Hey all. Just purchased a mint '85 FJ1100. 32K miles on it, but in great shape. The bike used to be a regular at Laconia, apparently, and looks to be well cared-for. I'll post pics Friday once I get a chance to look her over.
Apparently all the hydraulics were recently flushed/filled/bled, and the oil was changed. They don't think the valves have ever been adjusted, but it sounds tight. Sadly, I bought it on a rainy day, so I only got a brief, gentle ride, but everything seems in order. The rear suspension seems a bit soft, though- is this normal?
Other than that, I'm stoked! Came with the OE service manual, and they're looking for the owner's manual, and the dude is dropping it off tonight.
Any FJ-nuts in my area? I'm in Clinton Corners NY, right off the Taconic- I'd love to meet some folks! Hope to see you all soon! Mark W.
Cool, another red and White in the club, you are gonna love it here. We will help you keep the Kookaloo in the red zone.
Thanks! Just took the bike out for a quick run up and down the street- wooh! Nice bike! I'm in love :)
That said, on warm-up it was popping a bit- is that normal? Bad gas? No clue when the tank was last filled, so that's my hope- it went away after my "Italian tune-up," but I'll see if it does it again next time it's cold- Mark W.
Quote from: thaduke2003 on March 28, 2012, 09:34:30 PM
Thanks! Just took the bike out for a quick run up and down the street- wooh! Nice bike! I'm in love :)
That said, on warm-up it was popping a bit- is that normal? Bad gas? No clue when the tank was last filled, so that's my hope- it went away after my "Italian tune-up," but I'll see if it does it again next time it's cold- Mark W.
The FJ motor likes to be quite warm before giving it the spurs...Make sure she is warmed up for a few min on choke and a few more off choke after some miles on the road..... The air cooled engine likes to be warm for proper Kookaloo.....
That's what I figured- yeah, I grew up riding older air cooled Zukes (GT550, GS550), and am used to long warm-ups. I will say, this one felt good with only a couple minutes of warm-up.
Also, the fuel gauge doesn't work :-\ Never had one before, and don't too much care, but grr! :) Mark W.
welcome to the group!
I would have to say the best money ever spent on an FJ is upgrading the suspension!
a nice set of cartridge forks up front (or a set of cartridge inserts) and a penske sport shock on the back will bring the bike to life
and make your ride so much more enjoyable!
KOokaloo!
Sounds good, man. Where can I find those? Mark W.
Quote from: thaduke2003 on March 28, 2012, 09:45:25 PM
That's what I figured- yeah, I grew up riding older air cooled Zukes (GT550, GS550), and am used to long warm-ups. I will say, this one felt good with only a couple minutes of warm-up.
Also, the fuel gauge doesn't work :-\ Never had one before, and don't too much care, but grr! :) Mark W.
Fuel gauges are for wimps, my gauge works some of the time, I have always used miles to determine fill up points. Keep your fuel in mind at all times....
But I tend to out do others and show off getting 50mpg when others are getting much less and still keeping up with the big dogs.... Moparman can confirm my claim....
True. I've always gone by that shiny thing under my face- when my male bits start to ache, check the fuel tank :) Or when I'm passing "last fuel for xxx miles" :)
Are there any other simple bolt-on type mods I can do? I'm an auto tech, so I'm pretty handy, but I'm still learning on bikes- Mark W.
Quote from: thaduke2003 on March 28, 2012, 09:53:57 PM
Sounds good, man. Where can I find those? Mark W.
give these guys a call..... they have some good experience with getting our FJs setup properly.
http://www.traxxion.com/sporttouringsuspension.aspx (http://www.traxxion.com/sporttouringsuspension.aspx)
KOokaloo!
Quote from: thaduke2003 on March 28, 2012, 09:53:57 PM
Sounds good, man. Where can I find those? Mark W.
Here is a new option for the front forks;
RPM Fork Valve (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMForkValve).
You can read about them here; http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6114.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6114.0)
There is also a rear shock being designed and built with the same technology and I hope to get to started testing in a couple more weeks.
Randy - RPM
Welcome aboard, Mark. Bet you'll be hearing from the NE FJ Rally guys about their shin dig in Maine.
GT
That's a bit of a ride for me this year, but maybe next year!
Also, discovered an interesting "feature"- the start switch sticks down, and kills the headlight- did NOT know that before I headed home from work tonight- holy crap my pants, Batman! Exciting stuff, these FJ's! :) Mark W.
Quote from: thaduke2003 on March 29, 2012, 07:57:18 PM
That's a bit of a ride for me this year, but maybe next year!
Also, discovered an interesting "feature"- the start switch sticks down, and kills the headlight- did NOT know that before I headed home from work tonight- holy crap my pants, Batman! Exciting stuff, these FJ's! :) Mark W.
It's not that far :shok: There are people coming from farther away than that, that will be going that way,ish. Just over 300ish mi maybe( to lazy to route it) It will be FJ bliss.
Bob W
True, but I like to learn about the bike, and prove it over shorter trips first. Since I just got it yesterday, and it's already pulling pranks on me, I have a ways to go yet before I trust it out of state, let alone across 3-4! :) Mark W.
Quote from: thaduke2003 on March 29, 2012, 07:57:18 PM
That's a bit of a ride for me this year, but maybe next year!
Also, discovered an interesting "feature"- the start switch sticks down, and kills the headlight- did NOT know that before I headed home from work tonight- holy crap my pants, Batman! Exciting stuff, these FJ's! :) Mark W.
That's a known bug and is easily fixed.... Best way is to disassemble the pod and clean the old, dried up grease and re-grease with white lithium. Some lazier types have just sprayed contact cleaner in the general area and hoped for the best....
Welcome, you're going to love your new ride!
Welcome, as a newer member of this board but a long time fj owner might I suggest reading through the files section and the running problem section it will enlighten you to the specific issues these bikes have. More importantly how to troubleshoot and correct. I am from Mahopac and my grandparents lived in Red Hook but live here in Texas now so I am familiar with your neck of the woods and miss it. The last time I was on the Tachonic I was on my fj 600 that I rode from Houston to Mahopac, in 2 days, so on a big fj it would be a short jaunt from you to Maine :good:
Quote from: FJmonkey on March 28, 2012, 09:54:29 PM
Quote from: thaduke2003 on March 28, 2012, 09:45:25 PM
That's what I figured- yeah, I grew up riding older air cooled Zukes (GT550, GS550), and am used to long warm-ups. I will say, this one felt good with only a couple minutes of warm-up.
Also, the fuel gauge doesn't work :-\ Never had one before, and don't too much care, but grr! :) Mark W.
Fuel gauges are for wimps, my gauge works some of the time, I have always used miles to determine fill up points. Keep your fuel in mind at all times....
But I tend to out do others and show off getting 50mpg when others are getting much less and still keeping up with the big dogs.... Moparman can confirm my claim....
Claim confirmed.... FJmonkey could show up with a half a tank and still out do the rest of us. I personally like everything to work so whether you use it or not ..its nice to have everything working.