Greetings All.... New Owner Of An '89 Needs Advice.

[~JM~]

I just brought home an '89 FJ1200 & I'm looking for advice on fixing my hydraulic clutch operating system, plus all the trick things that most folks do to their bikes. My bike has just turned 24K on the odometer & I'm the third owner. It was owned by a 75 year old gentleman who used it for touring for a few years. Then he drained the fuel out of it & put it up in dry storage in 2008.

I'm guessing that the seals in the clutch actuator dried out during storage & it started to leak. The P/O removed the hydraulic fluid so it would quit leaking & left it like that. What am I looking at in getting this clutch to operate again? I noticed that a couple of FJ's that I looked at had a braided stainless clutch line on them & the finish on the side case had been eaten up by the hydraulic fluid. I take it that this hydraulic system is problematic. What all is going on here?

Thank you
~JM~

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the group JM.

Yes the clutch slave cylinder is prone to leaking. It is the main cause for missing chin cowlings. Brake fluid eats the ABS. There are a couple of options that I recommend. Purchase a rebuild kit for the salve cylinder, or purchase a complete new slave cylinder. What you mention in your introduction, I would purchase a new slave cylinder. Here is a link to RPM and a new slave cylinder.

New slave cylinder http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Clutch%3Aslavecyl
Slave cylinder rebuild kit http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Clutch%3AS%2FK&cat=39
Randy at RPM is a fellow member on this forum and beats most dealers on prices.

I have this exact clutch line on my 89" http://www.ebay.com/itm/89-94-YAMAHA-FJ-1200-Galfer-Clutch-Line-Braided-Stainless-Steel-/200872819538?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec4f3fb52&vxp=mtr

Fred

[rktmanfj]

I just brought home an '89 FJ1200 & I'm looking for advice on fixing my hydraulic clutch operating system, plus all the trick things that most folks do to their bikes. My bike has just turned 24K on the odometer & I'm the third owner. It was owned by a 75 year old gentleman who used it for touring for a few years. Then he drained the fuel out of it & put it up in dry storage in 2008.

I'm guessing that the seals in the clutch actuator dried out during storage & it started to leak. The P/O removed the hydraulic fluid so it would quit leaking & left it like that. What am I looking at in getting this clutch to operate again? I noticed that a couple of FJ's that I looked at had a braided stainless clutch line on them & the finish on the side case had been eaten up by the hydraulic fluid. I take it that this hydraulic system is problematic. What all is going on here?

Thank you
~JM~

That's pretty much it.

Failed clutch slave cylinder seals are probably the most common problem on the FJ1100/1200 series (or maybe 2nd gear on those early prototype models).    

Mine has a new Galfer line and DOT5 fluid (along with a Barnett conversion kit and YZF750 m/c.

It didn't keep the slave seal from failing over the winter, though.    

[Thmsdoyle]

We should take poll, to see how many of us had to,rebuild our slave cylinders this spring?

[markmartin]

We should take poll, to see how many of us had to,rebuild our slave cylinders this spring?

I did a rebuild kit this spring while I was changing out the front sprocket.  It's no more trouble than an oil change and about the same cost.  It had been 3 years since the last one had failed.

Welcome to the group ~JM~.   An '89 with 24k  ---  Perfect!

[big r]

I rebuilt mine this spring, didn't work . Ordered a new one from Randy. works fine.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome JM, no need to ask how many have changed their clutch slave seals, the answer is 100%. Look up "Kookaloo" an FJ specific word.... Enjoy the digital FJ campfire...

[fj11.5]

Have a kit on the way,ambulance has leaked since I've had her, also never came with a bellypan 

[baldy3853]

  Welcome aboard JM enjoy the ride 

[~JM~]

Here's a pic that the P/O took back in 2000 prior to being tipped over. The luggage has been removed for one of his other bikes. The bike still looks this nice from about 10-15 foot or so.



I can't wait to ride it. I have admired the FJ's since I saw a white & blue FJ1100 with an N2O bottle on it, back in the late 80's. I've ridden many bikes in my life, but they were smaller, quick bikes like the RD350/400's. Never spent much time on anything larger or more powerful than a 500 to 750 Honda.

I located the information on RPM & attempted to contact them today. Unfortunately they were either closed, or too busy to answer the phone.

So I take it that there is no permanent fix for this hydraulic system?

Thanks
~JM~

[aviationfred]

What part of the World are you from?

Fred

[FJmonkey]

Nice, very nice... Not quite Red power Ranger Nice but very nice... Marsh, are you getting this??? He is showing your colors....

[~JM~]

What part of the World are you from?

Fred

I'm in the Pacific Northwest near Portland, Or.

~JM~

[FJmonkey]

What part of the World are you from?

Fred

I'm in the Pacific Northwest near Portland, Or.

~JM~

Then you need to join us for the WCR http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8130.msg74785#msg74785, you must attend, if possible, a few cabins are still open, while supplies last...

[movenon]

We should take poll, to see how many of us had to,rebuild our slave cylinders this spring?

Rebuilt 2 years ago,  replaced with new cylinder this winter.................. After 20 plus years it was time I guess.

And welcome !!!!!!!!!!!!! 
George