HOWDY ALL FROM SOUTH TEXAS USA

[retcol]

NEWBIE HERE, BUT RIDING SINCE AGE 14, NOW 70 YEARS YOUNG. i JUST BOUGHT A 1993 fj1200A THAT IS VERY NICE AND COMPLETE WITH ONLY 15K MILES, BUT SITTING PARKED FOR 5 YEARS NOW. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS PARKED WITH GAS IN THE TANK. I FIGURE AT A MINIMUM A TANK CLEANING, COMPLETE CARB CLEANING AND REBUILD, NEW FLUIDS, TIRES, BATTERY, PLUGS AND BRAKE PADS. HOW MUCH WORK IS INVOLVED IN PULLING THE CARBS? i'VE NEVERF OWNED A FAIRED BIKE BEFORE, SO I'M CONCERNED WITH THE LABOR OF FAIRING REMOVAL. ANYBODY HAVE AN EXTRA SWEVICE MANUAL THEY WOULD LIKE TO SELL ME? I LIVE NEAR SAN ANTONIO TEXAS, NEAR YEAR AROUND RIDING CONDITIONS HERE.

[PaulG]

For fairing removal check this. It's far simpler than what the manuals tell you to do.

]http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=15532.0]

For carb removal - if you have a stock air box - fairly simple but a bit of a PIA. Loosen the carb ring clamps fore & aft, unscrew the air box - 1 on top at base of tank - 2 either side  (take off side panels) - loose air box will give you a bit of wiggle room - pull carbs back then up - undo throttle cables.

For all your carb needs check out RPMs stuff esp. the screw & o ring kit of you rebuild them.

http://rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39&filter=Carb

For a factory service manual best bet is eBay like this one (though older model)

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-OEM-Owners-Manual-1987-FJ1200T-FJ1200TC-FJ1200-LIT-11626-05-58-/292032385316?hash=item43fe7c9124%3Ag%3AYKkAAOSwCU1YqQ93&_trkparms=pageci%253A710ecd2b-9815-11e7-a37c-74dbd1a0aab8%257Cparentrq%253A7882308c15e0abc0073c5760ffefe613%257Ciid%253A25

Since the bike didn't change much mechanically or electrically an older manual may be ok for your late model. Don't know if this particular example would be ok. I found mine at a wreckers. A Yamaha dealer may have one on a back shelf collecting dust that they are willing to part with.

Oh yeah. Welcome to the neighbourhood.  

[fjbiker84]

Hey Retcol, I'm familiar with South Texas.  My parents were "Winter Texans" living in Pharr, Texas, from the late 80s to early 2000s and I used to visit them every year during the winter months. I bought an early model FJ that had been sitting for 7+ years in a similar state - gas tank had been taken off the bike but had several gallons of gas in it.  My bike was stored in a basement away from the elements but still showed the effects of moisture and humidity over time.  You will need to clean the tank well. The carburators will need to be inspected and cleaned as you have noted.  Anything rubber is suspect - tires probably should be replaced.  Also, I would concentrate on the brake system.  Replace the brake lines.  Brake fluid will gum up master cylinders and calipers so consider rebuilding all those components including the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder.  Other that that, some fresh oil, new battery, and maybe a new set of plugs and she should be ready to go!  Welcome to the forum.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome, once you get the issues sorted you will have a very reliable and enjoyable ride on your hands.

[retcol]

Thanks everyone for your comments, I look forward to working on the bike. I've restored several older makes, but none with ABS brakes. I'm a little concerned about that because I have no experience with them. I plan on rebuilding the brake and clutch master cylinders and new pads in the calipers, rebuild the carbs and replace the brake lines due to age. The tires were "new" when the bike was stored away, but they are quite old now, so I'll replace them too. The drive chain is rusted badly, so a new one will be put on. With only 15K miles, the sprockets should be OK. I bought a new battery and checked out the electrics. All the lights work, the starter turns over strongly, so I think it will be a good machine once I get the above issues sorted out. Thanks again for all the help. Oh by the way fjbiker84, it was sunny and 82 here today, perfect riding weather. The 10 day forecast is for mid to high 70's clear days, great riding climate. You can ride year around here as we never get snow or ice and not that much rain. The Texas hill country has some great roads and scenery to ride on, you just have to watch out for all the deer that run across the roads!

[PaulG]

I've restored several older makes, but none with ABS brakes. I'm a little concerned about that because I have no experience with them.

If everything works as it should, working on abs brakes is no different than non abs. You just use more brake fluid when bleeding the system. Follow the manual's instructions right-left-then rear (IIRC).

If the abs system fails they just behave like normal brakes.  The only indication is the red flashing light on the dash and/or locking them up under hard braking.

Mine is one of the few out there I think that has had no issues with +230,000km on it.  I've only had one minor issue but it was with the battery.  I managed to buy some POS which wouldn't hold a charge. If it's too low the computer for the abs doesn't function properly and turns it off and flashes the light.  Most people just remove it if they run into problems cuz troubleshooting them is a PIA - so I've heard/read.  Unless you have some talent in that area.  You can shed +/- 20lbs by removing the pump etc.

... it was sunny and 82 here today, perfect riding weather. The 10 day forecast is for mid to high 70's clear days, great riding climate. You can ride year around here as we never get snow or ice and not that much rain.

Sure go ahead... rub it in