Just wanted to say "Hello." I'm Ben from New Jersey, USA.
I bought my first FJ at the Mainz Kastel PX in Weisbaden, (then) West Germany in March, 1989. I was stationed at Lee Barracks in Mainz, FRG at the time. In my thirty months spent in Germany, I put 24,000 or so miles on her. I went as far south as Genoa, Italy, as far East as Barcelona, Spain and as far north as Copenhagen, Denmark. I rode pretty much year round, despite having a fairly dependable 1980 BMW 320c that I bought off a local the year before.
I had ridden for three years and owned a few bikes before I enlisted (a '71 CB 350 Honda was my first bike) and initially I wanted a Harley Heritage softail. Surely the 'great' American motorcycle company would offer deals to service members stationed overseas, right? Well, the Harley dealer had no bikes at the PX. None. They wanted half the cost of the bike down and then informed me they would ship it from Milwaukee and I'd have it in 3-5 months. $6,000 and I'd have it in September? I walked over to the Yamaha dealer and there was a blue FJ in the showroom. Yamaha offered a .5 % financing charge to grunts with $700 bucks down. I had my knees in the breeze that Saturday.
I've had a few bikes since then, but this February I won an '86 on Ebay. She has 41K on her, and I've been working on various issues and riding her here and there over this summer. It's good to be back in the fold!
This is a great site and I've already learned a lot browsing your modifications forum.
Looking forward to talking with you guys!
P.S. Where do I get that terrific color-in-the-states-you've-ridden-to avatar? Way cool.
Quote from: BenInJersey on July 13, 2010, 10:23:33 PM
P.S. Where do I get that terrific color-in-the-states-you've-ridden-to avatar? Way cool.
Welcome, Ben! :good2:
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=688.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=688.0)
Randy T
Indy
Hey Ben, glad to have you aboard. Where do you live in Jersey? Perhaps we can get together for a ride soon.
Thanks, Randy!
I'm in Lyndhurst, E. Almost roadworthy enough for a longer trip. Need to get some brake pads and a few other issues worked out.
welcome to the group brother !
86's are by far the best looking year to own :good2:
Kookaloo!
Welcome .. back!
Soon after roadworthy comes modifications! :yahoo:
Chris
Quote from: BenInJersey on July 13, 2010, 10:45:03 PM
Thanks, Randy!
I'm in Lyndhurst, E. Almost roadworthy enough for a longer trip. Need to get some brake pads and a few other issues worked out.
Let me know when you're up and running. I'll make a run up the parkway/turnpike and we can perhaps head up into southern New York.
Cheers,
Dennis
Quote from: racerman_27410 on July 13, 2010, 11:05:29 PM
welcome to the group brother !
86's are by far the best looking year to own :good2:
Kookaloo!
Maybe if you repaint 'em... :bomb:
Randy T
Indy
Paint them any color you want, as long as it's red & white. Three years of red & white can't be all wrong.
Red & silver are pretty, the black ones are nice. Then they went a little gay towards the end, pinks & teals
Bob
Quote from: weymouth399 on July 14, 2010, 09:27:01 PM
Paint them any color you want, as long as it's red & white. Three years of red & white can't be all wrong.
Red & silver are pretty, the black ones are nice. Then they went a little gay towards the end, pinks & teals
Bob
FFS the late models ain't ALL pink or teal.... and if you think this is gay you have quite a lot to learn. With a tad over 108,000, no one has ever told me my bike looks gay..... JMO and if they did I'd flip em off..
(http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_0801.jpg)
So there.....
Eric M
Eric,
I think Bob musta heard about Henry's pink windshield or something. :mocking:
Randy T
Indy
Eric M
I'm not attacking you, just posting my opinion of color schemes.
I'm not saying it's not a good looking FJ, there all good looking. I'm saying that (Yamaha) went a little over board with the fad colors of the time. And not the only company to do so either. Your bike looks great with some of the mods you have done, and it's cool you actually ride it.
I have a 91 too as a mod project but it won't have a pink strip on it when I ride it, I'm sure of that. Again my opinion
Bob
Hey ERIC!
(http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_0801.jpg)
Yer bike looks GAY!!
Ah Kman, I thought you might respond so.........
(http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/middle_finger_flame1.jpg)
ah haaaaaaaaa
Eric M