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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: big r on July 12, 2014, 09:08:54 PM

Title: Heavy Heart
Post by: big r on July 12, 2014, 09:08:54 PM
It is with a heavy heart I write this. Tried to go for a ride today and could not make 30 miles. Was in severe pain in the knees. So, that being said I am putting my beloved FJ up for sale. She has fairly new tires(3000klms),all new stainless brake lines,RPM oil filter adapter,newer chain and sprockets, and a box of small parts. Oh almost forgot, a real nice set of new to me mufflers thanks to Derek Young. Also a set of soft luggage, saddle bags and top bag and a tank bag. Keeping my leathers and helmet just in case I can find something I can ride again. Asking $2500. Also the chin fairing has been rebuilt and looks like brand new. Ray(Big R)
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: rktmanfj on July 12, 2014, 09:21:32 PM
Buell pegs and a Corbin seat would give you a couple of extra inches of room...   :pardon:

Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: aviationfred on July 12, 2014, 09:27:47 PM
Sorry to hear that the knees are not taking to kindly to your FJ.

As Randy stated in the previous post, lowered foot begs do wonders. I have some on mine and they do work at creating less knee bend while riding. Mine are not the Buell pegs. Here is a sample of the Buell pegs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Knight-Design-2-Lower-Front-Foot-Pegs-Buell-XB-models-Black-Quadtrax-Traction-/201056614466?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ecfe87842&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Knight-Design-2-Lower-Front-Foot-Pegs-Buell-XB-models-Black-Quadtrax-Traction-/201056614466?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ecfe87842&vxp=mtr)

Here is a photo of me riding. The pegs are 1.5" lower and 1" forward. Also the handle bars are raised 3/4".

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/aviationfred/916199cd-0524-4839-a8ac-68a3d0731d5f_zps78da975e.jpg) (http://s119.photobucket.com/user/aviationfred/media/916199cd-0524-4839-a8ac-68a3d0731d5f_zps78da975e.jpg.html)

Fred
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: big r on July 12, 2014, 11:18:40 PM
I have some lower pegs on it and some bar risers and added 2 ins to the seat. The problem is that I need to get my feet a little out in front of me. I tried some hiway pegs mounted at different spots on the engine bars. I really don't want to sell her but I just can't get comfortable to go any distance and that really sucks. I will keep in touch with all folks, I really like the way things are done here. Thanks for all the help over the last few years. Big R
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: TexasDave on July 12, 2014, 11:59:54 PM
I guess its time to buy aaaaaah HARLEY !!   :bad:  Dave
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: big r on July 13, 2014, 12:04:38 AM
Nope, no haahaahaaharley for this boy. Looking at maybe a brit. bike or maybe a Moto Guzzi. Harley parts are to pricey and besides the local dealer is an #$%^hole.
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: TexasDave on July 13, 2014, 12:17:26 AM
Quote from: big r on July 13, 2014, 12:04:38 AM
Nope, no haahaahaaharley for this boy. Looking at maybe a brit. bike or maybe a Moto Guzzi. Harley parts are to pricey and besides the local dealer is an #$%^hole.
Always wanted an older Guzzi. Had a friend ask me if he should buy one from a buddy for 3000 last week. I told him if he won't I will because it will always be worth that amount. He already has a FJR, VMax and a Norton.  Dave
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: Derek Young on July 13, 2014, 08:42:30 AM
Sorry to hear it Ray! I hope your riding days aren't over! Keep looking until you find a good fit. Have you sat on any adventure style bikes? They are a pretty upright seating position and quite tall, a good fit for a tall rider.

Derek
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: big r on July 13, 2014, 09:23:44 AM
 did try a KTM and it wasn't to bad. I really don't want to have to give up riding. I have a line on a Guzzi 850T but the owner is not quite sure if he wants to sell yet. I am a cheap sob I don't want to give ICBC any more ins. money than I have to. So, for me older bikes are what I am looking at. Big R
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: Earl Svorks on July 26, 2014, 08:45:08 PM
 I don't think I have seen an FJ based custom,, ever. Foreward controls, ape hangars,, hey
maybe it's time someone had a go at it!  I saw a  750 Ducati  chopper at Sturgis back in '76.
Anything's possible I 'spose.
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: big r on August 10, 2014, 01:35:16 PM
Well, I can't do it. Went for a ride today with the lower pegs and wasn't to bad. The bike is off the market and I am going to do some more mods to make it even better. Couldn't live without the kookaloo. Was just awesome. Still looking for another bike for long distance touring, but the FJ is staying where she is for shorter rides and such. Like I said just can't part with her. Big R KOOKALOO
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: yamaha fj rider on August 10, 2014, 01:49:46 PM
Quote from: big r on August 10, 2014, 01:35:16 PM
Well, I can't do it. Went for a ride today with the lower pegs and wasn't to bad. The bike is off the market and I am going to do some more mods to make it even better. Couldn't live without the kookaloo. Was just awesome. Still looking for another bike for long distance touring, but the FJ is staying where she is for shorter rides and such. Like I said just can't part with her. Big R KOOKALOO
Good to hear that you have not thrown in the towel just yet. Keep working the problem. Best wishes.

Kurt
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: anson45 on August 10, 2014, 06:49:32 PM
Ray,
I don't know what you do for exercise, but two things. One, get a bicycle, start with 5 minutes and work up slowly. Two, then stretch more.  In 2011 I had arthroscopic knee surgery on my right knee for an old sports injury. It was torn in two places with a piece folded over. I came home free of pain and stayed that way until I started riding my FJ in the spring. As long as I do a few minutes, literally a few, every other day or so my knee is fine. If you need to see a Doc, do it.
Good luck,
Anson
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: motohorseman on August 11, 2014, 05:28:17 AM
Quote from: big r on July 13, 2014, 12:04:38 AM
....... Harley parts are to pricey and besides the local dealer is an #$%^hole.

That must be a requirement to become a dealer.....

Guzzi's have character but that also comes at a price (quirks).

Triumph, I'd still like a Rocket III despite all the bad press.

My knee's suck as well. I've found over the years that if I can keep my weight under 236 pounds, they hurt far far less. I'm trying to get down to 225ish but that's hard when you're in your 50's, I'm sure others can relate.

I go a little pissed at another rider who was waiting to get knee replacements - I asked him if his doctor suggested he try losing weight, I got the look of death. The dude was way fatter than I am,
"obese" would apply, why fix the knee's when they were not the cause? I don't get it - wait, Cha-Ching! It's all about the money.... Doh!

Anyway, good luck to you. I know what I need to do - keep my weight in check - and honestly, I'm not doing that well at it -243.5 on the scale a moment ago, I had been under 240 for several months.....

Oh well,
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: Derek Young on August 11, 2014, 08:33:38 AM
Good decision Ray! If you really love the FJ, do what you can to make it work.

Derek
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: novaraptor on August 13, 2014, 02:33:54 PM
trike mod with extended hiway pegs are on my "as I get older" list.
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: mz_rider on August 13, 2014, 06:13:35 PM
Too bad Big R - old age doesn't come itself! If I had trouble riding a bike I think I'd try a large capacity scooter. My cousin loves his scooters (he's fit enough, he just likes them) He had a Yamaha TMax 500 and then a Gilera GP800 (the world's fastest scooter) which, with 75 bhp, has reasonable performance. You get a feet forward riding position with a big comfy seat and plenty of weather protection.   
Title: Re: Heavy Heart
Post by: big r on August 15, 2014, 10:47:05 PM
My knees are shot. I wrecked my right knee way back in 73 skiing. Also was into cross country m/c racing as well as racquetball and other stuff. Had my knees scoped 2 yrs. ago and that lasted about a year. The last xrays they took showed that all the cartilidge was pretty much gone. So I just have grin and bear it until I retire. Don't think that is going to stop me from riding though. Big R