anything specific to check before I get in the wind?

[5speed]

On vintage goldwings step #1 is to change the timing belts.
Then check the lower frame around the center stand for rust.

Is there anything FJ specific I need to check?
I have a new back tire coming as the one on her is weather cracked on the side walls.
Going to change the oil as well.

[fj1289]

Valve clearances are a must. 

Carb synch (AFTER valves is a should)

Spark plugs - they are a consumable after all

Forget what year you have - safety wire the petcock is a must for the early years (I think)

A fresh battery would be nice (can masquerade as ignition troubles)

Chain and sprockets if they are anything other than top of the line and in new condition (you have now idea how the PO may have treated them - much much cheaper than engine case when it lets go - your leg should heal with more time than money though)

[FJmonkey]

Check lower frame rail bolts/fasteners. My last purchase of my 89' had a missing bolt. Some reported finding them broken/missing. Prior to 89', safety wire the petcock. Check the reddish/brown 2 pin connector on the left side near the side of the battery. This tends to melt internally, not easy to see till you open it. Check valves, change the fuel filter if 89+. Check the chain and sprockets. A broken chain can mean a broken case or personal injury. Many more common things to check.

[5speed]

tks guys.
Mine is an 86.
I'm making a list now.
and reading up on safety wiring the petcock..

[FJmonkey]

Please edit your profile to list your FJ as an 86'. This will eliminate answers that don't apply to your model. As an after thought, service your forks. They were crappy when new, who knows how old the oil is or if some has left forks.

[red]

tks guys.  Mine is an 86.  I'm making a list now.
and reading up on safety wiring the petcock..

5speed,

The safety wire does not secure any bolts of fasteners.  It keeps the angled fuel fitting from leaving the petcock body, because the fitting is only held in place by sealant, which can get old and then fail.  Engine fires (even complete bike incineration) could happen if the fitting gets free and dumps raw gas on your hot engine.  It is easy to add the safety wire needed to keep things safe.  Check pix:

http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3A36Y-24500-01

[T Legg]

The kickstand safety switch.

[FJmonkey]

The kickstand safety switch.

Good call Travis, how are them ribs doing?

[T Legg]

Pretty good Mark. Just got back from a sixty mile after work evening ride. My clavicle is still messed up but there is no discomfort while riding.

[5speed]

Okay. just came in from the shed...I have questions.  
The elbow will spin in the pet cock..I'm guessing it isn't suppose to?
I couldn't pull it out.
This leads me to my next question.
Does it look like someone has been there and routed the gas line the wrong way? It wasn't anywhere near that shield on the right carb which I'm assuming is the way it is suppose to go.

and I just noticed the sticker telling you how to route the fuel line..    MY caffeine level must be down.
And that leads me back to the petcock elbow. Is it suppose to be vertical or horizontal?  
and last question..there was no hose hooked to that nipple which I'm assuming is a vent?

[5speed]

went back out to the shed because the schematic for the tank shows a hose coming from that small nipple and I know there wasn't one hooked to it when I picked the tank up to unhook the fuel line.
It's there..so whomever was there before not only cut approx 6" of fuel line off the hose from the petcock to the t, they didn't hook the vacuum line back up. It's a wonder the bike even started..

[RPM - Robert]

The small line that is not hooked to anything in the second photo goes to the petcock. It looks like the PO had the petcock in backwords as the fuel hose should not loop around like that.

The elbow is at like a 20* angle or so. It is neither vertical or horizontal to the flange.

[5speed]

The small line that is not hooked to anything in the second photo goes to the petcock. It looks like the PO had the petcock in backwords as the fuel hose should not loop around like that.

The elbow is at like a 20* angle or so. It is neither vertical or horizontal to the flange.

they definitely cut some off the fuel hose as the end isn't square.
should I be concerned that the elbow spins in the petcock housing?
I ordered the rebuild kit for it from you. Got it out..might as well freshen it up.

[RPM - Robert]

The elbow should not move at all. Personally, I would replace the entire unit. Some people have suggested JB weld or something of the sort before but I figure for $126 it breaks down to around $4 a year to get a new one since the bikes are 30+ years old at this point.

Money well spent to not have a flaming moto, IMO

[5speed]

 

The elbow should not move at all. Personally, I would replace the entire unit. Some people have suggested JB weld or something of the sort before but I figure for $126 it breaks down to around $4 a year to get a new one since the bikes are 30+ years old at this point.

Money well spent to not have a flaming moto, IMO

I don't see ones for 86's on your site. Do you have them?