Maintenance for FJ that has sat a while

[IIIIllIlIllIIllI]

Hi,

I recently bought my first motorcycle, a 90 fj-1200. It runs but sat for 2-3 years before I got it. I was wondering what maintenance items I should check before I start riding it? It does need some minor work, the front brakes need to be replaced, oil and fluid change, clutch needs to be bled, etc. I'm new to motorcycles but am quite mechanically inclined. I do have a few specific questions:

I've read about replacing the front calipers with R1 or YZF calipers as a direct bolt on, what years are a direct fit?

How and do I need to check the valves for adjustment?

Thanks, Jake.

[FJmonkey]

Hi,

I recently bought my first motorcycle, a 90 fj-1200. It runs but sat for 2-3 years before I got it. I was wondering what maintenance items I should check before I start riding it? It does need some minor work, the front brakes need to be replaced, oil and fluid change, clutch needs to be bled, etc. I'm new to motorcycles but am quite mechanically inclined. I do have a few specific questions:

I've read about replacing the front calipers with R1 or YZF calipers as a direct bolt on, what years are a direct fit?

How and do I need to check the valves for adjustment?

Thanks, Jake.

Time to down load a service manual for you my friend.... look in the files section.

[Dan Filetti]

Hi,

I recently bought my first motorcycle, a 90 fj-1200. It runs but sat for 2-3 years before I got it. I was wondering what maintenance items I should check before I start riding it? It does need some minor work, the front brakes need to be replaced, oil and fluid change, clutch needs to be bled, etc. I'm new to motorcycles but am quite mechanically inclined. I do have a few specific questions:

I've read about replacing the front calipers with R1 or YZF calipers as a direct bolt on, what years are a direct fit?

How and do I need to check the valves for adjustment?

Thanks, Jake.

Lots of things are worth checking, generally.  Do a search I know this subject has been covered.  

The clutch 'needing to be bled' is most probably bad slave seals.  Look for missing/ peeling black paint down by your left foot/ clutch slave housing.  If you see it, it's a sure sign that corrosive brake fluid has leaked out, and caused the paint to peel -at least at one point.

The slave seals are a known weak point on these bikes, so my guess is this is your issue, -not just 'it needs bleeding'.  When/ if you do discover I'm right, get a Clutch Rebuild Kit from Randy, and re-build it. If you are mechanically inclined, this should be a piece of cake.

Welcome here BTW.

Dan  

[Dads_FJ]

My systematic approach when buying a bike is to check the bike over from the front and work my way back.  Front brakes, front tire, wheel bearings, fork seals, fork rebound/dampening, steering head bearings, brake fluid color, oil leaks, exhaust, shock, headlight, blinkers, tail lamp running and brake lamp, swing arm bushings, chain, rear tire... Some items are more detrimental to your safety and should be addressed first.

[andyb]

Nothing to add other than once it's known to be safe, a good hard romp is a good thing for motors that have sat awhile.

Best username EVER, incidentally.

[cyclenutk75]

I've read about replacing the front calipers with R1 or YZF calipers as a direct bolt on, what years are a direct fit?

How and do I need to check the valves for adjustment?

Thanks, Jake.

I used 2002 R6 calipers and master cylinder on my 89 as a direct bolt-on.  I know 98-02 R6 calipers are the same.
I believe some of the later gold spots will work, too.  Sould fit the same on a 90 FJ.  Might as well upgrade to braided lines at the same time, if you don't already have them.  Search the files - I'm sure there's a list of compatible R6/R1 years.  I found everything I needed to do the swap in the files.  Haynes or Clymer manual available on ebay or amazon will tell you everything you need to know about checking valve clearance. 

Good luck with the new scoot and welcome aboard.
GT

[RichBaker]

I've read about replacing the front calipers with R1 or YZF calipers as a direct bolt on, what years are a direct fit?

How and do I need to check the valves for adjustment?

Thanks, Jake.

I used 2002 R6 calipers and master cylinder on my 89 as a direct bolt-on.  I know 98-02 R6 calipers are the same.
I believe some of the later gold spots will work, too.  Sould fit the same on a 90 FJ.  Might as well upgrade to braided lines at the same time, if you don't already have them.  Search the files - I'm sure there's a list of compatible R6/R1 years.  I found everything I needed to do the swap in the files.  Haynes or Clymer manual available on ebay or amazon will tell you everything you need to know about checking valve clearance. 

Good luck with the new scoot and welcome aboard.
GT

Welcome.... Any of the blue or gold spot calipers will work, as long as they are NOT radial-mount. I forget what year the R6/1s went to radial, might have been '03. So, any R1, R6, FZ, YZF-600 or Warrior will provide calipers that will mount up.

[Harvy]

I've read about replacing the front calipers with R1 or YZF calipers as a direct bolt on, what years are a direct fit?

How and do I need to check the valves for adjustment?

Thanks, Jake.

I used 2002 R6 calipers and master cylinder on my 89 as a direct bolt-on.  I know 98-02 R6 calipers are the same.
I believe some of the later gold spots will work, too.  Sould fit the same on a 90 FJ.  Might as well upgrade to braided lines at the same time, if you don't already have them.  Search the files - I'm sure there's a list of compatible R6/R1 years.  I found everything I needed to do the swap in the files.  Haynes or Clymer manual available on ebay or amazon will tell you everything you need to know about checking valve clearance. 

Good luck with the new scoot and welcome aboard.
GT

Welcome.... Any of the blue or gold spot calipers will work, as long as they are NOT radial-mount. I forget what year the R6/1s went to radial, might have been '03. So, any R1, R6, FZ, YZF-600 or Warrior will provide calipers that will mount up.

I believe the switch to radial calipers was in mid '03...... I have early '03 non-radial gold dots.

Harvy

[andyb]

On the R1, radial brakes were offically introduced for the 2004 model.  The R6 got them in 2005.  It looks to me like some of the FZ models also used the monobloc calipers (including the FZ8) but I'm unwilling to guess if they're on the same centers.  XJR calipers from 1999 onwards are also the blue spots.  The same brakes were apparently used on the Warrior as well.

They were available with a variety of center colors, including blue, yellow, and silver.

[RichBaker]

On the R1, radial brakes were offically introduced for the 2004 model.  The R6 got them in 2005.  It looks to me like some of the FZ models also used the monobloc calipers (including the FZ8) but I'm unwilling to guess if they're on the same centers.  XJR calipers from 1999 onwards are also the blue spots.  The same brakes were apparently used on the Warrior as well.

They were available with a variety of center colors, including blue, yellow, and silver.

I'd be willing to put a beer or 2 on it..... Cheaper to stock and source the parts that way. Same pads, same forging dies, less $$$.