Hopefully soon to be owner! Question!

[Targan]

Hopefully soon to be owner in Phoenix, Az! I currently own the smaller cousin, a 1993 Seca 2 (XJ600 for you Europeans), and would love to upgrade. I will still be holding on to my Seca as it is "made" custom to be abused as a city bike lol. I Just had one question: Are these bikes money dumps with maintenance? I'm looking at this: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/mcy/4344176676.html and it seems to be in great condition with 47k miles. I'm just worried maintenance will add up faster than me saving for a much newer type of bike. I am super partial to yamaha and love older bikes, so I would love to get an FJ! Need something I can drive out of the city with. You guys are definitely an awesome forum! Cheers! 

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the group. 

For the most part the FJ is not a money pit. If a FJ has been sitting idle for a number of years, it may take a small investment in getting it running well and sorted out. Once that is done, it should be reliable as any bike 20 years newer.

This particular FJ has been up for sale for awhile. You will need to add into your decision that this bike has a 1314cc big bore kit installed. By the write up, it seems that is was well done and cared for bike. It should be a screamer and many more horses than a stock FJ. My advice for anyone purchasing this particular FJ would be to install a RPM 10 row oil cooler immediately upon purchase. specially if the bike stays in the Arizona desert.

Fred

[Targan]

Welcome to the group. 

For the most part the FJ is not a money pit. If a FJ has been sitting idle for a number of years, it may take a small investment in getting it running well and sorted out. Once that is done, it should be reliable as any bike 20 years newer.

This particular FJ has been up for sale for awhile. You will need to add into your decision that this bike has a 1314cc big bore kit installed. By the write up, it seems that is was well done and cared for bike. It should be a screamer and many more horses than a stock FJ. My advice for anyone purchasing this particular FJ would be to install a RPM 10 row oil cooler immediately upon purchase. specially if the bike stays in the Arizona desert.

Fred

Wow. That was exactly the answer I was looking for plus more! Thank you! By any chance could you provide me with a part number or model number for the oil cooler? I can't seem to find it with a google search. I'm assuming RPM is the brand and the 10 row is the type?

[Targan]

Oh i think I found it (or something else that works): http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AFJCoolerKit

[FJmonkey]

Welcome, Randy at RPM Racing is an FJ owner along with his wife, FJowners contributor (his call sign is racerrad8) and legends Racer/Builder. He has been helping us upgrade the FJ for many years and has developed some really good FJ custom equipment much like the 10 row oil cooler. I have his Spin-On oil filter adapter, fork cartridge valves (they are awesome), and in my garage waiting to be installed a set of Renntec engine case guards. I am saving up for his rear shock to complement his valves in front. Upgrading one's FJ is quite addictive, consider yourself warned....  

Because of this group I have greatly reduced the maintenance cost on my FJ. I have learned to service the brake and clutch master & slave sets. Remove and replace leaking seals in the case. Upgrade the rear wheel to 17" x 5.5" so I can run a modern 180 wide tire. Upgrade the front wheel to 17" x 3.5" to run a modern 120 wide front (a 120 on a 3.0" wheel is too pinched). Put on Blue dot front brake calipers and braided lines, the brakes feel twice as good now. Adjust the valves. Balance the carbs. Mount and balance my own wheels. Plastic weld to repair body parts. I am sure I am forgetting a few things but my FJ has not seen any mechanics other than myself in 15 years. That is a huge savings for me and keeps me riding into to the Kookalooo zone.  

[Targan]

Welcome, Randy at RPM Racing is an FJ owner along with his wife, FJowners contributor (his call sign is racerrad8) and legends Racer/Builder. He has been helping us upgrade the FJ for many years and has developed some really good FJ custom equipment much like the 10 row oil cooler. I have his Spin-On oil filter adapter, fork cartridge valves (they are awesome), and in my garage waiting to be installed a set of Renntec engine case guards. I am saving up for his rear shock to complement his valves in front. Upgrading one's FJ is quite addictive, consider yourself warned....  

Because of this group I have greatly reduced the maintenance cost on my FJ. I have learned to service the brake and clutch master & slave sets. Remove and replace leaking seals in the case. Upgrade the rear wheel to 17" x 5.5" so I can run a modern 180 wide tire. Upgrade the front wheel to 17" x 3.5" to run a modern 120 wide front (a 120 on a 3.0" wheel is too pinched). Put on Blue dot front brake calipers and braided lines, the brakes feel twice as good now. Adjust the valves. Balance the carbs. Mount and balance my own wheels. Plastic weld to repair body parts. I am sure I am forgetting a few things but my FJ has not seen any mechanics other than myself in 15 years. That is a huge savings for me and keeps me riding into to the Kookalooo zone.  

Wow that's awesome! Reminds me of the forum XJRider where I frequent. I love forums like these. I love learning maintenance, but my issue is that I don't have the space (apartment) to do it or most of the tools. I'm lucky though because my mechanic is a "mom and pop shop" guy, is super friendly, and gives me a lot of discounts or does stuff I don't even ask him too lol. I learned all of the basics with my Seca 2 (how to replace parts, and basic maintenance like chain lube and oil change), and I understand the concepts of how an engine works, but I have a huge way to go still. What got me into 2 wheels is a 50cc motorized bicycle I got years back for my first mode of transportation. I could take that thing apart and rebuild it easily lol. I haven't even looked at a 4 wheeled vehicle since then.

[FJmonkey]

I guess you need to make a few FJ friends in your area. I just checked ZeeMaps https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=724879#. Looks like one possibility. Not everyone is on the map, if you don't pin yourself on it then you don't show. 

[rlucas]

I Just had one question: Are these bikes money dumps with maintenance?

Welcome!

It's as much of a money pit as you care to make it. 

It's almost as maintenance-free as a ball-peen hammer. Well, maybe a shiny, fast ball-peen hammer.  It'll take a pretty fair amount of neglect (not that I'd advocate that) and still function. As mentioned, there is the danger of Moditis setting in; it appears that you've already been exposed, and this forum will only increase the likelihood of infection. It's inevitable. Just go with it. There is no cure, but the inmates here can offer plenty of advice when it comes to dealing with the symptoms.


rossi

[movenon]

I Just had one question: Are these bikes money dumps with maintenance?

Welcome!

It's as much of a money pit as you care to make it. 

It's almost as maintenance-free as a ball-peen hammer. Well, maybe a shiny, fast ball-peen hammer.  It'll take a pretty fair amount of neglect (not that I'd advocate that) and still function. As mentioned, there is the danger of Moditis setting in; it appears that you've already been exposed, and this forum will only increase the likelihood of infection. It's inevitable. Just go with it. There is no cure, but the inmates here can offer plenty of advice when it comes to dealing with the symptoms.


rossi

How true....... Any toy is a money pit .  This one is pushing 25 years old.  Queit possably a very nice bike requiring nothing.  But plan for something and you will be happier. 
George

[FJscott]

Welcome to the group. 

For the most part the FJ is not a money pit. If a FJ has been sitting idle for a number of years, it may take a small investment in getting it running well and sorted out. Once that is done, it should be reliable as any bike 20 years newer.

This particular FJ has been up for sale for awhile. You will need to add into your decision that this bike has a 1314cc big bore kit installed. By the write up, it seems that is was well done and cared for bike. It should be a screamer and many more horses than a stock FJ. My advice for anyone purchasing this particular FJ would be to install a RPM 10 row oil cooler immediately upon purchase. specially if the bike stays in the Arizona desert.

Fred

Wow. That was exactly the answer I was looking for plus more! Thank you! By any chance could you provide me with a part number or model number for the oil cooler? I can't seem to find it with a google search. I'm assuming RPM is the brand and the 10 row is the type?

+1 on the cooler. I live in South Florida and while at stop lights I could smell the engine getting hot. I bought the larger cooler from RPM.
before installing it I took the bike on a spirited ride then shot cylinder temps with a infaared heat detector gun. installed the cooler, did the same spirited ride on the same day and shot the cylinder temp and found the cooler dropped temps by 30 deg F.

Scott

[Targan]

Lol loving this place more and more. Thanks for all the input guys