What to look for?

[CatTomb]

Hey!

I'm looking at a 1984 FJ1000 with 15K miles. It has a few mods.4-1 exhaust, k&n filters and aftermarket windscreen (very similar to stock)

Current owner has had the bike for over 10 years. Carbs were synced two years ago. New tires last year. Has fresh brake pads to be installed. Seat has a few tears but foam is in great shape. A few scratches and a tiny bit of rust on the side kickstand mount.

Runs great.

What questions should I ask, what should I look for and how much should I expect to pay?

Bike is in Oregon, amazingly about 5 miles from my house.

Thank you in advance for your expertise and suggestions,

Jeff

[CatTomb]

Here is the CL post:

http://bend.craigslist.org/mcy/3717691822.html

Thanks again! 

[Dads_FJ]

It looks more like a $1500 bike at most.  Take it for a spin and see if it jumps out of 2nd gear (it will feel like the chain is slipping if so). I like the license plate! 

[CatTomb]

Thanks, Dads_fj

I asked him about second gear and he didn't seem to know anything about it. I'll take it for a spin tomorrow and see if he'll take $1500

[FJmonkey]

Thanks, Dads_fj

I asked him about second gear and he didn't seem to know anything about it. I'll take it for a spin tomorrow and see if he'll take $1500

You have to get into 6K + rpm in second gear to test it.... Maybe 7K+

[baldy3853]

Looks good but its about 6 or 7 hundred to much and it does need work done, it also depends on how much you are willing to spend, If you buy it you could joins us for the West Coast Rally Petaluma Ca, at the beginning of June  
Baldy

[CatTomb]

Petaluma? Might work. Thanks for the invite. 

My plan was to use the bike to visit my daughters in California.

Petaluma is on the way.... 

[baldy3853]

  there is a section here that's specifically for the WCR and with all the details, its being held @ the KOA
Baldy

[Steve_in_Florida]

Plan for a thorough carb cleaning if it's been sitting for any length of time.

Good luck!

Steve

[Dads_FJ]

Couple of other things...  On the left side of the bike, there is evidence of a leaking clutch slave (the DOT 3 ate away the paint) and a roached chain.  The missing fairing pieces can be sourced here: http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3A84-85L%2FSProtector.  Actually Randy at RPM will have you covered for just about anything it needs.  The right side view shows a hose and damp ground, beware he may have gave it a good cleaning washing away evidence of a leaking motor or fork seals etc...

"My plan was to use the bike to visit my daughters in California."  It has the potential to be a very dependable scoot.  What other bikes have you owned?  And talking about potential, take a look through the photo gallery and check out Pat's '84.

[crzyjarmans]

I agree with Dads fj, the price of $2200. just to steep for an 84' 1100, check out KKB for private sale value, You can ask about the 2nd gear pop out, but the best way to find this out {in my opinion}, is to take the bike for a test ride, See if you can get the bike to pop out, Seems most I have heard of, it pops out around 6000-6500 rpm's, good luck

[crzyjarmans]

I agree with Dads fj, the price of $2200. just to steep for an 84' 1100, check out KKB for private sale value, You can ask about the 2nd gear pop out, but the best way to find this out {in my opinion}, is to take the bike for a test ride, See if you can get the bike to pop out, Seems most I have heard of, it pops out around 6000-6500 rpm's, good luck

I just went to KKb for motorcycles, They say the value is about $1700, With the rust and other things you mentioned, I wouldn't pay more than around $1500., If the bike does have a pop out problem with 2nd gear, than that figure will drop to about $1000-$1200

[CatTomb]

Couple of other things...  On the left side of the bike, there is evidence of a leaking clutch slave (the DOT 3 ate away the paint) and a roached chain.  The missing fairing pieces can be sourced here: http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3A84-85L%2FSProtector.  Actually Randy at RPM will have you covered for just about anything it needs.  The right side view shows a hose and damp ground, beware he may have gave it a good cleaning washing away evidence of a leaking motor or fork seals etc...

"My plan was to use the bike to visit my daughters in California."  It has the potential to be a very dependable scoot.  What other bikes have you owned?  And talking about potential, take a look through the photo gallery and check out Pat's '84.

He replaced the clutch slave, so that explains the rust, thanks. The chain looked to be in good condition... not sure what a roached chain is  ??

I ride a KTM 450exc several times a week on trails and jeep roads. I have owned other dirt bikes but the biggest slab bike I've owned is a 750.

Thanks for the resources!

[movenon]

Welcome aboard ! Can't add to much to what has been said other than get the price down.

Plan on putting some money into the bike to get it fixed. The 2nd gear issue is an expensive one.  Personally if it had a second gear issue I wouldn't give them 500 bucks for it plus I would have to really want the bike. (opinion)

Also ask about fuel leaks and fuel starvation issues, they have a vacum fuel valve control for reserve fuel and turning on and off the fuel. They have been known to be a problem. Its an older bike and will need some TLC.
The following is just an estimate of costs doing the work yourself. I am not saying all this has to be done or that there isn't more to be done but you should know the costs.  As "Dads_FJ said take a look at RPM's web site to get a feel of parts costs. Educated buyer is a good buyer.... Sellers sometimes are looking for the not so educate ones.

Chain................... 150 - 210 (if the chain is sacked then plan on new rear and front sprockets, another 70-80 bucks)
Clutch Master Cly...  30- 90 (easy to rebuild or replace)
Carbs...................  0 - 300.00 (might be just fine but plan on some expense there, if not for the carbs then a sync tool 10.00 - 100.00)
Rear Caliper rebuild.. 0- 30.00 (is it leaking)
How are the tires ?   Est. 200 - 300 for both
Fork seals ?
Pull the seat and look for wiring that has been buggered, how old is the battery ? Another 75 - 100 bucks...
When was the last time the swingarm was off and lubed.
Have the valves been adjusted or checked ?
Using oil ? When cold will it smoke on start up ? (valve stem seals).

Now the good news they run like a rocket, are pretty comfortable to ride longer distances, plenty of help world wide and parts are available, plus you meet the nicest people on an FJ, there are some members over in the PDX and Seattle areas.   .

I don't know if its still available and I have never seen the bike but there was one for sale up in the Seattle area for 600 or ?? It needs work but 600 -2200 = 1600 bucks to work with (which can go faster than you might think). The bike was listed in the Bikes For Sale section here in the forum. On the upper end you see some pretty nice ones for 2500 - 3,000 that are closer to top shape.

Let us know how you come out Jeff. Love the Bend area. Only about 317 miles from me. Quick morning run  

George

[CatTomb]

Welcome aboard ! Can't add to much to what has been said other than get the price down.

Plan on putting some money into the bike to get it fixed. The 2nd gear issue is an expensive one.  Personally if it had a second gear issue I wouldn't give them 500 bucks for it plus I would have to really want the bike. (opinion)

Also ask about fuel leaks and fuel starvation issues, they have a vacum fuel valve control for reserve fuel and turning on and off the fuel. They have been known to be a problem. Its an older bike and will need some TLC.
The following is just an estimate of costs doing the work yourself. I am not saying all this has to be done or that there isn't more to be done but you should know the costs.  As "Dads_FJ said take a look at RPM's web site to get a feel of parts costs. Educated buyer is a good buyer.... Sellers sometimes are looking for the not so educate ones.

Chain................... 150 - 210 (if the chain is sacked then plan on new rear and front sprockets, another 70-80 bucks)
Clutch Master Cly...  30- 90 (easy to rebuild or replace)
Carbs...................  0 - 300.00 (might be just fine but plan on some expense there, if not for the carbs then a sync tool 10.00 - 100.00)
Rear Caliper rebuild.. 0- 30.00 (is it leaking)
How are the tires ?   Est. 200 - 300 for both
Fork seals ?
Pull the seat and look for wiring that has been buggered, how old is the battery ? Another 75 - 100 bucks...
When was the last time the swingarm was off and lubed.
Have the valves been adjusted or checked ?
Using oil ? When cold will it smoke on start up ? (valve stem seals).

Now the good news they run like a rocket, are pretty comfortable to ride longer distances, plenty of help world wide and parts are available, plus you meet the nicest people on an FJ, there are some members over in the PDX and Seattle areas.   .

I don't know if its still available and I have never seen the bike but there was one for sale up in the Seattle area for 600 or ?? It needs work but 600 -2200 = 1600 bucks to work with (which can go faster than you might think). The bike was listed in the Bikes For Sale section here in the forum. On the upper end you see some pretty nice ones for 2500 - 3,000 that are closer to top shape.

Let us know how you come out Jeff. Love the Bend area. Only about 317 miles from me. Quick morning run  

George

Thank you George! I'm making myself a list and headed back over there this afternoon for a test ride and to give it the once over... twice. Tires only have 200 miles, slave cylinder taken care of, fork seals looked good... I'll let you know!