I'm interested in finding out how long you've owned your FJ. I'm talkin long term original owners. Is there anyone out there who bought a brand new 84, 85, 86 ect. who still has it and rides it regularly ? That would make you an FJ elder and full of FJ knowledge and experience, and high ranking in my book! Also when was this forum started, and by whom. (popcorn) Charley.
Hmmm... well, not from the 80's, but I did buy my '93 new in December '95.
I believe that there are a few members on here that have early FJ's purchased new. Pat and Jack come immediately to mind.
Forum started in February 2009 (IIRC) by Marsh White after a moderation / member disagreement on the yahoo group. I was one of the participants of the S##t storm, hence my user name.
Previously Marsh ran the FJRally site linked at the top of the page.
Quote from: Bob on July 11, 2014, 07:03:31 AM
Hmmm... well, not from the 80's, but I did buy my '93 new in December '95.
ey that works! I didnt mean to limit this to 80s owners, Ive owned my Suzuki SP600 since 1989, but it was used with 800 mi on it. Thanks Bob!
I bought my FJ new, in Aug 94. Also picked out my VIN# from a list of bikes that the dealer had in stock.
Kurt
I bought my FJ in August of '89. Hopefully she'll come back soon from an extended stay at the RPM spa & summer camp.
Ed
RPM FJ spa and summer camp. That's funny. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Kurt
Bought mine new in May of '84. #000303
Quote from: Pat Conlon on July 11, 2014, 09:33:38 AM
Bought mine new in May of '84. #000303
Cradle-robber!
Pat,
I love the mistress story. I told it to my wife to try and shed some heat off of me. she is still pissed off that I went to the bike shop for a masterlink and came home with a 14 ninja 1000. I should of kept the Ninja at a friends house. :dash2:
Scott
Back in May, a friend asked if my FJ was the mistress? I told her "I had the FJ before I met my wife so you decide who is the mistress". She proceeded to tell my wife who just laughed. Lately I have been talking about a new FZ9, this is not a laughing matter.
Kurt
Quote from: Pat Conlon on July 11, 2014, 09:33:38 AM
Bought mine new in May of '84. #000303
I knew it I just friggin knew it!!! If I had an award I'd send it to you...how 'bout my f-kd up fairing when my other one is done being painted! :lol: It would make a great planter or Halloween mask!
Let me think..... My twins are now 17.5 years old.... so I have owned my 86' for 17.2 years. I bought it to commute twice a month from SoCal to San Jose to visit my kids and save on fuel. The first year was an El Nino year, it pissed rain in at least one direction, sometimes both....
G'Day. I brought my '92 model new in 1992. I spent the first part of day 1 puting it together out of the box. My Machanic watched on as I added the loose parts from the crate.That was 122000 K's ago. I have logged each kilometre and every drop of fuel, all accessesories and tyres as well, and I can name each pereson that has ridden it since.
Be Good.
Macca.
Quote from: charleygofast on July 11, 2014, 05:15:12 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on July 11, 2014, 09:33:38 AM
Bought mine new in May of '84. #000303
I knew it I just friggin knew it!!! If I had an award I'd send it to you...how 'bout my f-kd up fairing when my other one is done being painted! :lol: It would make a great planter or Halloween mask!
Hey Charlie, in my case, just don't confuse longevity of ownership with knowledge.....
All that I've learned about my FJ came from the much more knowledgable guys on this forum....
....and the Yahoo forum previously...
.....and the Netpath list before that.
I realize that there is so much I don't know about motorcycles but, what I do know (for certain) is that FJ owners are some of the most selfless, helpful owners I have ever been associated with....bar none.
For example, did I ever tell you the story of a FJ owner who was in the middle of a cross country tour and in the middle of no where his generator went out....he limped in to town on his battery and called the closest Yamaha dealer 85 miles away to get a generator....The dealer told him it would take over a week to get the part to him *if* they could find one....
The guy walked over to the town's library, got on line to the Yahoo FJ forum and posted a call for help...
One of our members (Jon Cain) went out to his garage, removed the generator from his bike and overnight mailed it to our stranded FJ brother......cool huh?
That's just one of several stories I could tell you.
Where will you ever find guys like that? They're all right here.
FJ are nice bikes, but the people here make the FJ a special bike.
You re so right Pat. Everyone here has something to offer, some bit of FJ knowledge, or interesting stories of great experiences with their bikes and others. I agree FJ's are very special bikes and so are the people who own them. Knowledge isn't necessarily mechanical, as FJ's are not high maintenance motorcycles. But I am impressed with those who bought one 10, 20 30 years ago, lives and loves it so much that they swear that they'll never sell it, and those who do usually wish they hadn't and want another one. I've bought sold traded many bikes in my 40 some years of riding. Some I've regretted some I didn't care 'cuz I didn't have that bond or I just had to pay bills, but my FJ just does something for me...speaks to me I guess. I know you understand. You said not long ago in a post about a bike for sale that when you walk away from your parked bike you turn around and look at her again...I do that too! The Red/Silver is a beautifull bike, and when I go to the garage and uncover her again I'm like Pee Wee Herman when he goes to his bicycle..." Hello...I'm here." :lol Obsessed, yeah a little! Charley.
I bought my 87 FJ new in April 1987. It's in great condition.
Hey Charlie, in my case, just don't confuse longevity of ownership with knowledge.....
All that I've learned about my FJ came from the much more knowledgable guys on this forum....
....and the Yahoo forum previously...
.....and the Netpath list before that.
I realize that there is so much I don't know about motorcycles but, what I do know (for certain) is that FJ owners are some of the most selfless, helpful owners I have ever been associated with....bar none.
For example, did I ever tell you the story of a FJ owner who was in the middle of a cross country tour and in the middle of no where his generator went out....he limped in to town on his battery and called the closest Yamaha dealer 85 miles away to get a generator....The dealer told him it would take over a week to get the part to him *if* they could find one....
The guy walked over to the town's library, got on line to the Yahoo FJ forum and posted a call for help...
One of our members (Jon Cain) went out to his garage, removed the generator from his bike and overnight mailed it to our stranded FJ brother......cool huh?
That's just one of several stories I could tell you.
Where will you ever find guys like that? They're all right here.
FJ are nice bikes, but the people here make the FJ a special bike.
[/quote]
That is one hell of a story. The more I hang out here the more I see what you mean. It's a great group and I was looking forward to putting some names to faces at the NESR but I see it has been postponed. Maybe I can make the fall rallye.
Speaking of long term ownership I haven't bought new since my 1st bike, a 72 R5 (RD350) but the Norton has been in the garage since 87 and the Duc since 99. I tend to hold onto things I like and the FJ is well on the way to becoming one of the family members. :drinks:
Did I ever tell you the story of the bunch of Seppos I started talking to on the interwebs,ended up sending some of them thousands of dollars and they bought motorcycles and parts for me?
Had never laid eyes on them but it all ended well.
A couple of them even let me sleep inside at their very own houses.
Mind you, they were heavily armed.
....and we kept our bedroom doors locked.....
I purchased my FJ new in 86.
Well all righty....I bet you have some stories to tell us....
Quote from: Pat Conlon on July 17, 2014, 10:36:24 PM
Well all righty....I bet you have some stories to tell us....
Thats what I'm talkin about! :good2: (popcorn)
Quote from: Klavdy on July 12, 2014, 07:53:30 PM
Did I ever tell you the story of the bunch of Seppos I started talking to on the interwebs,ended up sending some of them thousands of dollars and they bought motorcycles and parts for me?
Had never laid eyes on them but it all ended well.
A couple of them even let me sleep inside at their very own houses.
Mind you, they were heavily armed.
Quote
One of our members (Jon Cain) went out to his garage, removed the generator from his bike and overnight mailed it to our stranded FJ brother......cool huh? :ireful:
HEY!! I know those guys!!! :good2:
rossi
I bought my 89 new in March of 91 as a factory holdover. She it still my baby but enjoys the love and affection she receives now that I have time to tinker.
Life is Good!
I bought my '90 1200 new in '90, I still have not seen a bike I would rather have.
The FJR was close but too much tour, not enough sport.
120,000 on the clock ,still makes me grin.
Long live the KOOKALOO!!
Quote from: Earl Svorks on July 26, 2014, 08:58:26 PM
I bought my '90 1200 new in '90, I still have not seen a bike I would rather have.
The FJR was close but too much tour, not enough sport.
120,000 on the clock ,still makes me grin.
Long live the KOOKALOO!!
Inspiration dude :drinks:
I bought my 1985 in 1985, though I've touted her as the last 1984 that my dealer had, because that's what the salesman told me. Either that or my half-heimers has turned into three-quarters-heimers. I just found out last week when I checked the VIN in preparation for re-registering her. So I guess that counts me out for knowing anything much about her. :lol: But I know what you guys mean when you say she's something special, as I feel the same way. Right now her resurrection is probably saving my life.
Before I was an FJ1100 owner, I was a Yamaha XJ750MK owner which had a longer rake angle, a cruiser, and almost got shoved off the road @ 80mph on US280 near San Jose because of it. Yes, her car door actually touched my right foot, because I couldn't move over to the median fast enough, thank god for my horn and her unstartled resolve, as she slowly steered back into her lane. That was a close one. Enter my FJ with its shorter rake angle, that relatively, I couldn't keep out of a turn, or so it surely seemed. Plus all that roll-on power at my finger tips, so no automobile since has come even close to doing that again, because with her, I'm out of there, one way or another.
And all that considered, all the way up to an indicated 140mph, I've characterized her as synonymous with a NASA rocket sled, because that's how sure footed she's always seemed, as opposed to other bikes I've ridden, like she's on rails. Which brings to mind a BOC tune, but I digress.
Nope, she's mine till death do us part! :good2:
FJ Forever! :drinks:
JoBrCo
Most excellent thread! I'm subscribed here!
Original owner here of an 86. The day I bought her ($5300 if remember correctly) I was happiest dude on earth. I really felt like I owned the best bike in the world (for me it was). Then did a slow tip over at the end of my driveway :cray: my new bike! No harm done. Whew. Daily ride for over ten years, 52K miles, then parked in the garage for another ten. Thought I had a serious engine issue; one morning started it up and oil spewed from the air box OMG! Lots of lame excuses for not taking care of it; kids, job, money, maybe I was ready for break after riding daily for over twenty years. But there was no freakin way that bike was leaving me. Started having dreams of riding the bike almost every night...good dreams. Found the forum, found out I was a stupid ass, "just clean out the air box that has 10 years of crankcase breath in it stupid". Cleaned up the carbs, rebuilt brake calipers, clutch slave etc. etc etc. and varoom I was off again. But the best part was finding this group. Might not have got the inspiration to get the bike going when I did. I think about buying a new bike once in while, I'm not Jay Leno, so why? I could go on, but your getting sleepy. Good dreams FJers.
Moparman (Steve) is not an original owner...but close. :blum2:
Hello My story.
Started a new Job March 1 1985 :yes: Bought my FJ on Saturday April 13 1985 paid $5829,00 with a set of Pirelli Phantoms installed.
and the dealer installed lower fairings :lol: :lol: :lol: Rode for 5 years then a couple of kids bike sat in my garage for a few years refusing to sell. Then we sold the house bought a new house from plans and moved into apartment while the house was built, then another apartment :flag_of_truce: house still not built all this time the bike was safe at my buddy's funeral home garage next to some caskets pretty safe place. finally into our new house. had to put a new battery fresh gas and rode the bike home 60km. Poor thing sat again for a couple more years.
Now kids are grown up . My son think the FJ is going to be his soon !! he might be growing up at 19 but has a lot to learn still. :good2:
So 29 years later still have the same job, Same wife, the two kid still at home. But now the bike is on the road !!!! might not ride it a lot but when I get on it put the helmet on and ride its just me and the hwy , its so sweet I have aged but the Fj is like the day I bought her
Hemi Bob.
Mike and Bob, good posts.
Kurt
Quote from: TNFJ on July 17, 2014, 10:05:39 PM
I purchased my FJ new in 86.
How many miles? Any stand out memories of most excellent road trips? Mods? Details man details!
Quote from: simi_ed on July 11, 2014, 08:10:38 AM
I bought my FJ in August of '89. Hopefully she'll come back soon from an extended stay at the RPM spa & summer camp.
Ed
It will be very interesting to know all that is done.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on July 11, 2014, 09:33:38 AM
Bought mine new in May of '84. #000303
Holy smoke where is the "not worthy" smilie? Hey btw where did all the smilies go? Harder to post photos now also-has something changed here or is it just me?
Quote from: Pat Conlon on July 11, 2014, 09:33:38 AM
Bought mine new in May of '84. #000303
303! cradle robber..
S
:i_am_so_happy:
Quote from: Mike 86 in San Dimas on July 29, 2014, 09:20:13 PM
Moparman (Steve) is not an original owner...but close. :blum2:
to elaborate -- purchased my 86 in 87 - private sale but had 1000kms ~ 600 miles. Mucho more now and it is one of two FJ's in the stable. When it broke ( fixed now of course) in 2010 - even though I had a replacement bike already it wasn't an FJ -- and thus 3 weeks later a 90 version found its way into my garage. It took a couple of years to repair the ambulance but it is back to working order.
San Dimas Mike has refused to recognized me into the original club --- I know how Pete Rose feels..... (http://:i_am_so_happy:)
Hi Steve,
Sorry to here your can't get into the very exclusive original owners club.
But very close !! Even a fellow Mopar guy I can't help you. :yahoo:
How is it that some guy sold you his FJ after only 600 mil ? that's almost new!!
Maybe you could start a club for Purchased from the original owner that would be cool. LOL :dance:
But nothing beats the original bill of sale
I think what you have is very cool. And don't feel bad for Pete Rose with his bobbleheads selling at $99.00 each
looks like he's still making money
Hemi Bob
Uh, $180 in "PRE-DELIVERY EXPENSES?" (nice round number with no explanation?)
I don't think those Pirelli Phantom tires were really "N/C"
Quote from: Hemi Bob on July 29, 2014, 10:39:19 PM
Hello My story.
Started a new Job March 1 1985 :yes: Bought my FJ on Saturday April 13 1985 paid $5829,00 with a set of Pirelli Phantoms installed.
and the dealer installed lower fairings :lol: :lol: :lol: Rode for 5 years then a couple of kids bike sat in my garage for a few years refusing to sell. Then we sold the house bought a new house from plans and moved into apartment while the house was built, then another apartment :flag_of_truce: house still not built all this time the bike was safe at my buddy's funeral home garage next to some caskets pretty safe place. finally into our new house. had to put a new battery fresh gas and rode the bike home 60km. Poor thing sat again for a couple more years.
Now kids are grown up . My son think the FJ is going to be his soon !! he might be growing up at 19 but has a lot to learn still. :good2:
So 29 years later still have the same job, Same wife, the two kid still at home. But now the bike is on the road !!!! might not ride it a lot but when I get on it put the helmet on and ride its just me and the hwy , its so sweet I have aged but the Fj is like the day I bought her
Hemi Bob.
How old are your sons?
Bob that Fj is a PEARLER! I love the lower fairings, really suit the FJ I think, :good2:
Nice posts and great stories, I believe if I were the original owner of mine I would still own it . But I am happy shes mine now and I wont sell, and when I can no longer ride she'll go to my son... but not for a very long time. Charley/84 #487
Thanks guys,
My son started sitting on the bike at a young age hopping one day it will be his.
he's probably right it will. But I think back to when I was his age of 19 and it would have been so dangerous
having this much bike with no experience. Right now he really don't show much interest it getting a licence,
Might be "the wife" influencing that decision! :empathy3: On the other hand my 24 year old daughter loves to be the passenger :music:
and we go out as much as we can.
Do you think the dealer upped the price because they were throwing in your choice of a red and white leather suit.
or a set of Pirelli tires. I took the tires :dance2: I think I paid $300.00 for the lowers from the dealer. I cant find the bill for those.
I first set lasted until the dealer did the first oil change then cracked after they put the screws to tight.
good job for warranty.
A few years ago I saw a set on eBay so I bought them just in case!.
Hemi Bob