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General Category => Introductions => Topic started by: Waiex191 on May 15, 2020, 11:26:23 AM

Title: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on May 15, 2020, 11:26:23 AM
Hi all,
Bike has been dormant for about 16 years, but I'm working on getting it going again.  I'll start a project thread.
Bryan
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: TexasDave on May 15, 2020, 12:16:26 PM
Welcome Bryan. Looking forward to your project thread.

Dave
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Millietant on May 15, 2020, 07:16:46 PM
Hey Bryan, welcome to the group.

Looking forward to the interesting tales of your "re-commissioning"  :good:
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on May 15, 2020, 09:57:19 PM
Thanks guys!  I'm going to try and post a picture here.  I had started writing up my thread but can't figure out how to do inline pics on this forum.  
(http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19342.0;attach=15133)
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: racerrad8 on May 15, 2020, 10:28:19 PM
Quote from: Waiex191 on May 15, 2020, 09:57:19 PM
but can't figure out how to do inline pics on this forum.  

You use a photo host such as https://postimages.org/ or Flickr or several other options.

Just stay away from photobucket.

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on May 15, 2020, 10:54:03 PM
Thanks Randy!  I was burned pretty badly by photobucket, like many others.  I'll never go there again.

I also lost a lot of pics on postimage.  That was probably my own fault.  I never created an account, and the pictures expired.

It seems I can post small pics as attachments.  The only issue is when you upload them you don't have the address until you post.  So I did start my thread.  I posted, then edited the pictures to go inline.  It's here.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=19343.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=19343.0)
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: fj1289 on May 16, 2020, 09:18:32 AM
Welcome!

Waiex wouldn't be a reference to one of these would it?

(http://[url=http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/171_16_05_20_8_16_39.jpeg%5Dhttp://fjowners.com/gallery/11/171_16_05_20_8_16_39.jpeg%5B/url%5D)

Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on May 16, 2020, 10:22:50 AM
Waiex S/N 191 is my "main" project.
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on May 16, 2020, 10:38:39 AM
Here is a short video of my workspace.  My younger kid was sewing up a new skirt for his UH6F Hovercraft.  My older kid was in the middle of replacing wheel bearings and control arms on his (actually my) 1999 Saturn.  The Saturn is the only car I've ever bought new.  You will also see the FJ tucked back in the corner, untouched at this point in the video.
https://youtu.be/vTVEcLWx8yk
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: fj1289 on May 16, 2020, 12:14:35 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on May 16, 2020, 09:18:32 AM
Welcome!

Waiex wouldn't be a reference to one of these would it?

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/171_16_05_20_8_16_39.jpeg)



Had to fix my original picture posting


Awesome!  You'll find we have many members working/worked in the aviation industry and many aviation enthusiasts too
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on May 16, 2020, 12:17:05 PM
Very close!  That's a B model.  My kid and I are building a classic A model.  Sort of like an FJ1100/1200 vs one of those newfangled FJR1300s.

I worked for Sikorsky for 23 years, and Collins after.  I worked in our aircraft power generation business for about 7 years, and since last December I'm working in the Space and Defense business.
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: fj1289 on May 16, 2020, 12:26:26 PM
Where you at the Sikorsky facility in Connecticut in 2015 or 2016 timeframe?
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on May 16, 2020, 01:10:41 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on May 16, 2020, 12:26:26 PM
Where you at the Sikorsky facility in Connecticut in 2015 or 2016 timeframe?

Nope.  Security guard summer of '85, coop summers of 86-88, Stratford 89-05, Schweizer from 05 until they closed the facility at the end of 2012.  I did the FBW on the X2.
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Millietant on May 16, 2020, 05:03:41 PM
I got burned by the way Sikorsky/Schweizer ran the parts supply after I bought my S300 CBi at the start of 2012.

It was on the ground for 4 months in 2015 and 3 months in 2016 waiting for parts (and not major ones at that). Many times I'd wished I'd gone for the cheap option aircraft with a R22, or even waited and gone for the expensive option of a Cabri G2   :Facepalm:

My family in the US run an Aerospace supply business in CT and supply various Lockheed Martin businesses and they said they weren't surprised I was having trouble with parts in the U.K. At that time.

The FJ seems to be the opposite of a helicopter....easy to work on yourself, great performance, cheap to buy, cheap to run and just great value for money  :good:
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on May 16, 2020, 05:27:47 PM
What Sikorsky did to Schweizer was horrible.  One of the reasons I changed divisions.  I understand your pain.

I have a little S300 time.  I earned my rating in an F28A.
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on January 19, 2021, 11:21:34 PM
My FJ is collecting dust whilst the ground collects snow.  But, I did make some progress with my main project.  First power on!
https://youtu.be/KzIueGbBEJ8
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: fj1289 on January 20, 2021, 12:04:48 AM
Quote from: Waiex191 on January 19, 2021, 11:21:34 PM
My FJ is collecting dust whilst the ground collects snow.  But, I did make some progress with my main project.  First power on!
https://youtu.be/KzIueGbBEJ8

Awesome!  That's a huge milestone!   :good2: :drinks:
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on July 25, 2022, 10:44:10 PM
My FJ has been neglected. Still having idle jet issues. But, Waiex 191 is now an airplane!
https://youtu.be/HqVvFJHf5q0
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Old Rider on July 26, 2022, 01:39:09 AM
Quote from: Waiex191 on July 25, 2022, 10:44:10 PM
My FJ has been neglected. Still having idle jet issues. But, Waiex 191 is now an airplane!
https://youtu.be/HqVvFJHf5q0

WoW qongratulations and respect from me!  What a great feeling that must have been.Both fear and joy at the same time This is a proof that your balls and nerves are made of the same material as the the airframe.
Nice touch down too  :hi:
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: fj1289 on July 26, 2022, 08:19:04 AM
Congrats!  Well earned victory!

Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Old Rider on July 29, 2022, 07:09:47 AM
Im not an expert on landingear but when looking at the left wheel on touch down it did some wobbling .Are the gear constructed to handle that or is it something to look closer at?
Title: Re: Rebirth of my 1989 FJ1200 in Poplar Grove, Illinois
Post by: Waiex191 on July 29, 2022, 08:42:51 AM
Quote from: Old Rider on July 29, 2022, 07:09:47 AM
Im not an expert on landingear but when looking at the left wheel on touch down it did some wobbling .Are the gear constructed to handle that or is it something to look closer at?
The gear is aligned when there is weight on it, and I wonder if the gentle landing is not the best for shimmy. I only have one landing so far and will try some carrier landings to see if that is better.  The gear is 1.125" titanium rod, so it is pretty strong.  Others have added some wood behind the gear for damping.  It's a work in progress, and I am working through the squawks in priority order.