I wish I WAS a noob, late middle ages here, but nice to have found an active bunch for an old ride.
I have a local 92, 30k smiles on it, all stock w/ Jardines, available to me-seems a tad rich at 2800 but it ooks great, 'just service' by the dealer.
How are these FJs for heat in FL sans water cooling? What DON"T you like about the FJ? And how hard will it be to add hard bags(used pref), and some other bits/mods? Anywhere out there making mods for it still, peg lowerings, etc? Thanks!
Welcome to the group. :hi: There are a few members here that are from Florida. Can't recall any mention of heat related problems. To help with the heat, of which I am planning to install this mod on my own. Randy at http://www.RPMRacingCA.com (http://www.rpmracingca.com) has an awesome larger oil cooler kit. Lowered foot pegs can be done. A few have adapted Buell Ulysses lowered pegs. Hard saddle bags are not an issue. Three common brands are, GIVI, Hepco & Becker, and Krauser. I believe that Hepco & Becker are the only one that still makes NEW frames for the FJ.
Fred
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/M20C20FJCoolerKit-1_zpsd8b356db.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/M20C20FJCoolerKit-1_zpsd8b356db.jpg.html)
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/553396_4288725669686_1868276549_n.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/553396_4288725669686_1868276549_n.jpg.html)
Thanks, love your sweet looking retro-ride. I think I'm missing the mid 80s-late 90s when I took off form riding(after being an offroader and even an AMI grad). The new bikes are amazing but a lot of the tech leaves me in the dust.
Any reason I'd want an FJ over say a newish Bandit or similar comparable? ABS, EFI, sound awfully nice for only a few $1000 more.
I need to take a 20 mile ride and test the FJ for size/feel.
Welcome to the group.
What part of Florida are you in?
I'm in and around Orlando. I've ridden with a couple on here a bit further north in DeLeon Springs. Met a guy on here from Lakeland, another in College Park (Orlando) and spoke with a guy from Sanford/Deltona.
No heat problems, as long as you keep the bike moving.
Besides not yet having blue dot calipers, or some of RPM Randy's essential parts, I can't think of anything I don't like about the FJ. Whoops, I take that back. The mirrors could provide a clearer view of the road behind me. I often wonder how many cops I've neglected to pull over for, simply because I didn't see them!
Hard bags are around, just depends on how much you want to spend. Some types of soft bags really accent the bike's lines (methinks).
Please post some pictures of your ride. We like to oogle.
PM me if you feel like riding.
Steve
Quote from: houseofcharm on April 15, 2013, 08:12:42 PM
I need to take a 20 mile ride...
Ha!
These bikes are _SO COMFORTABLE_, you'll leave for a 20 mile ride with a full fuel tank, and before you know it, you need to fill up!
You'll see... :yes:
Treasure Coast, not too far away. We lived in Maitland for 12 years in the 80-90s.
Not mine yet but I do need to check it out:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/houseofcharm/slideshow/FJ1200 (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/houseofcharm/slideshow/FJ1200)
Welcome ! Let us know how your test ride comes out. I think you will find it a very fun ride. There is a ton of information on here and plenty of advice / help from all over the world.
George
Quote from: houseofcharm on April 15, 2013, 08:40:36 PM
Not mine yet but I do need to check it out:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/houseofcharm/slideshow/FJ1200 (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/houseofcharm/slideshow/FJ1200)
Picture 14 leads me to believe that the bike has been tipped over slightly on the right-hand side. Look at the scuffs on the black air scoop protector.
Maybe if you complain about it, they'll knock a few hundred off the price. (Ha!)
When they start it, complain about the rattles coming from the engine (normal). Maybe they'll knock a few hundred more off the price. (Ha! x 2)
Check the oil level, and see if it's overfilled. If it is, maybe they'll knock a few dollars more off the price. (Ha! x 3)
Good luck!
Steve
So, 2 things, what's a decent price for this one assuming all checks out? And is there a thread uin here on what to look for on FJs?
My 2 cents worth.... Looking at the photos, 1 good thing I noticed is no ABS to deal with. Check for evidence of the Clutch slave cylinder leaking. Check for excessive smoke on a cold start up. Check the choke for an easy pull and retract. Does the motor start easily with the choke pulled and warms up quickly? Push in the choke and it settles to a good idle. Pull the seat off and look at the black sheathed wire coming from the fuel tank, look at the condition of the connector for corrosion.
I am sure other members can add more things to look for.
From the photos and with a good test ride. I would offer $2200 up to $2500.
Fred
Pipped at the post-sold in 2 days! Bugger!
Quote from: houseofcharm on April 16, 2013, 08:17:26 PM
Pipped at the post-sold in 2 days! Bugger!
No problem. They come for sale quiet often. :). Enjoy the adventure of shopping and learning before you buy. :good:
George
Thanks but were in a forgotten wasteland in FL here-need to drive 1-2 hours to find anything to buy!
Houseofcharm welcome to the forum.
Kurt
Thanks, and if I don't find an FJ, it may be 'Hello, I must be going...' :nea:
If you are willing to travel, here are a few that are available
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-Other-1986-yamaha-fj-1200-/261201031086?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3cd0cb6fae (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-Other-1986-yamaha-fj-1200-/261201031086?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3cd0cb6fae)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-Other-1990-yamaha-fj-1200-/130890784259?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item1e79b2de03 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-Other-1990-yamaha-fj-1200-/130890784259?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item1e79b2de03)
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/mcy/3726648438.html (http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/mcy/3726648438.html)
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcy/3714771911.html (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcy/3714771911.html)
Here's another one:
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/mcy/3744714072.html (http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/mcy/3744714072.html)
Wrong coast, but still in Florida!
This looks like a great deal if you are willing to go to Indiana to pick it up.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8960.msg84375#new (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8960.msg84375#new)
Fred
Well, never say die-here's another one not too far away. Any difference in an '89 or all fairly much the same?
http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/mcy/3881957520.html (http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/mcy/3881957520.html)
Looks pretty good. I would offer 1800 over phone. You will not be disappointed
Jeff
What areas need inspecting most typically? I'm an old MAI mechanic but have not worked at that since 1978 (damn, I'm old enough to get what I want but the FJ is still seductive).
In the post that wouldn't die, I have another local-ish one FS , an '87 w 12k on it. Price sound ok?
http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/mcy/4333956185.html (http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/mcy/4333956185.html)
And this one: http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/4306944178.html (http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/4306944178.html)
This belonged to a member here and was sold about 18 months ago. IMO this is a very well done FJ. Should be a great choice. Much better than the 87'.
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/4306944178.html (http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/4306944178.html)
Fred
Quote from: aviationfred on February 15, 2014, 09:27:04 AM
This belonged to a member here and was sold about 18 months ago. IMO this is a very well done FJ. Should be a great choice. Much better than the 87'.
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/4306944178.html (http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/4306944178.html)
Fred
The pic in this ad is not of the bike he is selling...be carefull.
The bike he is selling is bone stock and has been listed on CL
for a long time. $3750 is a lot of money IMO
Thanks Fred-Miami usually gets my red flags flying anyway.
Any chance I could eyeball your FJ ? I'm in Vero also...
Quote from: FJscott on February 15, 2014, 10:17:36 AM
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/4306944178.html (http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/4306944178.html)
The pic in this ad is not of the bike he is selling...be carefull.
The bike he is selling is bone stock and has been listed on CL
for a long time. $3750 is a lot of money IMO
Exactly what I was thinking. Why do people do that? I've seen it before where sellers take a picture off the internet of someone else's bike and say, the one for sale 'looks' like this (kinda)
I mean, come on, seller can't take a picture of the bike? That should clue you in.....
Call the seller, ask him some silly technical questions about the bike, like when was the clutch cable replaced?
We had a case where a eBay ad was posted here on the forum and someone said..." WTF, wait a minute...that's a picture of my bike and it's not for sale..." The eBay ad was taken down.
Also, be careful with advertised 'low mileage' FJs.
The speedometer cluster can be easily changed out with a lower mileage one.
Look for supporting evidence of low mileage...like the condition of the rubber on the foot pegs, etc.
I'm on my third speedo cluster on my '84.
Good luck....you've been looking for close to a year now, hopefully soon you will make a decision.
Yah I have the one. I took outta mine, to put the digital dash in. It has 10465 on the odo. Sittin on the shelf in the china cabinet.
Thanks for the continued advice-was not set on a n FJ but when they pop up....and documentation like the 87 is the only proof of miles in my mind.
Any better years to seek? Avoid the abs?
The 87' does not look too bad. Maybe you can meet up with FJscott and go look at it. I see an 86' behind the 87'. Multiple FJ's is often of a good sign that the FJ has been taken care of.
Fred
Quote from: houseofcharm on February 15, 2014, 12:29:46 PM
Thanks Fred-Miami usually gets my red flags flying anyway.
Any chance I could eyeball your FJ ? I'm in Vero also...
Absolutely...PM sent
Quote from: houseofcharm on April 15, 2013, 06:51:08 PM
I wish I WAS a noob, late middle ages here, but nice to have found an active bunch for an old ride.
I have a local 92, 30k smiles on it, all stock w/ Jardines, available to me-seems a tad rich at 2800 but it ooks great, 'just service' by the dealer.
How are these FJs for heat in FL sans water cooling? What DON"T you like about the FJ? And how hard will it be to add hard bags(used pref), and some other bits/mods? Anywhere out there making mods for it still, peg lowerings, etc? Thanks!
I have a 92 with jardines. I installed a larger oil cooler that dropped oil temps a considerable amount.
Here's another clean looking one:
http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/4306572925.html (http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/4306572925.html)
FJ's, best value, best looking bike on the planet!!!