Hello from Ottawa, Ontario

Mike324 · February 26, 2020, 08:13:34 AM

Hello, My name is Mike and I have a small collection of vintage Yamahas (4) which now, after a long wait, includes an 86 FJ in very nice condition. In the mid eighties, I was driving my XS11 one day, which I still own, back from a camping weekend with a friend who had just purchased an FJ1100. I was offered a chance to exchange bikes for twenty minutes, which I gladly accepted. As much as I liked the power and highway stability of the XS, I quickly recognized how much more sportier the FJ felt. I thought at the time that the FJ felt like a Ferrarri and the XS a big block 70's Mustang. That is the best way I can describe my view at the time. I have never driven anything newer than bikes from this era, so I know that the new super bikes probably feel like an F1 car!
I knew then and there on that day that I would want to own an FJ. It took 35 years to be in a place to add one one to my collection and I look forward to riding it this summer and learning about maintaining it well from this group. I will order the improved petcock soon and then have my mechanic look at a small oil leak from front of the engine which I think must be the head gasket. I am hoping that is what it is and will not be too expensive. The bike has 60 K, sounds good, starts easily, and cosmetically looks excellent. Safe riding everyone! Mike

FJmonkey · February 26, 2020, 09:14:21 AM

Welcome Mike, looks to be in proper cosmetic condition.

fj1289 · February 26, 2020, 05:43:07 PM

Beautiful '86!

Welcome

Pat Conlon · February 26, 2020, 06:41:15 PM

Hi Mike, welcome to the our digital campfire. Kudos on getting your beautiful ambulance!

Here is something to keep an eye on...be careful with those Kerker slip on muffler cans.
The way they were designed, the cantilever puts stress on the collar area of the aluminum can, which after some time, causes the aluminum to fatigue crack and the muffler can falls off....
Folks riding behind you can get a bit cranky....

This has happened to me and to 2 other forum members (that I know of)

Cheers..... Pat

red · February 26, 2020, 08:15:41 PM

Quote from: Pat Conlon on February 26, 2020, 06:41:15 PMHi Mike, welcome to the our digital campfire. Kudos on getting your beautiful ambulance!
Here is something to keep an eye on...be careful with those Kerker slip on muffler cans.
The way they were designed, the cantilever puts stress on the collar area of the aluminum can, which after some time, causes the aluminum to fatigue crack and the muffler can falls off....
Folks riding behind you can get a bit cranky.... This has happened to me and to 2 other forum members (that I know of) Cheers..... Pat

Mike,

Take a look at how some aftermarket mufflers are secured, using large automotive-style hose clamps (often used for clothes-dryer vents) or heat-resistant steel (not aluminum) Adel clamps. Start with a too-large Adel clamp, if that is your choice, and drill a new hole as needed in the straight end, for a custom fit. Add a metal tab to the bike as needed, to hold the clamp/muffler. An ounce of overdoing it is worth a pound of apologies.
.

FJ1200W · February 26, 2020, 08:41:28 PM

Quote from: Mike324 on February 26, 2020, 08:13:34 AM
Hello, My name is Mike and I have a small collection of vintage Yamahas....... I thought at the time that the FJ felt like a Ferrarri and the XS a big block 70's Mustang. That is the best way I can describe my view at the time. I have never driven anything newer than bikes from this era, so I know that the new super bikes probably feel like an F1 car!

Modern bikes are a total and complete blast. Up until last year, I worked for a dealership and am grateful to have been able to ride whatever I wanted. Some of the new stuff is amazing.
A few year back I bought a 2001 Honda XX Blackbird, and that one was the fastest bike I've ever owned. It was like a FJ on a massive dose of steroids.
I sold it and kept the FJ........

aviationfred · February 27, 2020, 01:38:24 AM

Welcome to the forum

Great looking FJ.

Mike324 · February 27, 2020, 07:27:18 AM

Thanks for the responses and suggestions! Mike

Bill_Rockoff · February 27, 2020, 09:43:37 AM

Welcome, Mike!

It is possible that oil is seeping from between the cylinder head and the cylinder block; mine weeps a bit from there. However, it is much more likely (at half the mileage mine has now) that you are leaking oil from the valve cover. These engines get hot, and the rubber gets brittle, and then it stops being soft and squishy enough to prevent oil from leaking past. This also holds true for the valve cover bolts, which have rubber grommets that get heat-cycled and brittle and leaky. You can't tighten the bolts harder to seal better, the bolts are shouldered and only tighten the valve cover a certain amount; after that, you are just making the two parts of the bolt fight each other. (The bolts snap easily too, you need to think in terms of "inch-lbs" rather than "foot-lbs.")

RPM (link above) sells the valve cover gasket and the bolt grommets. There's a good pictorial here: http://tekime.com/2016/06/yamaha-fj1200-valve-cover-gasket-replacement/

Enjoy!

Mike324 · February 27, 2020, 06:17:19 PM

Excellent instructions there! Never thought it might be valve cover. Did not have time to take a close look last summer. This is the summer I am taking my 73 TX650 off and putting the FJ on.
I've got some things to think about before I put the FJ on the road thanks to all your suggestions. Thanks so much. Good to know you kept your FJ Steve despite the faster Honda. I will have a look at that Honda you are referring to. The reference to ambulance I take is related to the colour. Mike

red · February 27, 2020, 08:43:54 PM

Quote from: Mike324 on February 27, 2020, 06:17:19 PM
Excellent instructions there! Never thought it might be valve cover. Did not have time to take a close look last summer. This is the summer I am taking my 73 TX650 off and putting the FJ on.

Mike,

If you can clean away the oil that leaked, then spray the area with aerosol body powder or similar.
The white powder will show where the leak comes from, before fresh oil gets all over everywhere.

.

moparman70 · February 28, 2020, 12:13:14 PM

Welcome Mike --- its good to see another Canadian on the site. Originally from Milton --- I have the same bike from Canada as well -- nice Lateral Frame Concept --- not the Perimeter Frame ones this sold here.

red · February 28, 2020, 03:45:11 PM

Quote from: moparman70 on February 28, 2020, 12:13:14 PMWelcome Mike --- its good to see another Canadian on the site. Originally from Milton --- I have the same bike from Canada as well -- nice Lateral Frame Concept --- not the Perimeter Frame ones this sold here.

Moparman,

Sorry, I can't tell what bike you are referring to there. What bike has the Lateral Frame?
.

FJmonkey · February 28, 2020, 03:47:34 PM

Red, the frames are the same, just worded differently for marketing.

red · February 28, 2020, 06:36:11 PM

Quote from: FJmonkey on February 28, 2020, 03:47:34 PMRed, the frames are the same, just worded differently for marketing.

FJmonkey,

WHAT!? Just to make money? Would they really do that?

Gosh, and here I thought I was gonna learn sumpin' new. Dang it!
.

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Hello from Ottawa, Ontario