First FJ1000

[element303]

Hey guys.

I was just reading through the forum when I was searching for some info about the FJ and I thought it seems to be a nice crowd, unlike some bobber forums I even left because of the attitude of members. Anyways, my name is Chris, currently living in the Caribbean and I just bought my first FJ1100 today. 1985 with (thats what they said )15.000 miles on it. I got the price from 2000 down to 1400 and thought I wouldnt have any risk for that price.

When i was about 15 years old, my first ever motorized vehicle was a Yamaha RD80. I bought it secretly and my parents didnt knew about it and I drove it without licence on the country roads between the farms. When they figured it out weeks later I had to give it back but ever since then I always wanted a Yamaha again. I also worked a few year with outboards of boats and the Yamahas were by far the best engines next to the Hondas.

So I just finished rebuilding my first real motorcycle, a Kawasaki KZ750 LTD from 1981 and sold it 2 days ago. From the money I just bought the FJ.

Let me throw in some pics.

This was the KZ I just sold:



That is my Shadow 800 Bobber:



The new family member:



Well, greetings to everybody!! 

[FJmonkey]

Welcome to our digital campfire.

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the forum 

[yamaha fj rider]

Good looking bike and glad you joined us.

Kurt

[Layback]

OMG! How do you guys get FJs in that good condition for such low prices?

Great looking bike and welcome to the group.

Cheers
Layback

[balky1]

Welcome to the crowd!

From the way it looks, it could well be the truth it has 15000 miles.

I got mine with 10000 km for 4000€. Everyone told I was stupid for giving that much money for a bike that is older than me. But I never regretted it. 

[balky1]

It seems like your frame was painted and exhaust was definitely tampered with.

[element303]

Yes, exhaust is not original, the headers are. Thats the only thing not original on the bike. Can someone tell me how I remove the whole front bodywork? I opened 6 screws but I cant seem to find my way to the gauges from below. I want to install a new cam gasket. Im waiting for the Igniter Box I bought on ebay. That was one of a few smaller issues the bike had. It ran, but didnt run smooth. As if the battery was almost dead. But they told me its the CDI or igniter.

The first pic of her at my house:

[ribbert]

Yes, an FJ1000 would be a first.

Nice looking bike. Why do you want to remove the fairing?

Noel

[element303]

Simple typo. To get to the engine and to paint it

[ribbert]

To get to the engine and to paint it

In my opinion, the less you handle those old plastics the better. They get brittle over time and this is when you start breaking off mounting tabs, scratching things, pinching things, disturbing wiring and connectors, over tightening, introducing vibrations and buzzing etc. I would limit removal to when it is necessary.
At that mileage it has most likely never even been off, leave it that way as long as you can.

If painting the motor fitted, there is little advantage to taking the fairing off, just mask it up. Keep in mind when painting it just what will be seen when it is all together and viewed from normal distances and angles.

Noel

[element303]

Well I need to change the cam gasket and want to paint the fairing. I cant even seem to get off the windshield like that. It seem to have nuts on the inner sides.

[balky1]

And one very important thing, safety wire your fuel petcock! You can find instructions on the forum.

[FJmonkey]

Well I need to change the cam gasket and want to paint the fairing. I cant even seem to get off the windshield like that. It seem to have nuts on the inner sides.

The windscreen uses rubber well nuts. And they are likely way past their due date for replacement. RPM has the correct size. 

http://www.kayakshed.com/hobie-kayak-gear/hobie-well-nuts?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_content=20455&utm_campaign=Hobie&gclid=CJ70sdTShccCFRYbgQodPTsMDg

The rubber bulges out and binds to the plastic when the screw is tightened. But after sitting for a long time the rubber tends to stay bulged out. So the nut tends to spin and not allow the screw to back out. Just pull out on the screw while removing and it should come out.

[element303]

great thank you! yes thats how it feels. do i need to remove the windshield first to get the front fairing off?