Hello everyone I am new to the site and new to the motorcycle world. I build cars and have always wanted to own and ride a motorcycle. I restored a 1967 Mercury Cougar myself from the ground up and have a fully built 1998 Mustang Cobra that I built as well. I was looking at alot of different bikes and a guy I work with used to race bikes and told me about the fj1100 and fj1200. This bike seems to fit my personality because I like to be different. I found a 1984 fj1100 near where I live and the guy got a new job in another state and this has been sitting in his storage. When he bought the bike the paint was bad so he took the fairings off. Its kind of a streetfighter look now. The bike has been sitting for like 8 months but he has started it a rode it a little here and there in this 8 months. Its been rejetted, has k&ns, and some aftermarket exhaust. He wanted $1800 for it but after talking to him we just kind of got to know eachother and he seems like a real honest guy and anyways the price now sits at $1200. I am curious to know this bike has a little over 20,xxx miles on it if there is anything I need to look for or anything. I researched a little and found there is issues with shifting mainly in 2nd gear and I asked if he has ever run across this. He said there was a few times he felt it not engage but he was patient and eazed it into gear and no problems. I love the bike but don't want to get into something that I will have to do a lot on to get back going and don't really want a bike that will give me issues. Let me know what you think. Thanks
The second gear issue is in no way a deal breaker. It will just give you trouble when trying to drag race. It is fixable, and it either takes money or time, your pick.
If everything else is good with the bike and you like it, that sounds like a fair price. Plastics will be expensive, though, if your bike doesn't come with them and you want them.
This is a big bike for a beginner; you might consider something that isn't so powerful.
My brother has a shadow and I have riden around on it a few times. Just like in cars I use caution before I open things up or whatever to be on the safe side. I like the factory fairings but I wont lie he has the 2 headlight streetfighter headlights on it and a aftermarket all in one gauge thats pretty sweet. He has the front fairing with original gauges still and had the other fairings but apparently when he got divorsed his wife threw them out :( I just got a message from him saying he started it on Saturday and idled a little rough but smothed out. Seems to be all there and in pretty good running order just not 100%
Just trying to get some opinions and seeing if there are things I should look out for.
What it would take to get it back on the streets and being dependable is hard to determine without really looking the bike over. The key would be how it was maintained. If it was maintained fairly well one would think it would be minimal items. I think minimal would still consist of items like, clutch slave & master cylinder rebuild, rear brake master cylinder rebuild, carb cleaning and synchronizing them, tune up, inspect front & rear wheel bearings, inspect triple tree bearings. Again it depends on the upkeep of the bike. These are good bikes, known to run into the 80,000 to 100,000 mile range pretty easily. Sounds like you have a good back round, bikes are like cars. If they smoke when there running there is more than likely big issues. Plastics can be found if you take your time, they are ebay often. Items like the lower chin fairing will most likely be found as a aftermarket item.
Hope this helps.
Tommy D.
The guy said he only ran premium gas in it and always did his oil changes. I mean the fact that it has been sitting for a little bit though a little smoke would be expected right? The tires are in pretty good shape as they are fairly new. How much does all of that tune up stuff and getting the carbs synced cost? I have built automotive motors both my 289 in the Cougar and my DOHC 4.6 in the Cobra is this stuff pretty straight forward? I mean in my mind a motor is a motor? Normally I would not mind doing work and spending money but at the moment on a tight budget and looking for a fun bike that I can commute to and from work on as well to save on some gas as my Cobra burns premium and gets 10-14 mpg :(
Quote from: VaughanCustoms on May 13, 2013, 04:31:00 PM
The guy said he only ran premium gas in it and always did his oil changes. I mean the fact that it has been sitting for a little bit though a little smoke would be expected right? The tires are in pretty good shape as they are fairly new. How much does all of that tune up stuff and getting the carbs synced cost? I have built automotive motors both my 289 in the Cougar and my DOHC 4.6 in the Cobra is this stuff pretty straight forward? I mean in my mind a motor is a motor? Normally I would not mind doing work and spending money but at the moment on a tight budget and looking for a fun bike that I can commute to and from work on as well to save on some gas as my Cobra burns premium and gets 10-14 mpg :(
You may not need to do much to the master cylinders. However my thought is once rebuilt you have just improved reliability. Remember this is a 29 year old bike! You can look on Rpmracingca.com good resource for parts. To rebuild master cylinders and clutch slave cylinder your looking around 130 dollars (off the top of my head). You can synch the carbs yourself, what you have done on your cars tells me you have the knowledge to do this. A Haynes manual tells how to synch the carbs, its pretty easy. You need a vacuum gauge, it can be done with one gauge but two makes easier. I did my carbs a few weeks ago took me about an hour. Again if he has taken care of it there may not be a lot to do? Look it over good take it for a ride if your able to .
Ok fair enough, thanks so much :)
What kind of fuel mileage do you guys get around town if your out of the throttle? About how much are the oil changes? Any other things I am missing that you should do regularly? The oil change intervals are they the same as cars or less or more?
:hi: welcome to the forum lots of fun here, even running like a hairy goat the mileage should be better then you car,
get a manual check your plugs look ok and the gap is set correctly, check the air cleaner, change the oil and oil filter make sure u don't pinch the wires when putting the oil filter back on and so long as your not leaking fluid from the brakes or the clutch slave cylinder you will be fine (popcorn)
Anyone here know of anyone who lives in Georgia that may be able to lend a hand on this thing. I have a strong mechanical background but at the same time this is my first experiance working on a bike. I don't want to turn a running bike into a not running bike lolz.
If you can rebuild an engine, you can pull and clean the carbs... They're pretty simple. There's a tutorial in the files section. With everything right, you can expect 40+MPG....
OK sounds good, I am exited. Oh the bike doesn't have the lower air dam is this best for cooling and for air intake? This bike does have the k&ns on it already. I can buy one if it helps with cooling being it is a air cooled bike? Anyone run a spall electric fan or anything?
The bike is air cooled, keep her moving and keep her cool, kookaloo
I've been riding without the lower cowl for a LOT of years, in Tucson, AZ..... No problems with heat. Took it off because a good friend moved to a house in an area with unimproved roads, and I didn't want to bust it on the rocks....
Quote from: VaughanCustoms on May 14, 2013, 08:14:23 PM
OK sounds good, I am exited. Oh the bike doesn't have the lower air dam is this best for cooling and for air intake? This bike does have the k&ns on it already. I can buy one if it helps with cooling being it is a air cooled bike? Anyone run a spall electric fan or anything?
Quote from: VaughanCustoms on May 14, 2013, 08:14:23 PM
Welcome to the site, on the lower air dam; mine on my 85 was all tore up. :ireful: i found one on flea-bay ,all fiberglass aftermarket, fur 130, it just came in today :yahoo:.. IMO .i think it will help out at high speeds :dance2: Most likely it will help stabilize the FJ by directing wind..Good luck on the bike,, and be carefull :rofl2: This is a very fast first bike,
MarkG
This may sound like a generic and maybe common sense question but I plan on cleaning the tank out and the carbs, putting good gas in it, change the oil, put a new plug in it. Question is so I can have things ready what kind of spark plugs is popular for this bike? Any particular oil filters better than others? What oil is used weight? How much do you need? What are the better oil brands? I feel like I will pick up on everything quick but don't want to make mistakes early on in the process and mess anything up.
NGK plugs DP8EA-9
Oil is a debated topic, any motorcycle type 10w-40 is fine. Avoid auto oils that use a energy efficient additive which can make your wet clutch slip 3.5 US quarts needed with a oil filter change.
To start, get the oem Yamaha oil filter which comes with a o ring....make sure you change out the o ring.
Later, you can change over to the RPM spin on adapter which will make filter changes easier.
You need a owners manual. Check the Files section. Download one.
You need a shop manual. Clymer or Haynes will work.
Cheers
Ok cool, thanks so much. I will be picking up the bike and the box of parts it comes with too on Saturday. I am pretty exited. I enjoy owning my Mustang because usually Mustang owners respect eachother and whatnot but thats not always the case and I am always a target for GM owners lol. One thing I am looking forward to and can already see on this forum is that guys who ride bike have respect for eachother and are really willing to lend a hand.
Yep, that is why I love this place.
It's all about 1) camaraderie and 2) sharing our knowledge.
The camaraderie part will come to you slowly as you get to know our forum members and it will accelerate when you attend your first FJ Rally.
You already have a good intuitive knowledge base but by doing your homework (first) and then asking questions, you will learn all about our FJs. We have some very, very talented, smart folks here who have dedicated literally thousands of hours of their time to helping each other.
Your FJ education will not be free. There will be a cost.
As your knowledge and experience grows we fully expect you give back what you have freely been given by helping the newcomer.....just as we are going to help you in the upcoming months.
Cheers and study up....there will be a pop quiz on Friday.
I like the iridium style plugs, if you can get them for a good price, and like pat has said use a good bike oil, some even use a diesel oil, thinking I may try one myself shortly
Quote from: fintip on May 13, 2013, 03:51:38 PM
This is a big bike for a beginner; you might consider something that isn't so powerful.
They are, but having said that the engine is really a pussycat. Treat it right and you'll be fine, poke it and then cop the TIGER! Its really the combination of the engine plus overall weight/handling that gets people in trouble. Sort out the suspension, make a few mods, let the chassis work properley with that engine and you'll never part with that bike. If you ride it like those knucklehheads in the you-tube crash videos, you are going to get hurt real bad, but I don't think any of us do that, do we? (popcorn)
Ahhhh, the never ending FJ mod list, don't worry, my list is still only half done, :drinks:
Have Fun!
Quote from: fj11.5 on May 15, 2013, 05:46:47 PM
I like the iridium style plugs, if you can get them for a good price, and like pat has said use a good bike oil, some even use a diesel oil, thinking I may try one myself shortly
Hehe :rofl2: everything in the U.S. compared to us is at a good price :rofl:
I Bloody true mate, shame the postage tripples the price :dash1:,, maybe you could fill some luggage with spares, klavdy dousnt need to bring clothes home :biggrin:
Thanks for the info guys. I am used to driving fast cars and know the do and dont's. I know I am new to the bike world so I will take it easy until I feel comfortable. I will post up some pictures when I get it so you guys can tell me what you think. I want to do a sunburnt orange and matte or gloss back on it I think. Going to have to talk to my painter friend and see what he thinks. I think I will prob keep it at a steet fighter type look but have it look like a old school racer at the same time.
Quote from: VaughanCustoms on May 16, 2013, 07:16:18 AM
I am used to driving fast cars and know the do and dont's.
Cars are WAY more forgiving than bikes if you overcook a corner or your wheel finds a bit of crap (or a pinecone) on the road.
Riding a bike is nothing like driving a two wheel car.
I would seriously suggest if you are new to riding, read some books, watch some DVD's or even better do a course. It will make the experience much more enjoyable AND safer. Even if you only take away a few Golden Rules, that will set you up.
Riding a big bike bike hard gives you a buzz no car on the planet can deliver.
Noel
I understand, this will be the first time owning my own bike but ridden a cbr600rr and my brothers shadow 750. I understand this bike weighs more than the 600 and has more power than the shadow but I have a good understanding of the risks and I will ease in the gears and stay off the throttle for a while till I feel comfortable.
Quote from: ribbert on May 16, 2013, 08:10:00 AM
Quote from: VaughanCustoms on May 16, 2013, 07:16:18 AM
I am used to driving fast cars and know the do and dont's.
Cars are WAY more forgiving than bikes if you overcook a corner or your wheel finds a bit of crap (or a pinecone) on the road.
Riding a bike is nothing like driving a two wheel car.
I would seriously suggest if you are new to riding, read some books, watch some DVD's or even better do a course. It will make the experience much more enjoyable AND safer. Even if you only take away a few Golden Rules, that will set you up.
Riding a big bike bike hard gives you a buzz no car on the planet can deliver.
Noel
++1.............. Totally different environment. Take it slow at first. :smile:
George
Quote from: movenon on May 16, 2013, 08:39:34 AM
Quote from: ribbert on May 16, 2013, 08:10:00 AM
Quote from: VaughanCustoms on May 16, 2013, 07:16:18 AM
I am used to driving fast cars and know the do and dont's.
Cars are WAY more forgiving than bikes if you overcook a corner or your wheel finds a bit of crap (or a pinecone) on the road.
Riding a bike is nothing like driving a two wheel car.
++1.............. Totally different environment. Take it slow at first.
If you haven't already done so, enroll yourself in one of the MSF rider courses ASAP.
The FJ is _NOT_ the platform for a new, over-confident rider. (DAMHIKIJKOK)
You may beat the statistics for a little while, but...
On the other hand, (keeping SAFETY in mind) THESE BIKES ARE THE BOMB!
Do what you want. You will anyway. I just hate reading about motorcycle accidents.
Steve
Yes I understand and thanks for the concern guys :)
I am signed up for a class that starts in about a week so I will have the bike a couple days before my class but they provide a bike to ride in the class. I will bring it home, not riding it home and tool around my neighborhood feeling out the clutch to when and how it engauges, how to balance and make turns. I will prob ride like a 1/2 mile on a back road to a huge church parking lot and set up some cones and whatnot to learn the cornering and brakeing and everything before I take it out on the street.
Have a look @ California Superbike School, I did one late last year, Marsh and Klav have also done them, cannot recommend them highly enough, learnt more in those 2 days then in 40 odd yrs of riding, the schools are held all over the U.S. and each class is a day long session on your own bike or one of theirs....... jus do it :yahoo:
Baldy
Doesn't matter how "easy" you take it.... Do something wrong, and you'll find yourself hanging off the back, throttle WFO from hanging on and :hang1: ....
BTDT, when I bought my 1st 250 2 Smoke. Had been riding an XR600 (7 years, desert racing) before that, so I "knew" how to ride......
BTW, The CBR600 has a bit more power than the Shadow. No bottom end, but that top-end rush is pretty good..... Not FJ Kookaloo, but still "good".