The Elusive '88 model..........What is it exactly?

[Firehawk068]

Seems there is not alot of information on this model year........and what generation it falls under.
I have seen some posts from others on here that state that it is of the '89-'90 generation.........However, I have viewed pictures of various '88 models (one specifically being the one that belongs to "Lotsokids") that have 16" wheels, and anti-dive forks. Wich would put it in the '86-'87 generation........
Did different countries get different '88 models/specs?
What exactly is it?
Could help with sourcing replacement parts for others that are overseas.......

[jvb_ca]

We got them here in Canada. They were essentially an 89 model. Same color etc. Was the first year with he 17in front end. 86 was the last ear with anti-dive forks.

Cheers..Jake

[Travis398]

i was pretty confused about this too, and assumed since i had never seen a black and red FJ that must be an 88'. so i brought it up here
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2469.msg20798#msg20798 and came away thinking that Lotsokids really has an 87'
and some countries got black and red in 87'........still confused.

[rktmanfj]

US dealers did not get the '88 FJs because there were too many of those ugly red/white ones sitting in the showrooms...         

Randy T
Indy

[weymouth399]

Now Randy   
Don't blame the flagship bike, for poor US bike sales the early 80s       

Bob W

[Travis398]

Did the US get this color in 87'?

[jvb_ca]

Here are some pics of 88's in Canada and Europe.

http://www.bikepics.com/yamaha/fj1200/88/pics.asp
Same as an 89 as far a I can see.

Cheers...Jake

[Harvy]

Here is one that is supposed to be an 88.
Has the 87 colour scheme on it (of course it could have had plastics replaced)......the gold callipers I think were on 89s, and it seems to be a 17 front wheel.




http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150508861870&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2070wt_1140

Harvy

[Travis398]

Thanks Harvy, now I'm even more confused.
it did look like the 87 colors, but would Yamaha really make both body styles in 88?

[delarbreavous]

I have a 88 FJ

If anyone wish to have photos to compare I'd be happy to provide.

one photo is in the gallery.

Alain

[Firehawk068]

Here is one that is supposed to be an 88.
Has the 87 colour scheme on it (of course it could have had plastics replaced)......the gold callipers I think were on 89s, and it seems to be a 17 front wheel.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150508861870&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2070wt_1140

Harvy

This one, the turn signals, fairing, and side scoops look like '86-'87, but the forks and wheels look like '89-'90?

[Harvy]

This one, the turn signals, fairing, and side scoops look like '86-'87, but the forks and wheels look like '89-'90?

Agreed....... I wonder, seeing as the US (the biggest market) did not receive '88, whether Yamaha decided to use some of their remaining parts from earlier years for some markets? And maybe newer running gear (wheels, callipers etc) from the soon to be produced '89  also?

There appear to be some colour scheme differences for most years post '87.

My '91 for instance, had different colours on the chin fairing when compared to the US version...... the lower colour on mine (a Japanese domestic model) was grey, where the '91s I see in the US it's white. My OEM seat also had a strap that ran across the seat between the rider and pillion area - I've not seen that on any other models.

That one on eBay here in Australia has (according to the seller) a production date of July '88. Yet it seems the bike should have been produced earlier than that in the year, with the final 4 digits of the VIN being 0444 suggesting quite early in the production run of that model.

My '91 has a production date of late Nov 90.......... which should put it as a '90 model, but it is '91, with rubber engine mounts and the trapezoid headlight.

Just a thought
Harvy

[rktmanfj]

Here is one that is supposed to be an 88.
Has the 87 colour scheme on it (of course it could have had plastics replaced)......the gold callipers I think were on 89s, and it seems to be a 17 front wheel.




http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150508861870&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2070wt_1140

Harvy

That one looks like an '87 with a later ('88-'89) front end.

Randy T
Indy

[rktmanfj]

Did the US get this color in 87'?

If we did, I've never seen one.

Randy T
Indy

[Travis398]

Who got this FJ?  speaking of Elusive models