How many km is too many?

[Ozjavelin]

I'm looking for an FJ1100 in Australia and don't really want to pay more than about AU$3K .. and I want the red-and-white paint scheme (were they only available in the colour in '84?).  So the bikes I'm seeing typically have around 90-100,000km (about 62,000miles) on them.  Is this too high for an original engine?  My gut feeling tells me NO .. that as long as it sounds OK (what are unusual noises for an FJ .. my Kawasaki's make lots of noises, but they are "usual") and doesn't blow smoke it would be fine ..

[Flying Scotsman]

84-85 and 86 had Red and White 84-85 = 1100 cc 86 = 1200 cc
Them do make some noise at low rpm that is normal.

[Ozjavelin]

84-85 and 86 had Red and White 84-85 = 1100 cc 86 = 1200 cc
Them do make some noise at low rpm that is normal.

What's the noise generally?  Camchain, drivechain, cam clatter, etc?
BTW: The paint scheme I want is like yours!

[Flying Scotsman]

Cam chain and starter chain i bellieve.And no water jacket on the air cooled girl.I like the 85's looks the most but the 86 is 91 cc bigger.I just got a set of 1200 cylinders and pistons for my 85  so I will have a 85 1200.84 and 85 have the same fairing on them the 86 is slightly diferent.All 3 years look great the 86 having a bigger engine makes it more desireable to a lot of people.
Love the old girl I could use more power and a 6th gear though.

[Travis398]

sounds like you have great taste when it comes to motorcycles.

Not sure about Australia, but I believe in the U.S. red and white only happened in 85, 86, 87. (87 transposed the white and red)

[Pat Conlon]

Only in the USA were the first year '84's red and silver. In the rest of the world, the '84's were red and white.

[RichBaker]

I'm looking for an FJ1100 in Australia and don't really want to pay more than about AU$3K .. and I want the red-and-white paint scheme (were they only available in the colour in '84?).  So the bikes I'm seeing typically have around 90-100,000km (about 62,000miles) on them.  Is this too high for an original engine?  My gut feeling tells me NO .. that as long as it sounds OK (what are unusual noises for an FJ .. my Kawasaki's make lots of noises, but they are "usual") and doesn't blow smoke it would be fine ..

When I got my '90, with 2300 miles on her, the clutch rattles at idle, the cam moves slightly side-to-side and rattles at idle, the starter chain rattles at idle.....  Took her by my LYS(local Yam shop) and had them listen to her, I'd known the guys there for 7 or 8 years and trusted them... The owner/service manager took her for a ride and told me to buy her.... 75k miles later, she's still rattling at idle and running gangbusters!
Main thing is to watch for exhaust smoke and do a comp test on her, maybe a leakdown test.....

[FJ Flyer]

Red & White - three best years for the FJ, '85, '86, & '87.  Sitting at the Shady Vally County Store....seven freakin' years ago!!!!    

[SlowOldGuy]

HEY!  That's me, Frank and You!  Nice!!!!!

Man, I've got to get back there soon......

DavidR.

[racerman_27410]

Good times!


you both have good excuses.... you Child proofed your homes....  but they still got in!

[SlowOldGuy]

Yeah, it took 3 times, but we finally figured out where they were coming from.  Who would have guessed that it was the plumbing.  :-)

It took Chris a little longer to fix his leak.

Hey Chris, that looks like the year you did the front end upgrade.  I can tell because it looks like you have a working rear shock.  :-)

DavidR.