Yamaha FJ 1200

In 1986 Yamaha decided to upgrade the FJ1100 by increasing the engine displacement slightly and adding upgraded suspension and other components. The result was the FJ1200. The peak power output was raised slightly to 130 bhp (97 kW) from the FJ1100s 125 bhp (93 kW), the FJ1200 had more low- to mid-range torque. The FJ1200 was produced in three main successive versions (1TX, 3CV and 3XW) each updated version benefiting from improvements to bodywork, front and rear suspension components, and the addition of an optional ABS-equipped version (FJ1200A) from 1991 until 1996, when Yamaha discontinued the FJ1200 in the United Kingdom. The model was discontinued in the United States in 1993. Market competitors during its production years included the BMW K100RS, Suzuki's 1100 Katana and Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-10.

Engine

The FJ1200 uses a four cylinder in-line layout and is air-cooled. Sixteen valves are operated by a chain-driven double overhead camshaft; valve clearances are adjusted using shims. The four constant-velocity carburettors are mounted in a bank behind the cylinders and feed each cylinder through short intake manifolds. Four exhaust downpipes join a box below the engine where the gases are split to exit through two silencers (mufflers). The crankshaft is geared directly to the clutch, no counter balancer shaft is used. Starting is by electric starter only. Lubrication is wet sump using a trochoid pump; an oil radiator assists with cooling. Both the FJ1100 and FJ1200 were fitted with an additional fuel vapour recovery system to comply with California emission regulations.
1990 FJ1200 Model 3CV with standard windscreen
Transmission

The FJ1200 uses a five-speed sequential constant-mesh close ratio gearbox. The clutch is of the wet, multiple-disc diaphragm spring type and is hydraulically operated. Final drive is by O-ring chain and sprockets.

Chassis

The frame of the FJ1200 is manufactured from mild steel box-section and uses a perimeter layout, the fairing and upper rear section use separate cylindrical tubing sub-frames. The rear shock absorber is placed vertically behind the engine and connects to a swinging arm made from extruded aluminium alloy (note: later 3XW models have mild steel swinging arm) via several forged aluminium rocker arms. The 17-inch front wheel is held between 41 mm spring and oil damped forks. The FJ1100 and early FJ1200 models featured adjustable anti-dive units and a smaller diameter 16-inch wheel. The FJ1100 and early FJ1200 used twin ventilated disc brakes for the front wheel with a single ventilated disc at the rear. FJ1200 models, 3CV & 3XW, used solid front discs but retained the rear ventilated disc, front brake calipers were upgraded to a four-piston design. An anti-lock braking system was used on the FJ1200A. A full fairing protects the rider, varying height fixed windscreens were available as options.
FJ1200 with ABS brakes
Electrical system

The FJ1200 features a standard 12 volt electrical system. The alternator and starter motor are mounted behind the cylinders. Nippondenso Transistor Controlled Ignition (TCI) is used in conjunction with two coils. Yamaha's self-cancelling indicator unit is used and a variable resistance gauging system is used to monitor engine oil contents with associated warning lights. A large fuel gauge is provided as is a low fuel level warning light. A digital clock is also fitted. A safety feature of the FJ1200 is that the engine ignition is cut if first gear is selected with the sidestand down, this is now commonplace on modern motorcycles.

Overview

A legend in its own lifetime, the FJ1200 was one of the great all-round sports-touring motorcycles of its day; indeed, such was the regard in which it was held, that at one time more professional motorcycle journalists owned and rode FJ1200s than any other model. Even today, its mighty motor lives on in the XJR1300. Developed from the short-lived FJ1100, the big ‘FJ’ contrived to be so much more than the sum of its specification; it had an air-cooled engine at a time when the opposition was switching to water cooling, and the ‘lateral concept’ frame was made of steel rather than fashionable aluminium alloy, yet when it came to transporting rider, passenger and luggage at three-figure speeds over transcontinental distances, the FJ1200 was in a class of its own. ‘You don’t need to touch the gearbox once you’re in top, unless road speed drops below 30 or so, because the power delivery is totally smooth and predictable from baseline to redline,’ reported Bike magazine. ‘The fact that there’s so much of it is almost secondary to the way it’s delivered. From 3,000rpm in top, almost exactly 50mph, the FJ should see off just about anything on the road ’til way on the wrong side of 100mph…’