What to look for when buying a 1986 fj1200???

[wonderdawg]

Hi there all, I am new to the forum as well as to the FJ1200 series of bike.  I ride a Yamaha XJ900 all the time, but right at the moment I am looking at a 1986 FJ1200 that is for sale couple of hours from me.  It only has 15k+ miles on it and is in running condition.  I am just not sure what to look for in this bike to know a good value when I see it.  So if you have any suggestions I would like to see them.

Regards,

W. D.

[Travis398]

Welcome W.D.

sounds like you found a good one. Only 15K miles 
overall they are a rock solid motorcycle, you may want to read this for some pointers to look for
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3151.msg25996#msg25996

Good luck 

[wonderdawg]

Cool, thanks for the information.  I am very comfortable with my XJ900, but I suddenly had an itch and this bike just might be the thing to scratch it with who knows.  I am somewhat concerned with this model year though, as I have read this is the first year of production and usually that means that the bugs are still there.  Any thoughts on this??? 

Regards,

W. D.

[Travis398]

I am somewhat concerned with this model year though, as I have read this is the first year of production and usually that means that the bugs are still there.  Any thoughts on this??? 

Regards,

W. D.

I'll let the guys that own an 86 speak up about the bugs.

Although it is the first year for the 1200, it still has a lot of similarities to the 85.

So it's not like a complete new bike from the ground up, and we don't expect it to be as good as the originals (1100s)

[Kopfjaeger]

Ummmm  well... listen for a nice rattle in the middle of the engine... could be either your primary chain or your cam chain.... I had my cam chain and guides done... still a bit rattly... also when you disengage the clutch mine also has a rattle  which could be main shaft bearings or I have had it said to me the cush drive in the clutch is worn.. either way I havnt looked into it. So with it running let the clutch in /out to see...check discs if they are original... mine were thinner than I thought..  check for paint and leak marks on the l/h side of the engine above the oil filter housing.... clutch slave seals could be on thier way out, I think randy ( racerrad) is the man to speak to about that if that is the case..apart from that thats all my experience with mine anyway... mine had 98...k's on the clock and its now at 144....k's and thats all I've done to the engine .. I'm down on compression its rattly and I love it. They are the most bullet proof bike I have ever come across ( I'm hoping I dont jinx myself) I havn't had any second gear issues like the 1100's had, occasionally just lazy foot and neutral between 3rd to 4th...mine is all original apart from Krauser racks and a new plastic wind screen. Keep it all oiled and fresh filters it will just keep going and going I reckon. IMHO... O! and I have to replace my gear selector shaft seals still, but I have ordered them...   this is her when i pretended she was a "new" bike... clock ticked over from 99,999.9 to ... welll... 3000  odd

[FJmonkey]

Hey WD, happy owner of an 86' here, it had less than 30K when I bought it and now has about 60K on her. No major issues with my bike. Just many things to upgrade to make her more modern. For over a year I commuted from SoCal to Sac and or San Jose, depending on where my Ex had the kids at the time. I had the fuel starvation problem from sealing the fuel cap with a tank bag. Remove the flapper valves and watch for neoprene bottoms on tank bags. I rebuilt the clutch slave and master. Changed many batteries. The stock system cooks em' like a hot BBQ, look into upgrading if you are going to commute or engage in long rides. Good rubber will be hard to find, I run the Avon's AV45/46 radials. i like them, others have bad reviews on them. Think of upgrading to 17" front and rear if you like it leaned over in the corners, I have most of the rear pieces for 17". I am currently getting three front tires to one rear, lots of twisty roads near my house. I got the spin-on adapter for the oil filter, oil changes are easier now. Other than that, just wear items like brakes, fork seals, and blinker fluid. Oh, the speedo went bad, I jimmied one from an 85' and all is well now.  The clutch slips under hard acceleration so a second clutch spring is in the picture. They are great dependable bikes. Join the 86/87 club, same bike different color scheme.

[racerman_27410]

the 86/7 's also had the new electronic "reserve" feature that never worked properly but is easily defeated.

need to watch for jumping out of second gear also.


KOokaloo!


Frank

[Mark Olson]

the 86 was the best year with the fastest 1/4 mile time. 

problems have been listed by others already.

the brakes are shit
the forks are soft
tires are crap
vapor locks all the time

you are gonna love this bike.

P.S. all that other stuff you can fix in a weekend.

[Flying Scotsman]

the 86 was the best year with the fastest 1/4 mile time. 

problems have been listed by others already.

the brakes are shit
the forks are soft
tires are crap
vapor locks all the time

you are gonna love this bike.

P.S. all that other stuff you can fix in a weekend.

I like the 85 then the 86.

By the way what was the 1/4 mile time for the 85 and 86 ?

The 85 is a prety dam good bike it realy has no faults.It can be upgraded to make it better or to suit your style.And its sexy looking Red and White if you want a nice looking bike go Red and White 85 or 86.

[Rich Pleines]

Some good info here-FJ1100-1200 Used Bike Buyer's Guide
Copyright 1997 Motorcycle Consumer News

http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/articles/fj1100.htm

[Dan Filetti]

It says:

"Desires:

What do FJ owners want? The most popular request was a switch to shaft drive... "


Huh?  The only bike I ever owned with shaft was a BMW K75, and that pig would raise up it's rear under hard acceleration.  The feeling was really was odd at best and unsettling at worst. 

An FJ with shaft drive?: don't think so. Yeah, it's lower maintenance, but it does not seem worth it to me.  Curious though, would others actually want shaft? 

Dan

[Yamifj1200]

" Curious though, would others actually want shaft?  "

In a word, Nope....

Eric M

[FJmonkey]

It says:

"Desires:

What do FJ owners want? The most popular request was a switch to shaft drive... "

Huh?  The only bike I ever owned with shaft was a BMW K75, and that pig would raise up it's rear under hard acceleration.  The feeling was really was odd at best and unsettling at worst. 

An FJ with shaft drive?: don't think so. Yeah, it's lower maintenance, but it does not seem worth it to me.  Curious though, would others actually want shaft? 
Dan

I had a Honda 700 Night Hawk S (shaft drive), it did not have that problem. I think they solved it or at least compensated for the tail lift under acceleration. A shaft drive option might be nice, along with a single side swing arm for the mechanically declined. I am fine with the chain, if I loose a master link or break a chain, then fixing it is easy (if the case is free from holes). Break a shaft and you are hosed, call the flat bed cuz you are getting towed home. My $.02.

[Ratchet_72]

First off if you can find a really good 86/87 at a really good price, snatch it up. They rule, and they never came in purple for gods sake.

1. Make sure the petcock doesnt leak.
2. Make sure the carbs don't leak when the motor is off.  This is an indication the petcocks rubber internal diaphram(sic) is shot.
    How much can a fj petcock set you back? No big deal you say? A fucking fortune if you can find one. And no there is NOT a rebuild kit available for it believe it or not.
3. Second gear.
4. If you like the lower fairing or any fairing make sure they're serviceable or live without em because those also cost a ton.
5. Look for oil leaks at the valve cover. Easy fix but look anyway.
6. Look for paint missing at the clutch cylinder.

Keep in mind IF the carbs leak you're gonna get to know this forum REAL well. I'm just sayin.

[junkyardroad]

look into upgrading if you are going to commute or engage in long rides

What did you upgrade?  Battery or charging system?  How?