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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: Jpn on November 16, 2025, 04:58:22 PM

Title: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: Jpn on November 16, 2025, 04:58:22 PM
Never had the front forks apart on my steed, plan to replace the springs and install the gold fork valve emulators this winter. Looking at the exploded view diagram to determine what parts I will need is confusing. Any suggestions as to which seals need to be replaced for the described work. Yes I could take them apart and figure it out, trying to save some time though and have parts on hand. Any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: Pat Conlon on November 16, 2025, 07:23:38 PM
RPM took the guesswork out:

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AFJ41ForkR%2FBKit

Get the bug shield option...then get one of these:

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AForkBrace

Your front fender tabs will thank you.
Title: Re: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: Motofun on November 17, 2025, 06:12:04 AM
As far as seals go....buy OEM, don't trust aftermarket seals.  Don't wait for the "I told you so".... :dash2:
Title: Re: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: Paul.1478 on November 17, 2025, 07:56:51 AM
Doing the front and rear suspension was the one most noticeable difference on my FJ hands down.
In my opinion, stock suspension on every bike I ever owned (excluding the Ducati) are woefully inadequate.
Title: Re: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: Pat Conlon on November 17, 2025, 11:10:40 AM
Quote from: Paul.1478 on November 17, 2025, 07:56:51 AMDoing the front and rear suspension was the one most noticeable difference on my FJ hands down.
In my opinion, stock suspension on every bike I ever owned (excluding the Ducati) are woefully inadequate.

Agree 100%

On our FJ's, the stock damper rod forks, springs and shock needs an upgrade.
Then...the narrow pig heavy 16" rims and biasply tires
Then....the front brakes....
Then....
Then....
Title: Re: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: Motofun on November 18, 2025, 05:44:37 AM
Pat's old enough to remember when the FJ was one of the newest hotest things around.  We didn't complain (much) back then, just kookaloo'd the hell out them.  I bet Pat thinks his 1984 desk top computer was kinda clunky too.... :wacko2:
Title: Re: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: Billy Bananahead on November 18, 2025, 06:42:05 AM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on November 17, 2025, 11:10:40 AM
Quote from: Paul.1478 on November 17, 2025, 07:56:51 AMDoing the front and rear suspension was the one most noticeable difference on my FJ hands down.
In my opinion, stock suspension on every bike I ever owned (excluding the Ducati) are woefully inadequate.

Agree 100%

On our FJ's, the stock damper rod forks, springs and shock needs an upgrade.
Then...the narrow pig heavy 16" rims and biasply tires
Then....the front brakes....
Then....
Then....

I've put a XJR1200 front wheel which is 3.5" wide, a matching pair of Avon Storm radial tyres, a set of XJR1200 forks with 1300 adjuster units and a Hagon rear shock on my 3CV. Out of the 4 FJ's that i've owned this one is by far the best handling that i've owned. XJR forks are 43mm with Hagon progressive springs. You can see the adjuster on the top of the forks in the photo, click to enlarge.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54932013824_95c0f926eb_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rG9VUC)IMG_20240412_152207578 (https://flic.kr/p/2rG9VUC) by XJR1200 TIGER (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156475646@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: Jpn on November 18, 2025, 09:48:08 PM
Quote from: Motofun on November 18, 2025, 05:44:37 AMPat's old enough to remember when the FJ was one of the newest hotest things around.  We didn't complain (much) back then, just kookaloo'd the hell out them.  I bet Pat thinks his 1984 desk top computer was kinda clunky too.... :wacko2:

1985- I was due to graduate high school in 1 year and I had the Yamaha 1985 FJ lineup poster on my wall along with Heather Thomas in a Pink Bikini. Never really thought Id ever own an FJ yet here I am...
Title: Re: 85 FJ 1100 front fork maint
Post by: fj1289 on November 24, 2025, 02:01:32 PM
Quote from: Jpn on November 18, 2025, 09:48:08 PM
Quote from: Motofun on November 18, 2025, 05:44:37 AMPat's old enough to remember when the FJ was one of the newest hotest things around.  We didn't complain (much) back then, just kookaloo'd the hell out them.  I bet Pat thinks his 1984 desk top computer was kinda clunky too.... :wacko2:

1985- I was due to graduate high school in 1 year and I had the Yamaha 1985 FJ lineup poster on my wall along with Heather Thomas in a Pink Bikini. Never really thought Id ever own an FJ yet here I am...

I was so hoping this was going to be a Heather Thomas story!