Happy New Year! Swifty here, wishing all a Happy New Year. My New Years resolution is to join the FJ forum to gain from your insights, talk with fellow riders, owners, and wrenchers. I have a new to me 1986 FJ1200, with only 3100 miles. It has not run in perhaps 15-20 years. I got it from a friend whose brother had it and dropped it twenty years ago. Unfortunately he got sick and died before he could fix it. It has sat in a garage along with many other bikes waiting for repair. The family liquidated all his bikes, and I was fortunate to see this FJ1200 in the back of the garage, and took it home with me.
I have changed to oil, pulled the carbs for cleaning, and checked the tank, which is clean. It has a little bit of surface scratches and a couple cracks in the fairing on the right side fairing and chin cowl.
I would like to refurbish the bike to its original condition. I would appreciate any insights you all might have. Where I can get a new chin cowl, or how to fix this one. What else I should do prior to starting, running the bike. I plan on cleaning the carbs, and cleaning, flush and inspect the brake calipers, master cylinders. Thank you for any advice you may have. I have been working on bikes as a hobby for a number of years now.
I am located in south west New Hampshire.
Thanks for listening,
Swifty
Welcome and happy New Year Swifty, very nice find on that low milage 86'. Where in the world are you?
Welcome ! As Mark said, where about are you located ? Post some pictures when you can and start a new thread in the " Project " section so we can help and follow along. Sounds like a nice project. Ask questions. Most things are easy when you know the tricks.
George
Quote from: FJmonkey on December 28, 2013, 07:48:37 AMWhere in the world are you?
Quote from: movenon on December 28, 2013, 08:54:35 AM
As Mark said, where about are you located ?
Quote from: Swifty on December 28, 2013, 07:46:02 AM
I am located in south west New Hampshire.
:scratch_one-s_head: :unknown:
Have some more coffee, fellas... :biggrin:
:morning1: :morning1: :morning1: :yahoo:
George.. Good Morning.
Happy New Year Swifty and welcome
CanDman
yep, Happy new year riders. Be safe, be fast, be lucky
Andy
Quote from: Swifty on December 28, 2013, 07:46:02 AM
......What else I should do prior to starting, running the bike. I plan on cleaning the carbs, and cleaning, flush and inspect the brake calipers, master cylinders. Thank you for any advice you may have. I have been working on bikes as a hobby for a number of years now.
I am located in south west New Hampshire.
Thanks for listening,
Swifty
Hello Swifty, welcome aboard....I would add 4 things to your list
1) For a engine that has been sitting that long, I would remove the plugs and left side ignition cover, squirt some PB Blaster down the cylinders, let sit over night, and then very gently rotate the crank (back and forth) by hand via socket wrench, to assure no rings are frozen. If you use the starter motor, you can easily break a frozen ring.
2) Plan on new tires, regardless of wear on the old tires. That old rubber is dry and hard as a rock.
3) Replace all the oem rubber brake lines...really. No fooling. Might as well do the clutch line also. Just like your old tires, under pressure, the oem rubber lines dry out and split (typically at the banjo fittings)
4) Safety wire the pressed in elbow on your vacuum petcock. (See the files)
Cheers laddie! Happy New Year. Pat
:good2: Congrats on a rare find! 1986 is one of my favorite color combinations. Do as Pat says and make sure the carb is clean and synchronized and you should be good to go! New Hampshire is such a beautiful state, you will love riding your new FJ. -Barry
Welcome aboard! The advice you have received so far is priceless. When you figure it out ,post some pictures. I too have an 86. I think they are simply beautiful.
New Years Eve 2013
WOW! Thank you for your comments, advice, and lists. They are indeed "priceless". I've take your advice and started a new thread in the projects section "Happy New Year Project". Added some pictures of the bike as it is now. I will update the project with the "as found" condition of some of the components, some good, some not so good. I hope to update the project status as it progresses, with your help.
Thanks you again for your support, you have given me new found enthusiasm!
May 2014 be the best it can be for you all,
C'ya
Swifty