How do I know if my 1989 FJ is California or a 49 state bike? Are there some telltale signs?
The Calif FJ's have a vapor recovery system on the fuel tank. If you look down by the oil cooler and see 2 canisters, that's part of the system. Look at this diagram of the Calif. fuel tank, you will see the vapor system:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1989/FJ1200WC/FUEL+TANK+CALIFORNIA+MODEL+ONLY/parts.html (http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1989/FJ1200WC/FUEL+TANK+CALIFORNIA+MODEL+ONLY/parts.html)
If you don't see this equipment, it just may mean the previous owner removed it.
Also look the model type on the vin plate, if it ends with a C, then it's a Calif model.
I don't see any canisters near the oil cooler. No C's on VIN plate. Stock air box with a K&N filter. Doesn't look CA to me.
Offer it some granola or yogurt, see if it likes it. Hug a tree to see if it smiles. There is more than one to tell if your FJ is from CA...
This bike sees Toyota Priuses and Range Rovers as objects best seen in a mirror.
Does anyone have the secret decoder ring for this information?
Model FJ1200-B
3SK-000448
Dealer# 366580
Date sold: 8/07/89
What more do you want to know? We know it's not a Calif. model or it would be a FJ1200W-C model
Here's some more info. based on your frame # (courtesy of Troy)
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=13764.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=13764.0)
For 1989 only 700 of the 3SK's were imported into the US, you have 348th of that model.
Production #'s started at 101 and ended at 800, your production #448 is about in the middle of the production run.