Newbie dumb questions

[vitorino]

hi, y'all

just recently acquired an FJ 1100, so here's my dumb questions, please: (if it's a repost, please delete this one)

1-I see a lot of differences between FJ 1100s, not to mention compared with FJ 1200s - one of them is the petcock: for some I see it's a "manual" i.e. you have the manually turn the valve to On/Reserve/Off - but on my '84 FJ 1100 I don't see anything on the left handside of the bike - is it "automatic" i.e. goes from normal to reserve automatically (and hopefully the reserve light turns on)?

2-is the FJ 1100 fuel tank interchangeable with the one on the FJ 1200 (I know there's differences, especially in the "opening"/cap)?

3-can the refillable old-school acid battery be replaced by a modern sealed battery?

4-how to protect the fuel tank from being scratched with the belt buckle - but without sticking one of those ugly tank pads/stickers - a piece of regular duck tape (or even a clear one)?

5-I'm sure you can't use regular WD40 on the chain if it has O'-rings - you need to use the special WD40 Chain Lube or equivalent, right? (it's been a wihle since I had a chain bike)

6-is it true FJs consume a lot of engine oil or is it an urban legend?

7-since the fuse box is on the top-left near the left handlebar and for those of you who were brave enough to ride your FJs through heavy rain, haven't you had any electrical problems, like rain water washing out your fuse box?

8-are any of you able to carry anything under the seat (like documents, tools, etc.)

thanks & regards

[Pat Conlon]

hi, y'all

just recently acquired an FJ 1100, so here's my dumb questions, please: (if it's a repost, please delete this one)

1-I see a lot of differences between FJ 1100s, not to mention compared with FJ 1200s - one of them is the petcock: for some I see it's a "manual" i.e. you have the manually turn the valve to On/Reserve/Off - but on my '84 FJ 1100 I don't see anything on the left handside of the bike - is it "automatic" i.e. goes from normal to reserve automatically (and hopefully the reserve light turns on)?
There are no manual petcocks on FJ's. There are only 2 types:
1) Vacuum operated open/close for the 1984 to 1987 FJ. On the 86/87 FJ the vacuum petcock has a electric reserve function but the opening and closing is still a vacuum operation.
2) the petcocks used on the 1988 to 1995 FJ's which uses a fuel pump. Yes the fuel pump petcock has on/off but that is used for servicing. In day to day riding, the fuel pump stops and starts the flow of fuel.

2-is the FJ 1100 fuel tank interchangeable with the one on the FJ 1200 (I know there's differences, especially in the "opening"/cap)?
Yes, the tanks are physically interchangeable but remember, the '88 to '95 FJs are fuel pump models so they do not use a vacuum operation on the petcock and these fuel tanks do not fit a vacuum petcock so....if you want to use a 1988 to 1995 FJ fuel tank on your '84-87 FJ you have to figure out how you are going to turn on and off the fuel. One solution would be to convert your '84-87 FJ over to a fuel pump. Another solution is to fit an aftermarket manual petcock on to the 88-95 fuel tank...then you have to figure out a way you can reach in with your fingers and turn on and off the manual petcock lever.
You can use a '86/87 fuel tank on your 84/85 no problem. Both tanks use the vacuum petcock.

3-can the refillable old-school acid battery be replaced by a modern sealed battery?
Yes, but be careful with overcharging the new battery. Look at the specs on your new battery. Pay attention to the Maximum Charging current (usually ~14.6 volts) FJ's are notorious for putting out over 15+ volts of charging current. Be advised that the oem FJ voltage regulator is a sneaky bastard. You will check it in your garage and the voltage output will be fine, no worries, but out on the road, usually in the middle of a multi day tour, the voltage regulator goes crazy, BAM! 15.4+ volts and your battery boils dry... I have smoked a AGM by overcharging. When you overcharge the lead acid battery you boil off the electrolyte, so you simply add (distilled) water....When you overcharge a sealed AGM or Li you kill it.
We have an aftermarket voltage regulator we install that controls overcharging. Keeps the system voltage nice and stable. Look in the Files for the Transpo VR mod. Your battery and light bulbs will thank you.

4-how to protect the fuel tank from being scratched with the belt buckle - but without sticking one of those ugly tank pads/stickers - a piece of regular duck tape (or even a clear one)?
I used to rotate my belt buckle to the left side. I have long arms and a handle bar conversion so the days of a long reach over my tank are behind me.

5-I'm sure you can't use regular WD40 on the chain if it has O'-rings - you need to use the special WD40 Chain Lube or equivalent, right? (it's been a wihle since I had a chain bike)
Avoid a penetrating lube. Use only a chain lube safe for o ring chains. There are many different flavors and opinions on chain lubes. I only use WD40 for cleaning the chain.

6-is it true FJs consume a lot of engine oil or is it an urban legend?
It depends on the engine. Normal FJ engines use very little oil. Worn engines use a lot of oil, as high a 1qt. every 1k miles.

7-since the fuse box is on the top-left near the left handlebar and for those of you who were brave enough to ride your FJs through heavy rain, haven't you had any electrical problems, like rain water washing out your fuse box?
You obviously need a cover over the fuses. I've had no problem with mine

8-are any of you able to carry anything under the seat (like documents, tools, etc.)
Under the seat I carry a pair of soft ties, my electric vest cord, Stop and Go tire plug kit w/ 8 CO2 cartridges, small tool kit, and that's it. I ride with a tank bag where I keep all my documents along with wallet, glasses, extra ear plugs, etc. On cross country trips I carry a complete tool kit in my saddle bags.

thanks & regards

[red]

hi, y'all
just recently acquired an FJ 1100, so here's my dumb questions, please: (if it's a repost, please delete this one)
1-I see a lot of differences between FJ 1100s, not to mention compared with FJ 1200s - one of them is the petcock: for some I see it's a "manual" i.e. you have the manually turn the valve to On/Reserve/Off - but on my '84 FJ 1100 I don't see anything on the left handside of the bike - is it "automatic" i.e. goes from normal to reserve automatically (and hopefully the reserve light turns on)?
2-is the FJ 1100 fuel tank interchangeable with the one on the FJ 1200 (I know there's differences, especially in the "opening"/cap)?
3-can the refillable old-school acid battery be replaced by a modern sealed battery?
4-how to protect the fuel tank from being scratched with the belt buckle - but without sticking one of those ugly tank pads/stickers - a piece of regular duck tape (or even a clear one)?
5-I'm sure you can't use regular WD40 on the chain if it has O'-rings - you need to use the special WD40 Chain Lube or equivalent, right? (it's been a wihle since I had a chain bike)
6-is it true FJs consume a lot of engine oil or is it an urban legend?
7-since the fuse box is on the top-left near the left handlebar and for those of you who were brave enough to ride your FJs through heavy rain, haven't you had any electrical problems, like rain water washing out your fuse box?
8-are any of you able to carry anything under the seat (like documents, tools, etc.)
thanks & regards

vertigobike,

Wow, lotsa questions!  I can take a swing at some of them.
1.  The fuel petcock opens by engine vacuum, normally, and it shut off if the engine quits.  You can turn it off OFF manually, or let it flow fuel freely (PRIME), or leave it in the normal position, where engine vacuum opens the petcock.  Needs a screwdriver, though.  Later FJs had an electric "reserve" that came in with a flip of a switch, but the FJ100s had a gas gauge, and nothing more.
2. IDK.
3. Prolly so, but I never changed to the newer batteries.  The new batteries charge like the old ones; easy does it, with any lead/acid battery.  Rapid charges or discharges are not good for the longevity of lead/acid batteries.
4. You can buy those tank protectors in many colors, including clear.  I have a crystal-clear one.  Recommended.
5. Dedicated chain cleaner is good for an O-ring chain.  You won't get much lube (of any type) into an O-ring chain, but I use the best lube I can find, after the cleaner.  Chain lube DOES lube the chain sprockets, minimizing the wear on the sprocket teeth.
6. Yamaha makes a product called Ring-Free.  Can't hurt, might help.  My engine does not consume oil beyond normal, but these engines are like 35 years old, so it all comes down to mileage and maintenance, with the engine you have.
7. Rainwater is pure water, an insulator; only the dirt carried in the water makes water into a short circuit.    I've never had that problem, but I don't ride in the rain, and it never rains in Utah, anyway.
8. There is room for the tool kit inside the tail-cone, behind the seat, but not much room under the seat.  I keep wrapped documents inside the tool bag.
.

[Waiex191]

I've done extensive riding in the rain in my prior life. Never had an issue. My FJ has never used much oil.  Currently it has over 37,000 miles. 

[Urban_Legend]

I can give you a definitive answer to No. 7. No rain will not affect the 1100 fuse carrier. I have not had the cover for mine for a few years ( got a new cover last week, a local here in Australia has started 3d printing them) and in March of this year rode 800km through torrential rain. No electrical issues from that.

In the wet the main electrical issue you may come across is from the Coils. As they are now 35 years old, many have developed cracks in the casing. You could replace the coils or just fill and seal the cracks with a bathroom selastic sealant. It works fine.


All other answers are as Pat and Red have stated.
Mark

[vitorino]

hi

thanks all of you for your quick and knowledgeable replies - you're fantastic! 

regards

[vitorino]

hi, y'all

just saw another difference from watching some videos

some FJs have the choke in the form of a pull/push button on the left-top-handside of the bike (that says "choke"); while others (mine included) have it on the left handlebar ("normal" rotating choke)

perhaps it was a country/regulations thingy; or just an evolved design?

regards

[RPM - Robert]

The 1100s were on the handlebar. The 1200s were mounted on the fairing cowl. I believe it is the same across the board for all countries.

[vitorino]

RPM - Robert: thanks for clearing that!

to my eyes it looks like the choke button is a "downgrade" from the rotating one... wondering why Yamaha decided to do that... perhaps they needed the space on the handlebar for something else; or was just simpler/less expensive to put a big button saying "CHOKE" on the left side? 

that also takes me to another design aspect of the FJ 1200: for me, the side air intakes look disporportionately large when compared to the ones on the FJ 1100; as all in all, for me the FJ 1100 looks more porportionate; while the FJ 1200 looks more like an aftermarket tuning version of the FJ 1100 (pardon for the sacrilege - prepare the firing squad) 

of course I'm biased and beauty is subjective and in the eye of the beholder

I do like the integrated blinkers and evolved tank on the FJ 1200 better than the FJ 1100, though

also, if I was Yamaha I would have make the FJ 1100/1200 not with a chain but with a shaft drive from the start, like the XJ900 Diversion S and the recent FJR 1300 - for me it "doesn't compute" putting a chain on a tourer (even worse on a Trail/Maxi-Trail)... yet there's plenty of manufacturers that still put the 'ole chain, despite the drawbacks (to the Owner)... I think in that sense BMW took the right path, having shaft drive on its touring/Maxi-Trail bikes; and also I would have put integrated panniers on the FJ 1100/1200, like the ones on the Honda PC800 Pacific Coast and ST1100 Pan-European - it would have put an underline on the touring aspect of the FJ... but again, that's just me

regards

[GhostMerc]

The FJ1100/ 1200 evolved into a touring bike over its lifetime.  It started out more as a super bike. See poster: https://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18027.0

Here's how I think about the US versions:
'84/ '85 - SuperSport Touring
'86/ '87 - Sport Touring
'89/ '90 - Sport Touring
'91-'93 - Sport Touring

[Motofun]

The FJ1100/ 1200 evolved into a touring bike over its lifetime.  It started out more as a super bike. See poster: https://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18027.0

Here's how I think about the US versions:
'84/ '85 - SuperSport Touring
'86/ '87 - Sport Touring
'89/ '90 - Sport Touring
'91-'93 - Sport Touring

Good description, however the early models were meant to be pure sport bikes.  They just happened to fall at the very end of the air cooled period.  When the water cooled full on sport bikes with full fairings started to appear the FJ design had to adapt and change it's target audience.  I still have an article by a sports writer who described the '84/'85 FJ as a velvet sledge hammer....I still think of it that way.

[vitorino]

GhostMerc/Motofun: thanks a lot for your input - I know you're right

it's just my touring veins trying to make sense of the FJ 1100... 

of course, if the FJ was born to be a full tourer from the start it probably wouldn't have 125hp nor a chain nor marketed with enphasis on the speed like in that poster you showed... it would probably have 90-100hp, shaft drive, integrated panniers and a bigger/full fairing

I will probably only use 20% of the FJ potential, as my riding style is "70-year old man" super-relaxed (even though I'm in my 30s) 

that's why I give more importance to the touring aspect and practicality to carry luggage in a neat way, not in a "gipsy" way

that will probably be my downfall, I'm afraid... most likely the FJ will be "too much of a bike" for me... and I ill perhaps sell it down the line to buy a touring BMW K bike...  or keep the FJ and still buy the BMW K so keeping both  .... let's see

regards

[fj1289]

Prior to the FZR1000 in 87, the 84/85 FJ1100 and 85/86 FJ1200 was Yamaha's top of the line big bore sport bike!  In 84/85 it was the top of the heap despite being the last air cooled 4 cylinder sport bike produced.   Suzuki's GSXR1100 in 86 and the FZR1000 in 87 took the sport bike class to new levels by being much more focused, light weight, etc, and much less well-rounded.  

[Mike324]

"too much of a bike" for me... and I ill perhaps sell it down the line to buy a touring BMW K bike...  or keep the FJ and still buy the BMW K so keeping both  .... let's see

I think I have had a similar riding style to you, relaxed and occasional "brisk" riding when conditions are right. I will use not all of the potential of my XS11 or FJ1200, but they are beautiful bikes to look at and maintain in the garage and great fun to ride at 20%, 40%, or higher if that is what one wants. In my humble opinion, enjoy the FJ at any level you like if you can get the touring luggage to work for you.  Mike, Ottawa

[vitorino]

hi, y'all

went down to Portugal for my yearly 2-week vacation and (finally!) rode the FJ 1100: 238 miles in all roads except dirt: town + back and coastal roads + freeways

had 2 snafus with it... maybe post it in another section; but after that the bike rode well, despite being a very "moody girl"

more newbie questions, please... to see if it's "working as designed/expected" or a real bug:

1-at 4 000 rpm or above there's a very loud mechanical sound coming from the gas tank, which sounds like a pump - then below 4 000 rpm it stops (doesn't positively or negatively affect the bike, it's just the whinning sound) - would this be the vaccuum fuel pump (petcock?) working its magic? Is it normal?

2-reading the specs of my '84 FJ 1100 it states the gas tank holds 24.5 Litres/6.47 US gallons; but at the gas station (with what seemed to me an almost empty tank) the gas maxed out at the top with only around 15 Litres/3.96 US gallons - was I miscalculating and there was still plenty of gas in the tank; or is the gas going somewhere else other than the tank (no visible leaks); or are the specs wrong?

3-the fuel gauge appears to work fine when in straight lines, but after some corners, downhillls or uphills it begins to work like it's cursed, sometimes showing I've no more gas, other times that I'm ok at half tank, then magically some gas appeared in the tank so it shows the tank is almost full... I think I know the answer to this one, which can be called "normal" as unlike cars, gas tanks in bikes get tossed around a lot so the internal mechanism will do its best with gas "waves" inside the tank... but I don't recall having this issue on my '86 BMW K100 RT... and the riding style is the same (pardon me!)

now the bike is stored for the coming winter :-( ... let's see if next year I can ride it again

regards