'93 FJ1200 with ABS and an introduction update

[Ross1]

Hello everyone of the forum. Figured I'd update my introduction.
    End of Nov., contacted a forum member about his posted '93 FJ1200 w/ ABS (29 k miles.) The next day I hooked up the trailer, loaded the dogs and drove from central New York state to Chicago (750 mi.). It was raining "cats and dogs" in Ill., so a test ride wasn't a possibility. Cosmetically, the machine was in beautiful shape. I offered him a price, which he accepted. Rick and his son graciously helped (they did all of the real work) load and secure the machine on my trailer and off I went. Fortunately, getting out of Chicago was easier (I was less sleep deprived) than returning from Houston with the XJ900's in August, and it wasn't 105 degrees F at midnight.
   I insured and registered the machine (the woman at the local DMV flirted with me, got her tel. #) and only charged me tax on the amount which I claimed as the purchase price.  Lucky me!
   He (Rick) was straight up about idling issues. I had to use the enrichment system until it was warm and going fast, and the thing wallowed like a hippopotamus at high tide when I crossed bumps at speed. It's no faster than my XJ 900's, but gets from 75 to 95 mph far more quickly. Hoo-hoo! 68 degrees, Dec. 24th in central NY. Last year had 3-4 feet of snow 12/24.
    I read and read.
    Ordered Race-tech springs from a shop with whom I've had dealings.
    Spoke with Robert @ RPM, he helped fix an order for fork-rebuild parts which had already been submitted electronically and gave me some sage advice.
    At that point had a carb. "rebuild kit" given to me by the P.O. (Internet derived kit, I'm sure. SS screws & lock washers worked, fuel supply gasket rings worked, rings and washers for the pilot screws-nope. Way off)
    Buy from RPM or a local Yamaha dealer, which is what I did. $32 for the four pilot screw kits and now I won't feel guilty guilty buying everything else from RPM.
    A previous p.o. (before Rick) must have done some "work" on the carbs. Missing 3 of 4 pilot washers and the screws were tightened ALL the way in. Surprised that it ran at all(pardon me but- dickh^ad!!)
    Emailed back and forth with Rick, very helpful. New springs (.95's)are going in a 900 and will swap those (.90's) into the FJ with the RPM valves, new bushings & seals and the light weight fork oil.
    Ghist of the discussion wiht Mr. RPM was that I ordered a rear shock.  Blew my budget to pieces, but better that than a high speed accident when the front end performs and the rear doesn't.
    Read and read some more.
    Replacing the brake lines with SS (already done to my SECA 750 and non-show 900). The Yammie dealer wants $500 for the brake lines alone.  I should be able to get lines, both MC kits and rear caliper kit for approx. $650. Picked up an inexpensive pair of Blue Dot calipers. ? seal kit cost. Rick told me that they're okay with ABS.
   Tied the budget to a balloon and watched it float away. But what would it cost if I were paying a shop to do this stuff? Twice the price?
  GO Systems- Cleaned and rebuilt the carbs for the price of the pilot screw kits, valve cover gasket (approx. $40) and shims (have a friend who runs a shim pool for XJ's,so cheap) and    already have Morgan Carbtune and Colortune devices. So out of pocket- $75.
Control and Stop systems- DON'T CARE within reason about costs.  They keep me riding and help to avoid injuries. Also, the sooner this stuff is done, the longer the amortization period. Brings the per-day costs down to nickels and dimes.
    Sorry to keep bringing up cost. I initially budgeted $3k, it has grown closer to $5k. But only 40% of the price of a new machine, and the wrenching is (at least) half of the fun.
   When doing the carbs, I soaked the metal internals in shot glasses w/ carb. cleaner. The amt. of crud (tarnish & dried alcohol/lacquer) in the bottom of each glass is interesting.
    Not sure how to post pictures, yet.  As the work progresses I'll post 'em.  Spring semester starts soon and I'm due to start a new job in the next few weeks (the reason why I splurged) so updates may be sporadic
   

[FJmonkey]

A very warm welcome Ross from SoCal. Once the carbs a sorted your FJ will pull impressively hard.

[Country Joe]

Great introduction update post! It sounds like you have the necessary repairs and upgrades well in hand.
Joe