Going to look at an 86 fj1200.

[Loukiii]

Photos look very nice. Has hard bags and a Corbin seat and the original.  What would be a fair offer if it is in almost perfect shape?

[Pat Conlon]

$2,500-$3,500.

[Loukiii]

Got it

[Pat Conlon]

Well, all right!! 

Tell us the details. Give us your first impressions on your FJ...You will like that Corbin seat.

[Loukiii]

     Well I misunderstood the guy when he said he had hard bags but that it doesn't matter.  The bike appears to be very well maintained for a 35 year old motorcycle. I found out he was the original owner. He bought it at 22 years old and said it was the first thing he ever bought brand new. He actually had tears in his eyes when he handed me the keys lol. Said he had 2 kids but he didn't feel like they would appreciate it. I has a Vulcan 2000 that he rides now.

     This was the first FJ1200 I ever rode. I was going to buy an 84 FJ1100 but that deal fell through. It had been sitting awhile but it started right up. (I forgot about chokes lol). I have been riding a road glide ultra for the past few years too so the riding position was a little different than I have been used to since my Ninja days were 30 year ago. It sputtered a little bit when I would start out in first gear but it ran through the gears nicely. After I got on the freeway and blew the cobwebs out it ran like a top and the sputtering stopped when I would start out from stops after that.
     
     Fortunately some of the gas stations around here have non ethanol gas. It is a little more expensive but I will probably run a couple tanks of that through it.
The bike handles like a dream. So nimble and that throttle is so responsive. I love the sound of the exaust. It reminds me of that electric bug sound you hear at night sometimes compared to a rumbling VTwin that I have gotten used to.

     I look at the new crotch rockets out there and I really do think the FJ1200 looks just as good or better than the new bikes out there. I only rode it about 60 miles before I put it on my buddies trailer and brought it home. But I could see heads turning lol. When we took it off the trailer I started it up again and took it around the block and the carb hesitation did not reappear.  I think it just needs to be ridden.

     So far I am very happy with it.  Can't wait to take it to a couple bike nights and see the reactions. And I also plan on taking a road trip too once I get my body used to riding that bike. I noticed a little stiffness in my left shoulder after a bit lol sucks to get old. But nothin a couple ibuprofens wont fix.

[ribbert]

 .... But nothin a couple ibuprofens wont fix.

Noel

[Millietant]

It looks lovely.....especially with that gorgeous Kerker system on it.....I keep regretting taking mine off, but after a long day in the saddle, my ears are happy the Kerker "silencers" are now on the VF 750.

[Loukiii]

I read some reviews where someone complained that this was a big bike and it was a chore to wrestle it around in the garage or ride around in town.  I just sold my HD Road Glide Ultra dresser compared to that, this bike handles like a dream around town. If I want to move it around in my garage I can grab the luggage rack and slide it over. I have no idea what that guy is talking about. lol
There is no sitting at a stop light twisting you throttle with this bike either. It sounds like it is angry lol. I always thought that was kind of stupid anyway. See the South Park episode about Harleys. 
Took it for an evening spin to get some gas and make a 25 mile loop out into the country and back. Very pleasant ride. Kept it under 70 out in the styx and stayed with the flow of traffic in town. The engine isnt even hardly working with rpms staying around 4000... Im going to have to get out of town and let this dog eat soon, but I cant get my tags until Apr 8th because appointments are booked so far out.  Insurance is less than $100 a year. Going to get antique plates too.  Need to find a shop manual and start tinkering. That's why I bought it anyway.

[Pat Conlon]

Good for you...many of us like modifying our FJ's, better tires, brakes and suspension.
Dollar for dollar, FJ's are a great value.

Keep an eye on those Kerker cans. Over time the vibration and cantilever stress will cause the aluminum to fatigue yield at the collar. A few of us have lost the cans while riding.

[Loukiii]

Here are some closeups of the joints and one of the tips on mine.
This particular tip was shaking a bit. I need to take off the end cap and adjust the screws that hold it on to tighten it up before I lose it. I dont think they are replaceable lol

[Loukiii]

Here is a list of things from the description. Anything that might raise a flag I should investigate further? Hopefully it is not too late to ask. I am already committed lol But I do want to make sure it stays in top shape as long as it can.

44,000 mil  EXCELLENT cond.
Has extras that have been added
* Bike Cover.          * Back Rest
* Corbin Seat & Stock Seat
* Luggage Rack      * Tank Bag
* Saddle Bags
* Smoked windshield
* competition front fork Springs
* 6 spring Barnett clutch basket.                 
* Dynojet Kit
* Kerker whitetip exhaust system 
* New chain and sprockets
* New lifters have been adjusted
* New valve cover gaskets
* Second gear had been updated

[aviationfred]

Here is a list of things from the description. Anything that might raise a flag I should investigate further? Hopefully it is not too late to ask. I am already committed lol But I do want to make sure it stays in top shape as long as it can.

44,000 mil  EXCELLENT cond.
Has extras that have been added
* Bike Cover.          * Back Rest
* Corbin Seat & Stock Seat
* Luggage Rack      * Tank Bag
* Saddle Bags
* Smoked windshield
* competition front fork Springs
* 6 spring Barnett clutch basket.                 
* Dynojet Kit
* Kerker whitetip exhaust system 
* New chain and sprockets
* New lifters have been adjusted
* New valve cover gaskets
* Second gear had been updated

Looks like a great starting point for many enjoyable miles.

You might look into stainless steel braided brake lines.

[ribbert]

Here is a list of things from the description. Anything that might raise a flag I should investigate further? Hopefully it is not too late to ask. I am already committed lol But I do want to make sure it stays in top shape as long as it can.

44,000 mil  EXCELLENT cond.
Has extras that have been added
* Bike Cover.          * Back Rest
* Corbin Seat & Stock Seat
* Luggage Rack      * Tank Bag
* Saddle Bags
* Smoked windshield
* competition front fork Springs
* 6 spring Barnett clutch basket.                 
* Dynojet Kit
* Kerker whitetip exhaust system 
* New chain and sprockets
* New lifters have been adjusted
* New valve cover gaskets
* Second gear had been updated

Looks like a very nice bike you've found yourself there, and barely run in to boot.

The Barnett coil spring conversion will be heavy to use, if it's not to your liking, a standard FJ clutch will take everything you can throw at and more but with a lighter pull and most importantly, an over centre spring (diaphragm spring) as opposed to coil springs which are linear.

You'll get great advice from the membership here, there's not a job or a mod that hasn't been done dozens of times at least.

Noel

[gumby302ho]

Photos look very nice. Has hard bags and a Corbin seat and the original.  What would be a fair offer if it is in almost perfect shape?

    Up here in Ontario an 86 ITX was for sale and it was in fair shape but had 80 000 on the clock and was freshened up at 72 000 km. It was all original, asking price in Canadian Tire money was 3200$ for the curious. Not sure of what was in the rebuild. Looked great to me but the ITX is my fav.

[gumby302ho]

I read some reviews where someone complained that this was a big bike and it was a chore to wrestle it around in the garage or ride around in town.  I just sold my HD Road Glide Ultra dresser compared to that, this bike handles like a dream around town. If I want to move it around in my garage I can grab the luggage rack and slide it over. I have no idea what that guy is talking about. lol
There is no sitting at a stop light twisting you throttle with this bike either. It sounds like it is angry lol. I always thought that was kind of stupid anyway. See the South Park episode about Harleys. 
Took it for an evening spin to get some gas and make a 25 mile loop out into the country and back. Very pleasant ride. Kept it under 70 out in the styx and stayed with the flow of traffic in town. The engine isnt even hardly working with rpms staying around 4000... Im going to have to get out of town and let this dog eat soon, but I cant get my tags until Apr 8th because appointments are booked so far out.  Insurance is less than $100 a year. Going to get antique plates too.  Need to find a shop manual and start tinkering. That's why I bought it anyway.

We pay around a thousand dollars in Ontario for a short season