1990 FJ1200 questions

[jjz28]

I found an fj1200 for sale with 9,098 miles on it original owner. The bike looks great. I can get it for $2000 that's with all the lower I could get him to. When I went to look at it, he had the carbs off to clean them cause it sat without running the gas out. It has always been inside. Well, he called me back and said that it is back together and running good but now the clutch isn't working. It is hydraulic I guess. What would make it quit working? Would it be like our brakes and need took apart and cleaned? He is going to work on getting that fixed while I think about buying it. See, I went to buy it thinking it was together, when I saw it was apart, we worked out a deal to $2250 if he could get it running and running right. I was going to go help him and then I decided not to buy it. That was Friday. Well, he called me today and told me it was together and about the clutch and said he would take $2000. The bike is beautiful, looks almost new. I wish it was the red and white but it is the dark blue with brighter blue stripes. What do you guys think? Is it worth it? Are they good bikes? I have always loved them based on looks but that all I know about them. Thanks.

[jetmechmarty]

Yesterday's sport touring bike. I never had one, but I never heard bad things about them either.

[Prisoner6]

A former riding buddy of mine had an FJ1200 ... he was very generous and let me ride it many times.

Smooth, torquey, and powerful ... it really made me want one! I have heard that some had an issue with 2nd gear, just like our Elevens.

The fix is either undercutting, or new gears. Not sure about any common clutch-related issues with this bike.

These FJ engines are direct ancestors of the Euro-only XJR1200/1300's, and James (member JamesEngland) can tell you

how great those bikes are! You should be able to get lots of advice/help on fjowners.com (probably the best forum for these bikes),

and there are lots of FJ parts HERE:

http://www.rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39

I say go for it!!

[jjz28]

Thanks guys and thanks for the links.

[Wildkat]

I have an FJ11 and LOVE it (when it's running... it's a little cranky)
Fast and a LOT of torque... overall, a great bike.

I would be reluctant to spend that kind of money on a bike with a clutch problem, unless you KNOW what it's going to take to repair it. IMHO

[Prisoner6]

What did you decide?

Hey, Jeff -

Did you end up buying the FJ? ..... Just wondering ...

[jjz28]

No, I called him back and was going to go look at it since it was running. Then he put the guy on the phone that got it running for him and he said it was pouring gas out and needed carb kits and a clutch master cylinder. That is easy stuff to fix but the guy sounded like he didn't know much about bikes so I decided I didn't want something he had worked on. If he hadn't have touched it, I may have bought it and just fixed it myself.

[Prisoner6]

Oh, that's a shame ...

I'm sure if you had bought it, once you had it all sorted out, you would have loved this bike!

But I completely understand why you were reluctant ... could have been more problems than you bargained for ...