Hello from wv

[jjz28]

My name is jeff and I currently own a 1979 xs1100 special and a 1977 xs750.  I may be purchasing a 1990 fj1200 today that has 9,098 miles on it.  It was in storage a long time and the carbs were just gone through and runs good now but the clutch isn't working.  I have never messed with a hydraulic clutch.  The bike looks very good.  I talked him down to $2000 if he can get the clutch fixed and it runs and rides good.  What do you guys think, is that a good deal with low miles and great condition?  Is the clutch probably just gummed up and needs took apart and cleaned?  Thank you.

[motohorseman]

If he gets it operational that's a fair price, IMO.

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the group, 

With the longevity of the storage, the seals on the clutch slave cylinder have more than likely cracked and leaking. A rebuild kit and complete slave cylinder replacements are available.

Rebiuld kit.

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Clutch%3AS%2FK&cat=39

Complete slave cylinder

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Clutch%3Aslavecyl

Fred

[ribbert]

I may be purchasing a 1990 fj1200 today that has 9,098 miles on it. 

The first thing I would do is look for some other indications around the bike to substantiate such a low mileage. They exist but I'm never prepared to take one at face value without something to back it up.

If the mileage is genuine, it will be a mixed blessing. The overall condition, cosmetics and plastics should be pristine but when bikes that have sat that long are returned to service is not uncommon to have hydraulic failures, fork, fuel and oil leaks soon after. Every thing that should be soft goes hard. You can also get corrosion in master and slave cylinders. The tyres will be rock hard and dangerous, the suspension most likely stiff. You will need to clean out and replace the lube in pivot points, cables etc.

Having said that, I genuine low mileage bike is a gem of a find and any of the issues I mentioned should not deter you from buying it, these are also jobs frequently needed on any used bike.

My point is, don't proceed without expecting to spend a bit of time and money on it just because it's low mileage, time takes it toll as well.

I can't comment on price, not being local, but if the bike has no accident damage and the mileage is genuine. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It would be a rare find indeed and worth snapping up.

No doubt others have different opinions on low mileage bikes, but that's my experience for what it's worth.

Noel

[movenon]

Welcome to the group Jeff! As Noel said "My point is, don't proceed without expecting to spend a bit of time and money on it just because it's low mileage, time takes it toll as well."

But it sounds like a good deal and the price is right or close enough. The clutch truthfully is usually an easy fix. For 2,000 and that low of miles I would buy as is (might push the price down 100-200.00) and just fix it your self..  There will be things that you will want to look at for safety reasons, brake hoses, flush out the old fluids, new tires etc. but you are probably aware of all that.  Don't be surprised if you have some initial running problems (minor) with carbs if it has been sitting.  I know you said the owner "rebuilt" the carbs but there is "rebuilt" and then there is cleaned up to get the thing running and sold.  Lots of help here and advice.  Not much on an FJ that someone here hasn't done or been around.

Lots of parts are still available as they were sold world wide. Post a picture if and when you get her home ! Ride safe.  Check out one of the rallies this summer if you get a chance.
George (I also have a 1990)

[jscgdunn]

Welcome,
Unless they have been changed out for brand new ones, the foot pegs and grips should not be worn off at all with that mileage.

I with Noel...if as good as it sounds...jump on it!

Jeff

[jjz28]

Welcome to the group Jeff! As Noel said "My point is, don't proceed without expecting to spend a bit of time and money on it just because it's low mileage, time takes it toll as well."

But it sounds like a good deal and the price is right or close enough. The clutch truthfully is usually an easy fix. For 2,000 and that low of miles I would buy as is (might push the price down 100-200.00) and just fix it your self..  There will be things that you will want to look at for safety reasons, brake hoses, flush out the old fluids, new tires etc. but you are probably aware of all that.  Don't be surprised if you have some initial running problems (minor) with carbs if it has been sitting.  I know you said the owner "rebuilt" the carbs but there is "rebuilt" and then there is cleaned up to get the thing running and sold.  Lots of help here and advice.  Not much on an FJ that someone here hasn't done or been around.

Lots of parts are still available as they were sold world wide. Post a picture if and when you get her home ! Ride safe.  Check out one of the rallies this summer if you get a chance.
George (I also have a 1990)


Thanks for the replies guys.  I didn't mean rebuilt carbs, he just cleaned them and his running good is not running good.  I talked to the guy who helped him clean the carbs to get it back running and he said it is leaking gas while running at lower rpms.  I know this could be several things, float levels, needle valve seals, floats sticking, etc.  I really looked the bike over really good and am confident it is actual miles.  That was my first thing to look at know anyone can switch out the guage cluster.  It has never been layed down, no scratches, but does have a little triangle piece broke off near the headlight.  When I talked to the guy that helped him get it running, it made me mad because the owner told me it was running good, just had the clutch issue, so he was lying to me.  I know he needs money pretty bad.  Also the guy who helped him sounded like he didn't know much.  I asked him about float levels and bench synching before putting the carbs on bike and he had no idea what that was.  I would have been better off buying it apart and doing it myself.  So, I don't know what I am going to do yet.  I found a 1986 red and white (the color I wanted) that was just inspected and runs good with 19K miles on it about 4 hours from me.  It is in good shape too, not perfect.  Is there much a difference in the 86 and 90?  Thanks guys.

[aviationfred]

It is in good shape too, not perfect.  Is there much a difference in the 86 and 90?  Thanks guys.

[/quote]

There are differences between a 86' and a 90'.

86' - 16" front wheel                        90' - 17" front wheel
86' - Anti-dive front forks                 90' - No anti-dive
86' - Gravity fed carbs                     90' - Fuel pump fed carbs
86' - Scissor link rear suspension      90' - Dog bone type rear suspension
86' - Hard mounted footpeg brackets 90' - Rubber mounted footpeg brackets
86' - 2 piston front calipers               90' - 4 piston front calipers

I am sure there are a couple of other differences.
There are no main fairing parts, including the shrouds around the instruments and between the fairing and fuel tank that are interchangeable. The 1990 main fairing is 2" taller and 2" wider than the 1986.

Hope this helps some.

Fred