Advice please: '86 FJ w/10000 miles

[GFunkyMonkey]

Hey all, a new member of this group as I just inherited an '86 FJ1100. Serious question for those on here...in need of advice, actually.

The FJ has been sitting for several years. I will need to either redo the carbs, or replace them completely. There is damage to the fairings...an easy fix unless I get replacements.

Here is the million-dollar question: is it worth restoring, having only 10k miles on it, with the intent to sell?

TIA

Greg

[Millietant]

It really all does hinge on it's overall condition and the work that needs doing to it.

Old tyres will need replacing, will probably need a new battery, then there's old brake hoses, Carbs will need a thorough cleaning and overhaul, then all the other fluids will need a flush. You're already into a number of $100's before you discover anything nasty.

Plastics can be very expensive to replace and if the bike isn't already near to mint condition, the bike won't be worth a great deal even if you fix up the existing plastics.

If your aim is to move it on, I think you'll have just as much money at the end of the day if you just get it going, see how it runs and sell it as is.

On the other hand.....bring it back to life and RIDE IT 

[giantkiller]

First thing to check is the condition of the tank inside. Rust can be very bad and it will look great on the outside. I have one that only had 10,000 miles. On it was stored in a heated garage for 14+ years. Was put away with a full tank. Only had a couple of inches of gas left. But rust wasn't bad. But Brakes and clutch were completely toast. Carbs and Tank took a  couple of years before stuff stopped clogging it up. And that was after 2 very thorough tank cleanings. You can't run a filter on a gravity fed 1200cc's
If you can restore everything Replace anything that had brake fluid. For less than $4000. You can probably get $4500.
I just got an 84 1100 with 7800miles on it. It has an electrical problem. For free. Got the 86 with 10,000 on it for $600. But that was 10 years ago.
It's definitely worth it. If you're going to ride it and enjoy one of the best all around bikes ever made.
And most importantly it still looks like a new bike. At taco bell/gas statiion yesterday. Everyone who walked past my fj1350r looked at it as they were walking by. Had 3 people walk over to it and walk around it. One guy pulled his truck over to a parking spot. Got out of his truck and walked over. Walked around it. Stood and looked at it. Then walked back to his truck and left. I  always wonder what they are thinking. When they do that.

Restore- enjoy it first. Then sell it.

Oh yah an 86 is a 1200.  84-85 1100's. My fj1350r  is self made 86.

RPM. The sights sponsor is your life saver for everything fj. Unbelievably awesome people.

[Troyskie]

We recently pulled my brothers 1100 out of the shed after sitting for 3-4 years.

It has way more k's on it, well over 600,000km, just about all of those were done by my Bro.

We replaced the carbies with a new set.

Flushed the tank, oil change, service, new tyres and fixed an electrical gremlin which was why it was parked up to begin with.

Basically a few days of beers and work on the bike at a very leisurely pace that could probably have been done in a day.

One long test ride, then we rode across Australia.

As long as the tank is ok & the cosmetics are salvageable just give it a thorough service and you should be fine (wire the petcock).

A full resto is expensive, I'd suggest a good service and really good clean, fairings off etc. then if it is a runner, have fun riding before you sell.
If second gear pops out you have to split the cases.

My suggested list, including the above is:

Tank flush and inspection
Wire the petcock if it is not already
Replace the OEM brake lines, do a master kit while you're at it (the sight glass is plastic and might need replacing). You can leave the OEM lines in for the moment if they are not perished.
Change the clutch fluid and do a master kit while you're at it. Also I would assume the clutch slave is likely ready to go, so either do a slave rebuild kit or get a new slave from RPM.
Replace the clutch fibres and do the simple clutch mod (remove and throw away the wire retainer, swap the smaller fibre plate for a standard size. See the files section it is an easy mod)
Change the oil if you get it running.
Depending on your personal skill, do the shims when you do the oil change (must be dead cold i.e. 24 hr cold), if not a local service mob should be able to do the shims.
May as well put new spark plugs in if they are OEM ones.
Swap out the carbies with a new set from RPM, it is a bit more cash for the new carbies, but will save you ages in chasing the issues from old petrol.
New tyres if they're more than 5 years old.

Troyskie

[Pat Conlon]

You got the bike free so that is a good starting point. Answer these Questions:
1) How proficient are you with motorcycles?
Good = proceed to next question. Inexperienced = Stop, don't bother, sell it.
2) What's your budget?
Less than $1k = Good, proceed to next question. Over $1k? Stop. Forget about it.
3) What's your expected sale price?
$2k or less = Good. $2k-$3k = Maybe. Over $3k = Delusional.

The above questions apply only if you want to fix it to sell it, and expect any type of return on your investment.
The above questions do not apply for a bike that you fall in love with and want to keep it for a rider.
In that case, the sky's the limit.