New owner from Maine - 1989 FJ1200

[Tekime]

Hey everyone!

I have a habit of checking Craigslist almost every day, drooling over all the bikes, and looking for hidden gems.

Last week I stumbled across this absolutely gorgeous bike. Classic sport touring muscle machine from 1989.. didn't know much about this beauty but I instantly fell in love. A few days of research and drooling, emailing the owner, and arranged to go check it out today. It was just as beautiful in person, begging for a little TLC, but just has this TIMELESS look that I can't get over. So I get on this 600lb bike, all 130 skinny ass pounds of me, and instantly fell in love. This baby has some serious grunt and irreplaceable personality!

What can I say, this extremely cool fellow let me have it for $1,000. 50k on the clock, brand new clutch, chain, sprockets & brakes, Corbin seat & a weather-beaten but usable tank & tail bags. Needs a little TLC, a new mirror, some touch up paint here and there, but I feel like I got a stellar deal.

So here I am, a total noob to the FJ world (and Yamaha in general). But totally smitten by this bike. Should be on the road this week. Still riding my 2005 Suzuki GS500F and it will always be my first love, but her little P-twin just doesn't hold a candle to this FJ.

Can't WAIT to get her legal, get my hands dirty with some restoration, learn my way around the bike. You may be seeing a bit more of me around these parts.

Just thought I'd say hi before I start annoying you all with noob questions!  Anyway... can't leave you without a pic!



- Gabe

[a.graham52]

Greetings! Bar harbor resident here. Saw that bike on the list too!

[TexasDave]

Welcome to the FJ madhouse. Lots of inmates here with a wealth of knowledge. All questions welcome here. Nice bike.  Dave

[FJmonkey]

Looks a lot my second Fj....

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the forum   

Great find at an awesome price. 


Fred

[weymouth399]

Welcome there's a few of us up here, and lots of knowledge & parts too. Hopefully we can ride some time I'm not far away.

Bob w.

[markmartin]

Welcome to the forum.  You found a great deal, good going.  I'm up in Hampden so if it works out, maybe you, Bob and I can get together for a ride this summer. I think you'll find the FJ is dependable and easy to repair should something need fixing.

You might want to consider these mirrors rather than replace the stock mirror your missing. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=9605.msg92962;topicseen#msg92962

Enjoy!

Mark Martin

[Tekime]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Feeling really fortunate there is a solid community around these bikes, it probably says a lot about their quality!

Mark, thanks for the tip. I might have stumbled across a similar YouTube video, maybe that was you? I'm leaning towards those mirrors now, will be ordering some parts over the next few weeks and then the tinkering shall commence.

Summertime FJ ride? Sounds great. As long as she doesn't blow up on me I'm hoping the minor repairs/maintenance will be buttoned up in a few weeks.

[DieHappy]

Nice buy, saw that on CL too.  Love that black and gold!  Good thing I already bought one..Ha ha

[Tekime]

Nice buy, saw that on CL too.  Love that black and gold!  Good thing I already bought one..Ha ha

Haha, I'm sure glad you didn't!

Got it legal and took the maiden voyage last night despite the fog & wet. Enough acceleration to peel your face off.. and I was taking it easy. Can you tell this is my first big bike? 

A few parts and service manual on order. New valve cover gasket is the worst of it so far, that should be easy enough I'm guessing.

[rktmanfj]

A few parts and service manual on order. New valve cover gasket is the worst of it so far, that should be easy enough I'm guessing.

Get the cover bolt grommets as well... they leak about as much as the cover gasket, and as they harden, they maintain less force against the cover.

Be sure to use correct torque values on those cover bolts, as they WILL twist off if overtightened.

[Tekime]

Get the cover bolt grommets as well... they leak about as much as the cover gasket, and as they harden, they maintain less force against the cover.

Be sure to use correct torque values on those cover bolts, as they WILL twist off if overtightened.

Thanks, so would that be #21 in the fiche?

[FJmonkey]

Yes. And get one of these or equivalent. http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-61277.html. I do a lot torquing by hand and feel from years of auto and MC maintenance. But my torque wrench comes out to tighten the valve cover bolts. For $22 it seems like a low cost prevention over busting a stud. They may not be hard to back out, but now your bike is down till a replacement arrives.

[Tekime]

Great thanks. Got a few torque wrenches and I'll make sure to use one on those bolts. 

[racerrad8]

Thanks, so would that be #21 in the fiche?

Yes, that would be them.

They are in stock along with the gasket here at RPM. Both of these are genuine Yamaha parts, not aftermarket items.

Yamaha Valve Cover Gasket
Yamaha Valve Cover Grommet

We also offer this late model valve cover conversion kit for your FJ as well: Yamaha XJR Valve Cover Conversion Kit

Randy - RPM