1989 FJ1200 Before and After

[aviationfred]

I bought this bike in April after a 15 year lay off from riding. Here are photos of the day I bought it and what it looks like now.

This is at the PO's house the day I picked it up. First gen wheels, red aft front fender, rear red pieces under the seat, old worn out Super Trapp, and WTH were they thinking with that seat...



8 months later and this is what it has turned into. I have not touched the motor yet, but otherwise pretty much now a bike that can hold it's own against anything that was made in the 2000's.

[Ack535]

Very nice!  

I always loved those FJ1200's.

[veefer800canuck]

So I see newer 17" wheels, upgraded callipers and rotors, exhaust and paintwork, seat, is there anything else???

[Dutch]

I bought a '90 new and put alot of miles on it in three years.
One of the best ST bikes of that era (IMO).

[ripdaddy]

Looks great.  Give us some details about the wheels, brakes, and windscreen.

[aviationfred]

Looks great.  Give us some details about the wheels, brakes, and windscreen.

The stock wheel is 16"x 3.5" and the Suzuki wheel is 17"x 5.5". I found an article that the early 90's GSXR750/1100 wheels used the same diameter rear axle and were an easy fit for the FJ. All that was needed were two 4mm washers as spacers and find a forward mounting location for the caliper support arm. The change was mostly due to the VERY limited choices on tires. Having a 17" front and 16" rear made finding tires difficult. Going from a 150 to a 180 rear made a huge difference in the handling. Transitions are much more fluid.

The brakes have always been an issue with the FJ. I owned an 85' FJ1100 20 years ago and remembered that you had to squeeze with all your might to get the heavy bike slowed down. I found out that early models of the R1,R6, FZ6 and FZ1 calipers are direct bolt on for my stock forks. I figured my bike was 23 years old and I wanted more modern brakes. I figured the rubber brake hoses were original, so they were replaced with stainless steel braided lines. When I got the correct front wheel the rotors for the 1st gen 16" front rim would not fit on the 17" 89' stock rim. I read some good reviews on the knock off Galfer rotors and ordered a set. Now the braking rivals a modern pure sport bike.

The windscreen was a stock version. I simply wanted a little more wind deflection. I ordered the MRA +2" touring windscreen and I am very happy with it. I can ride at 80MPH with no buffeting of my head.

[ksann]

Very nicely done.



ken

[Hunter]

Tastefully done, I can appreciate the thought you put into the mods. I enjoyed mine, 89 model, and other than the tight seat to peg distance found it to be a mile muncher with a torque monster of an engine. I had bought mine after a 20 year hiatus as well to get me back onto two wheels, I sold it to a shorter friend of mine 9 years ago and he is still enjoying it. Other than replacing the rear shock / rebuilding the forks and sorting the carbs I did little to mine.

There is a lot of info and knowledgeable engine builders out there for that engine because of the popularity of the Legends race car series, oiling and the head seems to be the limiting factor in building horsepower should you want to go that route. Any plans for suspension or engine mods?

[aviationfred]

There is a lot of info and knowledgeable engine builders out there for that engine because of the popularity of the Legends race car series, oiling and the head seems to be the limiting factor in building horsepower should you want to go that route. Any plans for suspension or engine mods?

Yes I do plan on some mods to the engine and the suspension.
There is a company in California that specializes in FJ's and Legends. They offer FJ specific engineered fork valves and springs. I will be replacing the rear shock soon. The same company is currently developing a FJ specific shock. The prototypes are being tested on a couple of bikes. Two shocks will be offered. one for 84'/85' FJ1100's and 86'87' FJ1200's. And another for 89' through 93' FJ1200's.

The same company is developing an Akrapovic knock off exhaust system.

My engine is showing signs of wear. I will be getting the head rebuilt in the next month or so. I have not done a compression check of the motor, when I do, if it shows any problems, I will probably bore and sleeve it up to 1250cc's

[oldenslow]

Good job!  Are you on the FJowners site?  I haven't logged in for quite awhile.  I also did the Suzuki wheel mod on my '92.  After a few different front end mods, I settled on using an FZ1 front end.

[FJRmgm]

very tastefully done.  Those were, and still are, good looking and strong running bikes..