Steve's 1985 FJ1100 restoration in San Diego

[STLanduyt]

My initial post in the Introduction section, "Starting 2026 by restoring my '85 FJ1100", received great responses and suggestions, thank you Johnny, Bryan, Red and Pat!  You saved me from tearing into the engine BEFORE taking careful and reasonable steps to determine what condition it is in and whether it needs it.  Thank you!

I will also contact RPM for a carb overhaul.  Meanwhile, I will begin working on the other needed restoration items, i.e. brakes, clutch, oil filter etc. 

Since this is now an "FJ Project Writeup" I opened this topic in that section for future posts.

Steve

[86FJNJ]

Great to see you restoring it!

Last year I got and restored a 1986 below is my write up which may be helpful. Happy to offer my 2 cents on anything specific you encounter. I would never have been able to restore my FJ if not for this group and the team at RPM.

https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=21474.0

[Waiex191]

We like FJ restoration pictures!  Before, during, after.

[red]

Steve,
The tiny screws in the carbs are also a PITA, because the heads are easy to strip. RPM has complete sets of Allen-headed screws for the carbs, much better.  Make these Allen screws a part of your RPM rebuild job.
An occasional shot of Seafoam (follow the label instructions) just before you fill the tank will keep the carbs clean and shiny inside.
.

[Pat Conlon]

I love these restoration posts...along with the FJ modification posts...

Best part of the forum.

[STLanduyt]

Here is the FJ1100 tucked away in the garage without the tank and carbs. The carbs are being packaged for shipping to RPM.  I have been restoring a 1968 Honda CL350, which is currently spread out over the rest of the garage and is the reason the FJ has been shunted to the side.  The CL350 project is nearly finished, which will free up space for the FJ.

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Randy at RPM and I have been in contact and I will be forwarding the carbs to him later this week.  He confirmed that his rebuild includes the addition of Allen head screws.  Before the carb rebuild begins I will have to let him know whether the fuel system will be converted to a fuel pump and filter, which I am inclined to do.  Is there any downside to making that change?

The "to do" list is pretty daunting at this point and is still being compiled, but at least the restoration is getting off the ground!

Steve

[86FJNJ]

I converted my 86 to have a fuel pump. I made a post and there are two PDF documents you can download that I put together. I was unable to upload it in one document since it was too large so broke it down into two.

Fuel Pump Conversion:
https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=21402.0

I'm happy with the conversion and have not had any issues after nearly 2,000 miles.

In addition to running the normal fuel filter between the tank and fuel pump I also suggest running the Golan fuel filter between the pump and carbs to help protect your newly cleaned carbs from any contaminants.

Golan Fuel Filter:
https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=21424.msg216700#msg216700
https://golanproducts.com/product/super-mini-fuel-filter-1-4-barb-fitting/

[86FJNJ]

I just tried to upload part 1 and part 2 of the fuel pump conversion let's see if this works.

[red]

In addition to running the normal fuel filter between the tank and fuel pump I also suggest running the Golan fuel filter between the pump and carbs to help protect your newly cleaned carbs from any contaminants.
Golan Fuel Filter:
https://golanproducts.com/product/super-mini-fuel-filter-1-4-barb-fitting/

Steve,
You might want a clear fuel filter, so you can see fuel flowing and any collected dirt. These have 1/4" and 5/16" hose barbs.
in-line fuel filter 1
in-line fuel filter 2
.

[STLanduyt]

Thank you 86FJNJ for the fuel pump conversion downloads.  Both came through and are very helpful, along with Red's fuel filter suggestion and information.

In addition to the converting from gravity flow to a fuel pump, the airbox will be removed and replaced by UNI style filters.

Steve

[86FJNJ]

Just let Randy know you're switching to uni-pods and he can make the necessary adjustments to your carb when you send it to him for the rebuild. Typically a shim needs to be added enrich the fuel a bit to address the added air flow from the uni filters.

I like the golan fuel filter because it has 10 micron filtering which was the best I could find. But I still also run the normal yamaha pre-filter which I think is 40 micron to catch the bigger stuff before fuel hits the golan filter after the pump.

[Pat Conlon]

Thank you 86FJNJ for the fuel pump conversion downloads.  Both came through and are very helpful, along with Red's fuel filter suggestion and information.

Eric...See how helpful that turned out? Good on ya...that's what makes this forum work.

Steve, FYI the float needle seats are what's different between the gravity flow carbs and the fuel pump carbs.
They have a smaller opening on the fuel pump carbs (vs. gravity flow) due to the higher line pressure.
The gravity flow carbs have float needle seats that have a larger opening, lower line pressure.
If you try and use the gravity flow needle seats on a fuel pump application, the high line pressure from the fuel pump will push the gravity flow needle away from the seat and flooding will occur.
https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=9836.0

[86FJNJ]

Pat, largely thanks to all your help, you're FJ Yoda!

[STLanduyt]

The carbs are packed up to ship to RPM tomorrow, which is also when I am expecting the new Pirelli Sport Demons to arrive.  They will replace the original Dunlop (rear) and Bridgestone (front) tires.

Still in the early restoration and acquisition stage. 

[86FJNJ]

Not sure how confident you are in your wheel bearings (if they are original) but if you are pulling the wheels off to replace tires changing the bearings out is not that difficult and bearings are not much money IMO for the confidence to know the bearings are good and new. You just need a bearing puller set. The bearings in my FJ were original they seemed ok but being 40 years old I replaced them anyway.

I also imagine you are updating sprockets and chain to new, if so you may want to consider changing gearing. I went from stock 17/41 to 18/40 and like it a lot better, I don't notice any power loss on the bottom end and each gear is a bit longer making for a more enjoyable ride, also bringing my RPM's down a little at highway speeds.