Do yourself a favor - buy a set of used R1 calipers and MC. Huge bolt on upgrade.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=fz1+brake+caliper+01+05&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=+fz1+brake+caliper

Welcome Steve, I too bought my '84 when they first came out. Before retiring and moving to Arizona, I lived in Palm Desert for 45 years so I have also enjoyed those San Diego county highways. I drank many cups of coffee at the Hideaway, the switchbacks on Palomar and the Hwy 74 Julian loop down to Borrego Hot Springs were some of my favorites.

Pull those carbs and send them to Robert at RPM and let him work his magic, it's well worth it. Be gentle turning over that engine. Do it by hand, never with the starter. Pull the plugs, spray in some Marvel Mystery Oil or PB Blaster then on the left side crank bolt, Rock the crank gently back and forth in small increments...easy does it.

Get a fresh vacuum petcock, available at RPM, don't flood your engine with an old petcock that fails to close.

Your valve seals will be hard and dry so don't freak out when your engine smokes, it's expected. Ride the bike, get a couple hundred miles on the seals and see if they get better. Check your valve clearances soon after you get her running.

Of course, new tires, brake lines, flush all the hydraulics, check brake pads, etc, etc.

Cheers lad

Pat

No, that tool is not for stubborn pistons.
For a stubborn piston that I can't get out with air, I use hydraulic force.
I reconnect the caliper to the brake line, then with a 1/4" plate I clamp the opposite pistons to prevent them from moving then pump up the master and use the pressure of the system to move the stubborn critter.

Quote from: STLanduyt on January 02, 2026, 07:39:14 PMHello from San Diego!
By way of introduction, my name is Steve and I have owned my FJ1100 since 1985 Change oil, regrease wheel bearings, . . . what am I overlooking?
Also, what is your advice about restarting the engine after such a long period of non-use?
Thank you, and I look forward to seeing FJ's on the road in 2026!
Steve

Steve,
Welcome to the evening FJ campfire! Pull up a seat, and be among friends.  I have a 1985 too.
I would get the spin-on oil filter adapter from RPM here, first. The stock oil filter is a PITA.  I like Wix oil filters.
Put the bike on the center stand, in top gear, and keep the ignition OFF. Rotate the rear wheel to turn over the engine (gently) and get the new oil into your new spin-on filter and the oil passages. Takes a while, so take it easy.
I would not tear into the engine until I had a serious reason. ("If it ain't broke, don't fix it.")
You will not be able to re-grease the sealed wheel bearings, but if there is any problem, you can get new bearings easily.
Keep us posted . . .

Mad Matt,
Just wanted to add, if you ship anything big, terminal-to-terminal truck shipping can be a real deal. The customer delivers the box to the right terminal, and the recipient picks it up from the receiving terminal. Insurance is often included in the deal.
Some terminals offer door-to-door service, so ask if they will do that. Price depends on how fast you want it delivered. If they have a truck going that way next Tuesday, the cost will be low, and maybe by a lot.  If they never (usually) go there, they may take the job but it will cost a lot.
There are no set prices for the same shipping job, so prices will vary wildly between carriers, depending on where the trucks were going anyway. Shop around; next week, some prices for shipping will go lower or higher, even at the same companies.
 

Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 03, 2026, 02:25:47 PMThe thread pitch on the FJ banjos (all of them) is M10 x 1.25.

When I can't use air...I have a neat little tool made by Motion Pro that clamps the ID of the pistons for extraction.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/motion-pro-brake-caliper-piston-tool

Hello again, Pat!
Ah right, I've seen these things before, they do actually work then yeah?
Have you ever had to use it on a REALLY stubborn piston?

thanks

G'day Troyskie,
Have you decided ? Just don't pick one that'll clash with mine   

I'll be there for dinner and a show, I'll be overnighting in Cooma on the Thursday.

The thread pitch on the FJ banjos (all of them) is M10 x 1.25.

When I can't use air...I have a neat little tool made by Motion Pro that clamps the ID of the pistons for extraction.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/motion-pro-brake-caliper-piston-tool

Hi Guys.
As succinctly as possible;
My'89 1200, has been standing for more than 10 years, in the process of stripping it, to rebuild it.
Have taken off all the calipers to sort them, just wondered...
I know I can blow air through the hole with a compressor nozzle to hopefully pop the stubburn pistons out...but my gun doesnt have a rubber nozzle, so all I have to make the seal air-tight is a crappy old rag... it's not really working.
Do you know if it's possible to screw an M10 compressor quick-release adapter into the space usually housing the bango bolt? Or is the thread pitch different?

TIA gang.

Non running you are going to get less than $1k if all the body work is there.
If you left gas in the tank and the tank is rusted out, maybe $500.

I hope you get that bike to someone who wants to ride it.