I had an '86 FJ. I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect sport/touring ride. I road it from Ontario to Boone, NC for a rally and toured the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain Parkways. A trip to remember.
The FJ1100/1200 were such awesome bikes back in the day. Little did Yamaha know it was actually a great ST, much better than its intended purposes as a 'racebike'.
So glad you got an FJ1200, Jon! I own a 1989 3CV model. 17" front wheel, but the FJ series never went to a 17" rear wheel. These bikes are so good at everything. They love to eat loads of miles in a day, love the open road. Also handle way better than you would expect, IF you upgrade the suspension front & rear and have good tires. Great 2 up bike as well. If you still have that GPz1100 that would make a good comparison video with the FJ1200. Assuming the GPz1100 is returned to stock and is not still set up as a drag bike. Also, the FJ's are easy to work on. FJ motors go forever too. That bike could last another bunch of decades. Enjoy Jon, great buy!
Thank you! I wish the GPZ1100 was already back to standard form. It has gotten pushed to the back burner due to other projects. But they do look nice sitting together. I'm looking forward to getting to know the FJ1200 and putting more miles on. I like it so far! Cheers
John I must let u know I'm from south Africa and my father had a fj 1100 with a full faring kit it looked just the same in the same colors but thank u my friend I had to sell my dad's pride and joy due to covid and everything because of family responsibilities but it's amazing to see a bike in that condition again
I have watched your xs 1100 videos it was the first bike that put me into biking and I can give it nothing but respect I'm 34 years old but only respect classic bikes as I believe that was a time when you needed to be a man to handle the machine thank u for your good work please keep it up it means alot
Thank you for the encouragement! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. I'm sorry to hear about your dad's FJ! I hope things are going better now. Cheers!
I got that same buzz on my FJ1100 I had. But WOW, what a bike. Loved that bike. You could really eat up some miles on that bike. High speeds were no problem and it really pulled like a freight train.
It's nice to see all original machines like this one. I've come to appreciate the original designs, they tend to withstand the test of time the best. Most of the modifications, not matter how popular at the time, tend to age terribly and look tacky over time. It's nice to see a channel dedicated to restoring these machines to their former glory.
Another awesome machine... A friend of mine from back in the day bought a FJ1100 new in 1984? and still has it yet today... This is one bike I have always liked but unfortunately never got the opportunity to own...
I had an FJ1100 many years back. It was a fast bike but not in as nice condition as this one. I'm looking forward to having this bike fully sorted and ready to ride! Cheers
Great bike! I restored an 86 fj1200 2 years ago, very similar but an English version so a few minor differences. I managed to fit FJR blue spot callipers on my he front. Love riding it!
Well, I knew it was bound to happen. I knew at some point you'd end up with something I always wanted, lol. I always wanted an FJ1200. And you sir found a good one. All original! Best kind of find. And low mileage. I'll be watching this one closely lol. Great find and will be a good series of videos. (As usual). 👍🏼👍🏼
Great video! I've enjoyed your other videos as well. Im getting close to having my 1990 FJ1200 on the road. I bought it in the fall and am going through the whole machine. You found a beauty there!
Beautiful bike! Rode a modified example back in the 80s" had alot of power. front wheel came up without trying. Bought a 1100 aroind 2010 didn't run well so I got it cheap. Problem was the ignition module (expensive) so I opened it and it had 1 burned resistor. Replaced the resistor and it ran great. I now have a ZRX 1100 and can only have one bike at a time. The FJ is affordable and great!
This is a stunning bike. What lines, great colour, stylish belly pan. I love air-cooled engines. I have a Buell Ulysses and a Yamaha SCR950 in my collection. I will look forward to this series. Nick J
The mostly same engine was used in the XJR models from 1995 - 2016. My 2013 has been super reliable & I get lots of comments saying it looks like a restored 70s or 80s bike. Looking forward to your thoughts on the FJR Jon.
I have a great playlist on the 1986 FJ1200 on this channel if you want to check it out. Cheers! ruclips.net/p/PL0gjN9hf6pSrn_NHRFeYOVCERwkIq4ZYB&si=OY8kp0upCbVwH0ZB
I have an 86 that I've owned since 1987. It gets ridden very little. I think it has less than 3000 miles on it. It's spends a lot of time in the shed. Seems like the carbs always need cleaning. I've had the carbs off for cleaning probably a dozen times over the years. Last summer I installed a shut off valve and filter under the tank so I could shut off the gas and run it dry for storage. But now it starves for fuel, and won't run at all if the tank gets low. I'm getting ready to put it on the maintenance table again to install a fuel pump on it. We'll see how that goes.
I would like to see some sort of a performance test between the GS 1100 E and this Yamaha. Iirc , the gearing on the Yamaha is much higher than the Suzuki, so that could be an interesting factor on real world performance, especially top end speed :)
The Yamaha is geared taller and more aerodynamic, so it should have the top speed edge. The sportier stance makes it more comfortable at speed as well. Cheers!
I love your channel and have owned a lot of these great machines. I would love to see a video of all the machines in your fleet! Do you flip some of them or just add to the collection? Your channel is awesome, thank you!
Thanks Michael! I have a revolving garage of motorcycles - some coming in, some going out. I love them all but time, space and money are real life constraints. I need to sell a few to make room for new ones! Cheers
Hi John it’s a nice bike I had an 89 once the only thing I did not liked is the high revs it sounds like it needs a 6th gear but there nice bikes congrats on your finding .
I had an '86 FJ. I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect sport/touring ride. I road it from Ontario to Boone, NC for a rally and toured the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain Parkways. A trip to remember.
Right on! I made that same trip to Boone from Pennsylvania. Awesome roads, great memories! Cheers
Most of these I see nowadays have bags on them and shine as sport-tourers.
Right on!
The FJ1100/1200 were such awesome bikes back in the day. Little did Yamaha know it was actually a great ST, much better than its intended purposes as a 'racebike'.
Right on! Not a bad sportbike, but a superb sport-tourer.
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 no matter what. the FJ1100/1200 was an absolute classic.
@@leviefrauim1425 I agree!
That is one beautiful bike Jon. Can't wait to see the progress and road test of this bike. Ride safe. Cheers
Thanks! I'm working on it today. Cheers!
So glad you got an FJ1200, Jon! I own a 1989 3CV model. 17" front wheel, but the FJ series never went to a 17" rear wheel. These bikes are so good at everything. They love to eat loads of miles in a day, love the open road. Also handle way better than you would expect, IF you upgrade the suspension front & rear and have good tires. Great 2 up bike as well. If you still have that GPz1100 that would make a good comparison video with the FJ1200. Assuming the GPz1100 is returned to stock and is not still set up as a drag bike. Also, the FJ's are easy to work on. FJ motors go forever too. That bike could last another bunch of decades. Enjoy Jon, great buy!
Thank you! I wish the GPZ1100 was already back to standard form. It has gotten pushed to the back burner due to other projects. But they do look nice sitting together. I'm looking forward to getting to know the FJ1200 and putting more miles on. I like it so far! Cheers
John I must let u know I'm from south Africa and my father had a fj 1100 with a full faring kit it looked just the same in the same colors but thank u my friend I had to sell my dad's pride and joy due to covid and everything because of family responsibilities but it's amazing to see a bike in that condition again
I have watched your xs 1100 videos it was the first bike that put me into biking and I can give it nothing but respect I'm 34 years old but only respect classic bikes as I believe that was a time when you needed to be a man to handle the machine thank u for your good work please keep it up it means alot
Thank you for the encouragement! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. I'm sorry to hear about your dad's FJ! I hope things are going better now. Cheers!
I got that same buzz on my FJ1100 I had. But WOW, what a bike. Loved that bike. You could really eat up some miles on that bike. High speeds were no problem and it really pulled like a freight train.
I've put about 50 miles on so far... just getting to know the bike on test rides. But I agree with your assessment!
It's nice to see all original machines like this one. I've come to appreciate the original designs, they tend to withstand the test of time the best. Most of the modifications, not matter how popular at the time, tend to age terribly and look tacky over time.
It's nice to see a channel dedicated to restoring these machines to their former glory.
Right on, thanks!
What a score, Jon! Beautiful!
Thanks, Jeff!
Nice find Jon. Thank you for the upload.👍
Right on, thanks!
Another awesome machine... A friend of mine from back in the day bought a FJ1100 new in 1984? and still has it yet today... This is one bike I have always liked but unfortunately never got the opportunity to own...
I had an FJ1100 many years back. It was a fast bike but not in as nice condition as this one. I'm looking forward to having this bike fully sorted and ready to ride! Cheers
Great bike.
Nice find .
Right on, thanks, Andrew!
Great bike! I restored an 86 fj1200 2 years ago, very similar but an English version so a few minor differences. I managed to fit FJR blue spot callipers on my he front. Love riding it!
Very nice! I'm sure that improved the braking performance. They are nice bikes. Cheers!
great find . look forward to the upgrades
Right on, thanks!
Well, I knew it was bound to happen. I knew at some point you'd end up with something I always wanted, lol. I always wanted an FJ1200. And you sir found a good one. All original! Best kind of find. And low mileage. I'll be watching this one closely lol. Great find and will be a good series of videos. (As usual). 👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks Vince!
Sweet! You found a nice one. Like you said it's fantastic when you do find one in very stock original condition.
Right on!
Very nice ride Jon. You just keep finding nice bikes one after another. Enjoyed the video and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!
Thanks Henry!
Great video! I've enjoyed your other videos as well. Im getting close to having my 1990 FJ1200 on the road. I bought it in the fall and am going through the whole machine. You found a beauty there!
Thanks, John! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. Let me know how your FJ turns out. Cheers!
Beautiful bike! Rode a modified example back in the 80s" had alot of power. front wheel came up without trying. Bought a 1100 aroind 2010 didn't run well so I got it cheap. Problem was the ignition module (expensive) so I opened it and it had 1 burned resistor. Replaced the resistor and it ran great. I now have a ZRX 1100 and can only have one bike at a time. The FJ is affordable and great!
Right on! I love the ZRX as well.
This is a stunning bike. What lines, great colour, stylish belly pan. I love air-cooled engines. I have a Buell Ulysses and a Yamaha SCR950 in my collection.
I will look forward to this series. Nick J
Thanks, Nick! Yamaha did a nice job on the FJ1200!
I have this bike but mine is a 1992 and color is blue, it's an amazing bike I love it
Right on! They're great bikes!
I like the term "unmolested model."
I had "the need for speed" curse to upgrade my '92 FJ.
Right on!
I have one. Second owner. Great bike . Love it.
Right on, Gary! I'm enjoying this one. Cheers!
The mostly same engine was used in the XJR models from 1995 - 2016. My 2013 has been super reliable & I get lots of comments saying it looks like a restored 70s or 80s bike. Looking forward to your thoughts on the FJR Jon.
Right on! I'll be working on it today. Cheers!
Kind of looking at 1 a 86 model. So I came across your video
I have a great playlist on the 1986 FJ1200 on this channel if you want to check it out. Cheers! ruclips.net/p/PL0gjN9hf6pSrn_NHRFeYOVCERwkIq4ZYB&si=OY8kp0upCbVwH0ZB
These things are getting so hard to find intact.
Most of the engines end up in those mid size legends race cars.
Good score.
Right on, thanks!
I have an 86 that I've owned since 1987. It gets ridden very little. I think it has less than 3000 miles on it. It's spends a lot of time in the shed. Seems like the carbs always need cleaning. I've had the carbs off for cleaning probably a dozen times over the years. Last summer I installed a shut off valve and filter under the tank so I could shut off the gas and run it dry for storage. But now it starves for fuel, and won't run at all if the tank gets low. I'm getting ready to put it on the maintenance table again to install a fuel pump on it. We'll see how that goes.
Driving them is the best thing for these bikes. My problem is driving each bike enough to keep it healthy. Good luck with your FJ!
I would like to see some sort of a performance test between the GS 1100 E and this Yamaha. Iirc , the gearing on the Yamaha is much higher than the Suzuki, so that could be an interesting factor on real world performance, especially top end speed :)
The Yamaha is geared taller and more aerodynamic, so it should have the top speed edge. The sportier stance makes it more comfortable at speed as well. Cheers!
I love your channel and have owned a lot of these great machines. I would love to see a video of all the machines in your fleet! Do you flip some of them or just add to the collection? Your channel is awesome, thank you!
Thanks Michael! I have a revolving garage of motorcycles - some coming in, some going out. I love them all but time, space and money are real life constraints. I need to sell a few to make room for new ones! Cheers
Hi John it’s a nice bike I had an 89 once the only thing I did not liked is the high revs it sounds like it needs a 6th gear but there nice bikes congrats on your finding .
I agree. And the fairing buzz is an annoyance. Otherwise, I am enjoying it.
should be an interesting ride when your done.
It should be a fun review.
Curious, where do you find original service manuels for your herd of older bikes ?
Ebay and Amazon.
I just got one 13k
Nice!
My gas tank is totally rusted out
I'm sorry to hear that!