Hello everybody! I am hopefully going to be the future owner of a 1986 FJ1200! Currently it sits in my dads garage collecting dust. He and will be getting it back in to running shape hopefully before the weather starts to warm up! He is a lil worrisome because it will be my first bike! How ever this is my dream bike, I have admired it since he took me for a ride when i was 5 years old(even if it was just around the yard lol) I am 20 now, going to the university of Cincinnati for engineering and I am sure i will be asking alot of questions!
Thanks,
Geoff
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 26, 2012, 04:01:11 PM
Hello everybody! I am hopefully going to be the future owner of a 1986 FJ1200! Currently it sits in my dads garage collecting dust. He and will be getting it back in to running shape hopefully before the weather starts to warm up! He is a lil worrisome because it will be my first bike! How ever this is my dream bike, I have admired it since he took me for a ride when i was 5 years old(even if it was just around the yard lol) I am 20 now, going to the university of Cincinnati for engineering and I am sure i will be asking alot of questions!
Thanks,
Geoff
Welcome Bearcat, another 86' brought back to life, we are gonna take over the world. The FJ is a whole lotta bike for a first timer. Take it easy, take a Motorcycle rider safety course. wear all the gear all the time, many members here have first hand stories of good gear saving there asses. Not sure if anyone added up all the years of FJ experience this club has but it must be in the thousands. Your in good company. Use the search engine as many common stuff has already been posted. The files section too. Enjoy your new Kookaloo machine.
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 26, 2012, 04:01:11 PM
Hello everybody! I am hopefully going to be the future owner of a 1986 FJ1200! Currently it sits in my dads garage collecting dust. He and will be getting it back in to running shape hopefully before the weather starts to warm up! He is a lil worrisome because it will be my first bike! How ever this is my dream bike, I have admired it since he took me for a ride when i was 5 years old(even if it was just around the yard lol) I am 20 now, going to the university of Cincinnati for engineering and I am sure i will be asking alot of questions!
Thanks,
Geoff
i just picked up this same bike less then a week ago
the guys hear are great for helping ( odds are they have ran into the same issues)
Is there a good site to get replacement parts? Bikebandit.com has quite a bit i think. From what i understand i need front and rear calipers, possibly a clutch, throttle cable, battery, and mirror( saw some one with cbr1000 mirrors, any one seen this before? they sit tighter to the wind screen). Thanks!!
Also FJmonkey, I do plan on taking safety courses, and wearing helmet and riding jacket.
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 26, 2012, 04:59:59 PM
Is there a good site to get replacement parts? Bikebandit.com has quite a bit i think. From what i understand i need front and rear calipers, possibly a clutch, throttle cable, battery, and mirror( saw some one with cbr1000 mirrors, any one seen this before? they sit tighter to the wind screen). Thanks!!
Also FJmonkey, I do plan on taking safety courses, and wearing helmet and riding jacket.
Bikebandit is very good for parts price is reasonable im not to sure what they have for after market they do have some
if you want cbr mirrors check out ebay.com
i would like to see pics of the fj with cbr mirrors
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 26, 2012, 04:59:59 PM
Is there a good site to get replacement parts? Bikebandit.com has quite a bit i think. From what i understand i need front and rear calipers, possibly a clutch, throttle cable, battery, and mirror( saw some one with cbr1000 mirrors, any one seen this before? they sit tighter to the wind screen). Thanks!!
Also FJmonkey, I do plan on taking safety courses, and wearing helmet and riding jacket.
If you are looking to stay stock then you can get some of the parts from members. Other parts from Randy at RPM, Ebay/Craig's list, some aftermarket. You may have to upgrade to newer/better parts. Many of us upgrade the wheels, suspension and brakes to improve our FJ's.
All the gear for many of us is Jacket (leather/textile), pants leather/textile (better than jeans), boots (look for ankle protection), gloves, helmet....All designed for motorcycle use. Armor and padding really helps. The best safety gear will always remain between your ears....
"The best safety gear will always remain between your ears...."
- fj monkey
that is the best statement
so many people dont think and they are the ones that become a statistic bike riding can be fun and safe :smile:
http://www.fjmods.btinternet.co.uk/Pictures/Stormin2.jpg (http://www.fjmods.btinternet.co.uk/Pictures/Stormin2.jpg)
http://www.fjmods.btinternet.co.uk/Pictures/Stormin.jpg (http://www.fjmods.btinternet.co.uk/Pictures/Stormin.jpg)
CBR1000 mirrors
What do you recommend for a simple brake upgrade? (since they need replaced anyways)
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 26, 2012, 06:38:27 PM
What do you recommend for a simple brake upgrade? (since they need replaced anyways)
This is the option most of us go for on 1989 and newer models, as they are a bolt on.
For earlier models, the forks will need to be updated to the 1989 and newer forks.
R1/ R6 calipers , HH pads, and S/S brake hoses.
Seach the forums for specific info.
Leon
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_5805.jpg)
Welcome to the group!
Good luck with the FJ.... Make sure you've got a good handle on her before taking on the 4 wheel traffic.... Ride like everyone in a car or truck is trying to kill you and you stand a good chance of staying alive!
KOokaloo!
welcome to the group. i'm on the east side of town, buff bill p is in northern kentucky, as is jon cain.
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 26, 2012, 04:59:59 PM
and mirror( saw some one with cbr1000 mirrors, any one seen this before? they sit tighter to the wind screen). Thanks!!
Read this
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1562.msg34868#msg34868 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1562.msg34868#msg34868)
Don't forget the FZ1 14mm master cylinder for the blue spots.
Power is nothing without control.
CraigO
Hey bearcat welcome to the group :hi:
Just put he fj back together and ride.
The forks need to be flushed and refilled and all brake and clutch fluids replaced.
don't worry about modifications till you get a feel for the ol'girl .
be careful with the 2nd gear shifts as the early fj's have weak shift forks ,so easy on the drag racing.
86 is a great year fj , have fun.
I also found an fj1100 in my price range I might go look at...would be cool gather and 8son with almost identicle bikes :) same red and white paint scheme (my fav on the fj) any down falls of an 85 fj100 vs 86 fj1200?
IMO 1100's are faster than 1200's because of less drag and more ignition timing.
FJ1100 has a smaller fairing and cuts thru the wind better than the bigger fairinged 1200's.
My 85 had no trouble hiting 150 mph when it was still a 1100.
Scott.........
Not too worried about speed right now, mainly handling and reliability.
My 85 handles better than my 90 and still has 16" wheels ans oem forks.
Get a 85 dialed in and you will love it.Then mod it to your taste.
maybe some simple mods ;) exhaust and brakes probably, oh and those corbin seats sure look nice too
got some more info on the bike and she has 60k miles on her...it is an old bike and just shows that its been ridden instead of sitting all the time which is good. Any worries about 60k on an 85 fj?
heres the link, looks really clean!
http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/2864641553.html (http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/2864641553.html)
Looks worth every penny to me.
Quote from: Flying Scotsman on February 27, 2012, 05:51:47 PM
IMO 1100's are faster than 1200's because of less drag and more ignition timing.
FJ1100 has a smaller fairing and cuts thru the wind better than the bigger fairinged 1200's.
My 85 had no trouble hiting 150 mph when it was still a 1100.
Scott.........
Ok, the 1st gen FJs are quicker in the quarter mile and on roll on. (by a tick, me being 220lbs and the other rider I estimate at 180lbs)) However, I have no trouble dispatching them on a twisty road. Now that may just be skill and set up, I don't know. And out where you live, roads may be flat and straight. But down here in the southwest, roads twist and turn and have a lot of elevation changes.
The 1st gens may be faster, but it really all comes down to rider skill and set up. Just my 2 cents.
CraigO
I had a 3CV, 1990 with over 200k on the clock. It used oil like a 2 stroke, but was just as fast as the one I have w/ 40k on the clock.
A simple hone and a set of rings will do wonders for her. While your there, might as well clean up the valve train.
CraigO
The 1st gens may be faster, but it really all comes down to rider skill and set up. Just my 2 cents.
Absolutely true.I think a good rider on a crap bike takes a bad rider on a great bike.
Im sure I would be behind the curve in the twisty's although I do like to lean her over on x,presway on ramps etc.
Not to many twisty roads real close.
You can do all the same mods to a 1100 that you can do to a 1200.
Its a win win :good2:
Test drive that sweet 1100 and make sure it doesn't jump out of gear if it does and your able to fix it then offer less $$ and fix it yourself.
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 27, 2012, 06:56:41 PM
got some more info on the bike and she has 60k miles on her...it is an old bike and just shows that its been ridden instead of sitting all the time which is good. Any worries about 60k on an 85 fj?
heres the link, looks really clean!
http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/2864641553.html (http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/2864641553.html)
she looks clean and worth it
just look it over good
He told me second gear pops out, from what iv read it is very common. How ever I am not sure how to fix it my self. What kind of $$ to get it fixed? does it need a new clutch? also heard it could be the shift fork?
Welcome, Bearcat. I've got two kids at UC - ride the 500-mile round trip a couple times a year. Love the Gyros at that joint on McMillan. Send me your phone # and we'll go there for lunch next time I'm down. Sounds like the 85 FJ is a good project if it can be had for the right price.
In my teen-age years I changed a shift fork on my 73 XS650. Just got a service and repair manual and had at it. Required pulling the engine and splitting the cases. IIRC, from what I've read in this forum splitting the cases is not necessary to get to the FJ tranny. I'm sure there will be replies of confirmation or denial. This forum is a tremendous source of info. Everyone is more than willing to help - in fact they seem to love it. These guys have done things with FJ's that you won't find in any manual. Good luck with your studies - I know for a fact that engineering at UC is no cake walk. BTW, spring break's coming up. Any good parties I should know about?
GT
HAHA I know exactly the place your talking about! I would love to fix the bike my self but with school plus work its tough lol. As far as spring break I usually hit up my buddies frat sigma phi epsilon...decent parties, or PIKE (i forget there greek name lol) abunch of wealthy kids with big parties! Hope fully my bike will be in riding condition by the time your back in town!!! What are your kids at UC for?
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 28, 2012, 08:41:48 AM
I would love to fix the bike my self but with school plus work its tough lol.
Knowing how tough the engineering program is at UC, I totally understand. My son will graduate this spring from the DAAP program (architecture) and daughter will graduate from the nursing program next spring. Have a nephew down there, too, in enginering. I'm serious about the lunch.
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 28, 2012, 06:47:20 AM
He told me second gear pops out, from what iv read it is very common. How ever I am not sure how to fix it my self. What kind of $$ to get it fixed? does it need a new clutch? also heard it could be the shift fork?
It's not uncommon lets just say. There goes about $500 off the price or walk, imo. Have to take out motor and get into the bottom end. for the right price it may still be worth it.. fixed once with undercut dogs and new forks and you're done. Think most people replace the shift forks also.. since you got it apart already, why not. the clutch can come later if need be.. that's much easier cheaper job. Get on it hard and third gear and see what happens if you curious.
You got some expertise close by there if you can enlist them. I'm not sure about costs, rpm randy and Frank will know.
edit.. on second thought, unless looking for project, I'd be inclined to skip. Another will come along soon enough that only needs a carb clean.
Would it be possible to ride with out second for the summer and fix her up in the winter? Ill be keeping my eye for another but i don't see many in my area for some reason :(
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 27, 2012, 05:31:27 PM
I also found an fj1100 in my price range I might go look at...would be cool gather and 8son with almost identicle bikes :) same red and white paint scheme (my fav on the fj) any down falls of an 85 fj100 vs 86 fj1200?
There ya go , get the ol'man back on the fj.
Father son rides are cool.
A running fj is more appealing than a not running fj. How long is it gonna take to get the 86 going? is this a father/son project or are you on your own?
The fj1100 has a larger fuel tank and the turn signals are different and so are the rear view mirrors . the choke is on the handle bar and I think it has a rev limiter.
the handling and speed are the same , same wheels and forks , same weak shift forks .
The 86 fj1200 tested faster in the 1/4 mile on a perfect day with a God at the controls.
Put any fj side by side and it will be about rider skill as the power is so close the race will never end the same twice.
If the fj1100 you are looking at has the bad 2nd gear it will cost big money(1000.00) to have it fixed by some one else. the cases will have to be split open. You can do it yourself or maybe find a group member in your area that will work for beer.
Have fun.
Quote from: Bearcat91 on February 28, 2012, 11:54:17 AM
Would it be possible to ride with out second for the summer and fix her up in the winter? Ill be keeping my eye for another but i don't see many in my area for some reason :(
Yes , you have enough power to skip 2nd gear.
I wish i could do a father son project but i have my place in cinci while he is up north a lil bit and i could only work on it on some weekends...His 86 has sat for 4 or 5 years sooo who knows. for sure calipers, mirror, battery, throttle cable and probably tires. The 85 i found is already priced low i think at 1500, might be able to talk him down to 1250 or something.
yeah , the craigslist rules are offer 1/2 of what they are asking and go up from there. I am not saying it's right , but thats what i get everytime I try to sell something on cl.
Even if he stays firm on price $1500 is still worth it.
I was able to get $500 of the asking price on my 90 after test riding it because trans was slipping.Turns out it had bad trans too.
When I bought my 85 it had a bad 2nd and 3rd gear so both of them needed fixed.
First the 85 cost me about $200 for a trans with undercut gears and about $50 in misc tools etc.I think it took 2 days to do the swap.
The 90 cost me nothing but my time as I already had a trans with undercut gears new shift forks etc from a parts bike.
The 90 swap went quicker because I had done it once before.
Scott.....
Quote from: Mark Olson on February 28, 2012, 12:16:06 PM
yeah , the craigslist rules are offer 1/2 of what they are asking and go up from there. I am not saying it's right , but thats what i get everytime I try to sell something on cl.
Haha I feel you on that! I hate when it happens to me but it is worth a shot...
Take a look in the tank for rust,new tanks are expensive.
sorry to disappoint, but....I didnt get an FJ. I just bought my first bike, 1995 vfr 750 and I love her :) How ever I will still be around to research for my dad if he decides to bring his bike back to life!!!
good for you
a 1200 is big for a first bike anyway have fun and be safe
hopefullly you can get one later on
Hey guys,
I am back now with a little more experience. talked my old man into giving me his FJ how ever since joining i moved to north carolina so i need to make a trip up to ohio to get it. since joining i have riding the VFR for a couple years and have been riding a harley sportster 1200 since last september. so the FJ has been sitting since 2004 so ill be going all the carbs and fuel lines, brake and clutch lines, throttle cables are seized so either no cables or carb slide or something is seized. been scanning through the pages for a few weeks now, looks like RPM has a good amount of parts, any other reputable sites for parts?
no pics of the FJ but here are the other 2 girls
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Geoffrey_Lowe/IMG_20150428_180255_677_zpsuc4q6ol5.jpg) (http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/Geoffrey_Lowe/media/IMG_20150428_180255_677_zpsuc4q6ol5.jpg.html)
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Geoffrey_Lowe/IMG_20140806_101513_831_zps0467b5dc.jpg) (http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/Geoffrey_Lowe/media/IMG_20140806_101513_831_zps0467b5dc.jpg.html)
i got the harley from sitting for 3 years and went through it all so im decently familiar with CV carbs now
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Geoffrey_Lowe/IMG_20140706_130424_388_zps5e40bca7.jpg) (http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/Geoffrey_Lowe/media/IMG_20140706_130424_388_zps5e40bca7.jpg.html)
Glad to hear you will be getting the 86 home. Lets us know how the project go's and ask questions if you don't know or aren't sure how to do something. Lots of help here. Post some pictures when you get it home :).
George