SHOW US YOURS
e it current or no more, we want to hear about nd see one of your cherished race machines: his issue – Phil Hacker’s stunning FJ1200 racer.
We want to see YOUR pride and joy race machine in the pages of Classic Racer EVERY issue. It doesn't matter if you no longer race, or no longer race the bike anymore – share with us the specs, stories and memories of your time racing your favourite steed! Email your hi-res shots and words to: bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk. Let us know what you've done and how you've done it, and tell us about your favourite race, too! Bertie.
Phil Hacker is a name well known in the world of racing and that of Yamaha's FJ series of sports-tourer motorcycles. Yes, Phil's skills built this amazing machine, which even he says “is the FJ Yamaha could and should have built!”
So, let's have a look at the spec. First off, if you need proof of the power available from this lump, this has seen 162bhp at 9750rpm on the dyno and it weighs just 196 kilos. It didn't all start at that level, though… five years or so of hard graft got Phil a very powerful and reliable machine.
Internally, you've got Wiseco high compression pistons, and the head is skimmed and gas-flowed. Meanwhile, Cosworth camshafts provide more lift and duration to the bigger valves.
A Dyna ignition kit and coils gives better ‘spark', while twin K&N oval air-filters and an XJR1300 Akrapovic exhaust with a custommade link pipe let the motor breath more freely – and sound awesome!
The motor breathes through 39mm Keihin flat-slides and the standard crank has been lightened and balanced, and a gearbox from an XJR1300 has been fitted. Its longer output shaft allows a straight chain line from the bike's wider-set rear sprocket.
With that much power, you also need control; Phil fitted a Barnett clutch spring conversion to replace the standard diaphragm arrangement, and this is actuated by a Brembo radial master cylinder. Con-rods are Carrillo so they can take the strain, and reliability is improved as a result. To this end, Phil enlarged the engine's internal oilways and added a 5mm spacer to the sump to carry another 500cc of oil. Added to this is an Earl's 10-row oil cooler positioned in the fairing's headlight aperture that keeps
the engine temperature down. The bulky, standard fuel tank has been replaced by a bespoke 10-litre under-seat item, allowing the swift passage of air to cool the engine under a cut-down version of the original tank.
Let's talk about the chassis – how can you make the sports-touring FJ dance on the end of adhesion on a race track when she's much happier on an autobahn two-up?
First off, the standard frame has had its headstock cut and re-welded to steepen its angle by 2.5 degrees to a quicker-steering 26-degrees: no steering damper is fitted. Only the best is used for suspension: Öhlins 45mm fully adjustable inverted forks up front, while at the rear is a Penske shock that keeps the standard-spec swingarm in check.
Wheels are by Dymag, originally intended for a Ducati 999 apparently, and are shod with 120/70-17 and 180/55-17 Metzeler slicks. Anchors for this special Yamaha are a pair of 320mm floating discs retarded by Brembo four-piston calipers with a Brembo radial master cylinder; Renthal bars and GSX-R footrests dictate a fairly upright riding position, but you can (and Phil has) leaned this baby over big time…
Some parts of the racer found their way onto a road FJ1200, which our sister magazine Classic Motorcycle Mechanics rode. This featured lighter 17in Ducati 999 wheels and wide Renthal bars, which increased the ‘chuckability' factor and lighter handling of the big beast. With Öhlins and Penske suspension, and grippy Conti Attack 2 tyres, there was no problem riding hard in complete confidence. The Brembo brake setup provided staggering braking power using just one finger, too! This was a road-going FJ with some real attitude…