Upstate NY - '86(?) FJ1200

[imagelessJAKE]

Hello All!

Recently snagged a FJ1200 for an additional project this summer as I just finished the last one. Its a bit rough around the edges, has about 12000 miles on it.

Got it from a mattress store warehouse where its been sitting for a number of years so its pretty dusty and crusty - its a bit rough around the edges but for 1000 bucks I think its a decent starting point with good bones.

The good:
- Tank seems relatively rust free and has been drained of gas (though it has been creamed)
- When I plugged in a fresh battery electrics worked and starter turned the bike over and cycled strongly
- Its all there! and it doesnt seem like its been dumped - though it has some scratches on the fairing
- It was stored inside so minimal rust
- Frame and engine look in phenomenal shape

the bad:
- Tires flat though they held air to get off the trailer
- the bike was drained of oil before storage (I worry about exposure to rust)
- a few areas of cob-jobbed electrics visible (think duct tape and discolored wires)
- paint unfortunately has cracks on the tank, lots of scratches everywhere and the belly fairing has seen some abuse

I'm expecting to put a lot of hours and a bunch of fresh parts into it, but for right now I am thinking fresh fluids, battery and maybe a carb cleaning and hopefully she should be good to go! It is a summer project after all.

Some other bikes in the stable I've restored are:

1968 Yamaha DT1
1973 Honda CB350G
1989 Honda Hawk
2017 Yamaha FZ07 (commuter bike)

Look forward to talking to other members and seeing great projects!

[Millietant]

Welcome in Jake,

That looks like a good starting point for a project FJ - looks to be mostly all there  .

Presumably you're going to change the tyres, as well as the fresh fluids, battery and carb cleaning ?

Roll on the summer

[imagelessJAKE]

Welcome in Jake,

That looks like a good starting point for a project FJ - looks to be mostly all there  .

Presumably you're going to change the tyres, as well as the fresh fluids, battery and carb cleaning ?

Roll on the summer

Indeed! I am sure they have flat spots from sitting on cold concrete for several years.

I have heard from word of mouth that the brakes and tires on these can be rather bothersome - I need to do a thorough inspection of the bike, develop a todo list and go from there.

I will be posting in the FJ Project Writeups board sometime late spring early summer and seeking out the sage advice of the members here - hopefully I will see you there

[Pat Conlon]

Welcome Jake
Thanks for the intro. post
If I may make a suggestion, down on your signature line (Profile) if you could indicate you have a 1986 that would be helpful later on when you ask questions. This will help both you and us. When you do post, you wouldn't have to keep reminding us what year FJ you have, and we wouldn't give you advice based on a wrong model. (which has happened before)
A couple of quick tips.
1) You can down load a free Owners Handbook here: https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/ownership/support/?r=0
2) Replace those 35 year old rubber brake lines. They are long over due.
3) You already know about your tires...Time for a new set. Rubber dehydrates and hardens.
4) Safety wire the elbow on your vacuum petcock. Do it now: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3265.0

Cheers and again, welcome aboard!

[imagelessJAKE]

Welcome Jake
Thanks for the intro. post
If I may make a suggestion, down on your signature line (Profile) if you could indicate you have a 1986 that would be helpful later on when you ask questions. This will help both you and us...

Thanks Pat! Will do! I only write the year here because it is possible the number on the title is wrong - I am sure there is a vin/year correlation here in this forum somewhere when I get some level of confirmation - I will be sure to add it in the signature line along with the other bikes in the stable.

In response to your other points:

1.) Love it - I always try to gather an hard copy owners manual maintenance book (hopefully not clymers) but digital is better than nothing for the moment!
2.) Very much so - I usually try to replace rubber brake lines with steel when possible - along with the cables possibly (i have heard brakes are a pain point on these things)

3.) very much agree - I am looking around on the forums to see the recommended brand and set
4.) many thanks for the heads up - I will take a closer look on the bike to see if someone has done it and if not it will be among the first things I do!

[fj1289]

Nice find!

Is that a beer can end cap on the exhaust?!

[imagelessJAKE]

Nice find!

Is that a beer can end cap on the exhaust?!

Thanks!

Unfortunately not! I believe it to be a Supertrapp exhuast with some kind of oddball diffuser on there - which of course makes me worry if they adjusted the jetting on the carbs!