Reviving a Vintage Yamaha FJ1200: A Clean and Smooth Restoration

TLDRIn this video, we visit Maryland to revive a 1987 Yamaha FJ1200 that has been sitting for over 20 years. With a clean and well-maintained exterior, we investigate its condition and set out to make it run again. We discover the bike's unique features, such as its 16-inch tires, anti-dive forks, and hydraulic clutch. Despite some worn-out parts, the bike shows promise and only requires minimal fixes. Join us as we document the restoration process and prepare to take this vintage masterpiece for a ride.

Key insights

The 1987 Yamaha FJ1200 is a popular style bike that combines sport touring and performance.

👍The FJ1200 features a clean exterior with no major signs of wear or damage.

✏️The bike has a unique 16-inch front and rear tire setup, which can be challenging to find replacement options for.

The FJ1200 is equipped with anti-dive forks for improved stability and control during braking.

🏁Despite sitting for over 20 years, the Yamaha FJ1200 shows promise and requires minimal fixes to make it run again.

Q&A

What was the condition of the bike after sitting for over 20 years?

Despite its long period of inactivity, the 1987 Yamaha FJ1200 was in surprisingly good condition. The exterior showed no major signs of wear or damage, and the paint was well-preserved. However, there were some worn-out parts, such as dry-rotted tires and loose spark plugs.

What are the unique features of the Yamaha FJ1200?

The Yamaha FJ1200 has several unique features. It has a 16-inch front and rear tire setup, which can be challenging to find replacement options for. It also features anti-dive forks, which enhance stability and control during braking. Additionally, it has a hydraulic clutch and a clean, sport touring design.

What challenges did you face during the restoration process?

One of the main challenges we faced during the restoration process was finding replacement options for the 16-inch tires. Compared to 17-inch tires, there are fewer options available. However, after some research, we were able to find suitable replacements. Other than that, the bike required minimal fixes and was relatively straightforward to restore.

Did you need to clean or repair the carburetors?

Surprisingly, the carburetors of the 1987 Yamaha FJ1200 were in good condition and did not require any cleaning or repairs. This saved us a significant amount of time and effort during the restoration process.

How did the Yamaha FJ1200 perform after the restoration?

After restoring the bike and addressing the worn-out parts, the Yamaha FJ1200 performed exceptionally well. The engine had good compression, and the bike exhibited crisp throttle response. Overall, it was a smooth and satisfying restoration process, and we are excited to take this vintage masterpiece for a ride.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction: Visiting Maryland to revive a 1987 Yamaha FJ1200 that has been sitting for over 20 years.

02:16Examining the bike's exterior, which is in excellent condition with no major signs of wear or damage.

03:35Highlighting the unique features of the Yamaha FJ1200, including its 16-inch front and rear tires and anti-dive forks.

06:02Assessing the condition of the bike's spark plugs and discovering minimal wear.

11:00Discussing the challenges of finding replacement options for the 16-inch tires.

12:02Exploring the bike's carburetors, which are surprisingly in good condition and do not require cleaning or repairs.

14:35Preparing for the restoration process, including installing the choke and throttle cables.

15:55Sharing the importance of seeking help and talking to someone during challenging times and promoting BetterHelp.