Info needed possibly looking at 1990 FJ1200

[azr]

Hey all. There's a 1990 FJ1200 for sale locally to me

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-touring/cowichan-valley-duncan/1990-yamaha-fj-1200/1219535897?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I'm not new to bikes, currently rides; 78' Suzuki GS1000E, 1980 Suzuki GS1000G, 1986 Suzuki DR600. The litre bikes are frame up restorations so not shy with a wrench. I not nothing about these bikes or Yamaha's for that matter, mostly stuck with Suzuki's since getting back into bike 8 years ago (48 now). I know all the usual stuff to look at with the bike but if anyone can give me some heads up on possible issues with the bike I'd sure appreciate it. Oh and just because I know how much we all like pictures 

P1010643 by Rob Ert, on Flickr

20150531_112114_Richtone(HDR)_resized by Rob Ert, on Flickr

20150602_152220_resized (Medium) by Rob Ert, on Flickr

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Rob, you will fit in well here. Many here also like the dirt and adventure riding to mix things up. I have an '86 and an '89. The '90 is the same as the '89 with different colors. The '89+ years have the stronger shift forks so the 2nd gear issue is nearly non-existent. Missing belly pan is common, the clutch slave eventually leaks and the DOT3 makes the plastic brittle. Not having the lower fairing does not have any bad effects other than cosmetics. The next generation of FJ '91+ has rubber mounted engine and is reported to have less vibration. I don't have any complaints about my '86 or '89. They are easy to work on, fun to ride and seem to attract the kind of people you like to meet.

[azr]

Ya the fella said he has the belly pain but it's in 3 pieces,    It was nice to look online and actually be still able to find an aftermarket rear luggage rack, I prefer the hard luggage to the soft. I've got a nice spare set of Krausers that might look good on an FJ and I've seen some photos of the Givi stuff which looks good.

[FJmonkey]

The ABS can be welded so if you get any broken plastic parts, they can be repaired and be as strong as new.

[Tor-King]

For repairing the plastics on the FJ, I have used this: http://notaglue.com/ with very good results.  It is amazing stuff and literally cures in seconds!  It cures using blue light.

Dean

[azr]

That's good info. I haven't done any research on what the plastics are made out of, good to know it's just ABS. Any other thing to look for with these bikes?

[PaulG]

  I might be seeing things, but is that a spot of oil  underneath it in the main pic?

  I have a set of old Krauser's on mine.  They are  1980's vintage. The rack mounts fairly easily with some  handmade brackets.  The usual route is to mount them using the rear signal brackets.   BUT  I (and many others here) learned the hard way - those signal brackets are very weak and will eventually break.

There are several easy ways of fixing that on the site.

79000 km is just getting broken in.  Buy it. At $1500 it's a steal. You won't regret it. No one here has yet. 

[azr]

Yes I saw the same thing,  I'm hoping it's water and not oil.  I spokw with the fella and he seemed stand up but you never know till you see it.  Heading out tomorrow.

[fnlyafjat51]

Welcome. Looks like a nice bike. Good luck with it.

[FJ1100mjk]

For repairing the plastics on the FJ, I have used this: http://notaglue.com/ with very good results.  It is amazing stuff and literally cures in seconds!  It cures using blue light.

Dean

Looked at the product's website that you've provided. The stuff looks promising. I'm running low on Plastex, that has worked well for me over the last few years, and may give this Notaglue a try.

[azr]

Well, went to look at it. Wayyy rougher than I was told, but giving the guy a break, was his first bike, don't think he knows enough to know how much it needs. Tires, chain/sprockets, broken fairing in one spot. Been sitting for a year, carbs will need going thru, rotors are shot, etc..etc.. wayyyyyy more of a project than what I'm looking for right now. But!  I now know that one of these FJ1200s will fit the bill nicely as a replacement for my 80 Suzuki 1000G. Appreciate all the advice you guys gave and I'll keep my eye on your classified listings. If I had the $$$ I'd be looking at that 93' that's up for sale in Seattle, very nicely done bike.

[FJ1100mjk]

You may want to rethink the 93 that's in Seattle. The guy is a motivated seller. He's not having much luck selling it. It's Winter, and you could probably get a better deal now. It has some miles on it, but has been recently gone through front to back. You've already seen the shit people are trying to sell for more money than the bike is worth. A bird in the hand, ...

[azr]

I'm in Victoria, Canada. $3'500 US equals $4600 Canadian         doubt he's that motivated.....

[FJ1100mjk]

I'm in Victoria, Canada. $3'500 US equals $4600 Canadian         doubt he's that motivated.....

Oh. Got a point there. Good luck on finding something nice in your neck of the woods.

Nice '78 Suzuki GS1000E you have there. A true classic. Those chain drive ones are hard to find anymore. Shaft ones, not so hard.

[azr]

Good news, a member on here, Earl Svorks, has contacted me about his 1990 1200 and I'll be heading over to have a look in the next week or so. Bike looks very clean and a number of improvements have already been done, looks very promising.