New FJ1100 owner

[benwjj42]

Howdy all,
I just took ownership of an '84 FJ1100 in NY.  I am the third owner of the bike.  The previous onwers have taken amazing care of this beast!  It has 21k miles and it mostly stock other than some progressive springs in the forks, a stage 1 jet kit, and air pods.  There is not a scratch or bit of rust to be found on it.  I am super excited to get some time on this thing.  It looks like there is some great info in this forum and I am looking forward to sifting through it.

[Pat Conlon]

Welcome to our FJ forum.
We agree that there is something extra special about those Stormy Red and silver '84 FJ's.

Pat

[fj1289]

Welcome! 

Beauty there!  Just take the time and funds to ensure everything is up to par - a few items are probably worth some preventative maintenance (if YOU haven't done them already)

Tires - check dates on sidewalls - fresh rubber is nearly always worth the investment.
Safety wire the petcock!!!!  More than one early FJ has met a very untimely demise this way!
Flush all the hydraulic fluids - front and rear brakes and clutch.
For the clutch - I'd suggest replacing the seal in the slave cylinder too - very prone to leakage over time.
Check generator charging levels - most will be overcharging by now. 
While at it - check the "red connector" from the generator- it is probably heat damaged and an make the overcharging worse.



[is there a FAQ of this type of stuff for a new FJ owner?  Not looking for a laundry list of everything- just the (un)common sense stuff that will often get overlooked if the bike looks and/runs well and can really bite an unsuspecting new owner]  Maybe a tiered list?
1. Don't do more than a gentle test ride until you check/do these things ....
2. Don't try daily riding or long trips until you check/do ....
3. Entry level mods ....
4. Typical moditis level mods ....
5. Frank/Frank/Dan/Pat/Norbert/Mike/..... level moditis mods .....

[Millietant]

Wow - that looks like an absolute beauty....

Welcome in !!

[benwjj42]

Welcome! 

Beauty there!  Just take the time and funds to ensure everything is up to par - a few items are probably worth some preventative maintenance (if YOU haven't done them already)

Tires - check dates on sidewalls - fresh rubber is nearly always worth the investment.
Safety wire the petcock!!!!  More than one early FJ has met a very untimely demise this way!
Flush all the hydraulic fluids - front and rear brakes and clutch.
For the clutch - I'd suggest replacing the seal in the slave cylinder too - very prone to leakage over time.
Check generator charging levels - most will be overcharging by now. 
While at it - check the "red connector" from the generator- it is probably heat damaged and an make the overcharging worse.



[is there a FAQ of this type of stuff for a new FJ owner?  Not looking for a laundry list of everything- just the (un)common sense stuff that will often get overlooked if the bike looks and/runs well and can really bite an unsuspecting new owner]  Maybe a tiered list?
1. Don't do more than a gentle test ride until you check/do these things ....
2. Don't try daily riding or long trips until you check/do ....
3. Entry level mods ....
4. Typical moditis level mods ....
5. Frank/Frank/Dan/Pat/Norbert/Mike/..... level moditis mods .....

Thank you! I had no idea about the petcock issue. I will be addressing that immediately.

I am already planning to check the charging system and have some blue dot calipers/master coming so I'll do a flush while I'm doing that swap.

[Firehawk068]

Thank you! I had no idea about the petcock issue. I will be addressing that immediately.

I am already planning to check the charging system and have some blue dot calipers/master coming so I'll do a flush while I'm doing that swap.

Welcome!
Very nice looking Bike!

As far as I know, the "Blue Dot" Calipers are not a direct fit for the 1984-1988 FJs
Some have mounted them using some sort of adapter Bracket.

You would have to swap over to a later model (1989-UP) FJ1200 front-end:  (Fork Lowers, Front Wheel, Front Brake Rotors)  in order for those Calipers to be a direct bolt-on.

[Millietant]

Unless you've got some adaptor plates, or different fork bottoms (FJ 1200 3CV or 3XW), those blue spots won't fit onto your FJ 1100's legs.

So, now that you know you need different fork bottoms, why not ............. swap the whole fork, and while you're at it, the triple trees and front mudguard/fender....... Oh and how about 17"x3.5" front wheel......Aah what the heck, let's just stick a complete USD front end on it with 320mm brake rotors...........and a 17" back wheel to match the front, with uprated rear suspension ............oh crap.... It's started  

[giantkiller]

Unless you've got some adaptor plates, or different fork bottoms (FJ 1200 3CV or 3XW), those blue spots won't fit onto your FJ 1100's legs.

So, now that you know you need different fork bottoms, why not ............. swap the whole fork, and while you're at it, the triple trees and front mudguard/fender....... Oh and how about 17"x3.5" front wheel......Aah what the heck, let's just stick a complete USD front end on it with 320mm brake rotors...........and a 17" back wheel to match the front, with uprated rear suspension ............oh crap.... It's started  

Go "inverted" all the way.
I should have some 89 forks laying around somewhere....  Maybe I should keep them though. I want to keep the 84 with 7800miles I got for free. "Mostly stock "

Very nice looking bike!!
Watch out for moditis!! Very contagious!!

[benwjj42]

Go "inverted" all the way.
I should have some 89 forks laying around somewhere....  Maybe I should keep them though. I want to keep the 84 with 7800miles I got for free. "Mostly stock "

Very nice looking bike!!
Watch out for moditis!! Very contagious!!

Let me know if you decide you want to part with those forks!

[oldfj1100]

Thats a clean and very nice looking FJ you picked up there.