Been Looking Forward to this Post: My First FJ

[RevDeal]

Well good morning to all of you from western Pennsylvania! I am a young pastor serving currently in eastern PA and do a bit of traveling for conferences. I wanted something sporty and fun, yet functional when I need it to be. So I am the proud new owner of a 1992 FJ1200a. After driving round trip yesterday some 500 miles, she comfortably sits in my garage. I have been looking to get an FJ for some time now, but have not quite had the funds to do so, but last year after my 1980 CB750k began having the inevitable electronic problems which cost me a lot in Ibuprofen, I decided it was time to move on and find something new. I heard many good things about the FJ, but finding one in half way decent shape was proving difficult. I stumbled upon a low mileage one down in WV, from a guy who seemed to know the inside and out of them from having talked with Randy from RPM and you all on the forum.

After a few weeks go by and bad weather I finally was able to make the 3.5 hour drive to pick it up. Cosmetically there are some blemishes, but start, idle, and riding were great. Brakes seemed to handle just fine. Rear shock sucks. It will be a long while before I can afford a new one, so I will be putting it on a stiffer setting and adjusting the bike for my weight 210. Well this post is getting long, but here are the list of mods I know of so far.

-RPM Oil Cooler
-Dyna 2000 Digital Performance Ignition
-Jetted Carbs
-RPM Dual Pod Airfilter
- Vance and Hines ss2r 4-1 Exhaust
-Givi Wing Rack and side and top luggage
-RPM Fork Stabilizer (not installed)
-Corbin Gunfighter & Lady saddle
-RPM LED Smoke Brake Light with Integrated Turn Signal Function
-Headlight on and off switch?
-RPM Spin on Oil filter Adapter

I always do a lot of research before I purchase something, because I do not have money to waste. So I know from reading many of your posts that there are some essentials to do on this bike. Hopefully if my CB750k sells soon, I will have some freed up funds to do the proper finishing mods. The new wheels and shocks from other bikes seems like it may take time to find.
-SS brake lines
-GSXR Rear Wheel and Brake assembly
-Aftermarket shock of some kind? Or something
-Give Gas tank proper cleaning
-Windshield new or clean it up?
-Possible front wheel and brakes


I do have probably a bunch of questions to search on here, but for another time. Glad to join the group. Hopefully there will be some guys who live close to go for a ride! Peace

[RPM - Robert]

Welcome to the digital campfire.

What a great intro! Many here have great knowledge on these steeds.

[Tuned forks]

Welcome to the forum.  Good looking FJ.  Yes, the replacement brake lines are a recommended upgrade.  The rear wheel swap is mainly to be able to purchase 17" rear tires.  The 16" tires are really scarce.  The wheel swap also usually gets you a 5 or 5.5" wide wheel which allows 180 series tires.  You may want to consider checking the valve clearances while it's winter time and you're not riding regularly.

Joe

[RevDeal]

Welcome to the forum.  Good looking FJ.  Yes, the replacement brake lines are a recommended upgrade.  The rear wheel swap is mainly to be able to purchase 17" rear tires.  The 16" tires are really scarce.  The wheel swap also usually gets you a 5 or 5.5" wide wheel which allows 180 series tires.  You may want to consider checking the valve clearances while it's winter time and you're not riding regularly.

Joe

I have never done much with checking valves, but that sounds like a good idea. I'll try to look for the thread that talks about it. Off hand knowledge, any special tools required?

[1tinindian]

Welcome.
Although the GSXR rear wheel is very popular, the Yamaha FZR rear is also an option that a few of us have done.
Loks like your FJ has already got a great start n the latest mods!

Leon

[RevDeal]

Welcome.
Although the GSXR rear wheel is very popular, the Yamaha FZR rear is also an option that a few of us have done.
Loks like your FJ has already got a great start n the latest mods!

Leon

I only briefly passed along this Yamaha FZR rear wheel conversion. Are there any positives benefits to it? I see the brake is top mounted.

[T Legg]

Judging by the first picture it looks like an Australian model.To adjust the valves you need a feeler gauge and a valve bucket hold down tool.You probably also need a valve cover gasket and grommets for the bolts as well as assorted replacement valve shims for any that are out of adjustment.

[Pat Conlon]

......or become a contributing member and rent this kit: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8968.0

My recommendation: Save your money and pass on the Dyna ignition, and put it towards your shock.
If you want a hotter spark, do the coil relay mod. which will wake things up.
Do the headlight relay mod. Replace those narrow oem mirrors. Replace your weak sauce oem fork springs.
Replace your shock sooner rather than later. You don't need to spend $1k on your shock.


The '91/92 Non ABS FJ1200's are my pick for the best FJ's. You have a good eye Padre.....

Cheers.
Pat

[Millietant]

For the sake of simplicity and ease, I went for the YZF 600 R Thundercat 5" x 17" rear wheel conversion - the absolute minimum of work and the most ease of conversion - using the FJ torque arm, sprocket, brake caliper with a slightly modified caliper mount. This works really well with a 170/60x17 rear tyre, but if you MUST have the widest possible wheel and tyre, then go for the 5.5" GSXR/FZR wheel and 180/55x17 tyre.

Personally, I like the idea that my FJ/T-Cat conversion looks almost exactly like the original, but rides so much better  

[Tuned forks]

What Pat and Travis wrote.  Additionally, you will find that a set of metric feeler gauges will significantly reduce the math required to convert metric to English and back.  I suggested the valve adjustment because many members have reported engine issues that they thought were carb related but cleaning up the valve clearances sometimes helps with engine smoothness.  It's also a procedure that many previous owners neglect.

If you are going to work on your own bike, RPM will be your friend.  The cost of becoming a contributing member will EASILY be offset in the savings that RPM offers during their sales events.  Renting that kit is also a big savings instead of buying the spring hold open tool and an assortment of shims.  In addition to this forum, I found YouTube to be helpful with tutorials.

Joe

[RevDeal]

Just to be clear. The first list of mods are what I know has already been done to the bike by the PO. I may reach out to him and ask him about the valves because I know he did a carb sync just recently too. Which leads me to believe i had asked him about the valves too. It wouldn't hurt to do the measurements myself, which sounds wise anyway. Just to see if they are needed.


I must say, the thing I really loved about this bike was the great amount of fun you can have in making it your own and riding it based on your style. Has anyone had good luck with handle bar risers. I am 6'4" and felt like I had to lean forward just a little too much for my comfort.

[aviationfred]

I must say, the thing I really loved about this bike was the great amount of fun you can have in making it your own and riding it based on your style. Has anyone had good luck with handle bar risers. I am 6'4" and felt like I had to lean forward just a little too much for my comfort.

Welcome to the forum

The easiest and least expensive option are these.

http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AHandleBarRiser

There are other options, but are more expensive.

Fred

[Tuned forks]

Pat is very tall.  When he weighs in again I'm sure he can offer tall person advice.

Joe

[Pat Conlon]

I'm only 6'3" so the new padre's got me by an inch.
The FZ-1 bars on my YZF750 USD forks along with the Buell lower foot pegs are most helpful.

[copper]

I must say, the thing I really loved about this bike was the great amount of fun you can have in making it your own and riding it based on your style. Has anyone had good luck with handle bar risers. I am 6'4" and felt like I had to lean forward just a little too much for my comfort.

Welcome to the forum

The easiest and least expensive option are these.

http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AHandleBarRiser

There are other options, but are more expensive.

Fred

Hi Rev. Welcome and looks like a solid start

Another handlebar option http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ASpieglerHandleBarKit