1987 Yamaha FJ1200, improving a classic.
Discussion
In October 2020 I left the UK to live with my American Wife in Akron, Ohio. Decided to look for a toy to play on and hopefully improve, spent a fortnight looking for something that interested me, and a low mileage Yamaha FJ1200 popped up on FB marketplace in a town about 50 miles from home that looked good in the photographs. So drove over to see it and it turns out that it was a lovely example, with 19500 miles running okay and no obvious damage, the paintwork is good and it was totally original except for the red grips. I run it until the winter closes in around the end of November, then garage it to throw some bits at it.
Plans, well the engine’s a good ‘un power delivery is superb pulls from nowhere in any gear the bottom end torque is hilarious you only need two gears, according to the Yamaha press blurb at the time the big FJ has 116bhp and 72 lb/ft enough to propel this 570lb monster to 145mph with a quarter mile time of 11.23secs @ 122.22mph according to the March 1986 edition of “Cycle World” the acceleration figures are pretty good.
With the following times recorded.
0-60mph. 3.0 secs
0-80mph 4.6 secs
0-100mph 6.8 secs
Top gear roll in’s are very impressive with the following times
All recorded in Top Gear.
40-60mph 3.3secs
60-80mph 3.4aecs
So they’re the good points, straight line it’s a proper old school locomotive.
But then you get to a corner, 30 plus years has taken the edge off the suspension it’s soft and underdamped, and the brakes basically are downright dangerous.
Plus the 16” wheels severely limit your tyre choice, which also cause problems with grip and handling.
So onto the interweb, and stone me there’s a huge following and owners forums on both sides of the Atlantic with the UK FJ forum and RPM in America offering huge info, with incredibly knowledgeable people that are happy to help with upgrades, so this is the plan.
Engine, a full service including Valve Clearances, complete brake and clutch hydraulic overhauls and seeing if I can release a bit more power out of the engine.
Then address the chassis shortcomings by improving the handling and braking systems.
So this is how it looked the day I picked it up.
Ordered a beautiful all Stainless Hindle 4-2-1 exhaust system
A Factory Pro Jet kit and RPM Foam Filters Standard the bike dynod at around 100bhp at the wheel, RPM maintain that I should see 115bhp and 85 ft/lb with this set up, so that’ll wake the old girl up.
On to handling, I’m fitting the front end from a 1987 FZR1000 which addresses a load of issues lots more adjustment a
3.5” x 17” wheel which means I have loads more tyre choice then it’s brakes are going to be a massive improvement with four pot calipers and 320mm floating discs. But there’s a little problem to overcome, they’re too short for the FJ. But it’s sorted easily you just use the FJ legs with the FZR lowers!
It all bolts together perfectly, I’m fitting Hyperpro springs and replacing every bush and seal and bearing in the front end.
I’m completely rebuilding the front brake system.
On to the rear I’m fitting a 4.5” x 17” rear wheel from an ‘89 GSX-R750, with the rear caliper from a GSX-F600, this bolts up perfectly and everything lines up if you add a 5mm spacer to either end of the axle.
Haven’t got any pics of the wheels as they’re off at the Powder coaters at the moment, but I’ll post pics when they’re back.
Rear suspension is a gorgeous YSS Shock
And a nice set of Avon Storms Radials to go on the wheels when they come back from the powder coaters.
As you can see it should make a nice bike when it’s all done and I’ll keep the updates coming.
Incidentally the top end looked pristine when I took the cam cover off.
So any advice or tips from FJ owners past and present gratefully received.
Rob.
Plans, well the engine’s a good ‘un power delivery is superb pulls from nowhere in any gear the bottom end torque is hilarious you only need two gears, according to the Yamaha press blurb at the time the big FJ has 116bhp and 72 lb/ft enough to propel this 570lb monster to 145mph with a quarter mile time of 11.23secs @ 122.22mph according to the March 1986 edition of “Cycle World” the acceleration figures are pretty good.
With the following times recorded.
0-60mph. 3.0 secs
0-80mph 4.6 secs
0-100mph 6.8 secs
Top gear roll in’s are very impressive with the following times
All recorded in Top Gear.
40-60mph 3.3secs
60-80mph 3.4aecs
So they’re the good points, straight line it’s a proper old school locomotive.
But then you get to a corner, 30 plus years has taken the edge off the suspension it’s soft and underdamped, and the brakes basically are downright dangerous.
Plus the 16” wheels severely limit your tyre choice, which also cause problems with grip and handling.
So onto the interweb, and stone me there’s a huge following and owners forums on both sides of the Atlantic with the UK FJ forum and RPM in America offering huge info, with incredibly knowledgeable people that are happy to help with upgrades, so this is the plan.
Engine, a full service including Valve Clearances, complete brake and clutch hydraulic overhauls and seeing if I can release a bit more power out of the engine.
Then address the chassis shortcomings by improving the handling and braking systems.
So this is how it looked the day I picked it up.
Ordered a beautiful all Stainless Hindle 4-2-1 exhaust system
A Factory Pro Jet kit and RPM Foam Filters Standard the bike dynod at around 100bhp at the wheel, RPM maintain that I should see 115bhp and 85 ft/lb with this set up, so that’ll wake the old girl up.
On to handling, I’m fitting the front end from a 1987 FZR1000 which addresses a load of issues lots more adjustment a
3.5” x 17” wheel which means I have loads more tyre choice then it’s brakes are going to be a massive improvement with four pot calipers and 320mm floating discs. But there’s a little problem to overcome, they’re too short for the FJ. But it’s sorted easily you just use the FJ legs with the FZR lowers!
It all bolts together perfectly, I’m fitting Hyperpro springs and replacing every bush and seal and bearing in the front end.
I’m completely rebuilding the front brake system.
On to the rear I’m fitting a 4.5” x 17” rear wheel from an ‘89 GSX-R750, with the rear caliper from a GSX-F600, this bolts up perfectly and everything lines up if you add a 5mm spacer to either end of the axle.
Haven’t got any pics of the wheels as they’re off at the Powder coaters at the moment, but I’ll post pics when they’re back.
Rear suspension is a gorgeous YSS Shock
And a nice set of Avon Storms Radials to go on the wheels when they come back from the powder coaters.
As you can see it should make a nice bike when it’s all done and I’ll keep the updates coming.
Incidentally the top end looked pristine when I took the cam cover off.
So any advice or tips from FJ owners past and present gratefully received.
Rob.
Edited by tdm34 on Saturday 27th February 23:49
Edited by tdm34 on Saturday 27th February 23:55
Wow, with all that money you’ve spent you could have bought yourself a proper bike
Only kidding OP it’s great to see how much you can update an older model.
A mate of mine had one of these years ago but that was when the handling was as good as anything current at the time. The big thing he used to talk about was the amount of torque that it had . It made a great touring machine and the engine was bulletproof.
Great work you're doing. Always liked these, and yours looks in great condition.
I had a Yamaha XJR1300, more modern, but more or less the same engine. Agree on the way it pulls from low revs, very rideable, and much quicker than the power figure would have you believe.
Look forward to seeing more.
I had a Yamaha XJR1300, more modern, but more or less the same engine. Agree on the way it pulls from low revs, very rideable, and much quicker than the power figure would have you believe.
Look forward to seeing more.
My favourite ever bike I had (not the best, just my favourite)
Basically ran it everyday in all weather until some t
t in a white van did a u-turn in Northumberland avenue in front of me (and got away with it because he denied the u-turn and so it looked like I'd ridden into the back of him)
Basically ran it everyday in all weather until some t
t in a white van did a u-turn in Northumberland avenue in front of me (and got away with it because he denied the u-turn and so it looked like I'd ridden into the back of him)Chipchap said:
If I may ask how much was the Hindle 4 into 1 and jet kit etc please as I may look at storing my standard exhausts as they are in great order.
This is my 1995.
For yours you'd have to have this oneThis is my 1995.
Headers (Downpipes)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hindle-FJ1292SS-Exhaust-H...
Then you choose your can to suit..
https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=hindle+exhau...
Its construction is gorgeous, and it weighs in at only 5kgs complete.
They are loud though, but they do a db killer that works well as long as you use it the right way around.
Lovely bike. My sisters ex used to have one and took me for a lap of the TT course on it. He raced sidecars there, so knew the course pretty well, but fk me that thing hustled along ! He still managed to give me a running commentary and tell me how much faster the outfit would have been going 
k me that thing hustled along ! He still managed to give me a running commentary and tell me how much faster the outfit would have been going A great bike the FJ - loved my '89 one, which I had for a few years in the mid 90s. Some good hot-rodding going on there, sir!
Mine took me to Switzerland for work - weekends on all the great passes...
Once back home I fitted FZR1000 wheels, along with a few other upgrades (opening out the airbox and a Dynojet kit was good) and surprised a few people on track days (which were certainly more fun and less serious back then!)...
Bit of a 90s white wheel thing going on
Good to see one being sorted and loved!
Mine took me to Switzerland for work - weekends on all the great passes...
Once back home I fitted FZR1000 wheels, along with a few other upgrades (opening out the airbox and a Dynojet kit was good) and surprised a few people on track days (which were certainly more fun and less serious back then!)...
Bit of a 90s white wheel thing going on
Good to see one being sorted and loved!
Quick update, Avon Storms fitted, with balance beads.
And out with the old Shock and in with the new YSS one.
Decided I’d check the valve clearances, it’s a very low mileage unit 20k, I suspect that it’s been a while since they where done. All right but not fully closed thankfully.
So it’s cams out then, a job for the next day or so.
And out with the old Shock and in with the new YSS one.
Decided I’d check the valve clearances, it’s a very low mileage unit 20k, I suspect that it’s been a while since they where done. All right but not fully closed thankfully.
So it’s cams out then, a job for the next day or so.
My FJ1200 was an absolute dream to ride, the torque was awesome, overtaking or a steep hill was completely effortless. 2nd gear would go from 0-70mph in a few seconds.
The only change I made to mine was the front brake calipers - The standard ones were sticking and not up to the job. Replaced with Yamaha R1 brake calipers, these were a direct swap if you got the right ones (see image below of blue calipers, I think these were the ones). After swapping the brake calipers and the hoses for braided steel hoses the brakes were awesome whereas before they were "adequate". If you do nothing else do this imo.
I'm pretty sure I did the rear brake caliper too.
Below picture of the bike before the caliper change and pic of what I think were the calipers. I keep thinking about getting another FJ1200, comfortable yet thrilling ride for an old bloke like me.
The only change I made to mine was the front brake calipers - The standard ones were sticking and not up to the job. Replaced with Yamaha R1 brake calipers, these were a direct swap if you got the right ones (see image below of blue calipers, I think these were the ones). After swapping the brake calipers and the hoses for braided steel hoses the brakes were awesome whereas before they were "adequate". If you do nothing else do this imo.
I'm pretty sure I did the rear brake caliper too.
Below picture of the bike before the caliper change and pic of what I think were the calipers. I keep thinking about getting another FJ1200, comfortable yet thrilling ride for an old bloke like me.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 7th March 16:00
Latest update, cams out every shim tight and I have or can swap ten but I’ve got to wait until Saturday for RPM to send the ones I don’t have in my shim box.
New discs arrived and are now fitted to the freshly powder coated wheels.
New toy arrived last week a 22L ultrasonic cleaner so in went the fork lowers and the stripped calipers to get them ready for painting later this week.
They really do get all the clag out of the calipers.
New YSS Shock in place.
I’m painting the stuff later this week, then I’ll build up the hybrid forks out of FZR & FJ components. Then I’ll shim up the engine and reassemble all of the top end, then I’m going to go through the carburetors and fit the factory pro jet kit.
The last task will be to fit the on board camera system.
New discs arrived and are now fitted to the freshly powder coated wheels.
New toy arrived last week a 22L ultrasonic cleaner so in went the fork lowers and the stripped calipers to get them ready for painting later this week.
They really do get all the clag out of the calipers.
New YSS Shock in place.
I’m painting the stuff later this week, then I’ll build up the hybrid forks out of FZR & FJ components. Then I’ll shim up the engine and reassemble all of the top end, then I’m going to go through the carburetors and fit the factory pro jet kit.
The last task will be to fit the on board camera system.
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