FJ1200 yay or nay

[ocatoro]

Been offered an FJ1200 at reasonable money with recentish full engine rebuild and powdercoat frame etc.. Few mods, exhaust, carbs etc... Looks in great nick and runs like a swiss watch. Comes with luggage racks and potentially some luggage.

What say BCF about them? To be honest, I'd never heard of one nor seen a picture even until I was shown this one the other day.

I know they're air cooled, and that it's a competent enough sports tourer. But anything about random maintenance, headaches, and common wankery to do with them would be handy... ie. what are they like as a general steed.. commuting and the odd blast and perhaps the odd jaunt abroad.
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CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Polarbear]

Wonderful bikes if you like old school stuff.

I had 3 in my earlier years, all the 3something models senility riles, I can't remember which.

The engine is still going in the XJR 1300.

They were Yammys sports bikes but soon became 'relegated' to sports tourer.

If the plastic is good, you are onto a winner.

I'll have a look if you don't want it

My (now 20 year old) daughter on my first,

https://imageshack.us/a/img818/6047/cjfj.jpg
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[temeluchus]

Join the fj club and get the thing properly serviced and it will likely outlast a brand new bike.

look out for knackered wheel bearings and knackered bearings in the linkage on the swingarm.

parts are generally available, as polar says the engine is the same unit as the xjr12/1300.

what year is it? There are three models, the 1tx, 3cv and 3xw. 1tx has antidive and two pot brakes, 3cv and 3xw have 4 pots. Suspension linkages change over the models and the 3xw has a rubber mounted motor.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Polarbear]

3cv, that was it,
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[ocatoro]

It's an '87 this one. It has the anti dive forks on, even if they're not correct for the year.

It's had new swingarm, some fancy name which I've already forgotten. By all accounts, it's like a virtually new bike.... aside maybe the paint on the wheels.

I think I might have it. Will be a month or so yet though, having just moved and will need to sell my er-5 slightly sooner than planned (for anyone who saw my other thread, t'was the petrol tap diaphragm, have a zx600 tap on order as a straight swap without a diaphragm to worry about).

Wasn't what I had my eyes on, but seems quite ideal for my needs and I used to write for retro car magazine among others, so retro is definitely a positive for me.
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CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[temeluchus]

1987 was the last 1TX, so anti dive forks, twin pot brakes, 16 inch front wheel. no fuel pump.

we need pics.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Groove]

[yen_powell]

I'll be honest, having owned two FJs I would wonder why one would need an engine rebuild at all unless it had either been round the clock nearly twice or it had been damaged through negligence.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[temeluchus]

[Ribenapigeon]

After I read an article on them in a magazine recently theyre on my list of older bikes to look out for.

[GSTEEL32]

I bought one to take me to work for a couple of months. They're easier to ride than you think , given the low center of gravity and the torque from the engine.

I found the whole thing pretty underwhelming to be honest, but I suspect thats the point of a decent tourer.

The engine was a joy to work on, to be fair to it.

[ocatoro]

[Ribenapigeon]

If it turns out to be a lemon what do you stand to lose on it.

[ocatoro]

nothing, I'm 100% on the condition of the bike, and the honesty of the chap.

Just wanted some opinions on the model really.. thing that is putting me off are the awkward 16 inch tyre sizes for the main part. Something like a zzr11 would have far greater tyre choices for lesser moneys. They can also be had for less money. Insurance is fair bit cheaper on the FJ though, coming up as £85 when my first ncb comes through next month. Though by the time I'm on a second set of tyres, the difference is long gone and back in favour of the zzr or similar.
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CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Shaft]

Two minutes punting round tyre outlets found me suitable boots from Michelin, Conti, Dunlop, Avon, Bridgestone, Metzeler and Pirelli, plus a few from less well known brands.

How much choice do you need?
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[Ribenapigeon]

There's an owners club fjclub.co.uk

I found the magazine with a rebuild/refurb of an FJ article. Its the June edition of Prctical Sportsbike. Seems the big mod to do is fitting an FZR 18inch rim rear wheel and front and fitting better brake calipers. R1 complete front and rear ends is possible as well apparently as well.

[temeluchus]

fzr genesis and exup rears can be made to fit in 18 and 17 inch sizes.

front end wise, the front end from a 3cv or 3xw fits and takes a 120/70 17.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[yen_powell]

[Shaft]

[temeluchus]

[DJS]

Lovely bikes. Have had both a 1200 and the earlier 1100 and really rate them (but then I am biased to old air cooled sports tourers).
What you're looking at sounds good.
Buy it.

[yampug]

excellent bikes go for it

here's mine

https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/yampug/fudge/IMAG0020.jpg

be prepared to get carried away with the mods though.