1985 Yamaha FJ1100 1.1L Petrol · B186 CPU

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 1985 Yamaha FJ1100, conducted on 5 May 2025, resulted in a pass with no defects recorded, which is a positive immediate indicator of roadworthiness. However, this pass follows closely on from a failure on 16 April 2025 for a front tyre being an unsuitable S-rated item, suggesting that whilst the bike is fundamentally sound, the keeper was caught out by a compliance issue rather than mechanical deterioration. Looking at the broader pattern from 2024, advisories were issued for slight brake effort fluctuation at the front and wear in the rear lower suspension arm pin, bush or joint, which are age-related degradations rather than sudden faults. The earlier advisory in 2018 regarding light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber also points to a gradual wear profile rather than acute failure, meaning the overall maintenance trend appears stable but typical of a forty-one year old machine where rubber and hydraulic components are beginning to deteriorate with calendar age. With only 25,510 miles recorded over forty-one years, this equates to an average of roughly 622 miles per year, which is exceptionally low and strongly suggests long periods of storage interspersed with occasional use. Such low annual mileage is often indicative of a collector or enthusiast machine that has been laid up for considerable durations, which carries specific mechanical implications quite different from those of a high-mileage bike. Prolonged standing allows corrosion to take hold on brake discs and calipers, battery terminals and internal plates to sulphate, fuel system components to degrade, and tyre rubber to perish from age rather than wear. Equally, seals and gaskets throughout the engine, forks and brake system can harden and weep when finally returned to regular service, so the absence of significant mileage is not necessarily a marker of preservation but rather an invitation to inspect time-based degradation. For a prospective buyer, the test drive should focus on the advisories previously flagged. For the rear suspension, listen for clonks or knocks over uneven surfaces and at low speed, and visually inspect the lower suspension arm pivot for any play in the bush or joint, as these wear progressively and will eventually require replacement. For the front brake, apply both brakes at low speed and feel for any pulsing or grabbing that would suggest disc warping or a binding caliper, and watch for uneven or stepped wear on the front tyre tread which would indicate a sticking piston. Given the previous front shock absorber oil misting, check the fork and shock body for fresh oil residue and observe whether the front end dives excessively or feels wallowy under braking. On cold start, listen for any unusual mechanical noises that might indicate deteriorated engine internals from standing. Beyond the recorded advisories, physical checks should account for the bike's advanced age and storage-prone usage pattern. Examine both tyres very closely for sidewall cracking, perishing and checking of the rubber compound, as forty-one year old tyres should be replaced regardless of remaining tread depth. Lift the fuel tank and inspect for rust or degraded fuel lines, drain the carburettor float bowls to check for varnish and water contamination, and verify the condition of the battery, as a unit of this age is almost certainly due for replacement. The brake fluid, fork oil and coolant should be considered overdue for renewal on a calendar basis regardless of mileage, and the brake discs should be inspected for surface corrosion and pitting from standing. Finally, confirm continuity of service history, examine all electrical connections for verdigris, and check for oil leaks around the engine casings, as the combination of low recorded mileage and four decades of age means time, rather than use, is the primary enemy of this machine's mechanical integrity.