Yamaha XJ900F Specs and Info (1985 to 1994)

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Yamaha XJ900F specs…..

The Yamaha XJ900 F was a half faired sports touring bike manufactured by Yamaha between 1985 and 1994 (in the UK). The XJ900 had an 891cc inline 4 cylinder engine, shaft drive and a ‘bikini’ style top fairing. Later models also had a belly pan as standard.
The original XJ900, released in 1983 with the 31A model code, had a small fairing mounted to the handle bars which affected the bikes handling and caused a ‘weave’ at higher speeds. After this, Yamaha fitted, to the XJ900F, a larger frame mounted fairing and a few other modifications which improved the handling.
Due to the ease of servicing and maintenance, as well as the shaft drive, the XJ900 F proved a reliable and popular bike for Yamaha and the XJ900 was produced till 1994 when it was replaced by the XJ900S Diversion.

Side view of a 1994 (‘L’ reg) Yamaha XJ900 F

A little bit about the Yamaha XJ 900 (pre diversion)…..

Basic model info…
Manufacturer:	Yamaha
Model:	XJ900F
CC:	891cc
Engine type:	Inline 4 cylinder (4 stroke)
Years in production:	1985 to 1994
Style of bike:	Half faired sports tourer (later models had a belly pan as well as a top fairing)
Insurance:	Group 12 (of 17 – Estimated) – Get a competitive insurance quote from Carole Nash
Preceded by:	XJ900 (31A)
Succeeded by:	XJ900S Diversion

Rear view of a 1994 XJ900 F (4BB, pre diversion model)

Models and years (in the UK)

XJ900F (Feb 1985 to Dec 1986)…..
Model code:	58L
Frame number started:	58L–000101—-
Description:	Sports tourer with an 891cc air cooled 4 cylinder engine and a 5 speed gearbox. It had twin front and single rear disc brakes, twin rear shocks, 18 inch cast wheels, 4 into 2 chrome exhaust, half fairing with square headlamp, belly pan and alloy pillion grab rail.
Available colours:	Black and red or white and blue
Cost new:
XJ900F (Jan 1987 to Dec 1990)…..
Model code:	58L
Frame number started:	58L–020101—-
Description:	Same as above model but with slotted front disc brakes (instead of ventilated) and ‘Yamaha’ logo on the petrol tank.
Available colours:	Black or white
Cost new:
XJ900F (Jan 1991 to Dec 1991)…..
Model code:	4BB1
Frame number started:	4BB1–000101—-
Description:	Same as above models with a few minor changes.
Available colours:	Black or white
Cost new:	£4899
XJ900F (Jan 1992 to Dec 1994)…..
Model code:	4BB2
Frame number started:
Description:	Same as above models.
Available colours:	Blue and white or black and grey
Cost new:	£4899 for a ‘J’ reg £4724 for a 1992 ‘K’ reg £4869 for a 1993 ‘K’ reg £5099 for a 1993 ‘L’ reg £5629 for a 1994 ‘L’ or ‘M’ reg £5699 for a 1995 ‘M’ reg

XJ900 891cc engine

Engine and gearbox stuff…..

Displacement:	891 cc
Engine type:	Inline 4 cylinder (4 stroke)
Number of cylinders:	4
Cylinder firing order:	1 – 2 – 4 – 3
Valves:	8 valves (2 valves per cylinder)
Bore and stroke:	68.5mm x 60.5mm
Compression:	9.6:1
Cam shaft configuration:	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Cooling system:	Air cooled
Clutch:	Wet multi plate clutch – EBC part no: CK2255 for the clutch and CSK017 for the springs (don’t forget a clutch tool to hold it!
Piston to bore clearance:	New: 0.03 to 0.05mm – Maximum: 0.1mm
Valve clearance (inlet):	0.11 to 0.15mm (when cold)
Valve clearance (exhaust):	0.16 to 0.2mm (when cold)
Gearbox:	5 Speed, manual clutch (1st gear down, 2nd to 5th gear up. Neutral between 1st and 2nd gears)
Gearbox oil:	From engine (doesn’t need a separate gearbox oil)
Power:	98 bhp
Torque:	81 nm
Top speed (estimated):	134 mph
Final drive:	Drive shaft

XJ 900 F (4BB2) carbs

Carb, fuel and oil stuff…..

Fuel system:	Carburetor
Carb type:	4 x BS36 Mikuni carbs
Idle speed:	1000 to 1100 rpm
Pilot screw opening:	2.5 turns
Fuel type:	Unleaded petrol
Fuel tank capacity:	22 litres
Miles per gallon (approx!!):	44 mpg
Lubrication:	Wet sump
Engine oil type:	10w40 Motorcycle oil
Engine oil capacity:	2.8 litres
Oil filter:	Hiflo HF144 / Filtrex OIF016
Air filter:	Hiflo part no: HFA4901

XJ900F battery – YB14L-A2

Electric stuff…..

Ignition type:	Electric CDI
Starter:	Electric start
Electrical system voltage:	12 volts
Electrical system capacity:	14 amps
Regulated voltage (with engine running):	14.2 to 14.8 volts
Spark plug:	4 x NGK BPR8ES
Spark plug gap:	0.7 to 0.8mm
Spark plug torque:	20nm
Spark plug ignition:	2 x Coils
Battery:	YB14L-A2 / CB14L-A2 Notes: The YB14L-A2 battery is a lead acid 12 volt, 14 amp/hour battery and is length: 134mm width: 89mm height: 166mm in size (more info…). The 1st letter(s) of the battery reference code are a manufacturers reference mark and may vary between different battery makes (different battery manufacturers use different 1st letters), so CB14L-A2, YB14L-A2 and EB14L-A2 are all the same battery just from different manufacturers (more info…). Also…… I would personally recommend avoiding buying the cheapest of the cheap type batteries online as they have a horrendous failure rate (and they can be a bug!er to post back when it fails as Royal Mail and alot of couriers won’t accept batteries now).

XJ900F Hagon rear shock absorbers (not standard ones!)

Shocks, brakes and wheels stuff…..

Front wheel type:	3 Spoke cast wheel
Front tyre size:	100/90-18 (tubeless)
Front tyre pressure:	Solo: 32psi / With pillion: 36psi
Rear wheel type:	3 Spoke cast wheel
Rear tyre size:	120/90-18 (tubeless)
Rear tyre pressure:	Solo: 36psi / With pillion: 42psi
Front brake:	Dual disc brake with caliper
Front brake disc (Feb 1985 to Dec 1986):	Disc brake MD2069 (EBC) x 2 (1 for each side)
Front brake disc (Jan 1987 onwards):	Disc brake MD2011 (EBC) x 2 (1 for each side)
Front brake pad (all years):	EBC FA088 (x 2 sets)
Rear brake:	Single disc brake with caliper
Rear brake disc:	Disc brake MD2069 (EBC)
Rear brake pad:	EBC FA088 (x 1 set)
Front Suspension:	Standard (not upside down) telescopic forks
Stanchion diameter:	37mm
Fork seal size:	37x49x8
Rear Suspension:	Twin shock absorbers

XJ900 F front wheel with 100/90-18 tyre

Weights, measures ‘n stuff…..

Length (wheelbase):	1480mm
Wheelbase:	2260mm
Seat height:	780mm
Dry weight (no oils, fluids etc):	218kg
Wet weight (with oils, fluids etc):	244kg
Ground clearance:	145mm
Fuel tank capacity:	22 litres

1994 Yamaha XJ900F clocks

Service stuff…..

Servicing your bike? You’ll need a XJ900 Workshop Manual

Engine oil
Engine oil change frequency:	Every 6000km (3728 miles) or 6 months
Engine oil type:	10w40 Motorcycle oil
Engine oil capacity:	2.8 litres
Oil filter:	Hiflo HF144 / Filtrex OIF016
Drive shaft
Check oil:	Every 6000km (3728 miles)
Change oil:	Every 24000km (14913 miles) or 24 months
Drive shaft oil:	75w90
Drive shaft oil (volume):	0.2 litres
Hydraulic brake system (front and rear)
Brake fluid check oil:	Every 6 months
Brake fluid change frequency:	Every 24000km (14913 miles) or 24 months
Brake fluid:	DOT 4 motorbike brake fluid
Fork oil
Front fork oil check:	Check every 6000km (3728 miles)
Front fork oil change frequency:	Change every 12000km (7456 miles) or 12 months
Front fork oil capacity:	276ml per fork
Front fork oil:	5w (light weight) motorbike fork oil

Torque settings…..
Cam cover:	10nm
Camshaft sprocket:	20nm
Clutch hub:	70nm
Spark plugs:	20nm
Rear wheel spindle torque:	105nm
Rear wheel spindle clamp bolt torque:	6nm
Front wheel spindle torque:	78nm
Front wheel spindle clamp bolt torque:	20nm

Yamaha XJ900F engine oil (10w40)

Frame number location…..

The frame number is usually stamped onto the right side of the headstock (the front part of the frame just below the handle bars).

Yamaha XJ900F 4 into 2 chrome exhaust system

Useless stuff…..

Launched in the UK in 1985, the XJ900 F was an improved version of the previous XJ900 (31A model). The 1985 model had a decent frame mounted fairing, instead of the handlebar mounted fairing, an 891cc engine instead of the 853cc engine found in the previous model and 1mm bigger carbs (36mm instead of 35mm).
The XJ900F remained mostly unchanged during it’s 9 year production lifespan, although post 1987 models had better front brake discs and a few minor mods.

XJ900F front brake caliper

Buying advice…..

Firstly, if your thinking of buying one always HPI check it!
The XJ900F was a fairly good and solid bike and has a fairly loyal following. But, as the youngest of these beasties will be 24 years old now they can have a few problems.
One of the biggest problems the XJ900’s suffered from was rot on the fuel tanks, the tanks had areas where water used to gather which led to the tank rotting (these are almost impossible to source now, and if you do find a good one, it’s unlikely to be cheap!).
Also, the CDI’s are known to fail and again, good 2nd hand ones can be hard to come by.
Apart from the 2 bits above, there’s not many other problems, but due to age and the often higher mileage on these bikes (as they were good for touring), forks and exhausts may need work.

Thanks to 🙂

Rock Oil for the service info
Motorcycle Specs
XJ900 Owners Club (NL)

If you’ve got any questions or useful comments or suggestions please feel free to leave them below 🙂

Disclaimer: The information on this page is correct to the best of our knowledge. But the info should NOT be taken as 100% accurate as we can, occasionally make mistakes!