Of course, all of this is like a foreign language to me. So here is the part that makes all of this a decision I need help with: The cost of going with the complete set of suspension upgrades is $3200 installed. If I take the rear shock that doesn't have a compression adjustment, it was only $2600; still big $$$. I did a quick check on-line and stock shocks and cartridges would probably be at least $2000 just for the parts alone. I don't know how big a difference performance shocks would be from stock. Heck, I don't even know for certain if I need new shocks. Someone recently recommended I consider a Gen III assembly on the rear and just change the oil (and bushings?) in the front. Perhaps using a heavier oil as well. What are your thoughts?
Next item: steering head bearings. Manual said they are way overdue for inspection and repacking (and likely replacing) but everything I read on-line tends to suggest it's a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" part. I don’t observe any play in the front end but perhaps I just change them out with needle bearings if I am going to be doing work on the forks anyway?
Valves & CCT. These two seem to be items that lead to a lot of problems. From all the threads Ive read, valves are often fine in FJs with 3x the mileage as mine. As for the CCT, I haven’t read anyone here that with a bike newer than 2008 that has had problems or has felt the need to change theirs. Maybe I should just leave them?
**On second thought**...I just found a 2 month old thread on checking valve clearances. Guess I would be stoooopid not to if I am going to go that deep. But, it looks like one helluva tedious job. I did find a how-to thread on another site but it was for a Gen I. Any differences from a Gen II?
I’m going to be stripping the bike down in the next few days. I want to lube all the pivot points, try and change my own rear tire, some headlight mods, change fluids and plugs, manifold sync and perhaps change the original brake pads. The deepest I have ever gone is removing all the plastic and syncing the manifold. I’ve never removed an axel, changed a tire, seen a steering head bearing or even know how shocks work. I have an expensive torque wrench and all the sockets required but I know I will need at least a tool for steering head bearing. I do not know however, what, if any, extra tools I will need for doing the shock/forks. As a matter of fact, if the shocks and/or steering head bearing were the only items I wanted to work on, I wouldn’t hesitate to take it to a dealer rather than tackle it on my own. But I figure if I am going to have if I am going to have everything else apart. Basically, whatever upgrades I do to the suspension and whether or not I perform the work myself will be based entirely on advice I receive from you all.
In a nutshell, I am looking for direction on upgrading -or at least restoring- my suspension as well as some considerations on the other areas I’ve mentioned and any others I may have missed. I have found plenty of step-by-step guides and/or videos on this site and others on almost all of these areas except for suspension.
Thanks again for all your input.
I have a 2009 that is about to turn 100,000 kms (okay, a Canadian century) and, other than changing all fluids (excluding forks) annually, I haven't done a lot of work to it. Last fall I began to notice the suspension seemed to be showing signs of age and I decided it's time to do some major maintenance. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have a shop and tools, I've just reached a stage that I would rather pay an expert than fix things myself. Unfortunately, I just haven't found a local mechanic I trust so I intend to do as much at home as I reasonably can. Aside from the obviously little things outlined in the manual like lubrication points, fluids, plugs etc., there are a few more significant areas I'd appreciate some input; mostly about suspension.
Last fall, I noticed taking the twisites didn't seem as sure-footed as it had in previous years and it felt a little bouncy. I'm not even that sure how to tell when it's time to change the shocks but the fact that I seemed to notice it on my last few rides would suggest I need to do something. At the two FJR rallies I've attended, the most recommended upgrade/farkle for the FJ is performance suspension, (also seems to be the most $$$). I've read numerous times about how crummy the stock suspension is but frankly, I've never had issues with it. I've been told as well that stock suspension is good for 30,000 miles tops. Mine still seems adequate at double that. Perhaps I don't know what I am missing because I have never driven an FJ that has upgraded shocks, but it's never been an area that I gave a lot of consideration. I have, on the other hand, read up considerably on suspension settings so it's not completely foreign to me.
I’ve read many of you speak of GP Suspension, however the exchange rate and distance may make a trip there prohibitive. I also met the owner of RMR in Vancouver - which is also highly acclaimed. He clearly specializes in off-road and racing but he certainly sold me on his knowledge and service. He's not a big fan of stock suspension - no surprise there- and basically left me with the impression with "go big or not at all". Although, I may have given him the impression I wanted to spend big $$$ for a big upgrade. For the rear suspension, he really only recommended one brand - Ohlins - and also said they're the most expensive for a reason. He also recommended I get a set-up that allowed for compression adjustment and not just preload, like with stock. He explained that since I have two distinct riding styles: local aggressive sport riding in the mountains and long distance cross country touring, that the wide range of load on the rear suspension would make that option desirable; (I'm about 275 out of the shower and always wear full gear. When I am on a long journey, I typically camp so I likely have 150 pounds of gear or more).
For the front, he recommended new springs and bushings and shocks - the whole ball of wax. I was really impressed with his thoroughness at this point. He said there were two brands he recommended (I can't recall the first one's name, I think it came from Quebec). The other was one manufactured by GP racing in Oregon. He said there was a slight design difference but it had been awhile so he actually called both places and spent 5 minutes getting some info - including price. In the end, he said GP had changed their design and both were near identical now so may as well go with the lower priced one in Canada - which would also make warranty claims, shipping, brokerage fees etc., simpler. Of course, all of this is like a foreign language to me. So here is the part that makes all of this a decision I need help with: The cost of going with the complete set of suspension upgrades is $3200 installed. If I take the rear shock that doesn't have a compression adjustment, it was only $2600; still big $$$. I did a quick check on-line and stock shocks and cartridges would probably be at least $2000 just for the parts alone. I don't know how big a difference performance shocks would be from stock. Heck, I don't even know for certain if I need new shocks. Someone recently recommended I consider a Gen III assembly on the rear and just change the oil (and bushings?) in the front. Perhaps using a heavier oil as well. What are your thoughts?
Next item: steering head bearings. Manual said they are way overdue for inspection and repacking (and likely replacing) but everything I read on-line tends to suggest it's a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" part. I don’t observe any play in the front end but perhaps I just change them out with needle bearings if I am going to be doing work on the forks anyway?
Valves & CCT. These two seem to be items that lead to a lot of problems. From all the threads Ive read, valves are often fine in FJs with 3x the mileage as mine. As for the CCT, I haven’t read anyone here that with a bike newer than 2008 that has had problems or has felt the need to change theirs. Maybe I should just leave them?
**On second thought**...I just found a 2 month old thread on checking valve clearances. Guess I would be stoooopid not to if I am going to go that deep. But, it looks like one helluva tedious job. I did find a how-to thread on another site but it was for a Gen I. Any differences from a Gen II?
I’m going to be stripping the bike down in the next few days. I want to lube all the pivot points, try and change my own rear tire, some headlight mods, change fluids and plugs, manifold sync and perhaps change the original brake pads. The deepest I have ever gone is removing all the plastic and syncing the manifold. I’ve never removed an axel, changed a tire, seen a steering head bearing or even know how shocks work. I have an expensive torque wrench and all the sockets required but I know I will need at least a tool for steering head bearing. I do not know however, what, if any, extra tools I will need for doing the shock/forks. As a matter of fact, if the shocks and/or steering head bearing were the only items I wanted to work on, I wouldn’t hesitate to take it to a dealer rather than tackle it on my own. But I figure if I am going to have if I am going to have everything else apart. Basically, whatever upgrades I do to the suspension and whether or not I perform the work myself will be based entirely on advice I receive from you all.
In a nutshell, I am looking for direction on upgrading -or at least restoring- my suspension as well as some considerations on the other areas I’ve mentioned and any others I may have missed. I have found plenty of step-by-step guides and/or videos on this site and others on almost all of these areas except for suspension.
Thanks again for all your input.
