FJowners.com

Do we have any members near Anderson, SC? In talks with this guy... Yes, I'm insane, and I'm considering another trip...

http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/4363101694.html (http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/4363101694.html)

(Politely trusting no one will try and steal this deal!)

Feedback on this being a good idea or not is welcome. I figure if I sell my two FJ's for about 1200-1500 each (conservative estimate), and presale the full fairing, mirrors, front tire, stock exhaust, and don't have to buy a new petcock for my current bike, won't need to buy chain/sprockets that I was about to need to update... plus I get the late model transmission, forks, and fuel pump setup... And, of course, a rebuilt/high compression engine... With great cosmetics (even if it isn't my ideal scheme)...

One way ticket is $220ish. Thousand mile drive back through the lovely south, $115 in gas about. Maybe I'll take some long roads and make that 200.  :good2:

I happen to have enough saved up at the moment (we just had SXSW and I worked an 80 hour week during that time--pays to be self employed) to pull this off and sell my bikes later.

Am I crazy?
Things I can sell:
  mirrors: $90
+ Fairing: worth $300 I guess
+ front tire: will probably sell, might try to tie down and bring
+ stock exhaust: whatever anyone wants to pay for it, shipping + donation
$400+

Money I won't spend:
  chain & sprockets: $175?
+ petcock: $170
350+

My two current FJ's:
  FJ daily rider
+ FJ project
2400-3500

Gains that justify this:
forks that fit my bluespots/radial MC, 17" wheels, late model transmission forks... and all maintenance items rebuilt (!!!) ad nauseum... Beautiful cosmetic pieces... Low mileage besides being rebuilt with high compression pistons...

Put my givi rack and corbin on it, and bob's your uncle?

(Does wieseco make stock 1200 pistons high compression? Or does this imply that it's a 1315 or 1350? Ad doesn't mention.)

He won't budge on price, says it's a $900 reduction already.

On the other hand, I'm looking through craigslist right now at bikes from 2k-4k, making sure that for this money, it's really what I want... Only thing that possibly caught my eye so far is an '05 R1 for $2800 (http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/4420190974.html)... But I want a bike I can tour on, so as exciting as that would be, it's still not quite me I figure. (Though that's also a deal.) Nothing else is even remotely interesting that I've found...

Go for it!....Can't wait for the next epic write up.

And the bike looks great too.  My son has a black/blue 90 and it looks really good.  We call it Bruise.

Jeff

An example of something else to compare it to: http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/4419829963.html (http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/4419829963.html)

FZ750, not in quite as good cosmetic condition, and not rebuilt... $100 more than this one. (Also not nearly as comfortable.)

Go for it Kyle,  :good2:

Post both of yours up for sale on Craigslist and eBay. Then go get the 90'.


Fred

Quote from: jscgdunn on April 14, 2014, 12:31:41 PM
Go for it!....Can't wait for the next epic write up.

And the bike looks great too.  My son has a black/blue 90 and it looks really good.  We call it Bruise.

Jeff

Kyle,
That one is pretty slick looking, I really like the look of the lower fairing. You know what you have to do.... (popcorn)


Jeff
That is exactly what I have called my 1990.
:biggrin: Black and blue and none too pretty.

Joe

If you can swing it, Do it. it sure is a pretty Bike. I love the Black and Blues.

Scott

QuoteSELLER: Just to let you know, the dollar figure will stand, the current price is a 900 dollar reduction. BTW, my name is Eric, I am a retired preacher/seminary professor. I worked professionally as a motorcycle mechanic when I was your age. 12:12 PM
Me: My name is Kyle, nice to meet you. I was hoping to get it down a little, as traveling and coordinating all of this is a lot for me, but I'll keep chewing it over and talking with some people I trust. 12:51 PM
SELLER: Kyle, it is worth every penny. There is a thousand in the engine alone. 12:54 PM
SELLER: It is also far faster than any fj you have previously ridden. 12:55 PM
Me: You said 6500 total; if only 1k is in the engine, could you give me an idea of where the rest of the money is? I know those bearings and rebuild kits add up, haha. Looked like it had braided lines on there too? 1:46 PM
Me: Were the wieseco's 1200, or did you bore it out to 1315 or 1350? 1:46 PM
SELLER: Every seal and bearing was replaced except one bearing for the starter and I mean every seal and bearing! 1:50 PM
SELLER: Wiseco kit was for high compression which is about 1251 or somewhere there abouts. The 1k I meantioned was the boring and kit and gasket set. I forgot about the bearing set for the crank. 1:56 PM
SELLER: Oil pump was replaced as well 1:58 PM
SELLER: I have a box somewhere with all the receipts, but was afraid to count them all up. 1:59 PM
SELLER: New wrist pins, fuel pump, all new guides for cam chain, new tensioner, replaced all studs for the cylinder and heads, stock ones were prone to stretching with 12.1 to 1 compression. 2:18 PM
SELLER: I looked for the kit online and it appears they're not offering that kit anymore. It was a 2.0 mm over kit with the high compression pistons. The valve springs were changed out with a set of racing springs from APE or RPM, can't remember which. rpmracingca.com

From the conversation, my bullshit meter is not going off.  :mocking:

At the very end, he gives a reference to RPM. I would give Randy a call and see if he remembers a customer in SC that did an engine rebuild.

Fred

I don't know guys, it's a lot of money... If he would go to at least 3k even, I'd probably do it...

I think I'm the only person here that enjoys thinking like this, so if this just annoys you, go ahead and ignore...

If you are interested, though, play the hypotheticals game with me:

http://fayar.craigslist.org/mcy/4381318926.html (http://fayar.craigslist.org/mcy/4381318926.html)

Non runner '89, one thousand dollars, should just be gummed up carbs. (Would need a trailer to pick it up and bring it to East Texas where I have family, where I'd clean the carbs and get it running to take home). Let's look at my list, modified for that one:

Things I can sell:
   mirrors: $90
+ Fairing: worth $300 I guess
+ front tire: will probably sell, might try to tie down and bring
+ stock exhaust: whatever anyone wants to pay for it, shipping + donation
-400 (Does come with a Corbin+backrest, though.)

Money I won't spend:
   chain & sprockets: $175?
+ petcock: $170
350+ (still true)

My FJ project:
1200-1700

Costs:
were: 3400 + 240 plane ticket (after taxes, guessing) + 125 gas getting home + 75 food (will couch surf or camp, so no housing cost)= 3900~? [ then subtract 400 for sold parts, making it 3500 again]
Now: 900 (conservative bargaining estimate) + $100 getting to him (family semi-close might give me a ride if I drove out there) + 75 gas getting home + $300 carb rebuild (parts and my own labor, estimate) + more risk? + misc costs there and back, another $100? + basic fork rebuild $80 = $1600~?

So about $1900 more gets me all the bearings/seals replaced [and rebuilt hydraulic systems, and braided lines, etc.], costmetics, and low mileage rebuilt upgraded engine (and a fun trip). To be sure, it's much cheaper than doing all of that on my own, but can I afford to spend my money on this? Thinking thinking thinking...

Gains that justify this:
forks that fit my bluespots/radial MC, 17" wheels, late model transmission forks... and all maintenance items rebuilt (!!!) ad nauseum... Beautiful cosmetic pieces... Low mileage besides being rebuilt with high compression pistons...

On the other hand, I would almost certainly *never* in the next decade be able to do this kind of thorough maintenance on my own--and I'd like not do it as well. So I'd have to pay someone. (Would they do it for $1900? What does it even cost to rebuild an engine to that spec? How much is just a brand new FJ engine for legends racing?)

Kyle,
In my opinion, the 400 is probably less than what you spend getting it home.  You were able to rationalize it all before and the alternatives are not comparisons at all.  The 1,000 bike is a PROJECT...just like you own...(not that there is anything wrong with that!)

But....
The 90 is the real deal with a jacked up motor and has been rebuilt from stem to stern, and brakes probably even work.   :good: The hundreds of hours the PO put into it is not counted in all his bills.   You would have all those hours as well to get the '86s even close.

Even if you can salvage $2000 you have a very nice piece.

Jeff

Kyle,
Have you ever ridden a first gen FZ-1?  They are very FJ-like in the ergos and the motor makes plenty of power.  A friend of mine has an '02 FZ and we trade rides all the time.  It's a little more nimble than the FJ and just as comfortable (in fact, I find the riding position a little too upright).  I've seen some good prices and low mileage units.

But that is a nice price for what appears to be a very nice FJ...

Man, the FJ looks so very different with a full fairing on it.  Almost reminiscent of a ZX11 in the lines, really a good look.


<edit>

The lower fairing (which I'd be one of the interested parties on buying, possibly) you'll have a hard time getting too much for.  Mostly because it'll be pricy to ship, so to maximize your profit you'll have to sell locally, to a smaller market.  Just thinking ahead.

 How can you live without a Vance & Heinz exhaust. I have to wonder if he was writing the description while putting ketchup on some fries.

Kyle, Freds bullshit meter might not be registering but mine is near redline.

Both the ad and his conversation with you send off a lot of alarms.
Retired preacher/seminary professor (trustworthy) Professional mechanic (knows his stuff) Fastest bike you've ever ridden (gotta have it!) Racing parts, high compression etc (gotta have it even more)
Major price reduction already (must be a good deal) Don't want to sell it (must be a beauty) ... but way to fast for me (yeah!!) Hasn't been raced (but suggests that it could be)

The things that don't sit right with me are:
Why a complete engine rebuild at 15,000 miles including big end and main bearings, head studs and new oil pump.
Why go to the expense of boring out such a low mileage motor.
Why build an engine with racing parts when he admits to being an old fart that only commutes 4 miles a day and then sell it because it's too fast.
Why sell a bike because it's too fast anyway. That's what the throttle is for.
Why did the rest of the bike require restoration to "factory spec" at such a low mileage.
150 HP?? He needs to put his other hand back on the handle bars.
Has a box of receipts somewhere (and I doubt he can he lay his hands on them at the minute) but afraid to add them up. Reeeaally.
Did all that detailed work but can't remember what the engine capacity is.

Am I cynical and suspicious - yes.
Why? experience.

I have been buying vehicles all my life, for myself, for immediate and extended family, friends, friends of friends etc (that's what happens when you're the only mechanic they know) and for a considerable number of years, for business.
You get a feel for sellers.
Everything this guy says could be legitimate, but it sounds more like bullshit to me, unless he has some very sound documentation and answers to some of the questions above.
If he can satisfy you that all his claims are true, great.

I accept nothing the seller tells me that can't be verified. This engine could be bone stock and never touched, how would you know until after you bought it, if ever?

Kyle, didn't you recently buy a bike over the net based on the sellers description that turned out to be not so good?

I have looked at two FJ's in the last week, the ads suggested they were very similar in condition. On inspection, one was an absolute dog without a single redeeming feature, the other a real gem and a rare find (bought) the sort of bike you dream of finding but end up settling on a compromise. The seller descriptions and photos suggested they were much the same.

And don't get me started on buying bikes and cars over the net sight unseen..........

Noel (resident wet blanket)

I understand you skepticism Noel, and I'm also sharing some of it. He mentioned he was a mechanic probably because I asked who did the work previously.

I wondered about the rebuild as well, but I assume he just took it on as a project. "Because he could", which is why lots of old guys work on bikes, it seems to me. He finished the rebuild two years ago and 7k miles ago; perhaps it's not unreasonable for a 57 year old man to just feel too old for a bike? I had offered 2750, he had just said 'no'.

I presume when he says he has a box of receipts, he can provide it. I can imagine a guy selling a bike like this, knowing he can't get his money out of it, not wanting to make himself miserable by realizing how much he really put into it.

150hp (from 130, which was crank number) sounds reasonable from a minor compression and capacity increase, no?

This guy is making very specific claims, whereas the guy in my prior poor experience was very general and vague, and gave off much clearer warning signs--he backed down little by little over the phone, giving stuff away bit by bit, but I kept assuming that was the end of it. This guy on the other hand stands by every word he said, and he said plenty.

I do find it odd that his reason for selling is 'it's too fast', that's probably one of the things that bothers me the most. I told him I was planning on flying out there and driving it back, partially hoping to get him to 'give' if there would be any reason that wouldn't work out, because you'd have to be a serious asshole to leave someone stranded like that.

This is also a bike at a premium price, not a low price like the last one.

Just playing devil's advocate with you Noel, I appreciate your advice greatly.

Quote from: fintip on April 14, 2014, 09:07:54 PM
........perhaps it's not unreasonable for a 57 year old man to just feel too old for a bike?

Haha, you have just drawn the ire of much of the forum  :ireful:   In my case, I'm 60, never ridden faster or further than I do these days and usually after the first few hours of a ride wish the ol' girl had more power. I am not alone.

Quote from: fintip on April 14, 2014, 09:07:54 PM

I wondered about the rebuild as well, but I assume he just took it on as a project. "Because he could", which is why lots of old guys work on bikes, it seems to me.

Seriously Kyle, you're taking the piss out of me aren't you?
What on God's earth would posses a sane man, of any age, to dismantle a bike that's barely run in, spend thousands of unnecessary dollars and have it off the road for months just to return it to the state it was in before he pulled it apart so he could commute 4 miles a day on it?

You are selling it to yourself. You are speculating on probable explanations for each circumstance to justify it to yourself.

As I said, it may well be legit, even retired preachers are allowed to ride bikes, but there are enough alarm bells to proceed with caution. It all sounds a bit glib to me.

Quote from: fintip on April 14, 2014, 09:07:54 PM
I told him I was planning on flying out there and driving it back, partially hoping to get him to 'give' if there would be any reason that wouldn't work out, because you'd have to be a serious asshole to leave someone stranded like that.

Yep, the world's full of them!

Kyle, you know all this is friendly advice and I'd hate to see you get stitched up with a dud purchase.


Noel

I don't get a ton of alarms going off, but there are some tingles. From what you have posted, he didn't say he did the work, simply that he used to be a motorcycle mechanic when he was younger. And is he the original owner? I too wonder why all the work on such a low mileage FJ? Did he purchase a real project that was rode hard and put away wet, and then had to do the rebuild? Nothing wrong with that, but you should know. From the pics, it looks well taken care of. Fly out, look it over. If it doesn't live up to spec, fly home. Or, since you have the money in hand, consider what you would have to spend to bring one of your bikes up to that spec, and build the bike you know and own into the bike you want.
As for why he's selling: It may not be that it's too fast for him, it may be that it's just getting to heavy for him, or his interests are now elsewhere. Still, keep trying to find someone in the area that can check it out for you, and that can possibly accompany you to the sale. Wouldn't necessarily want to show up in a strange town with $3400.00 in cash in my pocket and meet a total stranger alone.

If you have the sellers name, you could also do an online background check for a few bucks... Whatever you decide, happy roads to you.

QuoteHaha, you have just drawn the ire of much of the forum  ireful   In my case, I'm 60, never ridden faster or further than I do these days and usually after the first few hours of a ride wish the ol' girl had more power. I am not alone.

:rofl2: Fair point, but not everyone is you, Noel. Remember, this is America, home of the cheeseburger. I hope to be killing it at that age, but not everyone is.

QuoteSeriously Kyle, you're taking the piss out of me aren't you?
What on God's earth would posses a sane man, of any age, to dismantle a bike that's barely run in, spend thousands of unnecessary dollars and have it off the road for months just to return it to the state it was in before he pulled it apart so he could commute 4 miles a day on it?

You are selling it to yourself. You are speculating on probable explanations for each circumstance to justify it to yourself.

As I said, it may well be legit, even retired preachers are allowed to ride bikes, but there are enough alarm bells to proceed with caution. It all sounds a bit glib to me.

Well, I asked, because it's a somewhat valid question... But I think you're a little over-skeptical. People need hobbies. People do all kinds of things for hobbies. Including rebuilding bikes that don't really need it (though, as I post below, this one did need it).

In any case, I am proceeding with caution.  :flag_of_truce: :pardon: :yes:

I sent this text in your honor:

QuoteMe: Why go through all the trouble to rebuild such a low mileage bike? Did it have any problems before? I have to admit, I'm still struggling to understand why you're selling it. (Forgive my skepticism, last time I bought a bike on CL I was burned by a guy who really screwed me over.) 9:37 AM
SELLER: The previous owner had the crankcase vent tube disconnected but near enought the connector to still draw oil fumes in the airbox along with all the road dirt. The compression on the bike was near 105 in each cylinder (121 minimum per the factory manual) and she burnt oil pretty bad. 9:42 AM18649408171: As for the rebuild, I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I couldn't afford a new one and I didn't want someone elses problems. 9:44 AM
SELLER: Now, I'm 57 and medically retired (a bad back). I still can ride (for short trips) it but no longer have big garage to put it in. I bought a big 5th wheel and moved to SC. It sits covered under the nose of the trailer and I'm afraid its just going to rust away. 9:47 AM
SELLER: But I'm not hurting for money and I'm not going to give it away. 9:49 AM

Later:

Quote
SELLER: I rebuilt the f11 as well and it is up for sale on cl too. 10:01 AM
SELLER: F11 was in far worse shape but only had 1300 original miles. 10:02 AM
SELLER: If you look at the ad for the f11 you will see the fj in the backround. 10:04 AM
SELLER: Selling the F11 for the same reasons. 10:05 AM

Found the ad: http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/4419905953.html (http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/4419905953.html)

The picture in question: (http://images.craigslist.org/00a0a_e9M4yC83hBX_600x450.jpg)

Kyle,
You have done your due diligence via phone.  I would go for it if you can.  From the pics and conversation (which documented well enough for the potential lawsuit should things go wrong :crazy:), you need to go there, stand in front of it and make the call.  If you are then skeptical, you can get home the same way you got there.

A life truism is "The one you pass up is the one you never get".

Jeff

QuoteMe: That's a fine bike. Point taken. You don't talk as much about the cosmetics of the FJ1200, so I assume it's not quite up to showroom spec the way the F11 is. What are the cosmetic flaws on the FJ12, if any? 10:11 AM
SELLER: None really, there are small scratches here and there, but no major issues. The aluminum supports for the footrest show their age; the finish is slowly deteriorating. You should be able to see that if you enlarge the pictures. I've always gotten compliments, I built her to be a rider however. No cracks in the body work, though some of the body work was rebuilt too and then repainted. You wouldn't know it unless you pulled the part off. Don't ever use bondo on plastic, it will always show it in the end. Plastic can be welded and glued and is usually stonger once done. 10:38 AM
SELLER: If you ever decide to weld plastic, be sure you buy a good kit, there are a lot of cheap ones out there that don't work very well. 10:41 AM
SELLER: Something else, I replaced the stock oil radiator with a racing version and it made a huge difference. 11:24 AM

I really want it, but... So much money. :unknown:

I was leaning away from it, but I think I'm leaning towards it again.

This will be by far the largest purchase I've ever made if I get it. And it's hard not to listen to the voice in the back of my mind saying I could just get a new bike for this money, and I'll never get my money back out of this bike... This is a long-term commitment bike, for sure.

Having used CL a few times, I'm acutely aware of scams employed through this medium, but the smartest thing I've read so far concerned rolling up to this guys abode with $3400 in your pocket...ALONE. I even like the fact that he brought religion into the picture...a real calming influence. But come on guys, the fact that the guy wrote Heinz instead of Hines. If I had $.01 for every misspelled word, dangling participle, misquote etc., etc., that I read in this forum I WOULD be a rich man. It's rare that a true scam artist will give you a real phone # that's been in existence for more than a few days or a legal address that can be checked or legitimate references, like a bank manager or something similar. This is the reason for due diligence.

When I was much younger and had some money in my pocket, I bought a brand new Ducati Darmah. Longer wheel base than the SS, same engine, prettier bike - at least to me- and I took the engine out after 500 miles, ran it up to Reno Leoni, the fast guy before Ferracci, and had him modify that engine with 40mm carbs, hotter cams, larger displacement, Contis, the list goes on. The bottom line is there are idiots out there who do things for the fun of it. Maybe this guy is one of them. Very few scam artists would have legit pics of the mods made to the bike, or his level of knowledge about the bike. Rationalize it beyond all comprehension and loose the bike, or go for it and just wire the money to a bank down there, let him prove who he is and enjoy what looks like a real nice bike. By the way, let me know if you pass and I'll go buy it.

Good Luck, Rick

I'm on the spiky fence. If I had 3500 i'd be looking for another 2000 and get a 2006 FZ1 in red. However, 3500 for a fully sorted fj is very tempting. I figure mines about as far as I'm going with it and when I add all the things up that weren't regular maintenance then:
1200 to buy it
 500 for the 17'' conversion and brakes
 125 superbrace
1250 for a once over by Randy (fork valve and seals, spin on oil thing, pods, carb fix)
 400 rear shock revalve and spring
3475 then, but without really any engine mods - so his price is pretty good.
Mind you my money has been spread over 9 years of ownership, which cushions the blow.
Spending a lump sum always seems worse.
I'm erring toward a yes, buy it and be done. You'll have a great bike and it'll be an fj.
Andy

A seminary professor has faith in what`s fair. If he doesn`t agree to cover half the airfare as a discount off the advertised price, I wouldn`t proceed.

Quote from: The General on April 15, 2014, 01:05:18 PM
A seminary professor has faith in what`s fair. If he doesn`t agree to cover half the airfare as a discount off the advertised price, I wouldn`t proceed.

I dunno, it's not his responsibility to make it easy for me to buy. That would be a kind gesture, but I don't think it's fair to expect it or anything.

Quote3475 then, but without really any engine mods - so his price is pretty good.
Mind you my money has been spread over 9 years of ownership, which cushions the blow.
Spending a lump sum always seems worse.

Exactly. Though, it would be nice to have suspension upgrades done... I still plan on someday changing the rims out for wider ones, updating the rear shock, putting in emulators. All of those things will be another 1500, probably. I'll still be getting engine bars here very soon, as well, and am tempted to get a superbrace to protect that front fender.

None of you know me on here, though I have lurked and replied to a few threads...having read and digested this thread, if it were me, I would trust my gut on this.

In other words, throw logic, desire and dreams out of the window, and ask yourself does it FEEL right in relation to both the bikes credibility, and for you as a purchase at this time.

That's how I would want to play it, because it's all too easy to convince ourselves when really taking a step back and trusting our gut is often what works best (sometimes in hindsight, and sometimes when we get it right..).

Good luck whatever you decide.  :good2:

That Vance & Hines Supersport exhaust sounds AWESOME. I had that on a ZX-11. It has a deep sounding roar. Loved it! Second only to my Cobra 4-into-4 exhaust on my V-Max. :yes:

So I've all but decided I'm doing this. Just waiting to hear back from him on logistics on how we would do the airport-to-anderson thing.

I decided to look at the numbers a different way:

Things I can sell:
   mirrors: $90
+ Fairing: worth $300 I guess
+ front tire: will probably sell, might try to tie down and bring
+ stock exhaust: whatever anyone wants to pay for it, shipping + donation
$400+

Money I won't spend that I would have spent:
   chain & sprockets: $175?
+ petcock: $170
350+

400 + 350 "saved" = 750

Assuming I spend 500 on travel expenses and the trip as a whole, that's:

3400 + 500 - 750 = 3150 net cost of trip + bike.

Now, would I trade my two FJ's (probably worth about this much, possibly more) for this upgraded FJ, and a great trip through the south?

The answer is clearly yes. I would. I can't say no to that. So I'm getting it. I asked him to either trailer it to airport, pick me up, arrange a friend to pick me up, or give me $200 off as a goodwill token for how much this is all taking on my end to make this work. He hasn't responded for a while, so he's probably mulling it over. (Who knows, he may be looking at this thread for all I know.) I feel like that's fair.

Next order of business will just be selling the bits and pieces, or figuring out how to bring them with me somehow. (There is a little rack on there...)

Anybody want a stock exhaust? Cost of shipping + donation?

Good luck....we await the extended "ride report" home as we live vicariously with the foolhardy vagabond. :rofl2:

Jef

Well, he got insulted at my request to help me get to the bike from the airport or drop $200 off the price. Told me it was the third time I'd insulted him about price, so he was done.

Not daunted, but irritated, I tried to smooth it over, reminded him that I'm basically putting all of my savings into this on a bet that I can sell mine when I get back to recoup the difference.

He responded with something that has thrown me off a bit:

Quote

Yes, but those are your issues. Saying that the extras were worth 2000 and the bile was only worth the balance is indeed insulting.

Is he saying that the extras that come with the bike are worth 2k? Are there extras I don't know about?

So, up in the air at the moment... We'll see what he says... A little annoyed... Probably still worth it if I have to pay sticker price AND figure out a way out there, but this guy certainly isn't going to do anything to help me out.  :unknown:

Send him a deposit....he get back  to the happy place.  After all you have worked him pretty good.  Cash talks.

Quote from: fintip on April 15, 2014, 03:24:46 PMHe responded with something that has thrown me off a bit:

"Yes, but those are your issues..."

He's got a point.  You're asking him to make your problems, his.  I'd tell you to stuff it too.  Take the deal, or don't, that is if you haven't blown it with all your dickering.

Dan

Quote from: Dan Filetti on April 15, 2014, 04:28:03 PM

Quote from: fintip on April 15, 2014, 03:24:46 PMHe responded with something that has thrown me off a bit:

"Yes, but those are your issues..."

He's got a point.  You're asking him to make your problems, his.  I'd tell you to stuff it too.  Take the deal, or don't, that is if you haven't blown it with all your dickering.

Dan

My thoughts exactly.   :ireful:

Dickering is a great word. If it's not in the Oxford English, then it should be. I often dicker much to my detrement, but there you go. A non-dickering fool and his money are soon parted. Or is it the dickering bird misses the first worm. These could go on, but I think I've said enough.
Andy

It's a word:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dickering (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dickering)

If your source of Truth is the OED:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/dicker?q=dickering (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/dicker?q=dickering)

Dan

I didn't serve him an ultimatum, guys. I just asked for him to give the absolute modicum of help. I'm going way out of my way to make this deal happen, he's had to lower the price 900 and the ad has been up for a month, so it's not like he has a bunch of other people who are trampling over him to get it. I don't think that's unreasonable at all.

I called him, and things went much smoother over voice. There was a lot of miscommunication happening, for some reason he seemed to think *I* had said the extras were worth 2000 (what? I never said that anywhere...), and so he was taking that as me saying the bike wasn't even worth 1400 if I kept negotiating (???). Anyways, we hit it off talking on the phone, but he said he just couldn't lower it anymore...

...Which is fine, because of a weird turn of events. I was looking up rideshares on the Atlanta Craigslist, and found someone going to Charlotte (anderson, where the bike is located, is halfway between charlotte and atlanta). This was the third person I called, but it turns out he's actually going from Dallas. And not only that, he can let me store the parts in greenville until he can bring them back a week or two later.

But wait, there's more. He asked if I had a CDL, because they need drivers--he's delivering tractors, and if I have a CDL, I could just get paid $800 to drive there. What? He then tells me he got his in 3 days, after a lot of studying, and the guy that runs his company would hire me sight unseen they need drivers so bad, if I get my CDL.

We keep talking, and it turns out he just sold his ol' GS1100 for a BMW 800 adventure bike. Says he's been making 2k a week with this guy, and I can if I want. But if nothing else, he'll give me a ride there for $60, probably bring my stuff back for $100.

:yahoo:

The adventure begins, haha. Should be leaving in about ten days.

Kyle,

Did you get my email I sent last night?

Randy

Reference the CDL.  Won't happen in 3 days unless you are an experienced driver.  Probably take you longer than that to take the practical (driving test). You might be able to pass the written.  Oh, the driving test usually isn't free either.  Red flags................................

On the bike good luck and let us know how it comes out.  Good on you for getting the price down.  "Easiest money you make is buying right".
George

Driving test is 250-300, he gave me advice on getting it. Passing the written should be possible, if it's just an 80 question exam, which it seems like it is. I dunno, I imagine most people don't do it that way, but I can't see why that wouldn't be feasible if I don't study really hard. (Right?)

I didn't get the price down, but there's not a soul that could have made him budge. We felt like pals by the end of the phone call, but he went right back to telling me he couldn't move an inch. This will be the first bike I buy that I didn't get the price down on, and this is the sixth motorcycle I've bought.

Randy, I couldn't think of a polite way to ask for his full name, but I will call him again this evening, and I may mention that I know you and ask straight out.

slightly expedited plans, going to be leaving this friday! Will be getting the bike on Monday!

Okay, I'm now leaning Noel's direction.

I'm expecting there to be a Western Union MoneyGram involved.  It's worth $10,000.  You can have it if you just give me the $6600 difference.  And remember to send it to my Nigerian bank account.

I hope it works out.

I'm glad you are going for it .  I've done a few "f-it, go for it" kinds of things...some work out, some don't.  But the experience and stories are nearly worth the losses (and as a single man you have more freedom to be creative to make that back up than when you have a family).  And it's just all good when it does work out.  Not many people understand or have (or allow themselves to have) the freedom to have some real adventures where the outcome isn't always certain.  Do it while you can! 

Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on April 15, 2014, 10:08:55 PM
Okay, I'm now leaning Noel's direction.

I'm expecting there to be a Western Union MoneyGram involved.  It's worth $10,000.  You can have it if you just give me the $6600 difference.  And remember to send it to my Nigerian bank account.

I hope it works out.

Is this a joke, or are you suddenly skeptical?

Randy confirmed that he did buy the aftermarket oil cooler he said he bought from him.

I feel pretty confident talking to the guy. Usually if someone is hawking shit, they're keen to get it off their hands however they can, take a discount if necessary. This guy knows what he has and refuses to back down from his price--that kind of confidence is rare.

Quote from: fj1289 on April 15, 2014, 10:59:00 PM
I'm glad you are going for it .  I've done a few "f-it, go for it" kinds of things...some work out, some don't.  But the experience and stories are nearly worth the losses (and as a single man you have more freedom to be creative to make that back up than when you have a family).  And it's just all good when it does work out.  Not many people understand or have (or allow themselves to have) the freedom to have some real adventures where the outcome isn't always certain.  Do it while you can! 

This is good advice...just go for it!

sometimes things just work out well. Sounds like the solution to getting there, getting the extras back home, is working out... Even the anticipation is nearly worth the price of the bike... :biggrin:

Slight change of plans: guy I am riding with said he had to make a quick trip up to chicago first, short notice. He'll be back and we'll leave early next week, wednesday at the latest.

Also, I need to get some glasses in to pass the eye exam for the license. I did find a place that will do the entire licensing procedure in 3-5 days for $250 out of dallas, so I might go up there and get that done--but I'll probably wait until after I get back, just because I have to order the glasses online and such... (I can barely pass a driving vision test without glasses, but it takes me like 45 seconds to focus my eyes right to really get it. The last line is just barely out of reach of my vision.)

The plans changed again (his work schedule, he's on call, was a bit unreliable), so I took the chance to go see my cousin in East Texas, who recently blacked out in class, took a hard fall to the head, and woke up with complete (total retrograde) amnesia. Sad to hear. He's fine now, still doesn't remember anything other than vague glimpses of familiarity and random bits and pieces (he unconfidently randomly stated at the table that he thought he remembered the name of what used to be his favorite game, "Kingdom Hearts", and then wanted to hear if that was a real game or not). Parents, his own name, everything. In person, he seems pretty normal, so it's hard to make sense of his behavior and put it together with something so extreme. But then, if you think about it, you know when someone walks up to you and recognizes you, and you don't really remember them, and you just act normal?

Now imagine you don't like attention, and everyone in the world is like that for you. And how you would appear if you just used that same routine on everyone. Pretty normal, a little standoffish. And you seem perfectly normal otherwise. (Weird, right?)

He started getting harrassment at school from people accusing him of lying about the whole thing. Thing is, he's just not that good of an actor.

I digress.

So it worked out better for everyone (soon-to-be-PO in SC included) to come down this next weekend, so that's what I'm doing. Saturday or Sunday, should be there.

In the meantime, planning out my route. Drew some inspiration from the fj rally shirt I made, looking at the rally locations, and decided I could hit up Tellico Plains, TN, (do the tail of the dragon back and forth), and then Dogpatch, AR, on the way! Any other suggestions for that route? My family in East Texas lives in Mt Pleasant, an hour west of Texarkana, so I'll probably go there last, show off the bike, before going home. I'll probably start sending CouchSurfing requests tonight or tomorrow.

Have some soft luggage coming in the mail, got some Chase Harper ET4000's for $107 shipped on ebay, used once. (Lifetime warranty, and apparently these were offered with the FJ in the original accessories brochure?). See them for sale new for $180. Thought I'd try soft luggage for this trip and see how I feel about it--then either swap over my hard bags and rack and sell the softies at a small profit, or keep them and sell the rack and bags with the bike as-is. I finally get to use the soft-bag holders that I got from mark a while ago that have FJOWNERS engraved in them--I knew I would! I don't hate the look of the givi's the way I used to, but they still don't feel like 'me'.

Also have some wiring that will let me keep my phone charged in. Bringing my handlebar phone mount setup. Hopefully my tent will be in by then, if I'm lucky. (Lost my last one in Mexico a month before I got my current FJ.)

Anyone in any of these areas want to ride with me while I'm going through? I won't be in a rush.  :drinks:

Kyle,
Let me know when you will be coming through Arkansas. I'd be glad to show what little that I know about this part of the world. I will send you a PM with my contact.

Joe

IMO, you should do the Dragon, get the t-shirt, etc, and move on.
Honestly, there's too many better roads to ride in that area to spend a whole lot of time on just that one.   :pardon:

Quote from: not a lib on April 22, 2014, 02:50:20 PM

IMO, you should do the Dragon, get the t-shirt, etc, and move on.
Honestly, there's too many better roads to ride in that area to spend a whole lot of time on just that one.   :pardon:

It's only 11 miles, and I figured I'd go that way and back so I could do the south loop around Tellico plains as well. I'm not going to spend all day on it or anything, though. More advice on what those 'better roads' in the area are is welcome, though. :)

Quote from: fintip on April 22, 2014, 03:24:40 PM
More advice on what those 'better roads' in the area are is welcome, though. :)

The Dragon is an adrenalin rush!!...however, not a lib is right, there are many better RIDING roads around that area:

Along with The Dragon, I rode these two years ago...
Cherohala Skyway, (NC/TN)...40.9 miles Superb!!!
Blue Ridge Parkway, (NC/VA)...469 miles (Sadly, not the whole length). Superb!!!
Diamond Back, (NC)...38 miles Superb!!!!

Others, (some!!), that I'll be riding in a few weeks time :yahoo:
The Devils Triangle, (TN)...44 miles
Moonshiner, (NC/SC)...28 miles
Six Gap, The Gauntlet, The Snake, Wayah Road (Warrior Road), Devils Drop, etc, etc...

That should keep you busy for a few months Fin  :rofl: :rofl2: :lol:... :drinks:

John.

If you come up 28 (which is better than the Gap) to Deals Gap, and go across and back, you could, for example:

• Hang a right at the store and go down the hill past Fugitive Dam, and turn right onto the goat path to Joyce Kilmer Forest.
• Turn left at the end of the goat path. If you turn right, you end up in a cul-de-sac in the middle of the forest DAMHIKIJKOK?
• Turn right at the end of the road and follow the Cherohala Skyway to Tellico Plains

Or any one of a dozen other routes, about any of which are better pure riding than the Dragon.   :unknown:

Anxiously waiting for updates!

Packing up! Got Randy's engine bars to put on immediately upon arrival, some ET4000 Chase Harper soft bags, my corbin, and all the other fixin's. Still packing as we speak...

Leaving at 7am tomorrow for Dallas with a friend of the truck driver who is meeting him, and from Dallas we're leaving for Memphis, and spending the night there. The next day we arrive. Soon-to-be-PO will trailer the bike out to a nearby highway intersection, along with the spare parts. I'll hand the parts over, load up my luggage on the bike, and drive off.

Waited until the last minute, but sent several couch surfing requests out to people in nearby Greenville, hoping to just stop and collect and plan my attack on Tellico Plains (taking all this great advice to heart!), drive the next day all day through as much of those roads as possible, end up in Chatanooga, got a CS host there probably already with several other requests out.

Then thinking of going straight through to AR, didn't see anything interesting at a glance between there and Arkansas--maybe stop for a bit in Memphis? Anyone have something that I should absolutely see or ride? Don't have a host there yet (Country Joe offered to ride with me, but he didn't mention staying with him), so I need to send out some more couchsurfing requests. Assuming those don't pan out, camping is of course always an option. :)

Crash in AR up in the northwest corner, and then ride around all day slowly getting south towards Mt. Pleasant, where I have family, in East Texas. Stay there for a day or two, and then head back to Austin.

Well, this is officially a ride report now. Hello from Memphis, home of the blues! Pictures to be uploaded when I get some WiFi. Should be arriving st the bike tomorrow evening if lucky, day after if not. Couch surfing hosts arranged in Greenville, Chattanooga, and Arkansas, and thinking about trying to find one in Memphis so I could do some judo and BJJ here before I leave town.

Enjoyed Beale street tonight, crashing now. More updates tomorrow hopefully!

Well, you'll certainly never forget this road trip! Congratulations on your new significant other!!
(Gotta say, this has been one hell of an amusing thread!) :lol:

My life is just never boring. Truck broke down leaving Memphis. Overheating, let it sit, drive a half mile, repeat, until we got to a truck stop. Fan belt tensioner snapped and the belt came off. 5 hours later and we're off...

However, I've been learning the ins and the outs of this job listening to the two guys I'm riding with, old friends, talk. The guy I'm riding with works for three companies, one of them run by a guy named Pete. The delivery he's doing right now to south Carolina is for Pete. The other rider refuses to work for Pete anymore because he didn't pay him for a job... The guy who is taking me acknowledges that sometimes he drags his feet but always eventually pays.

Well, long story short, Pete avoided his calls and hasn't sent him money he was supposed to send for the past three days, and it all blew up. Pete finally called back, yelling and cussing, saying he wasn't going to pay him a dime.

Looks like my driver (a genuinely nice, honest family guy who told me I don't have to pay him anything because of the drama and schedule absurdity) wants to hide the truck as leverage until he gets paid, and I'll probably be giving him a ride from anderson to Greensville to make his connection to his next truck.

Another day in the life... Haha. Should be getting the bike tomorrow morning, but weather looks sketchy. Crossing my fingers.

Flood warnings blowing my phone up all day today. Lovely day to get stranded on the side of the road. (http://i.imgur.com/JxNY2eX.jpg) (http://imgur.com/JxNY2eX)

The truck getting worked on:
(http://i.imgur.com/NNGQKWY.jpg)

Beale street, downtown Memphis:
(http://i.imgur.com/PpHQ3Qb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uwgtgnH.jpg)

Some road pics that aren't very interesting:
(http://i.imgur.com/vYPzHD3.jpg)

Trucker number 2, who won't work for Pete anymore, and gave me a ride from Austin to Dallas, in front of us:
(http://i.imgur.com/EwoaNkn.jpg)

On the way to Dallas:
(http://i.imgur.com/BJfCuXS.jpg)

Good to see you back out on the road fin.. It's the non scheduled things that make a trip memorable, most times..
Best of fortune to you.. Watch out for tornados...

That last post was incredibly tedious from a phone, so I'm going to be lazy until I get to a computer and just post this link to the pictures:
http://imgur.com/a/PIPSP (http://imgur.com/a/PIPSP)



It's even better than I hoped. More details soon. Out to get my kookaloo on for now.

Nice, clean looking bike.  Does it run as good as it looks?

Enjoy your ride back home (after the twisters calm down).

Cheers,
Arnie

Kyle,
I think you and I might be leading parallel lives.

Just this weekend, I flew to Indiana to finally take delivery of the `90 FJ I got back in November (advertised here on the forum) and ride it back to Orlando.

Same paint scheme.

We were (possibly) even in the same state at the same time. Did you happen to catch a triple digit blur headed south?

Looks like you found yourself a really nice bike. Good on ya!

Steve

 Wow that is a nice bike. Enjoy your ride home!!

Kyle,

I think all of your doubts about this FJ was for naught. You have found a beauty. Enjoy your ride home.

Fred

Hopefully I'll get to a computer so I can upload some video and you can hear it running soon... I've never felt an FJ so tight before, or heard one idle so quiet. It's brilliant. He forgot to mention he'd done the Barnet clutch conversion (I felt it after a couple hours of twisties today, lots of clutch use...). The 1990 had upgraded brakes over the 86, and I can feel that too. Front forks were rebuilt, but no new springs. So while the suspension feels good, but not great, it is still very much an improvement for me; the rear shock on the 90 was aalso 18% stiffer than the 86, aside from also having 4 years and 60k miles less wear than the one I've been rising on. (I'm also light enough for the undersprung sppeing to not be so bad).

Loving this. Did the blue ridge today.... Best riding of my life thus far.

Have not been able to install the rented bars because the Allen bolt above the rear brake pedal that has to be removed wouldn't budge on one side, and is slightly stripped. Need to get an impact or air drill to remove it, normal Allen key was wanting to slip and trying to bend.

Steve: woah. Too bad I missed you. Would have been good to ride together! If you feel like doing tellico plains with me in the next few days (whenever the weather permits), I'd love to make people wonder I'd they were seeing double!

Pics and vids coming, first some nostalgia:
(http://i.imgur.com/TZY91kj.jpg)

My first street bike, someone was looking it up for a friend and found it, sent me a photo of the page. Notice that tank bag? Same bag on the back of the FJ right now. :)

(http://i.imgur.com/UdMkdrO.jpg)

I have zero regrets. No desire for an fz1. Definitely the right choice.

Hard bag/soft bag problem is solved. The hard bags aren't pretty enough to go on this bike.

Awesome!

Sounds like a great start to the adventure.  Think the karma you endured with the first FJ is getting repaid now!  Congrats on a beautiful FJ

Anyone know how to embed? On phone, too lazy to look up...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuU0HWiD9Q4&feature=youtube_gdata_player (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuU0HWiD9Q4&feature=youtube_gdata_player)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Rz_8X8MoU&feature=youtube_gdata_player (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Rz_8X8MoU&feature=youtube_gdata_player)

(http://i.imgur.com/VOutNqF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ywaRIgq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jo0VlNX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/meATSAh.jpg)

Figures I should get at least one with me in it. Kind of lame, but that's what happens when you travel alone.
(http://i.imgur.com/JbTicAs.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mnOr5Ch.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Uxj5ivZ.jpg)


Finally hooked up with couch surfing host. Turns out he has a friend with a garage and a lot of old bikes.

Backatory: I tried to install Randy's rentec engine bars on the bike before I went out to blue ridge today, but one of the frame bolts was semi stripped and frozen and wasn't coming out with my Allen key. Rather than strip the bolt, I decided to just wait. (Experience truly is the best teacher... I feel so wise!).

Well, friend with tools and I are connected this evening, and we got some installing done. Weather permitting I'll have new pictures for everyone tomorrow. Bars look great on the bike. Awesome stroke of luck.

Amazing host, too, will stay here and hang out until wed or Thur probably. Classic bike night is Wednesday here, regular meet up. Some BJJ places in town. Also waiting out some bad weather.

Awesome day overall. Awesome day.

 :good2: :good2:

Really been enjoying this story unfold, especially as it has worked out well  :drinks Great looking bike !

Some pics of the work we did last night:
(http://i.imgur.com/fFSfegm.jpg)

Anybody remember these guys?
(http://i.imgur.com/3iY1BOy.jpg)

Kyle,
Congrats....looks really good. 

Jeff

 Your enthusiasm  is inspiring. Being out on the open road on a beautiful FJ like that is something truly awesome. Enjoy each day!

All right guys... This is what I have in mind:

http://goo.gl/Lw76AR (http://goo.gl/Lw76AR)

(Can someone tell me how to embed maps and videos? Can't find that info...)

Quote from: Mick1164 on April 29, 2014, 11:10:56 AM
Really been enjoying this story unfold, especially as it has worked out well  :drinks Great looking bike !

Hey !  Can you post up some pics of that blue beauty! 

fintip - great report again!  Enjoy the ride!

Long update coming soon, but in the meantime... Rode the dragon several times, did 28, did cherahola, did part of netchez trace, netchez trace escape, been in little rock for a couple days, doing this (http://goo.gl/maps/Ca2Jq) route tomorrow, have done some BJJ in every city I've stayed in so far, and will get some Judo and indoor rock climbing in here tomorrow if all goes as planned. Day after tomorrow I should be heading to visit family in East Texas, and then when I'm done there it's back to Austin.

Lots to write, lots of pictures to share. Sleepy now.

 :drinks:

 

(popcorn)

:drinks:

Kyle,
Are you doing a loop out of Little Rock and back? 

When you're ready to head to Texas, there is a nice route out of Mena, Ar near the western end of your loop.  AR 8 (you will need to zoom in) is the beginning of the Talimena Scenic Byway.  Take that west to 259 and go south.  You will be on the Winding Stair as you drop down to Broken Bow, Ok.  You can continue south and cross into Texas.  Hopefully that will not put you too far west.

I did a loop and ended up back there, then spent an extra day there seeing a museum and taking some BJJ classes I was invited to by one of the people in the Judo class I went to the night before.

Btw, found some shots of me on the dragon:

http://xtremesportsphotography.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK01NI050990&po=990&pc=1029 (http://xtremesportsphotography.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK01NI050990&po=990&pc=1029)

Keep clicking the "forward" button to watch me go through the turn.

And some pictures from the trip so far in reverse order:

AR, Ouachita (washita) forest:
(http://i.imgur.com/UOa05mA.jpg)

Same. Tried braving what looked like a compacted dirt road... 100 feet down, I really regretted it. Uphill and narrow, with progressively looser and looser gravel. Safely made it up about a quarter mile to where it levelled out, and... safely made it back down. All those years riding a dirtbike saved me, but definitely had me white knuckled until I was safely back on pavement. (Foolhardy indeed...)
(http://i.imgur.com/7cUJv5X.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/vg4YwU4.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/HhyJYsq.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Z9nTAXv.jpg)

Post Judo class that evening:

(http://i.imgur.com/9JOIcLp.jpg)

Greenville host's girlfriend with dog while hiking:

(http://i.imgur.com/WEpDb5B.jpg)

Hiking scenery:

(http://i.imgur.com/rBBO13X.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/wIkDYPR.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/EEwIdeM.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/whedcYM.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/wsvqBxt.jpg)

Ton of craft beer off season for super cheap... All of this for like $42.

(http://i.imgur.com/16ionQN.jpg)

From the classic bike night there:

(http://i.imgur.com/IbkJicH.jpg)

^ BMW R100RS engine in an R65 frame, super light, lots of custom work.

Guy who helped me install engine bars was riding this sweet little yami XS650:

(http://i.imgur.com/bcgnrZx.jpg)

Hosts in Greenville:

(http://i.imgur.com/GDYYFbA.jpg)

Me in Greenville about to leave to ride the dragon (check out that sweet shirt!)

(http://i.imgur.com/Iumx20a.jpg)

On the way to the Dragon:

(http://i.imgur.com/hTIURBl.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/PzvCyyt.jpg)

Gratuitous:

(http://i.imgur.com/WREwd6T.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/pZPXccE.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/JDWiQuE.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/RdI7Kdj.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/dob40by.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/dgxHdkc.jpg)

Guy in an FJR stopped shortly after me and we took turns taking pictures of each other

(http://i.imgur.com/OypAC44.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/R3Bmztz.jpg)

A motorcycle accident stopped traffic for a while... Old overweight guy on a sportster was rear ended by his wife on a gold wing when he slowed down to take a left turn and she didn't notice, from what I gathered. Guy had internal bleeding, never gained consciousness, seemed to be assumed he wouldn't make it... Apparently wife was screaming about her back, went on a stretcher. Sad sight.

(http://i.imgur.com/doKg9jz.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/aUiJLVX.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/IQVvS8N.jpg)

Arrived!

(http://i.imgur.com/1lEEnd1.jpg)

At the other end:

(http://i.imgur.com/jKlHLXM.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/aYw1hk3.jpg)

Scenic overlook coming back through:

(http://i.imgur.com/9UJqn4q.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/cO18sUD.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Wld7u6Q.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/rh14blS.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Svi1uOA.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/iQwZtZI.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Iqmtb28.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/xnizAHn.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/O5QgaDf.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/DSBXEao.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Q498PPk.jpg)

Sunset:

(http://i.imgur.com/jIdCi4r.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/8nLJAzU.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/S8RH6YV.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/6fbzxN4.jpg)

Cherahola skyway:

(http://i.imgur.com/F7rhBPY.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/1qZ8OVi.jpg)

WHEW!

Oh, and at Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs, AR:

(http://i.imgur.com/BMGatxr.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/fefYj6R.jpg%5B/IMG%3Cbr%20/%3E%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i.imgur.com/dCC3B2p.jpg)

This guy^ tailed me almost spot on, on the dragon. Freaking hard core. ZZR14 engine in there. I would lose him a little on the straights sometimes, but I think it's because he was leaving space. He was seriously killing it, and I had a hard time getting ANY space. Very impressive little vehicle. Says they're about 60k.

More of those gardens:

(http://i.imgur.com/gQAvedD.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/fCm4k7V.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/hyNhvSm.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/0H8f1FN.jpg)

Netches Trace:

(http://i.imgur.com/KfPFZS5.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/H95fLlq.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/3ImNo7m.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/7CbYJ1I.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/9dackJi.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/LwJpxaj.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/yYtyAja.png)

Found pics of that guy right on my tail!

(http://i.imgur.com/YTe8uIn.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/9lCItPC.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/6qB6Vez.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/c2ay6G8.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/3Abtukf.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/yaH2FbA.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/ewdsyxz.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/HsrLXKK.png)

Cool moment reading about the history of the tail of the dragon, seeing this paragraph:

QuoteAt about this time the Deal Trading Post was established by a group of brothers and cousins of that name. The post dealt with the Cherokee Indians and other nations of the Five Civilized Tribes. It is no coincidence that the name Deal is on the Cherokee Roles. The trading post was in direct violation of King George's edict banning British settlement west of the Blue Ridge. Some of the Deal family migrated west in the Trail of Tears Cherokee relocation in the 1800s. Others moved into Middle Tennessee and established a trading post at the terminus of the Natchez Trace.

I just did the Blue Ridge skyway, Deal's gap, and Natchez Trace... Surreal to see all those places occur in a history account together.

Source: http://tailofthedragon.com/dragon_history_americanroadmagazine.html (http://tailofthedragon.com/dragon_history_americanroadmagazine.html)

It's great to see someone enjoying their bike. Congrats on your purchase, and nice photos.  :good2:

Quote from: fintip on May 09, 2014, 03:55:57 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/LwJpxaj.png)

Kyle, no one's as pleased as me that you are finally astride a winner and not a rolling restoration, with little to do other than enjoy it. I look forward to more trip reports like this one. Riding is a lot more fun than trying to cobble together a useable bike from bits and pieces.
This particular road trip seems to be taking you through some beautiful country.

You do realise that if you're going to post photos like the one above though, you are going to get critiqued.

Noel

+1  :good:  I'm jealous ...

OHHHHH! Good FJ Porn!!!! Seriously xclnt scenery pics...  :good: :good:

Quote from: ribbert on May 09, 2014, 06:57:23 AM

Quote from: fintip on May 09, 2014, 03:55:57 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/LwJpxaj.png)

Kyle, no one's as pleased as me that you are finally astride a winner and not a rolling restoration, with little to do other than enjoy it. I look forward to more trip reports like this one. Riding is a lot more fun than trying to cobble together a useable bike from bits and pieces.
This particular road trip seems to be taking you through some beautiful country.

You do realise that if you're going to post photos like the one above though, you are going to get critiqued.

Noel

Body position will get you busted every time. I' m just glad no one is following me with a camera.  Great photos, Kyle. Enjoy the well running FJ.

Joe

Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Quote from: fintip on May 09, 2014, 11:31:07 AM
Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Mate, Your body position is fine. I position myself the same if I`ve been on my dirt bike on the weekend prior, so habitually drop the wrong shoulder occasionally. Track days are good fun. I`m luv`n reading your adventure.  :drinks:

Quote from: fintip on May 09, 2014, 11:31:07 AM
Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Most excellent travelogue fintip, great photos. I picked up my 92 FJ just last weekend but it was no where near the excursion you are enjoying. Just an 800 mile round trip in my truck from NH to DE up and down 95 on the NJ tpk thru NYC, CT. ugh :hang1:

The best part was enjoying some good smokes and listening to the Bruins come back in the 3rd period to score 4 unanswered goals and beat the Canadians.

Critiquing your riding? I'm no expert but hangin' your arse off-leaning yourself into the turn instead of the bike-is a good start, keeps the bike more upright to maintain the biggest contact patch, kinda sorta like this...

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/7/3992_09_05_14_11_37_06.jpeg)

Definitely do a track day (or 2 or 3...they get addictive). You will reap huge benefits for your street riding skills. Find one that includes classroom instructions to get the most of the day, here's a good example fishtailridingschool.com.

Looking forward to more of your trip.

Quote from: The General on May 09, 2014, 12:49:38 PM

Quote from: fintip on May 09, 2014, 11:31:07 AM
Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Mate, Your body position is fine. I position myself the same if I`ve been on my dirt bike on the weekend prior, so habitually drop the wrong shoulder occasionally. Track days are good fun. I`m luv`n reading your adventure.  :drinks:

I rode dirtbikes for a long time before I ever got on a streetbike. Could this be the source? Am I bringing a dirtbike habit over? (I'd never heard of this.)

Kyle,
A track day is not necessarily the best first step in your rider training. ((That is not to say that you shouldn't do one as soon as you are able).There is a considerable number of good books such as Total Control by Lee Parks, Twist of the Wrist 1&2 by Keith Code, Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough, Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch and many others that can help you
instill good riding skills and habits.

Believe me, I don't claim to have any greater street bike skills beyond managing to not kill myself so far. But the exercises and skills discussed in these books, as long as you consciously practice them, will only make you a better, safer and more
capable rider.

Joe

Of course we can always improve our riding, but that might be best served by some kind of advanced riding course, teaching good positioning, observation and decent progress ultimately leading to smooth riding. I'm not sure that bringing track skills to the road is always a good idea, as it may encourage us beyond our ability...the track is a different animal to the open road, surely?

Quote from: mark1969 on May 10, 2014, 05:57:07 AM
Of course we can always improve our riding, but that might be best served by some kind of advanced riding course, teaching good positioning, observation and decent progress ultimately leading to smooth riding. I'm not sure that bringing track skills to the road is always a good idea, as it may encourage us beyond our ability...the track is a different animal to the open road, surely?

Mark, I'm not sure what you're referring to as "track skills" but the riding principles of racing on a track and riding on the road, even riding like an old woman, are exactly the same, just not applied as vigorously on the road. They make you a better and safer rider.

Where ever you get it from, learning the basic golden rules is a must and treat every ride as an opportunity to practice them so they become second nature.

Noel

I know you didn't mean it as an insult, but it wouldn't be a first step in my rider training. I have quite a bit of experience for my age, starting on dirtbikes back to age 11--and not just back in the pasture, we used to go up into really rough terrain in arkansas every year when I was a kid and just ride all day. I was the only one on a dirtbike usually, everyone else was on a 4 wheeler, so I had to ride pretty hard to keep up--fording streams, up and down steep grades on loose gravel on cliff sides, etc. I used to pop a pretty good wheelie, too. (Not so keen to do those on the FJ...)

I've bought 6 bikes in the last 2 years, apprenticed at a cycle repair shop, taught people to ride. When I finally got my street license, I got a perfect score on both the written and the driving portion of the mandatory safety class (only one other guy also accomplished this in my class of 16 or so, another guy with a lot of dirtbike experience). I've researched the HURT study in depth and taken notes on it. I have two iron butt certs, have ridden from Austin to Mexico city, Seattle to Austin, and now SC to Austin.

I'm talking about track days, because riding the dragon is basically track skills.

Riding back, I kept thinking that if I had a bunch of money, I'd probably not ride a bike everywhere. Heard of two older guys with a lifetime of safe riding under their belt who had serious wrecks recently, both not their fault, one died, other might live, might not... I'd have a track bike and a comfortable car, and then an FJ for taking scenic trips and daily trips.

(I have heard of all the books you have mentioned, and have leafed through them. I don't mean to say there isn't something I could learn from those books--this is a life long endeavour, and there's always room to improve. But I do believe that track experience, learning more about fine tuned control at the more extreme end of the spectrum of how the bike responds under high speed and high breaking situations, would be a suitable next step.)

Anyways, wish I could have ridden with you in AR. Too bad it didn't work out.

Arrived back in Austin last night. Woke up and did some martial arts classes. Work tonight, so bad to the grind.

I'll do a writeup on the rest of the trip to give those pictures some context soon here, need to take a nap... I'm worn out.

One thing: the windshield on this bike makes an incredibly noisy airflow for me, even with earplugs in. It's exhausting. I end up spending my time riding long distances just trying to adjust my shoulders and head and upper body in all kinds of weird positions to make it quieter, but it really wears one out and detracts from the experience. Even a naked bike is better. If I just stand on the pegs and get in clean air, it's not a problem. This bike has a targa. What other options do I have?

Quote from: fintip on May 09, 2014, 01:43:06 PM

Quote from: The General on May 09, 2014, 12:49:38 PM

Quote from: fintip on May 09, 2014, 11:31:07 AM
Oh, haha, I'm just some ignorant self taught rider, I didn't know this was considered 'bad' body position. I was just proud to be nearly scraping pegs. I figured one leans over if one wants to turn *more*, but since I'm about to do a switchback, I was already about to switch back, so to speak.

Critique away, I'm happy to learn. Someday I hope to be able to afford a track day and learn properly.

Mate, Your body position is fine. I position myself the same if I`ve been on my dirt bike on the weekend prior, so habitually drop the wrong shoulder occasionally. Track days are good fun. I`m luv`n reading your adventure.  :drinks:

I rode dirtbikes for a long time before I ever got on a streetbike. Could this be the source? Am I bringing a dirtbike habit over? (I'd never heard of this.)

Yep.  :drinks:

Fintip,

You basically have two options on getting a quiet flow of air.
Either get (or make) a windscreen that's high enough to pass the airflow over your helmet
OR cut the windscreen down low enough so the turbulent air is below helmet level.

I've chosen both :-) 
I have an extender on my FJ that is 7" taller than the stock windscreen and pushes the air up over my helmet
and
I have an Aprilia Shiver with a tiny windscreen that leaves the airflow below helmet level.

Quote from: ribbert on May 10, 2014, 09:27:16 AM

Quote from: mark1969 on May 10, 2014, 05:57:07 AM
Of course we can always improve our riding, but that might be best served by some kind of advanced riding course, teaching good positioning, observation and decent progress ultimately leading to smooth riding. I'm not sure that bringing track skills to the road is always a good idea, as it may encourage us beyond our ability...the track is a different animal to the open road, surely?

Mark, I'm not sure what you're referring to as "track skills" but the riding principles of racing on a track and riding on the road, even riding like an old woman, are exactly the same, just not applied as vigorously on the road. They make you a better and safer rider.
Where ever you get it from, learning the basic golden rules is a must and treat every ride as an opportunity to practice them so they become second nature.
Noel

Ummmm....Noel, I would agree with all the above, but perhaps not your choice of text "are exactly the same, just not applied as vigorously on the road". I totally agree with Mark though, regarding the order of fun solutions, and offer the following example which includes a particular learning difficulty I have.

H.A.R.T (Patron is Mick Doohan) is an Advanced Rider training group and being sponsored on the Gold coast by the Local Council at only $60 for a full day. (includes a fantastic embroidered Shirt worth $60 by itself!). They insist you have to start at the beginners level, no matter what your experience. My mate Jim Talked me into escorting my 69 year old brother, who had just got his bike license, down to the council chambers and actually doing the course with him. Jim bet me a lunch that I would get something out of it.

We did the video watch on road safety and had a great day of riding including a terrific lunchtime get together. There were 4 instructors amongst us 20 learners and they observed our road manners. We each got a chance to lead the pack with the instructor directly following. (A fantastic course of three levels that I totally recommend.http://hart.honda.com.au/ (http://hart.honda.com.au/))

My turn came to lead with a great set of twisties coming up (incl 45klm/hr bends), so being a smart arse I asked if it was okay if I stuck to the speed limit (not a biggie) for this stretch (80klm/hr) and the instructor agreed. I rode them a little differently to my normal line cause I knew what he was looking for. (my head never came even close to the centre line). He later began his critique with asking me how long I have been riding, followed by the fact he couldn`t fault me despite his determination to get the old smartarse.
It would be rude and a complete lie If I was to say I didn`t learn anything. .... In fact I learnt the two best lessons on how to go faster on the road, than I have ever had in my riding career, despite having read all the books. (and it only cost $60!....oh, and a lunch with Jimmy!)

LESSON  1.
The old business communication Lesson had still not sunk into the practical conscious of my corporate Brain....When is a communication a communication?
a. When it is given? or b. when is it received?
(Answer b is correct). Why is it that so many givens are not received into our brains? ... the answer to this one is numerous, but has a term called "Noise". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_noise. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_noise.)
.....I had not got it into my thick skull (received) what I believe was the most important lesson for me, in riding quick (and safe) on the road.

LESSON 2 (A biggie to make happen for me anyhow... a revelation on corner line.)
I had often read about looking further ahead thru the corner blah blah blah. (noise).
I was bored at one stage following the "beginners" and decided to focus on something mentioned in that morning`s video.
I had to search for the pinpoint where the left hand tree line came together with the Right hand treeline when coming into a curve or bend in the road. (I had to identify it physically, ..... focus on it,...and continue to watch it change.
Up until this lesson, I reckon I did all that automatically anyhow. There was that "noise" again between my conscious belief and what was happening practically.

To physically actually carry out the procedure I discovered my helmet was not properly positioned on most tight corners and so I physically tilted it up with my left hand. (later bought a better fitting helmet with wider vision range...seemed to be more expensive than what I normally buy!) ... so I totally focused on that pinpoint...even though I was riding slow at the time!
What happened next, despite years of experience (including short circuit and motocross racing) was in my case, a complete change of approach angle....yet I hadn't done anything physically different with the bike. Just focusing on that pinpoint changed everything else as though my brain was somehow physically linked to the handlebars!

I could definitely go quicker with this new line. (Which wasn`t the object of the lessons Heheehe)....yeah I do it with food too!...if there`s 50% less fat, than I can have twice as much!  :pardon:...I digress sorry!...I`m waffling cause it`s mothers day here and my girls have taken mum out for treats...time ta play in the shed!...but I do hope this ramble contributes to your journey.

Quote from: fintip on May 10, 2014, 05:08:51 PM
One thing: the windshield on this bike makes an incredibly noisy airflow for me, even with earplugs in. It's exhausting. I end up spending my time riding long distances just trying to adjust my shoulders and head and upper body in all kinds of weird positions to make it quieter, but it really wears one out and detracts from the experience. Even a naked bike is better. If I just stand on the pegs and get in clean air, it's not a problem. This bike has a targa. What other options do I have?

Kyle,

your FJ uses the same windscreen as my 89'. I have 2 windscreens that I use the most.

The first is for cold weather and long distance rides. Powerbronze flip screen. I am 5'7" tall and the wind hits me at the top of the helmet. No helmet buffeting and no severe wind noise. Also as a side effect, it keeps all the wind off of my body so I stay a bit warmer in the below 40* weather.

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/a8ec642f-4338-4a06-96e0-4abe28cbfa0f_zps44a4928c.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/a8ec642f-4338-4a06-96e0-4abe28cbfa0f_zps44a4928c.jpg.html)

The second is my modified Honda CBR1100XX Superbird windscreen. With this one installed, the wind hits me at shoulder level. No helmet buffeting and in the warm/hot weather the added wind on my chest creates a cooling effect with a mesh summer jacket.

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/1658dd17-e839-4aa9-ae28-fd620ff2c11c_zps736dae80.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/1658dd17-e839-4aa9-ae28-fd620ff2c11c_zps736dae80.jpg.html)

Fred

So the double bubble drops the airflow level considerably? I'm not in love with the look of the bubble, but I don't hate it.

I assume the '86 screen won't bolt on?

Photo of an 86'/87' windscreen. Notice the square leading edge.


(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/T2eC16NHJHYFFkT-bzjRBSE6Id5ws60_57_zpsa847c85d.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/T2eC16NHJHYFFkT-bzjRBSE6Id5ws60_57_zpsa847c85d.jpg.html)

Photo of a 88'-90' windscreen. Notice the radius leading edge.


(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/_324_zpse1b290cf.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/_324_zpse1b290cf.jpg.html)

I have not heard of anyone else using this particular model, but it looks like a very short non-double bubble windscreen. I know that the manufacturer make very high quality windscreens.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-spoilerscreen-windshield-for-yamaha-fj1200-88-90 (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-spoilerscreen-windshield-for-yamaha-fj1200-88-90)

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/MRA_06_046_S_FJ1200_88-90_S35105_zps561841f5.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/MRA_06_046_S_FJ1200_88-90_S35105_zps561841f5.jpg.html)

Fred

Fantastic write up Kyle and what a bike, looks unreal! Oh and just concerning that photo of you with the slightly different riding position? I could see it straight away , and The General alluded to it as well. Anyone who has ridden enduros/ dirt bikes will know it as "weighting the outside peg", great technique for cornering on the dirt, not so useful on the street.

BUT, I still do it quite often because I can and it feels fine, ( really I think it's me wanting to get another dirt bike)  :biggrin:

Hey Kyle,
Congrats on your new bike, looks like a great deal. What a great road trip for the honeymoon :good:
I won't critique your style but what alarmed me was you weren't wearing gloves. If you don't have any,PM me your address. I'll send you a pair that are too small for me.

Thanks for sharing your road trip, brings back memories from lat years ECFR.

Scott

I hope everyone is enjoy Mother's Day with your families. The sun is out with temps around 80f. A great day for a ride.  :cray:

I wanted to clarify my earlier comments about track days. They were not intended to portray them as amateur race days and the picture was supposed to be for a chuckle and not as an example. My apologies if it didn't come off that way. Actually the organization I mentioned (and primarily use) is just the opposite. They are a track day school and classified as such with many insurance companies which means they will cover accidents that occur. Typically riders are divided into 3 groups based on track day experience. The A group are the very experienced riders, many have racing experience. The B group are typically those with previous track experience but not racing. The C group are riders with little or no track experience. Movement between groups happens regularly, in both directions, as the day progresses.

These are controlled events with 20 minute track sessions per group followed by a class session. The classes are very interactive with instructions on track safety, smooth throttle and braking control, seat positioning, apex points for turn entrance and exit, looking ahead and through corners, etc. and what's on the lunch menu. All the stuff you also read in the books mentioned. There are rules controlling passing zones on the track based on the group, and strict no passing on the inside for all groups. Lap timers are not allowed as well. Speed is entirely up to the rider but should be fast enough to avoid creating a hazardous situation. The more control you have the more your speed will increase, safely. You are encouraged to 'walk before you run' and most beginners find that to be the case on their first track day.

It's an ideal way to learn yours and the bike's limits. It's amazing what bikes can do when you can concentrate on your riding technique rather than flashing blue lights or animals darting into your path or road hazards/debris. You become much more in-tuned with how your bike behaves and how to control it. Your skills expand very quickly and carry over directly to the street. I first started doing track days when I bought my current Duc in 1999 and I can honestly say my track skills have saved my bacon and prevented pucker moments on more than one occasion. I hope to get the FJ on the track but it's all stock so suspension and brake mods are definitely needed before that happens.

Cheers,

Very, very true George. Good post.

Track school (for me) is all about practicing maintaining proper control, in all situations.

On the street, I ride my FJ to only 50% of her true potential. She is a better motorcycle than I am a rider.

Track school helps with that....but still, the street is the street, and things can go wrong very quickly...

Did I ever tell you the story about the 4 ft long pine cone?

Love the road trip stories!

Dunno if I want to know about Pat's fetishes though....  :sarcastic:

QuoteLove the road trip stories!

Dunno if I want to know about Pat's fetishes though....  sarcastic

bwahaha.

Glad you enjoyed them.

Nailed it Magge, that's exactly why I would want to do some track days.