2001 Yamaha FJR1300 1.3L Petrol · N6 BAX

The most recent MOT, conducted on 5 May 2022 at 18,608 miles, passed the vehicle but flagged two minor oil-related defects. The offside front shock absorber was noted as having a light misting of oil, and a slight oil leak was recorded from the sump plug. These are not dangerous failures, but they indicate age-related seal degradation rather than catastrophic mechanical collapse. Comparing this to earlier tests, the maintenance trend is stable but slowly degrading. The shock absorber oil misting first appeared in the June 2019 test at 16,477 miles, was absent in April 2021, and then reappeared in May 2022. This intermittent recurrence suggests the front fork seals are weeping under certain conditions, a common issue on high-mileage or long-dormant motorcycles where fork oil seals harden with age. The sump plug leak is a straightforward fix, likely requiring only a new crush washer or a re-torque, but it confirms the engine has minor weeping points that a previous owner chose not to address. The mileage pattern tells a story of very light, intermittent use. Between the July 2014 test at 14,299 miles and the April 2017 test at 15,200 miles, the bike covered just 901 miles in nearly three years. From April 2017 to June 2019, it added 1,277 miles over two years. The jump from June 2019 to April 2021 saw 1,143 miles, and the final recorded stint to May 2022 added 988 miles. The bike has effectively sat unused for long periods, which explains the recurring fork seal weep. Seals that remain stationary lose their lubrication film and develop micro-cracks, leading to intermittent misting once the suspension is exercised again. The recorded mileage of 18,608 miles has not moved since May 2022, meaning the bike has now sat for over four years without a current MOT. This is a significant red flag for any buyer, as prolonged standing causes fuel system varnish, tyre flat-spotting, brake caliper seizure, and coolant system stagnation. A buyer should treat this motorcycle as a long-dormant machine requiring recommissioning rather than a ready-to-ride bike. The front forks need immediate attention. The recurring offside shock absorber oil misting across multiple tests confirms the fork seal is compromised, and after four years of standing, both fork seals and fork oil should be replaced as a set. The front brake system demands a thorough inspection. Binding calipers are a common failure on motorcycles that stand still, and the tester flagged binding rear brakes in earlier records, suggesting the braking system has a history of sticking components. Both calipers should be stripped, seals replaced, and pistons checked for corrosion. The tyres must be treated as time-expired regardless of remaining tread depth. A 2001 machine sitting since 2022 almost certainly has tyres manufactured well over five years ago, with hardened rubber and compromised grip. The sump plug leak should be investigated, but the real concern is whether the engine internals show any signs of corrosion from stagnant oil and condensation during its dormancy. A compression test and an oil sample analysis would be prudent before any commitment.