The first FJ I saw was in the fall of 1984 in Redlands Ca. I had just got my first bike, a Honda Nighthawk 450. I was an 18 year old college student. I had just totalled my truck a few weeks earlier and took what little cash I could get together to get an inexpensive new motorcycle for transportation. I was stopped in traffic and in front of me was quite possibly the most awesome looking bike I had ever seen. It was a brand spanking new FJ1100. What really caught my attention was the rear tire looked so fat compared the the skinny little tires on my bike. Yamaha's were always just a little bit out of my price range it seems, whenever I went bike shopping. I always had to settle for something else.
The next summer I was looking at an RZ350 but decided to get a V4 Sabre instead. Hated that bike from the moment I got it out the door. A few years later I was in the Marines and had just came back from 2 years in Japan. Moved into a house with 3 other Marines who all had bikes. An 883 Sportster, a 600 Ninja and a 600 CBR Hurricane. I bought a Ninja 600... what the hell was I thinking. lol It was a great bike, but the Yamaha's were still out of my price range. Many years later I figure I was no longer a crotch rocket kinda guy so I started into cruisers. Had an 81 sportster, a Vulcan 1500, a Softail Heritage and most recently a Harley Road Glide Ultra. I sold that one a few months ago.
So I was skimming through craigslist and what should catch my eye? A 1984 FJ1100, that looked to be in very good condition. And I can finally afford it lol. Even if it is 36 years old.
I am looking forward to putting some miles on it soon. This looks like the ultimate source for information too. So glad I found this.
Welcome, happy to have you. Find an FJ rally near you and meet some of the other FJ loving lunatics.
Welcome to the forum. Congrats on what sounds like your first Yamaha and a first year FJ1100, what a great choice. I suggest you post some pics.
There are also some Marines here as well. I seem to remember a guy named Fred, who may have been in the Corps.
Kurt
Welcome Lou :hi:
Yep, there is something special about those lovely '84's....
Cheers
Quote from: Pat Conlon on March 08, 2021, 02:53:19 PM
Welcome Lou :hi:
Yep, there is something special about those lovely '84's....
Cheers
Welcome to the Forum :hi:
Semper Fi
I was stationed at MCAS Tustin for school Feb.-July of 86. I bought a brand new 1986 Honda Interceptor 500 while I was there.
Father Pat, could you have been in Redlands in the fall of 86 and be guilty of this 35 year story?
Quote from: aviationfred on March 08, 2021, 04:26:17 PM
....Father Pat, could you have been in Redlands in the fall of 86 and be guilty of this 35 year story?
Fred, I was thinking about that...it's possible, I rode my '84 up from Palm Desert to an electrical engineer's office on Redland's Blvd back then....Redlands is a beautiful little town, full of citrus groves, reminded me of Covina, my home town. They had these beautiful groups palm trees along the freeway.....
Quote from: Pat Conlon on March 08, 2021, 02:53:19 PM
Welcome Lou :hi:
Yep, there is something special about those lovely '84's....
Cheers
You know Pat. I always thought the 86 was THE color combo. But I have the 84 sitting on the side of the shop. Where I come in every day. And I'm like. Man that's a good looking bike.
I agree, those 86s have it on the color scheme. Hands down.
***Update***
Well the deal on the 84 fell through so I got an 86 FJ1200. 42K on the speedo. Smoked Glass windscreen and corbin seat. (I have the original windscreen and the original seat, both in almost perfect condition)
Cool.
Ted
Very nice looking 86 :good: :good2:
Fred
That looks great! Congrats!
Welcome and congrats with a nice exemplar personally i like the original saddle best . what did you pay for it?
Very nice! :drinks:
I've always liked the Kerker White Tip Exhaust for the FJ - they did an exceptional job matching the bend of the mid pipe to the side plate/foot peg bracket - looks like it belongs there vice being an add-on
Quote from: fj1289 on March 28, 2021, 04:24:56 PM
Very nice! :drinks:
I've always liked the Kerker White Tip Exhaust for the FJ - they did an exceptional job matching the bend of the mid pipe to the side plate/foot peg bracket - looks like it belongs there vice being an add-on
You really have to wonder why so many "exhaust companies" sell pipes with specific model designations and then don't make the mid-pipe to fit the lines of the bike properly. I love my Remus exhaust, but would love it more if the mid-pipe followed the lines of the footrest plate properly like the Kerker does :Facepalm:
Quote from: Old Rider on March 28, 2021, 02:28:14 PM
Welcome and congrats with a nice exemplar personally i like the original saddle best . what did you pay for it?
Probably too much. lol Asking price was $3500. I probably could have got it for less but there was another buyer who offered less. So I paid full price. I am happy with it so far though and it rides so nice.