new member Ontario Canada

[Rjack6811]

Hi all, Im looking forward to the collective wisdom contained in this site. Im going to have a look at a 1989 FJ on Wednesday, if it all checks out I'll be spending alot of time and asking many questions on this site. I have owned many bikes over the years but most recently I took to the BMW R1200RT's (07,2013,2017) the 17 was a beautiful bike but it had to go due to financial obligations. Ive got the itch back and while riding the boxer engines for the past 10 or so years was great I always found myself missing the Japanese inline 4's, I grew up on Suzuki GS750's, Honda CB 750 supersport, and also had a Kawasaki ZRX1200 for a few years. The investment in the FJ is not as heavy as owning the BMW's so I'm back in the game. I've added a few pics that were sent from the seller, Fingers crossed.

Cheers Ron

[Pat Conlon]

Welcome Ron, thanks for the pictures. That '89 looks to be in great shape. Add a decal on the right side chin fairing and replace those soft oem fork springs along with the oem rubber brake lines and you're good to go. How much $$? How many miles on her? When was the last time the valve clearances were checked? How are the warm compression numbers?

That bike looks to be *very well* cared for...

Hope she checks out and you get it. As we all know, the Yamaha FJ's are tremendous bargains, an honest motorcycle you can actually work on...

Let us know.  Cheers Pat

[Rjack6811]

Welcome Ron, thanks for the pictures. That '89 looks to be in great shape. Add a decal on the right side chin fairing and replace those soft oem fork springs along with the oem rubber brake lines and you're good to go. How much $$? How many miles on her? When was the last time the valve clearances were checked? How are the warm compression numbers?

That bike looks to be *very well* cared for...

Hope she checks out and you get it. As we all know, the Yamaha FJ's are tremendous bargains, an honest motorcycle you can actually work on...

Let us know.  Cheers Pat

Thanks for the warm welcome Pat. thats a crack on the fairing, Ill try my hand at a repair and then a cover up somehow. Comes with a full set of new Speigler stainless lines, OEM exhaust and a tail bag. Break lines will be first on the list, As well as fork springs. It was saftied and on the road last season. Front caliper was rebuilt when it was saftied, new pads front and back, he installed a new fuel guage when he bought it, supertrapp 4-1 exhaust, 5k on both tires. Bike has 60k kilometers on it, thats the extent of my knowlege on it thus far. He is asking $3,500.00 CDN.

[Pat Conlon]

Ok, that price is in the ballpark. Should have already had a couple of valve inspections by 60k klics. See if the seller has any service records showing that was done. Failure to service the valves will result in the valves getting tight and thus not fully closing, possibly burning a valve or valve seat. That will show up in low compression numbers. I forgot to mention, check the date code on the tires. 4 years is my personal maximum.

Cheers. Hope she checks out....she is a beauty!

[Rjack6811]

Ok, that price is in the ballpark. Should have already had a couple of valve inspections by 60k klics. See if the seller has any service records showing that was done. Failure to service the valves will result in the valves getting tight and thus not fully closing, possibly burning a valve or valve seat. That will show up in low compression numbers. I forgot to mention, check the date code on the tires. 4 years is my personal maximum.

Cheers. Hope she checks out....she is a beauty!

thanks Pat, any other items I should be looking for when viewing the bike. I know general stuff to look for but anything specific to the FJ ?

[Pat Conlon]

Check for bubbled paint under the clutch slave cylinder. This indicates a leaking slave. The brake fluid eats the paint and the lower portion of the plastic chin fairing. Very common. If so, no worries,  Complete new oem slaves or seal kits are available from RPM. Check the top end of the engine, look for oil leaks. Very common for the rubber grommets on the valve cover bolts to get hard and start weeping oil. (It's hot under there). Those valve cover bolts have a shoulder on them so *do not over tighten them* they will break off.

Other folks will chime in....stay tuned.

Did I mention that's a really nice looking bike? Kudos to the previous owner.
New white chin fairings and decal kits are available to buy, if desired.

Cheers. Pat
 

[FJmonkey]

Welcome, good looking 89. 

[85FJ11]

So, did you end up buying it?