Steve,
Once you get the rust mostly removed, as best you can, there is now a whole new "paint" product on the market. It is called a "Rust Converter." It looks and acts like spray-can paint, but it is far better than paint. Rust can creep under regular paint, but not this stuff. It is an epoxy-like product that uses rust as the activating "hardener" agent for the chemical coating in the can. You can get aerosol rattle cans of Rust Converters in various colors. It can work as a paintable stand-alone primer, or it can serve as the color coat, if you wish.
Just a thought . . .

I've been using a 5 gallon bucket filled with hot water and lots of dawn dish soap and a sponge to get crud and gunk off, it works well. Then I've used the engine degreasers from the auto parts store, those do a good job too.

Or if you have a trailer take it to one of those self service car wash places and spray it down.

The FJ1100 is now suspended in the garage like a mechanical marionette.

You cannot view this attachment.

The wheels are off and waiting for new tires.

I removed the front forks, cleaned the outsides, and will later disassemble, clean, and re-new them.  If you have any suggestions of how to go about front forks, please let me hear from you.

The same request for the steering head, which I just started to disassemble. 

For general road dirt and grime, what cleaners and detergents seem to work best?  I am using mineral spirits (paint thinner) to clean off the old grease

Most of the rust is on the front of the frame, and I am clearing that area so  that I can remove the rust and respray it with the same silver (thank you Pat).

I apologize for the condition of my garage.  Most of the garages shown on this site are cycle palaces in comparison, but I wanted to show that progress is being made and I appreciate all the advice that has been given.

Steve

Quote from: Gearbox Paul on Today at 04:10:28 PMBump.  Anyone?

Where are you?

There are a couple of graphics people in the UK who sell reproduction graphics.

Bump.  Anyone?

Steve,

The auto parts stores should have Liquid Insulation for wires in cans or bottles. You may be able to find various colors. Color aside, just separate the wires in the bundle, paint on the new insulation as needed, and let dry. That plus the sheathing should protect the wires very well.

Thanks Red ... we are referring to the same item ... a protective covering for wires.  Yamaha has a lot of wire protection, particularly around the engine, but in the back some of the wires that run under the seat have no protection beyond their colored plastic covering and are showing some wear spots.

Steve

Quote from: 86FJNJ on February 01, 2026, 02:18:22 PMfinding the actual decal will be tough but you could easily find the whole tail plastic with the sticker aleady on it on ebay

Quote from: Billy Bananahead on February 02, 2026, 04:47:53 AM

Quote from: Gearbox Paul on February 01, 2026, 02:10:15 PMThese red FJ1100 and black Yamaha decals are missing from the tail section of my 85 FJ1100.  Would someone be kind enough to let me know the size of each of these decals (length X width)?  Thanks

You might be able to find NOS. The part numbers are in the link i've posted, numbers 26 and 27  https://www.cmsnl.com/yamaha-fj1100-1985-usa_model9027/partslist/D-05.html so maybe Google the p/n and you might have a bit of luck. Somebody must have them. Also you might find a repro. Best i can do sorry.

I'm not trying to find the OEM decals.  I'm hoping to find an aftermarket decals that are about the same size.  I just need to know the size.   

Quote from: Gearbox Paul on February 01, 2026, 02:10:15 PMThese red FJ1100 and black Yamaha decals are missing from the tail section of my 85 FJ1100.  Would someone be kind enough to let me know the size of each of these decals (length X width)?  Thanks

You might be able to find NOS. The part numbers are in the link i've posted, numbers 26 and 27  https://www.cmsnl.com/yamaha-fj1100-1985-usa_model9027/partslist/D-05.html so maybe Google the p/n and you might have a bit of luck. Somebody must have them. Also you might find a repro. Best i can do sorry.

Quote from: STLanduyt on February 01, 2026, 02:43:58 PMThe FJ1100 project is well underway. 
There is a bit of wiring that needs to be replaced, and I will add the plastic wire "sleeves" to cover the wires (mainly to the rear blinkers) that don't have them.

Steve,
Not sure what you are calling "sleeves," but this is cable split-wrap, available at auto parts stores (and even WalMart). You can install it easily on existing wire bundles, without disconnecting any wires. I would secure it, compressed to fit the wiring, with tiny TyWraps along the way.

Split Cable Sheathing
HTH.