Try this one.
So, in the planning stage of a trip to England this summer. New passport arrived ahead of time. Shocker.
Scored cheap flight, nice. Turn to think about mobility. Renting a bike seems very expensive to the tune of 200 bucks a day. On the phone last Saturday to Mum, talking about forthcoming trip. Step Dad in the background fiddling about with his computer. All of a sudden he pipes up, there's an Fj for sale in town. Of course, I think he's been on the Sherry, but no, there is a 92 up for grabs in my home town.
Then follows a flurry of emails across the pond and as if by magic, I now own another Fj. I feel very blessed owning the first model run and the last model run on different continents. It has a kind of neatness about it.
Anyway, it was a bit of a leap of faith buying essentially blind on the web. Well, nearly blind. Obviously my 73 year old Mum isn't going to take it round the block. So, not much other option than to revert to the age old Fj buying guide of 'if it runs right, it is right.'
Stay tuned for more as the Isle of Man TT puzzles pieces fall into place.
Oh man, seeing an FJ lap the TT would be sweet. Try to talk the helicopter into getting some good shots out in the countryside...
Quote from: andyoutandabout on March 05, 2018, 06:39:39 PM
Try this one.
So, in the planning stage of a trip to England this summer. New passport arrived ahead of time. Shocker.
Scored cheap flight, nice. Turn to think about mobility. Renting a bike seems very expensive to the tune of 200 bucks a day. On the phone last Saturday to Mum, talking about forthcoming trip. Step Dad in the background fiddling about with his computer. All of a sudden he pipes up, there's an Fj for sale in town. Of course, I think he's been on the Sherry, but no, there is a 92 up for grabs in my home town.
Then follows a flurry of emails across the pond and as if by magic, I now own another Fj. I feel very blessed owning the first model run and the last model run on different continents. It has a kind of neatness about it.
Anyway, it was a bit of a leap of faith buying essentially blind on the web. Well, nearly blind. Obviously my 73 year old Mum isn't going to take it round the block. So, not much other option than to revert to the age old Fj buying guide of 'if it runs right, it is right.'
Stay tuned for more as the Isle of Man TT puzzles pieces fall into place.
... and with that an excellent story began!
Congratulations Andy! Now who's going to get all the RPM stuff on it and give it a good shakedown before you show up? I have a good buddy in Birmingham that would probably help and is a very mechanically inclined rider. Let me know if you want the connection.
Frank
Frank, appreciate the wrenching offer, but I've largely got it covered by allowing two weeks to tinker before riding forth. One thing a do notice from the photographs is a missing left hand side engine bar, so if you know where an odd one of those is, I'm in the market.
Andy
Quote from: andyoutandabout on March 07, 2018, 02:23:51 PM
One thing a do notice from the photographs is a missing left hand side engine bar, so if you know where an odd one of those is, I'm in the market.
Andy
Andy, email me your specifics on where you'll be in the homeland.
Renntec is a UK based company. I might be able to pull a string and see if I can get you just the one side.
Let me know, Randy
Quote from: andyoutandabout on March 05, 2018, 06:39:39 PM
Stay tuned for more as the Isle of Man TT puzzles pieces fall into place.
Yes please. More more more. Was there in 1990 and wish I was back there a dozen times since. Nothing like it anywhere in the world. :good:
Quote from: ZOA NOM on March 05, 2018, 07:21:13 PM
Oh man, seeing an FJ lap the TT would be sweet.
For a very brief time Yamaha did. As I recall the riders called it "a big lump". Must have been exhausting muscling it around all those practice laps then 5 race laps at 37mi each.
https://goo.gl/images/rQPRmE (https://goo.gl/images/rQPRmE) The only evidence I can find on google to prove it. :scratch_one-s_head:
Congrats on your purchase. Only three more continents to go and you'll have a royal flush. :drinks:
Here's an attempt at a few pictures. I know how we love our pictures. These were from the original advertisement, so they are not my work. I don't think they are super flattering, but you get the idea that it is in one piece and in need of a bit of TLC. I think it's a 3wx, so if that model owner has any nuggets of wisdom to pass on, then I'm ready to receive.
Photo
Ok I realize the photos were repeated. I blame this weird IPad Air thing that makes websites behave oddly. Well that's my excuse
I'm not so keen on the mirrors or screen, which is kinda fugly. I wonder how functional it is? It really is more tourer than tx1, which is sort of what I was looking for perhaps. Nice color though.
Andy,
The mirrors appear to be Emgo universal fit mirrors. I agree on the ugly, I have a pair of them stuck in a parts drawer in my shop. I have no idea why I kept them, other than me being a recovering pack rat. Put on a pair of Honda CBR 250, 600, or VFR 800 mirrors. They look much better and are long enough to actually be usable. They take a little modification of the holes in the mount to bolt to the FJ mounts. As far as the windscreen, it seems that the riders that have the finned screens love them. I find the 3XW more comfortable than the 3CV, I like the greater protection from the wider fairing. I'm sure it would be a very noticeable difference for someone familiar with the 1TX.
The FJowners club UK sell those mirrors through their site. I agree with you..... Butt Ugly....
Nice Krauser bag set up.
I have a set of Emgo Suzuki Bandit mirrors on mine. they work very well and look much better than the ones you have pictured.
Fred
Thanks for the mirror suggestions gentlemen.
Did those emgo bandit ones bolt straight on Fred?
I'm a fan of the oem Honda CBR mirrors. Superior glass = superior optics = superior mirror.
Emgo's are shit.
Quote from: andyoutandabout on March 08, 2018, 12:06:57 AM
Thanks for the mirror suggestions gentlemen.
Did those emgo bandit ones bolt straight on Fred?
The mirrors were on the bike when I purchased it. I do believe the bolt holes need to be slotted a bit like the Honda CBR mirrors.
Fred
Quote from: Pat Conlon on March 08, 2018, 12:45:56 AM
I'm a fan of the oem Honda CBR mirrors. Superior glass = superior optics = superior mirror.
Emgo's are shit.
If I recall Pat you had some very nice Italian mirrors on that 84 of yours.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on March 08, 2018, 12:45:56 AM
I'm a fan of the oem Honda CBR mirrors. Superior glass = superior optics = superior mirror.
= same reflection.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5451/31001845190_525faa0970_c.jpg)
Pat, I have oem Honda, oem BMW, oem Yamaha and
genuine Emgo mirrors. Sure, if you focus on the glass you can see the difference in quality but I defy anyone to pick the difference looking at the image riding down the road.
I paid $26 for mine with intention of buying a decent set (oem Honda) if I liked them and binning the Emgos. I never felt the need to upgrade them.
The image is distortion free, the colour good, they don't vibrate, the ball joints have never loosened (and they're always getting knocked in the garage or when parked) I like the narrow profile of the stalks and they have by now done a huge mileage.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2843/33813225780_d927d6297b_c.jpg)
After years of clipping things with them I recently gave them a wet rub, a bit of spray putty and some bumper coat and they look brand new again.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4316/36071150712_f4612714cd_c.jpg)
I never compromise anything on the bike because of cost. If I thought $250 mirrors were better, I'd have them in a flash.
IMO
Noel
Quote from: andyoutandabout on March 07, 2018, 09:00:15 PM
.... I think it's a 3wx, so if that model owner has any nuggets of wisdom to pass on, then I'm ready to receive.
I'd just go with mirrors as already discussed, do the engine mounts for sure and good tyres. As you know, there's about a 100% chance you'll be riding it in the wet. If you're average height, those screens do offer great weather protection, if a little noisy. The 3XW's are turbine smooth.
Other than those couple of things I would just check everything over.
Sounds like a great adventure. I don't know whether you have bought it just for this trip or intend to park it up for future trips, but either way it won't get much use, I would spend as little as possible and just make it safe and reliable. We tend to forget in this mad mod world of the forum that a bog standard FJ (with better mirrors) is still a very capable and enjoyable bike. What a bonus already having luggage.
Have fun.
Noel
Congratulation Andy! Looks like you bought yourself a great adventure.
Although I've been known to do "lightly modify" my FJs, I tend to agree with Noel on this one. Make sure it operates safely and spend your time riding it, not modifying it.
Judging by the colour, it looks like a later model than 92, more like Fred's 95.
Enjoy the trip and ride safe.
Derek
Quote from: andyoutandabout on March 07, 2018, 09:00:15 PM
I think it's a 3wx, so if that model owner has any nuggets of wisdom to pass on, then I'm ready to receive.
I have a 92ABS. The only thing I can suggest is making sure the battery is ok, or is charging properly. If the voltage is too low the warning light will flash indicating it's not functioning (i.e. normal brakes). If you need to bleed them it's R-Front/L-Front/Rear in that order.
I see it has fork gaiters. I guess just make sure they have proper venting or water can build up inside them. It's great that you will have time to give it a thorough inspection.
Quote from: andyoutandabout on March 07, 2018, 09:17:03 PM
I'm not so keen on the mirrors or screen, which is kinda fugly. I wonder how functional it is? It really is more tourer than tx1, which is sort of what I was looking for perhaps. Nice color though.
Yes, the finned windscreen is something that takes a minute...or 6 months to get used too. I have 3 windscreens. An OEM US spec, a MRA Black touring and the OEM finned wind screen. I am 5'7" tall. Being taller than 6', you may find wind noise, wind protection, helmet buffeting effects you differently. The finned shield is a good compromise. Decent wind protection, yet enough airflow to keep cool on hot days. I experience no helmet buffeting with all 3 of my wind screens. The first 2 photos are the MRA wind screen and the last one is the OEM US spec wind screen.
Fred
Come peeps, you know me, so you're right, spend minimum money, ride maximum miles, is the plan with my latest acquisition. I'm just looking at the sellers photos and thinking out loud about the bikes general appearance. Hopefully it won't need much of a tickle. Consumables state is largely unknown, tires look ok though. Biggest concern might be the condition of the rear shock maybe, but I've not heard it running, so I guess I'll have to wait until I land in Blighty.
Anyway, much thanks for mirror input. Those emgos will suffice. That's what's on my 86 and they've been fit enough for purpose.
Just to illustrate my low rent philosophy, I'm thinking about pulling the fork brace off my 86 and taking that with me for the summer.