Help! FJ1100 Garage Find- What Should I Know before Buying?

[PaulG]

He was asking $10K USD???!!!!    Initially you didn't say the asking price so I just assumed it was in the high range of what you were comparing  - like around $4-5K.  I'm guessing because it's Vegas he's hoping someone had a windfall to spend. Don't be that guy.

As Pat said for that price it should be in a certified perfect running order.  You could always ask if you are willing to spend that much.  He might go for it. (They always say they have someone else interested).  Or maybe offer him $4K and tell him to call you when he's ready to sell.  If you explain some of the reasons outlined here why it's not worth what he thinks, he might see the light.  If he's stuck on that price then shake your head in dismay and walk.   

Like the guys said for the price it could cost just to get this one running safely, you could buy one - spend probably <$2K in upgrades and have a much better bike.

Add another 2c to may tab.    and good luck in your search.

[fjbiker84]

Rusty,
You've seen some really good advice with the posts to your question but I'll throw in my experience since it's somewhat applicable to what you are contemplating. I bought an 84 that had been sitting in a climate controlled environment for 8 years and in nearly as good condition as the one you are looking at - with two differences: my bike had 25,000 miles when it was parked and the engine was out of the frame and the top end dissembled while sitting in storage.  That said, based on my experience, this is what I believe your bike will require: front forks seals will start to leak immediately with use, anything in contact with brake fluid will need to be cleaned, new seals installed, and/or rebuilt or replaced including brake and clutch master cylinders, clutch slave cylinder, and brake calipers.  Anything rubber will be suspect including the brake and clutch lines. The worries about engine transmission problems only occur with bikes that were abused and this bike certainly doesn't look like it would have been subject to that kind of treatment. Other things I've had to repair/replace with my bike over the past 11 years have to do with age and use.  My only other question about your bike's storage is that the engine was stored for so long in one position.  Seems to me that would put a lot of pressure on some of the valve springs that were sitting all these years in a compressed position... but maybe that's not an issue.  Oh, and then there is cost.  I purchased my bike for $1000.... not $10,000.   

[Rusty34]

Many thanks to you all!! I just didn't know because my experience has mainly come from the big Kawasaki 2-stroke triples and the 750's often do sell in the $10 to $12k range. I didn't think I could afford a good 750 several years ago so I found one in rather average condition for $6500 from another enthusiast. I rode it for a few hundred miles at first and then having been *bitten by the bug again I thought I should try to make it better. So I settled in with my parts list searching and finding sources for NOS parts and as they began showing up, I was hooked... just like being a kid again, opening presents at Christmas.

I know I received the best advice here and my own gut feeling told me nearly the same thing, no more than $4K to $5K for this one because it doesn't run so you just can't know for sure exactly what it is. I will talk with the seller again and see how it goes now that I know more than I did.

Thanks again!!
Rusty

*In the Seventies and my hometown of Clearwater, FL , myself and the guys I hung out with then all rode Japanese motorcycles. Our lives were all about motorcycles and trying to find out who made the best one. We were always visiting the local dealers ogling and discussing the new models when we weren't trying to be cool hanging at the Steak-n-Shake. Another of our regular highlights back then was scanning the latest issue of Cycle Trader for bargains or other otherwise interesting motorcycles. Nearly always there was at least one of us in the process of either buying something new or trying to sell our old one. It was also great fun to swap rides around so we could each experience the differences among makes and models. My first taste of a two-stroke Kawasaki triple was when I swapped rides with one of my close friends, his new 1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach-III for my new 1972 Honda 500-Four. On his the mirrors stopped working as soon as you kick started the engine to life; on mine you couldn't tell the engine had started if you weren't watching the tach. I'll never forget the first time I pulled out on the Kawasaki. A full handfull of throttle had me thinking right away, there's not much in this one... but then it got up on the pipe and the front wheel came up and the thing was flat trying to pull out from under me. I didn't know you could buy something like that! Not long afterwards a group of like minded fellows from another nearby town (the Largo gang) pulled in while we were stopped for a few minutes at a 7-Eleven. One of them was riding a brand new FJ1100 which I had only seen and read about in Cycle magazine and that thing was gorgeous! I can still see the memories of that experience... it has stayed with me all these years and it looked exactly like that red one that is way too expensive right now.

[Pat Conlon]

Well all right Rusty! If you can get this bike at the right price, go for it. Trust your instincts.
I can tell you are not the kind of guy that buys a bike, only to look at it, or put it in storage.

If the sale does not happen, so be it, but let's find you a good clean FJ for you to ride to our rallies.
I'll keep an eye out for you, as other guys on this forum will...we are kind of like family here.

I know you will fit in with our group. Any guy who loves those crazy/scary ass H2's is ok with me.

[FJ120086]

I've been reading this thread with interest. I too am searching for an FJ. I found this forum and have been reading a bunch of posts. I'm trying to learn as much as I can before getting my own fj. One thing I have thought of doing when I find one is see if I can find a member close to look at it with me. In your case you might have an opportunity to have RPM look at the bike for you. Based in the eBay as it looks like it is three hours away from them. After a bunch of my reading RPM would be who I would want to look for if I find one if I find one close to them.

One question,in the bikes for sale section there is more marked sold than for sale. What is the reason those are still listed?

[ribbert]

Low mileage barn finds are a mixed blessing in my experience, a trade off between pristine cosmetics and mechanical neglect. They have way too much value added by sellers and way too much importance placed on them by buyers. Great paint, plastics and cosmetics in general are indeed a rare and valuable find but it is offset by the mechanical issues that plague them all and the money that will need to be spent to make it rideable.

As a mechanic I have had many brought to me over the years to refurbish. If you intend to ride it, a low mileage bike that has been used regularly, serviced and well kept will be a much better bike. Any lowish miles FJ will have more life left in it than most owners here are likely to put on it in their lifetime.

However, if you want a conversation piece or can buy it for a reasonable price, go for it. Just be realistic about what you will need to spend on it. For example, a well used bike with 50k on the clock and in average condition would probably need way less spending on it than this barn find to make it 100% rideable.

As Hooli said, he would rather have his 60K bike with mods than an original low mileage barn find. I agree. I have spent $11k on mods on mine, excluding the engine, and wouldn't even be remotely tempted to swap it for one still in the crate (unless it was cheap).

Low mileage, well cared for clean bikes might be uncommon, but they're not that rare and in my experience, they are the best buy.

IMO

Noel

[Flynt]

When I was looking for my '84 a couple years back, this guy had listed this bike (for his dad).  I was also putting a high priority on cosmetics since the plastic bits can add up quickly if you need to replace.  I talked with this guy, made an appointment to go look at it, then had him cancel on me and tell me he decided the bike was underpriced and wanted to know if I'd pay more if it looked good...  he was at $8,500 if I remember right.

Flakey story, prick attitude, and a good look at the pictures to indicate his story wasn't complete (non-stock parts...  why?) caused me to skip.  I found an '84 in pretty exceptional shape, but that was ridden and maintained well.  I paid what I'd consider top $$ for an '84 ($4K) and shortly after dumped ~$4K into suspension, brakes, and exhaust since even a brand new '84 needs some updating at this point due to technology's progress.

Tell this guy to get a clue and keep looking...  IMHO of course. 

Frank

PS - here's what $4K got me...

[Rusty34]

Well done Frank!

What about the FJ1200? Is it better than the FJ1100 in some ways or no? Seems like you see more FJ1100s.

[aviationfred]

What about the FJ1200? Is it better than the FJ1100 in some ways or no? Seems like you see more FJ1100s.

There is not a straight forward answer to your question. Each generation of the 1200 (3) had changes. Mostly for the move from pure sport bike to Sport-Touring. The '86/'87 1200's are closest to the 1100. Basically the same bike with fairing mount turn signals and mirrors. The 1989/1990 got a 17" front wheel, A 2" taller and 2" wider main fairing, an upgraded ignition system, and dog bone style rear suspension. The '91-'93 got a whole new frame with rubber motor mounts (eliminates almost all engine vibrations) The main fairing grew even larger and on some '92's and all of the '93's you get Anti-Lock brakes (most of the ABS computers have failed by now and the systems have been deactivated by many owners).

Basically which generation an owner chooses is for various reasons. Paint job, Rubber engine mounts, 17" front wheel, wanting to own the original 1100, etc. etc.

Here is a nice example of a 2nd gen 1200. 1989 model in Charlotte. I personally would not pay more than $2500.00 and would try and get it closer to $2000.00.

https://greensboro.craigslist.org/mcy/6126164140.html


I have had a 1989 1200 for 5 years. It has very recently been stolen. The following 2 photos are from the day I purchased it and about a month before it was stolen.

My purchase price was $1500.00, I should have paid no more than $1000.00. The second photo is what it looked like when it was stolen. Over $10,000.00 have been invested in it. This bike was a daily rider, A regular Rally attendee, An Iron Butt participant and over all better motorcycle than it was when it rolled off the showroom floor. Maybe the question we should be asking you is..... Do you want the pristine, low mileage, high priced 1100 to sit in your garage to look awesome next to your H2 and as a conversation piece, or purchase a running and nice looking FJ to look good in the garage and ride it regularly?


Fred

[Rusty34]

Thanks Fred!

I'm drawn toward the FJ1100's striking appearance of its first year colors and graphics and the awesome overall design of the package; Yamaha got it right with their first try in 84 and created quite a stir in the motorcycle community at the time. Also, because I remember how awestruck I felt when I saw my first FJ and knew someday I would have to have one.

What I am looking for does not have to be a mint museum piece but I would like the cosmetics to be pretty good because I'm so anal about overall appearance that I will start buying NOS parts till I get it looking like I want which gets expensive in a hurry. I would like the miles to be under 12K if possible and I would like it to be completely original because I'm not sure yet what I will want to upgrade. I'm OK with the lack of refinements and updates of a first year model because my goal is for the ride to be what I would have had if I could go back to 1984.

[Flynt]

What about the FJ1200?

I have a friend that bought an '86, put ~$3500 of RPM stuff on including F and R suspension, then took it to the 2015 WCR rally and downed it.  He has since worked through all damage (mostly cosmetic), but has real pressure from his wife to let the bike go.  He hasn't really actively tried to sell yet, but ran a CL ad once with a few bites at $3,250.  I'm sure he'll go lower.  High bang for the buck, but might need a little more fine tuning (like carb cleaning at this point).

I'll get the CL ad from him and send to you if interested?  He's in San Jose CA.

Frank

PS - I see your statement about wanting your '84 to ride like it would have...  I had the same thoughts and stuck to it for some time, tweaking and tuning suspension including the AD crap.  I had a few occasions to appreciate how much nicer it is to have your tires in contact with the ground over bad pavement, especially when coming into a corner a bit hot.  You may think you want to time travel to '84, but I doubt you'll stay there long...  the suspension technology of the day, at least on the FJ, was really crap and the stock brakes are barely adequate for the power and weight of the FJ...  IMHO of course.

[FJmonkey]

This might fit the bill http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=17083.0;topicseen

https://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/6194645877.html

[Pat Conlon]

.....I'm OK with the lack of refinements and updates of a first year model because my goal is for the ride to be what I would have had if I could go back to 1984.

Ha!  I remember thinking that.... I bought my '84 new and resisted changing anything for years (except brake lines and fork springs)....

Until I started hanging around these guys.

 In the mid '90's  I got a chance for an all day ride on a '85 with modern upgrades, cartridge emulators, Penske shock, 17" rims and modern radial tires, R-1 brakes, etc, etc... It changed my mind. I was bitten.

So, Beware, it's a slippery slope.
The '84 I have today is a much, much better bike than the day I bought it.
Everything I have done is reversible (except the 1380 engine mods) but I don't think I will ever go back.

You have a good eye Rusty, There is something special about those sleek '84's.

[FJ_Hooligan]

You have a good eye Rusty, There is something special about those sleek '84's.

Yeah, it was a good year. 

Yamaha worked all the bugs out of the design and went on to produce the perfect '85!

DavidR.

[FJ120086]

Frank can you PM my the info on your friends bike please, I am looking for an 86. It is currently a little out of my price range but with modifications I might have to find a way. + + =