New to FJs - 89 FJ1200 Project Bike

[faustge]

Hello all.  I've been riding for 25 years and have owned many bikes including an 82 XJ1100. I just sold my Versys, and a coworker offers me this project for free: couldn't turn it down.  It has 55k on it, and it has seen some better days.  Been sitting for a few years.  The plan is to go through the carbs so it'll idle again, then work through the rest of the mechanicals.  I know the forks need to be rebuilt, and I'm sure there will be plenty of gremlins to suss out in addition to the typical stuff.  I'm not going to put a lot of cash into it until I know the status of the drivetrain.

I'm sure that I'm a little crazy for trying to resurrect this thing, but for the cash I have into it, it's hard to let it go for parts.  I look forward to asking for help, as I'm sure I'll need it.

Cheers,
g

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the group. 

Good looking 89' and the best price. 

You mention the bike has sat for a few years. While you are cleaning the carbs. My suggestion is to pour a teaspoon of oil into each spark plug hole to help lubricate the piston rings on intial start up.

Also, replace the rubber brake hoses, tires, and check the clutch slave cylinder for evidence of leakage.

Fred

[movenon]

Welcome ! You will be pleasantly surprised at how the FJ will will run when you get her going again. She is a old school power horse.  You will find her easy to work on.  Lots of good help here.  Get a service manual  when you can.  Used ones on e bay show up all the time.  Ask questions as you go, it is a lot easier and cheaper that way.  Many of the members here have owned there FJ's since new and are a wealth of knowledge.  55k is not that many miles if it hasn't been abused.  Just broke in.  IMO now is a good time to get it restored or put in good shape.
In what part of the world are you located ?
George

[faustge]

Thanks for the advice.  I ordered a shop manual already, and am looking forward to tearing into it.  This is certainly the most powerful bike I've ever owned (although not the biggest or the heaviest.  That prize went to my 87 aspencade)

I'm located in Eastern NY, Adirondack region, although I'm a recent transplant from Buffalo, NY. 

Cheers,
g

[fj1289]

Awesome!  You'll actually be crazy to NOT resurect it

You should get to know Randy at RPM for all your parts needs.

[Burns]

It seems to me that the Big XJ's are where the XS650's were 10 or 15 years ago.  Solidly built platforms that create their own niches in the motorcycle world via their survivability and personality.  These niches will survive many generations of riders. These are forever bikes.

Right now there is a "just right" crop of FJ's to be picked* -though "Free" is more like falling off the tree than "picking" -
A Mitzvah, I believe that's called.

I harvested one recently as well.  Like you I am returning one of this proud breed to the Riata.

I paid 5 (plus 1 for the gas to go get it) for a low-sided  Blue and Black '90,  that I decided was too good to be a parts bike.


This morning I put good use to a torch and air impact driver and am  past my first hurdle on the road to the road. 

I suspect I'll have her street worth in a couple weeks and will probably never be "finished" (there's always something...)

Ya-Tah Hey
YAMAHA!

for years I've wanted one and now I have two.


* the XS650 crop is pretty much picked over now - take note FJers, history repeats itself.