Ron from Minnesota

[Ront]

Hi everyone I trailered home an '86 FJ1200 yesterday and posted a couple questions on your forum and was amazed at the quick responses.  Thanks again. I recently restored a 1979 Kawasaki kz1300 that I then sold. I live in frozen Minnesota with our short riding season. I want to get this FJ running right but I'm kind of on a budget. The bike has a Vance and Hines pipe that I was disappointed to find I have to drop to change oil?

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Ron, I have an 86' as well. The oil can be drained without removing the pipes. There is a plug you can remove and get most of the oil out. I am just not sure which plug that is. Has the bike sat for a long period, say 4 months or more? If it was not prepped for storage the carbs will need a good cleaning or it will not idle off the choke. As you have discovered we are very active and helpful, the FJ is our passion. Enjoy the asylum, attend a rally and meet some of us Kookaloo jonesing whack jobs.

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the group Ron.   Yes the V & H pipes are a pain for oil changes. From your other posts, you are very familiar with some of the FJ's quirks already. There are a few members up north that may be near you. Pin yourself on the map and see where all the members are.

https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=724879#

Fred

[Pat Conlon]

Hello Ron, again welcome. Thanks for the introduction....
There is a oil line to the cooler you can remove to drain the oil. It's the left side fitting where the line connects to the oil pan. You don't remove the line, leave it connected to the fitting, just remove the fitting from the oil pan. I replaced the 2 Allen head bolts on the fitting with some conventional 10mm head bolts. That allowed me to get a 10mm ratchet box wrench in between the header tubes and the fitting bolts for easier access. Removing and reinstalling this fitting for oil changes, requires me to replace the o ring on the fitting after the 4th oil change. I do this just to be safe.  No biggie, I bought a dozen o rings (they're cheap) which should last me for awhile.

I leave the bike on it's side stand, as the bike leans to the left it helps get all the oil to that side of the oil pan.
It's kind of a mess, getting oil on the #1/2 header tubes, but some S100 soap and a quick squirt, all is well.

FYI, stay tuned, RPM is coming out with a superior exhaust system that will allow access to the oil pan drain bolt.
Cheers

[Ront]

Thanks to you both for the great info

[Joe Sull]

Welcome Ron, your arctic air is moving over this way and were all tickled pink about it. 0 tonight and -7 tomorrow.

[Ront]

Thanks   I'm tired of winter  I'd welcome some global warming

[movenon]

Thanks   I'm tired of winter  I'd welcome some global warming

Welcome again Ron !
George