Hello from Colorado

[Toddr44]

Hello, I'm the proud new owner of an 86' FJ1200. I've owned a bunch of different bikes over the years but I've always thought the FJ was a beautiful bike. Thumbing through the local classifieds, I saw this bike and I decided I had to have it. Iota's a bone stock 86', 14k original miles. Just a couple tiny cosmetic flaws. Iota's been garage kept for iota's entirety and not driven much. Looking forward to being a member of this group while I get it ready for spring. Iota's snowing and -1 this morning so I got time!

Cheers,
Todd

[Toddr44]

Stupid autocorrect! "Iota"? What the heck? Sorry.

[red]

Hello, I'm the proud new owner of an 86' FJ1200. I've owned a bunch of different bikes over the years but I've always thought the FJ was a beautiful bike. Thumbing through the local classifieds, I saw this bike and I decided I had to have it. Iota's a bone stock 86', 14k original miles. Just a couple tiny cosmetic flaws. Iota's been garage kept for iota's entirety and not driven much. Looking forward to being a member of this group while I get it ready for spring. Iota's snowing and -1 this morning so I got time!
Cheers,
Todd

Todd,

Welcome to the sandbox!  Pull up a seat, relax, and be among friends.  

We will have lots of advice, especially for long-neglected bikes.  Check the Date Codes on the tires, replace the hydraulic fluids (clutch and brake) with fresh, and very important, check that the fuel petcock outlet elbow has been safety-wired into place.  We have links here for almost any issue you may find.    

Here is one (click and scroll down).

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

[Toddr44]

Thank you for the welcome. That sounds like sage advice for sure. Is there a preferred tire for general purpose use? I do plan on using it for touring. Here in Colorado, it doesn't rain much.

[red]

Thank you for the welcome. That sounds like sage advice for sure. Is there a preferred tire for general purpose use? I do plan on using it for touring. Here in Colorado, it doesn't rain much.

Toddr,

If you have the stock 16 inch rims, your tire choices lately are really limited.  I run on Pirelli Sport Demons, and they are fine by me.  It's a popular mod here to switch to 17 inch rims.  Even just the front wheel being a 17 inch rim will give you more tire choices, if you like to run both tires from the same manufacturer, & same model.  You can find a lot of posts about the 17 inch wheel mods.  If I wanted to get a 17 inch front wheel, I would replace the entire front end (fork tree, forks, brakes, wheel and all) from a newer Yamaha.  You can often find a complete front end like that on eBay, for less money than you might spend for one new part.  The 16 inch rear wheel is not so much of a limit on tires, so you may or may not want a 17 inch rear wheel.  

Like I said, though, the Pirellis are all I really need.  Happy hunting . . .

P.S. Speedbleeders.com can make the hydraulics much easier to bleed.  They have a nifty fluid-catch bag that helps a lot, too.

[Toddr44]

Thank you for the welcome. That sounds like sage advice for sure. Is there a preferred tire for general purpose use? I do plan on using it for touring. Here in Colorado, it doesn't rain much.

Toddr,

If you have the stock 16 inch rims, your tire choices lately are really limited.  I run on Pirelli Sport Demons, and they are fine by me.  It's a popular mod here to switch to 17 inch rims.  Even just the front wheel being a 17 inch rim will give you more tire choices, if you like to run both tires from the same manufacturer, & same model.  You can find a lot of posts about the 17 inch wheel mods.  If I wanted to get a 17 inch front wheel, I would replace the entire front end (fork tree, forks, brakes, wheel and all) from a newer Yamaha.  You can often find a complete front end like that on eBay, for less money than you might spend for one new part.  The 16 inch rear wheel is not so much of a limit on tires, so you may or may not want a 17 inch rear wheel.  

Like I said, though, the Pirellis are all I really need.  Happy hunting . . .

P.S. Speedbleeders.com can make the hydraulics much easier to bleed.  They have a nifty fluid-catch bag that helps a lot, too.

Thanks again Red!

[Pat Conlon]

Welcome Todd, you have a beauty for sure. Kudos!
I agree with you that the Lines on the FJ are beautiful.

Cheers.

Pat

[giantkiller]

Hello, I'm the proud new owner of an 86' FJ1200. I've owned a bunch of different bikes over the years but I've always thought the FJ was a beautiful bike. Thumbing through the local classifieds, I saw this bike and I decided I had to have it. Iota's a bone stock 86', 14k original miles. Just a couple tiny cosmetic flaws. Iota's been garage kept for iota's entirety and not driven much. Looking forward to being a member of this group while I get it ready for spring. Iota's snowing and -1 this morning so I got time!

Cheers,
Todd

Isn't that 87 colors?

[RPM - Robert]

Hello, I'm the proud new owner of an 86' FJ1200. I've owned a bunch of different bikes over the years but I've always thought the FJ was a beautiful bike. Thumbing through the local classifieds, I saw this bike and I decided I had to have it. Iota's a bone stock 86', 14k original miles. Just a couple tiny cosmetic flaws. Iota's been garage kept for iota's entirety and not driven much. Looking forward to being a member of this group while I get it ready for spring. Iota's snowing and -1 this morning so I got time!

Cheers,
Todd

Isn't that 87 colors?

Yes.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Todd, that is a clean looking 87' you have. The 86/87 are the same bike but the colors are switched. The Red wheels are black on the 86'. Looking forward to seeing you at a rally once you have confidence in the road worthy status. My first FJ is an 86', I love them ambulance colors. Makes the bike look faster than the newer FJs.

[Toddr44]

You're right, I totally fat fingered it. It is an 87.

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the forum  

We are kind of neighbors. I am in South Central Kansas. I usually get over to Colorado for a week of riding once a year. I ride with a few guys that are retired, unfortunately, I am not. This year we have our ride dates set for the 11th-14th of July. Home base for the trip will be in Cortez. You are more than welcome to join us. Anyone else that would be interested is invited..... an unofficial Southwest Colorado FJ Rally could be had.



Fred

[aviationfred]

Thank you for the welcome. That sounds like sage advice for sure. Is there a preferred tire for general purpose use? I do plan on using it for touring. Here in Colorado, it doesn't rain much.

I have 17" wheels front and rear on all 3 of my FJ's. I don't have personal experience with any of the current 16" tire combos. I know of 5 brands that offer a matched set. There may be more.

Pirelli Sport Demons
Metzeler Lasertec
Continental TKV11/TKV12
Bridgestone Battlax BT46
Avon Roadrider


Fred

[Toddr44]

Welcome to the forum  

We are kind of neighbors. I am in South Central Kansas. I usually get over to Colorado for a week of riding once a year. I ride with a few guys that are retired, unfortunately, I am not. This year we have our ride dates set for the 11th-14th of July. Home base for the trip will be in Cortez. You are more than welcome to join us. Anyone else that would be interested is invited..... an unofficial Southwest Colorado FJ Rally could be had.



Fred

Good Morning Fred,
That would be fantastic! Please keep me in the loop. I'll be working on getting it ready.

[Firehawk068]

Welcome Todd, from a fellow Colorado resident (I'm in Denver area)

During the warmer months I fancy a ride down the foothills for a "Rudy's Run" to get some BBQ.
There's a few FJ-Owners sprinkled around Colorado, that you might get to meet one day.