Hello from Down Under

[Allanl]

Hi All, new to the group, from Geelong Victoria and I currently have a '85 FJ1100 from new!. Hasn't been ridden (or started) in awhile (around 9 years).
Just doing some maintenance now to get it up and running again. Any suggestions greatly accepted.
Al

[FJmonkey]

Good on ya Al, bring her back to Kookaloo condition and rider her like you stole her from the police.....

Welcome to the club, you have a good year for a sporty FJ. Keep posting dude.

[Harvy]

Welcome here Allan...... plenty of FJ owners on this forum here in Aus and one or 2 down your neck of the woods.....Arnie will probably be your nearest.

First thing to take care of is the fuel system _ if it has been sitting for 9 years anything in the tank will have turned to jelly by now and the carbs will be in need of striping and taking a good long bath in an ultrasonic cleaner.
When you re-assemble them, replace all the philips head screws with allan heads (you will probably figure that out for yourself when you try to undo the screws and find they are rubbish).
Once the fuel system is all nice and clean, replace the oil in the crank and see how you go starting her. CHeck all the frame, suspension and wheel bearings, make sure you have working brakes and clutch (bleed/clean and replace fluids). A new set of plugs would probably not hurt. Make sure the fuel line from the tank to the carbs is not perished ( don't want her to burn to the ground) and that the petcock is not leaking. Inspect the wiring loom for any rodent incursion and make sure all loom connectors are cleaned. Check the air filter is still in one piece.

Chain and sprocket? lube the chain!

Ride!

Harvy

[movenon]

Welcome Allen. You have lots of good help in OZ and no end to help here on the forum. The FJ is an easy bike to work on, or at least a lot easier than some. Try to get a service manual when you can. They are on ebay often. Ask questions as you go   
George

[charleygofast]

Welcome! Great story...good luck with bringin her back, as you can see you'll get lots of advice here and encourgament to help you along. Keep us posted!            Cheers!                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Charley.                                                          P.S. check all hoses and rubber items and replace any and all that are dry, hard or cracked!

[ribbert]

Hi All, new to the group, from Geelong Victoria......
Al

Hi Al, Geelong born and bred here (now in Melb), I ride down there often. Where in Geelong are you?

As previously mentioned, Arnie lives near you and is one of the most knowledgeable blokes on the forum on FJ's and bikes in general, and he's right on your door step at Lethbridge. He is very generous with his time and I doubt there is anything you need to know that he can't help with.

Noel

[mr blackstock]

G'day,

I was living in Geelong a few years ago, currently in Ararat, "land of the Kangaroo"

Mine is also an '85 1100.  These bikes will not tolerate a dirty carb, I had to re-clean mine a few times until she consented to run nicely.  Does your suspension squeak?  If it does the bushes will need replacing.  Be very wary of peter stevens in Geelong, they are expensive and often get parts wrong.  Do not take your bike there for work, I know of a few people who regretted it.  Road and River in Geelong have a good reputation for tyres and mechanical work, they also do RWC's.

For parts and supplies:
http://www.rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39 -Great products, offers massive support for FJ owners

http://victordrummond.net/ -Lives in Western Aussie, heaps of good parts, great prices.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1985/FJ1100N/parts.html -I bought heaps of suspension parts from these people, MUCH cheaper than sourcing it through a dealership.

When you get around to checking the carbs out, your diaphragms will most likely need replacing, genuine ones are really expensive, I bought a full set off these people in the states, great products, and they have been in my bike for a few years now with great results: http://jbmindustries.com/

Lastly, there is heaps of great write ups and information in the files section.

cheers, Gareth

[Allanl]

Hi Guys, thanks for the warm welcome, lots of advice so far, some I have done, some I am going to and some I didn't think of doing, thank you one and all.
I currently live in Belmont just the other side of the city.

I am the first to admit, I am mechanically challenged but happy to have a go at most things (as long as I have a fair idea of what I am trying to do). Will get the service repair manual first and take a look. Reluctant to spend to much money (finances are tight this time of year). All I have currently spent is time & effort as well as 2 screws (from Peter Stevens $1.30) that hold the cover plate to the clutch reservoir as the had burred, RH mirror off ebay (waiting to be delivered) and a new set of plugs.

Giving the bike a good clean, lubed the chain & sprocket already, next effort is a good oil change a new battery and see if the electrics still work.

Will keep you posted.
Cheers for now
Al

[roverfj1200]

Hello and welcome

[momodasaint]

hi allan, i have the same year and model. they are bulletproof as im sure you know. I have met Harvy, listen to what he said, you will not go wrong.  I had a few very unique issues with mine, so dont hesitate to ask, if i can assist I would only be too happy to help.  You have a nice complete bike there from the looks. I'm sort of jealous, but it would be great if you could take a heap of close ups , as i wish to restore mine, so alot of good pics of a good example like yours is what i need. Anyways, welcome and hope you get her goin soon Allan., from Bender

[Allanl]

Hi Bender, yep will certainly do that, i have taken some initial pics before starting so i will start a file of before and afters....
At the moment I am trying to get the front brakes up and running, have cleaned the master cylinder and got that pumping....trying to do a bleed to get the fluid through the hoses but all i seem to be doing is pushing fluid all down the front forks  , i think the hoses may be blocked in some way..any suggestions about flushing the lines would be helpful before i go down the path of hunting for some new ones.
From Al

[Urban_Legend]

Hi Al.
I am doing a ground up rebuild on an 84 FJ1100 at the moment (also mechanically challenged, but learning real fast). If your bike still has the original brake line, do your seld a favour and fork out the dollars for a set of braided lines. they are not cheap, but are worth every dollar.

Mark
(Grafton NSW)

[Allanl]

Hi Mark,
thanks for the quick reply and yes it still has the originals....do you have a suggestion as to where i can source some new ones?
yes i am on a sharp learning curve...hopefully on an upward path ....

Al

[Urban_Legend]

Hi Mark,
thanks for the quick reply and yes it still has the originals....do you have a suggestion as to where i can source some new ones?
yes i am on a sharp learning curve...hopefully on an upward path ....

Al

I ordered my new lines direct from HEL in the UK. Cost about $300 and took 10days to get here. There maybe a local supplier of them close to you in VIC (have to mail order pretty much everything here in the country.)

[Harvy]

Al, the HEL distributor here in Brisbane is about 3 Km from my place...... let me know if you would like me to source them for you.

Cheers
Harvy