New member from Arizona

[GaryL22]

Thanks for this wonderful forum! I live in Mesa Arizona. I owned a FJ1200 ABS I bought new back in 1994. I sold it around 1998 and always regretted it!
A few years ago I started looking to buy another FJ just like it if possible. I've had my phone programmed to search local Craigslist ads to find another 92 FJ1200 for the last 3 years! A nice 1991 finally popped up on CL about 2 weeks ago and I bought it within 2 hours.
I'm planning to go through it top to bottom and lube and tune it up. I've been marveling at all the info and cool mods you guys are doing. I've already added the wider Emgo CBR mirrors mod...awesome improvement...thanks again guys!! Gary

"New" 1991 FJ1200 (The previous owner taped black and white pinstripes over the pink stripes)


"Old" 1992 FJ1200 in 1998 photo (Are they still making Cobra F1s slip-ons? I miss the sound.)

[Mark Olson]

welcome to the group 

Oh yeah there are lots of mods to be done if you are so inclined and the group can help you thru it. 

Click on the RPM banner and look at all the goodies you can get for your FJ.

I don't think the cobras are available anymore , check Ebay.. but the Delkivic slip ons sound really nice and you can remove the baffle if you want,. 

[GaryL22]

welcome to the group 

Oh yeah there are lots of mods to be done if you are so inclined and the group can help you thru it. 

Click on the RPM banner and look at all the goodies you can get for your FJ.

I don't think the cobras are available anymore , check Ebay.. but the Delkivic slip ons sound really nice and you can remove the baffle if you want,. 

Hello Mark,
Thanks for the tip on the Delkivic slip-ons, they look similar and are SS to boot. They look out of stock for the 91-96 FJ's, no big hurry though.

The bike came with a real neat like new RPM brand smoked tail light with intergral blinkers, I put the old stock tail light and blinkers back on to keep things like my old bike. It also came with a Ventura aerodynamic rack system. I plan to eventually sell them both in the classifieds once I build up some trust here.

[Mark Olson]

The smoked tail light was all the rage for a bit ... but everyone has different tastes .
you are one of many who bought another FJ .
It is hard to find another bike that runs and rides like it does.
Be careful of the Moditis bug, you will start making changes and can't stop.
Like a 17" rear wheel .
oh , get a fork brace and you will be amazed at the difference. 

lets see.. some braided steel brake lines is a must. Fix the regulator wire connector near batt box. Fj's tend to overcharge and cook em.
  If that doesn't work replace regulator. Make sure your choke cable is not laying on the valve cover or it will melt to it . Flush all fluids (brake and clutch as well , fork oil, unless previous owner has records.). Add an extra full size clutch fiber in place of the thin one . Oh this list could go on and on but those are the basics.

Have fun. 

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Gary, I have family in Mesa. I will look you up when I visit next.

[GaryL22]

The smoked tail light was all the rage for a bit ... but everyone has different tastes .
you are one of many who bought another FJ .
It is hard to find another bike that runs and rides like it does.
Be careful of the Moditis bug, you will start making changes and can't stop.
Like a 17" rear wheel .
oh , get a fork brace and you will be amazed at the difference. 

lets see.. some braided steel brake lines is a must. Fix the regulator wire connector near batt box. Fj's tend to overcharge and cook em.
  If that doesn't work replace regulator. Make sure your choke cable is not laying on the valve cover or it will melt to it . Flush all fluids (brake and clutch as well , fork oil, unless previous owner has records.). Add an extra full size clutch fiber in place of the thin one . Oh this list could go on and on but those are the basics.

Have fun. 

Thanks for the tips. The choke cable is already stiff It may already be melted, I thought it needed only lube. I cheap aftermarket replacement cables on Germany eBay, I wonder if they are any good?

The clutch disk mod sounds smart. The motor idles a little faster after it warms up fully and clunks into 1st gear if you are not precise. I was thinking about backing down a few RPM. I have a digital tach but I have not hooked it up yet, the tach on the cycle looks like 1100+. The service manual say 950-1050.

I found 2 guys parting out R1's on craigslist, I'm thinking about picking up a front caliper at the same time I change out the brake lines...I better move to a service category..

[GaryL22]

Welcome Gary, I have family in Mesa. I will look you up when I visit next.

Sounds good. I'm not sure how much riding I will do here in this summer until I fully trust this bike. A break down in the heat could be bad news. I suppose it's early AM's or the trailer.

[ribbert]

.....I'm not sure how much riding I will do here in this summer until I fully trust this bike. A break down in the heat could be bad news.

Gary, it either goes or it doesn't. Tentatively extending your rides will tell you nothing.

Don't waste the Summer, just ride it, if it breaks down, deal with it then.

Stories of FJ's not making it home are rare and there is no such thing as building up trust. If something is going to fail, it could do so tomorrow or in 10 years time or never and even if it was running right when you left home, something can always come without warning. Nothing you can do about that!

I ride a lot and much of it alone and in remote country (that's remote by Australian standards too) I carry a few spares and a few tools but most importantly I have a level of auto club membership that includes bike retrieval, hire car, accommodation etc.
So, even if I'm in the middle of nowhere, and as long as there's phone reception I'm good, and if I am out of phone range, I have a PLB if I think I'm at personal risk.

I have put a 136,000kms on my FJ over the last 8 years and it has never failed to get me home. They are inherently reliable and simple to fix when they're not.

If everything checks out on a short shakedown ride, just go for it and enjoy.

Noel

[ribbert]

Thanks for the tip on the Delkivic slip-ons, they look similar and are SS to boot.

Gary, I can't speak highly enough of the Delkevic mufflers, these photos were taken only a few weeks back and they have 100k on them.

They are solid and despite some road strikes the casings remain entirely tight and intact.

                   

Noel

After a break in period of probably 5k (they get louder) the sound has remained constant over all that time.

Great product and well priced.

[jscgdunn]

Welcome Gary,
In terms of choke cables, go with the Yamaha one.  I ordered one from UK, but the knob is not removable.  You will see this is critical.

Regards,

Jeff

[racerrad8]

Do yourself a favor and get an OEM cable for a couple dollars more

86-93 Choke Cable Assy

And being in Arizona it will only take a couple of days to get there.

Robert - RPM

[GaryL22]

Do yourself a favor and get an OEM cable for a couple dollars more

86-93 Choke Cable Assy

And being in Arizona it will only take a couple of days to get there.

Robert - RPM

Hello Robert,
Thanks for the link, I did not realize a New OEM part would still be available. If lube does not fix it I will be ordering it and a cartload of other goodies soon. Gary

[GaryL22]

.....I'm not sure how much riding I will do here in this summer until I fully trust this bike. A break down in the heat could be bad news.

Gary, it either goes or it doesn't. Tentatively extending your rides will tell you nothing.

Don't waste the Summer, just ride it, if it breaks down, deal with it then.

Stories of FJ's not making it home are rare and there is no such thing as building up trust. If something is going to fail, it could do so tomorrow or in 10 years time or never and even if it was running right when you left home, something can always come without warning. Nothing you can do about that!

I ride a lot and much of it alone and in remote country (that's remote by Australian standards too) I carry a few spares and a few tools but most importantly I have a level of auto club membership that includes bike retrieval, hire car, accommodation etc.
So, even if I'm in the middle of nowhere, and as long as there's phone reception I'm good, and if I am out of phone range, I have a PLB if I think I'm at personal risk.

I have put a 136,000kms on my FJ over the last 8 years and it has never failed to get me home. They are inherently reliable and simple to fix when they're not.

If everything checks out on a short shakedown ride, just go for it and enjoy.

Noel

Hello Noel,
Wow that sounds remote, but awesome, thanks for sharing! I have AAA auto club and will double check what they provide for motorcycle breakdowns and upgrade if necessary, good tip. I've already put about 500 mi on it without a hiccup. Gary

[FJ1100mjk]

I have AAA auto club and will double check what they provide for motorcycle breakdowns and upgrade if necessary.

Gary

I bought the Premier/RV Level AAA coverage, before embarking on long, out of the way, places. I don't think that you can go wrong for the price.

Triple A Premier Coverage Details

[Pat Conlon]

Welcome Gary! Always, always carry a pair of soft ties. Tuck these away in your tail cowl.
In the unlikely event you have to tow your bike (via flat bed) these will save your front fairing.
The tow trucks do not carry these. They have a large 4" strap and hook they use which *will* damage the lower edge of the fairing.



Tips on desert summer riding: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate...start before your ride. Eat a banana.
If you wait until you're into the ride and thirsty, you will be behind the time curve and you will not catch up.
Your kidney's will thank you.

Take the #37.5 pilot jets out and throw them away. Install at least #40 pilots, or better #42.5
Your engine will thank you.

Cheers  Pat