Description
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1987 Yamaha FZ700. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Back in the early 1980s, the Japanese sportbike scene had become a sort of technological arms race. Between liquid cooling, improved suspension setups, and better-handling frames, the market was awash with options for the performance-hungry motorcyclist. Honda was quick on the draw with its Interceptor 750, and Kawasaki was close behind with the Ninja 900, prompting Yamaha to answer with a unique offering of its own.
It was called the FZ750, and it made for a marked improvement over the Tuning Fork company’s aging XJ750. For starters, the bike boasted Yamaha’s trademark Genesis engine, a development that introduced five-valve heads (three intake, two exhaust) as a means of delivering more air and fuel into the combustion chamber and thus generating more power. And that’s not all; Yamaha also canted the engine forward some 45 degrees to keep weight over the front wheel, lower the center of gravity, and elevate the carbs.
But here’s the thing — following AMF ownership, Harley-Davidson had found itself in a precarious position. R&D had stalled and quality control had slipped, making the wave of Japanese imports all the more attractive. In an attempt to protect itself against its foreign competition, Harley went to the United States Government, prompting a 49.4% tariff on all imports over 700cc.
What resulted were known as “Tariff Busters,” or bikes that boasted reduced displacements to skirt the penalty. Yamaha’s offering came in the form of the FZ700, a one-year-only model that was effectively a destroked FZ750. With the 697cc block, the FZ gained lighter and stronger pistons, rings, and rods, making the already the already reliable four-banger even more mechanically sound. If you’d like to learn more about the Tariff Busters and what makes bikes like the FZ700 unique, check out this piece on Revzilla.
Manufactured in October of 1986, this example is VIN: JYA2KT006HA000378. The seller acquired the bike through Iconic Motorbikes approximately 2.5 years ago.
During his ownership, the seller has covered limited miles. The odometer shows 45,559 miles.
Maintenance:
When the seller first purchased the bike in 2021, he had our service department replace the battery, the spark plugs, the oil and oil filter, the brake fluid, the coolant, and the brake pads. We also cleaned and synced the carbs and had the tank cleaned and touched up.
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs. Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal: Ok
Tire Year Front: 3319 / Rear: 4820
Tire Life Front: 99% / Rear: 99%
Tire Press Front: 36PSI / Rear: 38PSI
Brake Life Front: 80% / Rear: 80%
Hydraulic Brake Fluid Front: Ok Rear: Ok
Oil Quality: Ok Level: Ok
Coolant Quality: Ok Level: Ok
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Kill: Ok
Horn: Ok
Fork: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Drive Chain Condition: Ok
Battery: 12.14V Charging
Test Ride: 4M Test Ride, Bike operates as designed
Modifications:
Kerker exhaust.
Corbin Gunfighter seat.
Not pictured: K&N Jet kit.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Continental ContiGO! tires with date codes of 3319 and 4820.
The sale includes two keys, some assorted spares, and a Clymer manual.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Yamaha is offered on a clean Iowa title. Have any FZ700 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
