1993 FJ 1200

[Tex]

Hi all,  I am looking into buying a 1993 FJ 1200. Its ran well before it was garaged for 10 years. The owner is asking $1200. what do you all think? She needs tires has 50,000. I'm getting rid of my Harley. I''ve always loved this bike. I want a better handling bike and a more comfortable bike so my wife and I can go for road trips. Thanks in advanced for your help.

[FJscott]

Welcome to the group Tex.
The FJ is a great bike and 93 is a good year. $1200 is a fair price however, 10 years in a garage can be more damaging than 10 years of running. Be prepared to replace tires, battery, carb rebuilds, fuel pump, all fluids and filters. If you are handy with tools there are many very talented pros on this site that can assist you with anything you come across. Randy at RPM is one you can count on and has many of the parts you will need.
The end result will be a great bike that you and your wife will enjoy. I too sold my harley and picked up a 92FJ
Ill never go back to a harley. Good luck and let us know what you do. If you decide on the FJ post some pics.

Scott

[Capn Ron]

Tex,

If you're looking to improve hadling over your Harley, about anyting is a step in the right direction...and the FJ is a fine choice.  I've ridden my '92 from 200 to 650 miles a day for weeks at a time and find it to be a very comfortable road trip bike.

$1200 sure *sounds* like a bargain, but I'm not standing in front of it to pick up on the obvious issues. 
At 50,000 miles and not being ridden for 10 years, I can think of a few things you might want to watch for:

* Carbs will be gummed up and could use a good cleaning
* It might smoke at start up due to compressed/stuck rings
* Valve seals may leak causing some smoking
* The fuel tank may have surface rust/scale in it that will need to be cleaned out
* You already mentioned tires...the old rubber needs to go

Other than that, you'd have a fine bike on your hands and a great group of fellow FJ-ers here to guide you through repairs, upgrades or to join you for a ride!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[Pat Conlon]

Hey Tex, that's a good price for a good bike. A FJ with 50k miles is just broken in, as long as it has been treated well......And treated well is the key.
After a 10 year storage, here are a couple of things to budget for:
1)of course new tires...but how does the chain look? Any tight spots?
2) and new brake lines and new fluids, including oil and oil filter (get a RPM spin on filter adaptor, it's great)
3) a new battery, and
4) figure in a complete a carb cleaning...you can do this your self (if you want to take the time to learn how to do it correctly) or to get you started, I recommend that you send them to Randy@ RPM (He does good work)
5) figure a new fuel filter and a complete cleaning of the fuel tank.
6) adjust the valves (cold engine)

Once you do the above, go ahead and fire her up....
7) sync the carbs (unnecessary if Randy does the carb cleaning, he will bench sync them for you, dead nuts)
8 ) set the idle to 1100 rpm and then ride her....

After a while, with the engine warm, do a compression check, we can go from there....Report back

Hope this helps....Welcome Tex!   Pat

[movenon]

Hello and welcome to the forum  .

Your question is loaded with a ton of variables. As far as 1200 for a 1993 FJ. If its all there and in decent condition then it is a good price. Expect that with its age, mileage and being down for 10 years that you are going to have to spend some money and time to get her back up in running condition. The carbs probably need to be cleaned and rebuilt, what condition is the chain in and sprockets ? Is all the plastic there ? You will need a new battery. Doing your own work expect to pay around : Carbs 200.00 worth of parts, chain 150.00 to 200.00 , sprockets 50.00 - 75.00, battery 60 - 100.00.
The clutch slave's tend to need rebuilding, another 50-80.00. Tires, another 250-350.00. Now what condition is the engine in....?  These all ball park numbers here in the U.S. .
           
Go to http://www.rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39 and look at some of the parts and prices. Randy at RPM is an active member here.

You might mention where you live, another member might be able to help you check it out. Your 1200.00 can easily turn into 2000 to 2500.00. Still not much considering. Occasionally really nice FJ's turn up for 1500 - 2500 dollars so if you can end up in that price area after getting it up to speed then you are good. However mine is priceless..... "Can't put a price on a good time"  

They are a fun bike and have a worldwide following. Lots of support, parts and good times. Check out the "Rally" section to see some in action.
George

[Tex]

Thank you all for the quick responses.    Sorry I meant to tell you guys that I am from Ct. I will be looking at her tomorrow. The guy who is selling it is a friend from a K-9 Search and Rescue team that I belong to. Every time I got o his place I see it, but never have been this close to buying it, so tomorrow I will take a real good look. It has been in his storage facility so A/C and Heat. i figured on the cleaning the carbs, New battery and flid changes. I hope the fuel pump is good. I've done lots of work my self on the Harley and my first Bike was a older Ninja that I got up and running so hopefully with you guys giving some needed help I will get her running like new. thanks again. I will let you all know what I do..

[Tex]

BTW she comes with Givi suitcases, Top and side also upgraded lights. And yes all plastic is there. He said when he parked her for the last time she was running beautifully.

[movenon]

Sounds like a great garage find ! If you get it post some pictures, we like pictures  .
George

[markmartin]

Welcome Tex.  For what it's worth, I bought my '89 a few years ago with 46000 miles and paid $2200. It had been sitting for 3 years before the PO  brought it back to life with a carb cleaning and clutch slave kit.  I've done a bunch of stuff to upgrade it since, but the point is that it was worth every penny.

I ride with my wife as pillion when we can find the time.  I'd suggest an aftermarket seat with a backrest for riding two up.  Either a Corbin Gunfighter and Lady or a Daylong Seat.  http://www.day-long.com/index.html

The Corbin Gunfighter and Lady makes for a great solo seat also.

Of course, check it out for anything obvious, and what others have said is all good information.  'Buying it from a friend for $1200---I'd feel pretty  confident that you're getting a good deal.  Also, the FJ's great platform for modification to your personal preferences if the bug catches you.

Oh, BTW, I spent almost as much as your going to pay for the whole bike on just hard luggage.  So, yeah it's a buy!

[Capn Ron]

BTW she comes with Givi suitcases, Top and side also upgraded lights. And yes all plastic is there. He said when he parked her for the last time she was running beautifully.

Yeah...I've got over a grand into the three Givi hard cases and mounting setup.  AND it has all of it's fairings in good shape?  If you don't buy it, I will (seriously)!   

Cap'n Ron. . .

[Tex]

Yes all fairings are in great shape. Front one was actually new when it was parked. You guys are getting me excited to buy this bike. Like I said my main concern would be my wife being comfortable riding on the back. Those day long seats look sweet. They say FJR will they fit on the FJ? They are a little expensive so that will be something I will have to save for unless my Harley sells quicker then I think.

[markmartin]

Those day long seats look sweet.  They say FJR will they fit on the FJ?  

You'll need a seat pan from an FJ.  Daylong will re-foam and reupholster that seat pan.   You really want a Corbin Gunfighter and Lady  seat pan with a backrest receptor.  You'll need to modify a Corbin backrest (needs a longer shaft to work with the Daylong) but it will work.  

They are a little expensive

Yes.  But cheaper than owning a two-up bike AND a solo bike. The FJ will do both.  But yeah, the seat is expensive. Like the name sake, they are nice when out all day.  My wife loves it.  With that said, we rode for 3 years on a Corbin Gunfighter and Lady seat and were happy.   The Corbin's a good 2-up seat, the Daylong is more plush and more supportive.

[Tex]

Ok so I'm buying the FJ.    if I pull the carbs out and clean them out would a dealer/Bike shop be able to sync them with out them being on the bike?  Is this something I can do?  Is there away to take them off and putt them back on the same way so they don't have to be sync?

Should I be posting these questions in a different category? I will take pictures as soon as I pick her up. 

[movenon]

Ok so I'm buying the FJ.    if I pull the carbs out and clean them out would a dealer/Bike shop be able to sync them with out them being on the bike?  Is this something I can do?  Is there away to take them off and putt them back on the same way so they don't have to be sync?

Should I be posting these questions in a different category? I will take pictures as soon as I pick her up.  

Good ! IF you had the correct equipment then yes they could be bench synced but that's probably not going to happen at the dealer IMO. They are best synced on the bike (by you). Not hard, you can buy a carb syncing tool for under a 100.00 or build one for 15.00.

First tip since you bring up the fact of pulling the carbs.
Pull the seat
Pull the tank
Disconnect the cables
Unbolt the air box (2 , 10mm bolts on the sides and one on top)

Here's the "tip" part... Unbolt the 2 top bolts left and right side of the front side of the rear subframe,  I think they are 17mm ? This will allow the sub frame to swing down so you can get the air box out of the way. A lot of owners convert to "Uni Duel pod filters" http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Carb%3ARPMPod&cat=24 to eliminate the air box. Not required, just makes things easier in the future.

As a preventive measure there are 4 "O"  rings between the manifolds and the engine. Now is a good time to put new ones in.

Go into the Files section and study some of the information on carbration. Back to syncing. The syncing tool is something you will use quiet often during your FJ ownership.

The  "Maintenance" area of the forum is where most of these questions are answered. Ask question first, cheaper and easier...  

George

[FJ1100mjk]

Dan Filetti is offering his carb synch tool as a loaner. See his post at the first page of the Maintenance section.