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Hi

Started by mfactor, October 19, 2021, 02:11:13 PM

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mfactor

Hi ,

Uk rider here , have been riding 40 years, I was lucky enough to be in the trade for a while so got to ride most 80s and 90s superbikes, currently on bike 67  :good2:

On my 4th FJ1200/1100 the first in the early 90s, but decided it was too big/slow lol and went the Gsxr, FZR, gpz route.

The  one that I have now is pretty sweet, the motor pull like a train , somebody in the past has put 17" wheels and Blue spot brakes on her, 40,000 miles and I have just spent a bit on her with new exhaust , tyres etc.

So I have a windfall and was going to buy a new bike bike , maybe a S3 , Z900, MT09 etc....

But after a nice (and naughty ) ride round dealers over the weekend I decided the old FJ is perfect for me, Fast , Comfy  and still handles pretty good, I thought I was on my LC at times , so good job no speed cams where I live.

So joined here to get some ideas as going to chuck some cash at the old girl....


Was thinking of

Baglux tank cover and bag (tank has many scratches)
Dynojet kit, K&N and set up (my local dealer is really good)
New Screen
Maybe new shock
Corbin seat

any ideas welcome TIA





FJmonkey

Welcome to digital FJ campfire.

Click on the banner above and check out all the FJ goodies at RPM. The RPM fork valves are fantastic, works well with the RPM shock. UNI pods are preferred over K&N by some. K&N lets more dirt through. Bar risers, Renntec case saver bars, spin-on oil filter adapter, LED tail light, the list goes on....  Consider giving the lower engine mounts a clean and grease. They seize up with time and allows more vibration into the frame. 

Did you turn the hose on the bike before the picture? Or is that a major fuel leak?
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

Millietant

Welcome in Mfactor,

I'm in the UK too and like you I've looked at all the new bikes in the dealerships and there is literally nothing that I "want", except possibly an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100: and even then, I'd want to change it quite a bit to make it suit me.

I've considered buying one a few times (I recently sold my Aprilia RSV to a family member) and I love the brand, but I just love my FJ too much and still have another 4 bikes in the garage (2 years ago there were another 10!).

The last 18 months or so, I've ridden my FJ almost exclusively, as I enjoy riding it more than any of the other, newer bikes.

Unfortunately for us in the UK, terrible currency exchange rates (less than $1.30 to the £ on purchases), make buying from the USA prohibitively expensive vs buying here - even without the high shipping costs, 20% VAT charge, import duties and "admin fees". But the RPM stuff is top notch.

If you're going for a shock, my preference for value and performance is Hagon. YSS are at least as good, but as they're made in Thailand, they're not really "rebuildable" - and the Hagon factory is available for shock rebuilds on a very short job time (mine was ready for collection 4 hours after I dropped it off). If you're not worried about the cost and reckon you'd be front runner in the BSB championship, then I'd buy a Nitron, or Wilbers/Ohlins/Penske/RPM shock, depending on how much cash you want to throw at the bike.

The fork emulators are a great buy, but I just swapped my front end for a complete FZR USD fork set up with blue spots and 320mm discs - as Pat Conlon says "USD's gets the chicks".

I hope all goes well with your FJ and look forward to possibly meeting up for a FJ gathering some time  :good2:
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

Motofun

The first priority for any bike, once you get your head wrapped around it, should be the suspension (which includes tires).  A well sorted suspension can transform a mediocre bike just as a lousy one can ruin a great bike.  The stock FJ shock was never a good piece, even when new.  Sadly this is true of almost all new bikes as the manufacturers would rather spend on fancy graphics.  I have tried Ohlins, Penske, RPM and revalved stockers on various bikes.  Unless you are good at tuning a suspension I would recommend the RPM as it's plug and play.  Lots more options on the front end but the bottom line is ditch the old school damper rod and go for a cartridge set up.  Again the key here is how it is setup for your style and weight.  
PS, I forgot...welcome and nice ride!
'69 Honda Trail 90
'75 Honda CB400F
'85 Yamaha RZ350
'85 Yamaha FJ1100
'89 Yamaha FJ1200
'09 Yamaha 125 Zuma
'09 Kawasaki KZ110 (grand kids)
'13 Suzuki GSXR 750 (track)
'14 Yamaha FZ-09
'18 Suzuki GSXR 1000R (track)
'23 Yamaha Tenere 7
SOLD: CBX,RZ500,Ninja 650,CB400F,V45 Sabre,CB700SC,R1

Millietant

Quote from: Motofun on October 20, 2021, 07:03:56 AM
The first priority for any bike, once you get your head wrapped around it, should be the suspension (which includes tires).  A well sorted suspension can transform a mediocre bike just as a lousy one can ruin a great bike.  The stock FJ shock was never a good piece, even when new.  Sadly this is true of almost all new bikes as the manufacturers would rather spend on fancy graphics.  I have tried Ohlins, Penske, RPM and revalved stockers on various bikes.  Unless you are good at tuning a suspension I would recommend the RPM as it's plug and play.  Lots more options on the front end but the bottom line is ditch the old school damper rod and go for a cartridge set up.  Again the key here is how it is setup for your style and weight.  
PS, I forgot...welcome and nice ride!

I hear you on the plug and play RPM shock, but that is going to cost around $1,500 by the time it lands on the doorstep here and that's a lot of money. With the fork valves as well, that's about what you'd pay for a decent FJ here.

The fork valves on their own are a different matter, at around $300-$350 on the doorstep here, they're a much more affordable upgrade. Personally, with and otherwise stock FJ, I'd go for the RPM valves and a Hagon/YSS rear shock (both also plug and play and Hagon will set up the FJ for each individual bike/rider combo), for a total cost of around $750-$800. That plus braided brake lines, blue spot calipers and a Fazer 1000/600, XJR 1300 (or FJR 1300) master cylinder with adjustable span brake lever, will transform a FJ into something that stops and handles and feels MILES better than Yamaha ever intended it to.  :good2:

Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

mfactor

Quote from: FJmonkey on October 19, 2021, 04:17:05 PM
Welcome to digital FJ campfire.

Click on the banner above and check out all the FJ goodies at RPM. The RPM fork valves are fantastic, works well with the RPM shock. UNI pods are preferred over K&N by some. K&N lets more dirt through. Bar risers, Renntec case saver bars, spin-on oil filter adapter, LED tail light, the list goes on....  Consider giving the lower engine mounts a clean and grease. They seize up with time and allows more vibration into the frame. 

Did you turn the hose on the bike before the picture? Or is that a major fuel leak?

Hose lol

fj1289

How big a windfall?  Hopefully suspension upgrade AND engine upgrade big!

A 1350 kit in XJR cylinder block, mild cams and some head work, new clutch plates and doubled up springs, undercut transmission, and FCR carbs and you will never lack for power on a normal road! 

Pat Conlon

I agree with Jack (Motofun) and Dean (Millietant): suspension first.
That oem FJ shock was weak the day it left Iwata, Japan.
IMO Hagon is the best shock choice for the UK folks. Yes, it's a big investment but that oem FJ shock has got to go.
Some 1.0kg/mm or .95kg/mm straight rate springs in your forks controlled with cartridge emulators along with a added fork brace will tighten things up on your front.
Yes, I believe the RPM front end system is the best** it's better than RaceTec's cartridge emulators, but it is expensive to import.

Your brakes and tires are already done, the suspension is next. I recommend genuine Mikuni jets in your carbs.


Welcome back to the FJ world.  Pat

**best for keeping conventional forks, however, converting to a USD front end will get you superior adjustable full cartridge forks. (and the chicks)  :hi:
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

aviationfred

Welcome to the forum  :hi:
Great looking FJ with tasty mods already done.

There is a massive amount of knowledge here. All you need to do is ask if you have a question or problem with your FJ.

As Pat mentions.... Inverted forks are the way to go. For me, the stopping power of the Radial brakes are the best feature of the inverted fork set up.
Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

mfactor

Thanks guys,

               TBh the FJ handles very well as is , the best of the ones I have owned , prob helped by the wheel upgrade (and it has just had new tyres and fork rebuild), and also I dont know if the suspension has already been upgraded but it handles really well even when I regress to my youth and "Push On" , was thinking rear shock as future proofing it only.

I must admit to being old school tho, I did try advanced riding and training courses back in the 90s and ending up being a slower rider , overthinking things I guess, so went back to 350LC riding style , chuck it in until things grind out lol........... and am a firm believer that as long as your bike handles fairly well its rider skill that makes the biggest difference.

Same with engine mods , it pulls like stink , and feels faster than other FJs I have owned , but have a feeling it may have been downgeared.

So have sorted a new screen and baglux stuff already, would love a corbin seat but bloody pricy , but have found someone in Poland who recover seats very nicely.

Millietant

If you're close Banbury, I know a great person for re-upholstery - he specialises in car seats (he does them as a profession for a very high end car maker) but also does boat seats and he re-upholstered my helicopter seats too.

Send me a personal message if you want his details - his work is first class.
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

mfactor

Quote from: Millietant on October 28, 2021, 03:44:41 PM
If you're close Banbury, I know a great person for re-upholstery - he specialises in car seats (he does them as a profession for a very high end car maker) but also does boat seats and he re-upholstered my helicopter seats too.

Send me a personal message if you want his details - his work is first class.

Cheers , will keep in mind but going to try and find a corbin first, I had one on my RF and it was lovely, but will keep that in mind if I cant find one...

aviationfred

Quote from: mfactor on October 28, 2021, 01:16:40 PM
Thanks guys,

So have sorted a new screen and baglux stuff already, would love a corbin seat but bloody pricy , but have found someone in Poland who recover seats very nicely.


I have the seats covers from Poland on 2 of my FJ's. They look good and work beautifully.

Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

mfactor

Cheers Fred they do look good

J