Howdy from N NV. Just picked up an 86 FJ 1200 yesterday. Runs decent, everything seems to work. First thoughts are new chain, sprockets and tires. Where else should I start?

Good afternoon, everyone.

On my FJ, the dashboard clock recently stopped working. My initial thought was that the LCD had failed, so I pulled the LCD from another working dash and swapped it in. However, after reinstallation, the clock still doesn't work. The backlight is on, but the LCD itself remains non-functional. It seems like there's an electrical issue somewhere. Does anyone have any ideas on where I could source a solution? Thanks!

Garth, please add (1) 2XL gray short sleeved to my order...

Thx!

Pat

Quote from: 5speed on April 26, 2026, 09:11:02 AM

Quote from: T Legg on April 24, 2026, 11:23:51 PMThe kickstand pivot bolts develop deep grooves over time . The holes in the kickstand that the pivot bolts go through get elongated and oval shaped at the same time. The centerstand will begin to hang low when in the up position.
  I think RPM still has the pivot bolts.
 

I'll take a look at that and try raising the rear wheel a bit.
tks folks.

With your '86 FJ unfortunately the only way to get the rear end raised is with a length adjustable aftermarket shock......
(unless you get a 89/90 relay arm and convert your '86 shock linkage over to the dog bone style linkage...then you can get the rear height where you want it by the differing the length of the dog bones)

By now, after 40 years, your stock '86 shock is sacked out so you want a new shock anyway...so bite the bullet and get an adjustable length shock. Getting the back end up and transferring more load on the front tire results in a very definite enhancement in handling.

This shock upgrade is the most expensive mod you will need to do on your FJ.

Cheers.  Pat

Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 25, 2026, 04:02:28 PMI don't log in and log out of this forum.
 I log in, then bookmark the site logged in, when done I leave....when I want to return then just return to the bookmark.

I was still logged in just now and the site is loading as it should.
I don't want to log out though. lol

Quote from: T Legg on April 24, 2026, 11:23:51 PMThe kickstand pivot bolts develop deep grooves over time . The holes in the kickstand that the pivot bolts go through get elongated and oval shaped at the same time. The centerstand will begin to hang low when in the up position.
  I think RPM still has the pivot bolts.
 

I'll take a look at that and try raising the rear wheel a bit.
tks folks.

I don't log in and log out of this forum.
 I log in, then bookmark the site logged in, when done I leave....when I want to return then just return to the bookmark.

Is anyone else experiencing this?
It's been doing it since I joined and when I click on the log in icon I get this every time.
I have to go to the register an account page and fight with the captcha and when I get that right and click on log in..it works.
Very frustrating.

Quote from: Front sproket on April 25, 2026, 06:55:23 AMHi everyone i just bought my first FJ 1200.
having looked at the heat mat i suddenly thought oh no asbestos! Because it looks flat white not like fibreglass. Does anyone know if in the mid 80's Yamaha used asbestos?

Front sproket,

Welcome to the evening campfire. Pull up a seat, and be among friends.

As for your heat mat, can't say either way, but relax. You may find a pre-cut heat mat on eBay or similar sites, but I think that would be a waste of time and money.

You can cut a new heat mat for yourself. Many riders here use a sheet of somewhat stiff home insulation that has aluminum foil on one side. Somebody here can jump in and give you a material name or a brand name, and maybe a source. The heat mat does need to stand up to the heat under the tank.

You can use the heat mat you have there as a pattern, or make the new heat mat larger. Cut away any part of the new heat mat that shows, when the bike is assembled. As long as your new mat is not visible when you look at the bike, it will be as good or better than new.

I can remember an old staircase in the back of the warehouse.

We would go down those steep stairs quickly, often smacking that pipe that put off a cloud of white dust......

I'd not be overly concerned with the heat mat.