Considering buying an FJ

[Brent099]

Greetings!
I am looking to get back into sport touring after a four year hiatus and the FJ is one of my top picks. 

I'm in the Atlanta, GA area and found a low priced 84 fj1100 in my area with 59k miles. The problem is that it has been sitting for the past five years.  According to the seller, it has a new chain and sprockets, Works rear shock, progressive front springs, and a Corbin seat. Judging by the pictures, it looks clean.

If you were in my shoes, what would you be concerned about with this bike?
Obviously it will need at a minimum a new battery and  carbs cleaned before it will start; fresh fluids, probably  new tires. Anything else I should factor in as a likely initial cost?

Or should I just bide my time and wait for a better bike to come on the market?

Thanks

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Brent, depends on the asking price. You have the gist of understanding the cost of a bike in storage for 5 years. Carbs, new tires., other rubber bits that rot out over time. Many like myself like the Corbin seat so I think that is a plus. Even if you don't like it you can get a stock seat for an even trade of a few dollars extra. Expect the clutch slave to leak, not hard to fix. Are all the plastics in place and in good shape? The mileage is not bad for these beasts. Get some pics and maybe a member near by can have a look at it for you....

[Brent099]

Thanks, FJMonkey
From what I can tell from the pictures, the plastics look good. Stock seat is also included. Seller is asking $1,200. Is the clutch slave leak something that an average Joe could fix on his own? Really my only concern is around the fact that I've never bought a bike that wasn't running.
One of my previous bikes was a 1980 GS850G, which was a good introduction to older Japanese bikes, but I mainly only dealt with electrical issues on that bike. 

[FJmonkey]

Thanks, FJMonkey
From what I can tell from the pictures, the plastics look good. Stock seat is also included. Seller is asking $1,200. Is the clutch slave leak something that an average Joe could fix on his own? Really my only concern is around the fact that I've never bought a bike that wasn't running.
One of my previous bikes was a 1980 GS850G, which was a good introduction to older Japanese bikes, but I mainly only dealt with electrical issues on that bike. 

The clutch slave fix is easy if it needs fixing. Where in the world are you? Maybe we can help... $1200 seems like a good price if the bike is sound....

[FJ1100mjk]

Do what you want, but it wouldn't hurt to see if you can get it for $750. With 59,000 miles on it, and it sitting for five years, there may be a good number of items that need to be fixed on it. The gas tank may be rusty too. Along with the dreaded second gear issue that sometimes afflicts the early model(s).

A battery and tires will set you back around $300-$350. To go through the carbs yourself, could run $100 or so too. A Corbin is a nice accessory, but the rear shock could be toast now with the miles it has on it.

You live in a large metro area, there is bound to be another FJ pop up for sale that will be better shape, will run so you can hear and ride it first (a big plus), and with less potential headaches, for $1,200 to $1,500.

[Brent099]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I just heard from the seller that the bike sold. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the next one...

[aviationfred]

I'll keep my eyes peeled for the next one...

Have you considered FJ's outside of the Atlanta area?

Here is a very nice example. http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/5076518651.html

'91 model, Bonus over the '84 that you were looking at..... This one runs , half the mileage , has a larger fairing , rubber mounted engine and looks like it is in great shape . I would ask for photos of the left side, to verify that it looks as good as the right side does. This could be a good candidate for a Fly and Ride adventure. Fly to Cleveland and ride it back to Atlanta.

I am not affiliated with this sale listing.

Fred

[hawkaholic37]

I'll keep my eyes peeled for the next one...

Have you considered FJ's outside of the Atlanta area?

Here is a very nice example. http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/5076518651.html

'91 model, Bonus over the '84 that you were looking at..... This one runs , half the mileage , has a larger fairing , rubber mounted engine and looks like it is in great shape . I would ask for photos of the left side, to verify that it looks as good as the right side does. This could be a good candidate for a Fly and Ride adventure. Fly to Cleveland and ride it back to Atlanta.

I am not affiliated with this sale listing.

Fred

Is this true? For some reason l thought the rubber mounts started in '92? When did they start with the rubber mounts?

[FJmonkey]

Is this true? For some reason l thought the rubber mounts started in '92? When did they start with the rubber mounts?

Yes, 4 generations (United States) of FJ where only a color difference between each GEN (with exception of the ABS option for GEN 4).

GEN 1, '84/'85
GEN 2, '86/'87
GEN 3, '89/'90
GEN 4, '91/'92

Out side of the US it can get a little confusing. An '88 could be an '86/'87 model or it could be an '89/'90. And the '92 continued for a few more years as well...

[Flynt]

Is this true? For some reason l thought the rubber mounts started in '92? When did they start with the rubber mounts?

Yes, 4 generations (United States) of FJ where only a color difference between each GEN (with exception of the ABS option for GEN 4).

GEN 1, '84/'85
GEN 2, '86/'87
GEN 3, '89/'90
GEN 4, '91/'92

Out side of the US it can get a little confusing. An '88 could be an '86/'87 model or it could be an '89/'90. And the '92 continued for a few more years as well...

Sounds like the thread was lost here...  Gen 4 is when engine mounts went to rubber.

Frank

[Pat Conlon]

Is this true? For some reason l thought the rubber mounts started in '92? When did they start with the rubber mounts?

Yes, 4 generations (United States) of FJ where only a color difference between each GEN (with exception of the ABS option for GEN 4).

GEN 1, '84/'85
GEN 2, '86/'87
GEN 3, '89/'90
GEN 4, '91/'92...and '93

Out side of the US it can get a little confusing. An '88 could be an '86/'87 model or it could be an '89/'90. And the '92 continued for a few more years as well...

Sounds like the thread was lost here...  Gen 4 is when engine mounts went to rubber.

Frank

Nope, I was clear in my response to Hawk's question ( different thread) The rubber mounted FJ's started in '91
I fixed Mark's reply (above) to show Gen 4 to be '91/'92 and '93

[FJmonkey]

Nope, I was clear in my response to Hawk's question ( different thread) The rubber mounted FJ's started in '91
I fixed Mark's reply (above) to show Gen 4 to be '91/'92 and '93

Thanks Pat. I thought the '93 was non-US....

[Capn Ron]

Nope, I was clear in my response to Hawk's question ( different thread) The rubber mounted FJ's started in '91
I fixed Mark's reply (above) to show Gen 4 to be '91/'92 and '93

Thanks Pat. I thought the '93 was non-US....

'92 is what I have...and ABS was an option.  '93 was also sold in the U.S., but ABS was standard...otherwise, the bikes were identical.  '93 was the last year in the U.S.

[hawkaholic37]

Okay, just so l understand correctly...only '91-'93 had rubberized engine mounts, is that right?

[Harvy]

Okay, just so l understand correctly...only '91-'93 had rubberized engine mounts, is that right?

Correct!