FCR lifespan. It was fine even after 20 years of use.

FCR lifespan. It was fine even after 20 years of use.

I've been writing more about FCRs lately, but I haven't been able to touch or ride a motorcycle.
This time, I'll be writing in the form of a column, but I'll also briefly talk about something that I'm sure many of you are curious about: the lifespan of FCRs. As the title says, my CBX1000 has had an FCR fitted for over 20 years.
For about 15 years I left it to someone else and it went without any maintenance. That doesn't mean it's been ridden that far.
I haven't completely overhauled it, but I have replaced a few parts that I was concerned about.
I'll be writing about the lifespan of FCRs, including the parts I've worked on so far.
So, let's get started!

It’s fine for 15 years with no maintenance, but it’s not in perfect condition for the FCR.

The FCR will be fine for about 15 years with no maintenance. Of course, it depends on the storage conditions and mileage. I operated it by replacing some parts, so I'd say it'll be fine for about 10 years.
According to the FCR tuning manual, the V seal needs to be replaced every season, so maintenance should actually be done every year.
Since I started tuning it myself, I've become very concerned about the condition of the carburetor, but for some reason, I didn't care about it at all when I was riding a motorcycle.
One reason for installing the FCR at the time was so that replacement parts could be obtained steadily.
Now the goal is to run it in perfect condition, so if you compare the condition back then with now, it must have been much worse.

There is a difference between long-term storage and mechanical lifespan.

One problem I ran into was a chemical change in gasoline due to long-term storage.

I had drained the gasoline, but the slow jet turned greenish, but gasoline was still stuck to it. I have replaced the rubber parts, V-seals, and O-rings in various parts that are visible, but there are also O-rings that have not been replaced. In general, the gaskets that are involved in attaching and detaching bolts during tuning are prone to deterioration. The O-rings around the fuel lines and the fuel lines will last for a long time without replacement as long as they are not clogged or cracked. However, it is not unusual for a malfunction to occur at any time, so it is better to replace them when you can. It depends on the storage conditions, but as long as the rubber parts are not deteriorating, they will be fine for nearly 20 years.

Rust and mechanical deterioration

The screws and cap bolts of the FCR are made of iron. They will rust. Depending on the storage conditions, these parts need to be replaced periodically. Rubber parts such as O-rings and packings also need to be replaced periodically. The accelerator pump diaphragm was fine for the time being even after 15 years of use. Even if it is fine, it will visibly deteriorate, so if you are concerned, please replace it. Rust is the cause of overflow.

Determining the lifespan of an FCR

Wear and tear on the body determines the lifespan of the FCR. If the plastic rollers on the slide valve wear down the body, creating ruts and causing a snag when the throttle is operated, it is time for the FCR to reach its end.
One way to extend its lifespan is to install big rollers.
There is also a product called the SEP bearing guide as a countermeasure.
This part protects the parts of the body that can be worn down with resin and uses bearings to operate the slide valve.
I installed this before the FCR body started to go bad, so I cannot make a comparison.
It is an item that you should install immediately after purchasing an FCR.

↓Opens previous article. ↓
FCR-Install SEP bearing guide on CBX1000!

Forbidden maintenance for FCR

It is a big no-no to spray carburetor cleaner on it and leave it. It is generally not advisable to use chemicals that dissolve rubber. If the gaskets of non-disassembly parts melt, it will be difficult to determine the problem.
I wouldn't say that spraying carburetor cleaner on it and leaving it will put the FCR at the end of its life, but it is highly likely that it will reach the end of its life.

The lifespan of an FCR is determined by distance, not duration.

The lifespan of an FCR does not depend on the deterioration of rubber or resin over time, but on the number of times the FCR is operated.
The period is only a guideline.
Metal parts that come into contact with each other will inevitably wear down. It is not lubricated by oil like an engine.
The FCR is a racing carburetor.
Most parts can be replaced, except for wear on the body.

FCR lifespan. It was fine even after 20 years of use.【summary】

From the above, we can see that there are ways to deal with and prevent wear on the body.
The condition can also worsen depending on the distance traveled or the length of time it has been left unused. If you run the engine regularly and choose a storage method that causes little damage to rubber and resin, and replace deteriorated replacement parts through regular maintenance, I think it can be used for about 200 years. I think the true lifespan of the FCR is when replacement parts become unavailable.
The CBX1000 frame and engine can reach 200km/h even after more than 40 years.
The FCR is a racing part.
Racing parts are assumed to be disposable or to be maintained at short intervals.
As long as you maintain it, I can continue to use the FCR until I am no longer able to ride a motorcycle.
Everyone, please try to maintain your FCR every once in a while.
See you again!

CBX1000 Photo Gallery

Photos of SEP bearing guides, etc. Excerpts from past articles are posted here.