After spending the last couple of months looking for a streetbike to augment my dual-sport I settled on a clean one-owner 1987 FJ1200 with the help from some of the members of this distinguished forum.
I just booked my ticket to Santa Ana, the airport formally known as John Wayne International. I fly in the day after tomorrow. I'll inspect the bike with the help of Paul from Streetdreams Streetbikes, buy it $$$ if it looks good :mail1: and take it to Paul's shop to have the carbs cleaned. :yahoo:
My plan is to spend the weekend with my daughter :good2: in Orange County and then when the bike is ready, hopefully Monday, ride it up to Ventura to visit my other daughter, :i_am_so_happy: granddaughter and some good friends. :drinks:
I'll take off Friday and head north.
Assuming the weather looks tolerable I'll head up the 395 and spend the night in Bishop. Saturday I'll ride until my butt goes numb or until I start gettin' a little fuzzy and stop again, hopefully, fairly close to Oregon. Sunday, home to the hotness that is my girlfriend, Kelly and the beauty and wonder that is Central Oregon!
Today I'll make a list of necessities and start packing. I have a Giant Loop Coyote soft bag I'm bringing ( giantloopmoto.com ). Taking some advice from the forum I'll leave my camping gear at home and find a cheap hotel to crash in each night (and update ride reports).
I would appreciate any suggestions on what not to forget. I have found a couple of tool kit threads that I'll take advantage of.
I still need to sort out helmet and boots. My dual-sport helmet and MX boots would be underkill and overkill.
If he is the original owner the factory tool kit should be under the rear tail piece, take off the seat and look in the back. I think there might be an owners manual in the "files" section. I would down load it and read it. There is a service manual there also for reference.
I don't know how much experience your selected mech has with FJ's. There is a learning curve...
TIP: if he doesn't know this and the carbs have to be removed and it has the stock air box, then remove the top bolts (one left and one right side) that attach the rear sub frame. This will let the the frame swing down so you can get the air box out with the bike on the center stand.
You are now on the way to being your own service department :good2: :good2:.
You could order some new manifold O rings to be replaced while the carbs are off. Buy them from RPM and ship them to your daughters place maybe next day delivery ?
George
Day 1 - Flight Day Friday
I'm an overpacker... Made it to the airport and had to check a bag. I managed to fit everything into a duffel and a backpack, although I had to carry the helmet. I flattened the GL Coyote bag and most of the duffel was filled with boots and riding paraphernalia; riding jacket and pants, and body armor.
I hadn't decided on a helmet and ended up borrowing one from Brian at Atomic-Moto, a sweet carbon fiber Vemar. Thanks, Brian! I also found a used pair of Garne G-RS boots on Craigslist.
I am comfortable with the phrase "all the gear, all the time" when it comes to riding a motorcycle. I'll see how that changes as I use the bike as a commuter over the next week before the trip home.
Flying out of Redmond is fantastic. No lines, no traffic, no issues. The flight was easy with a quick stopover in Portland and then a couple of hours to Santa Ana. My daughter picked me up on her lunch hour, we had some Thai food and then I took her back to work so I could drive her car to check out the bike.
I had arranged with Paul from Streetdreams to meet me at the sellers. We showed up together just as the PO was pushing the bike out of the garage. It isn't perfect but it is super clean. The PO has every receipt from new and the bike looks pampered. It has new brakes, chain and sprockets. Paint, fairing and seat are in like new condition, lower fairing has a crack on the left side a few inches in front of the bolt. It has the tool kit and owners manual, a tank bag (never used) and a cover.
Paul started the bike, got it running, poked around and then gave it a thumbs up. It was missing an end cap on a fuel line and was leaking fuel. Paul plugged the line with his finger to listen to the engine and do his divining.
I haggled the owner, handed over the cash and filled out paperwork. The registration was expired but he had paid the fees and listed it as non-op. I will add a trip to the DMV down here and hand over some cash for a moving permit to save me the possibility of problems on the drive home.
We loaded the bike onto his truck and followed him to his well set-up shop. The bike should be ready this afternoon (Saturday). I'm heading to the beach with Sharlyn while I impatiently wait for his call...
Here's a pic of the PO signing it over to ME! More to follow.
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Cool!!!
This has all the makings of something EPIC.
Take pictures and share, please?
Good luck, and good travels.
Steve
Quote from: Steve_in_Florida on April 20, 2013, 08:22:27 AM
Cool!!!
This has all the makings of something EPIC.
Take pictures and share, please?
Good luck, and good travels.
Steve
My sentiments exactly.
Dan
Stories like this are what dreams are made of!
I look forward to your journey home and pictures along the way.
The FJ looks like a nice one!
Leon
nice. (popcorn)
(popcorn) (popcorn) Need more pics... that thing looks nice.
If I had an ambulance, it'd be an '87.
Here is one of the Facebook pics. Lots more to follow!
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She looks like she is in awesome shape. Have a safe ride home and post more pics. Big R
Day 2
Spent the day at the beach with my daughter and her boyfriend.
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All systems GO! :good2:
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Picked up the bike in the evening. The mechanic had some challenges getting the carbs un-gunked and spent a few extra hours getting it done. He changed the oil and took some time to polish the painted pieces after putting it back together. If you are in Orange County I would definitely recommend Paul at Streetdreams Streetbikes. He was competent and had a ton of integrity.
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I'm about to go for a shakeout ride.... pics to follow :bye:
Sounds like you found a good mechanic, very rare these days. I have become my own mechanic for my FJ, saves me the thought of some kid younger than my bike, scratching his head, wondering how a bike this old is still running. If you are looking for nice roads as you start your trek North, I can take you on a few. I live near the 210 and the 2, Angeles Crest, with many more nearby. If you are interested then let me know what your schedule is and we will work something out. Kookaloo fellow ambulance rider....
I think you made a good decision on buying that bike. Looks great. One thing about S Cailf. the bikes are usually clean and rust free. Keep the post coming as you get time.
George
Great thread, keep the posts coming. Think about attending the West Coast Rally end of May first of June. Congratulations again on the bike.
Kurt
Day 3 - Took a couple of short rides but family time ruled the day. Nice dinner with my favorite nephew.
Day 4 - DMV - In Oregon, I go to the DMV office in Bend. No line, everyone is friendly and jovial. The Laguna Niguel DMV was lined up out the door at 8:30 with 100 cars in the parking lot. We drove to San Clemente and only had to wait an hour... angry and disgruntled employees and customers co-existing in a tense standoff of intolerance and dysfunction. On the bright side it only cost me $19 for a trip permit.
Went back and loaded up the bike. The GL bag fits great. I wasn't too sure about the magnetic tank bag, so I filled it with dirty laundry. The bike came with a nice cover which I rolled up and put into a duffel. I put my laptop in my backpack.
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90% of my driving in Oregon is on one lane roads. I spend 30 years driving in Southern California but it takes some adjustments when I return.
I said my goodbyes, gave my mom one last hug to assuage her tears and headed out. Traffic was variable, 75 to 0 to 75. I tried to plant myself in the HOV lane (called the diamond lane in California). I rode up to Santa Monica and grabbed Highway 1 north. Traffic thinned as I passed Malibu and the cool ocean air helped to blow off some LA grime.
Neptune's Net is right across the street from the beach on the border between Los Angeles and Ventura counties. They have 28 parking spots for motorcyles right out front! I stopped for some hydration and a quick snack. Neptune's Net has a great vibe and has some great seafood but it isn't cheap. $4.75 for a soda and a candy bar.
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The ride from there was easy and fun. The marine layer was returning and temps cooled quickly. The last 40 miles went quickly and it was great to see this when I arrived.
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At 52 with the mind of a 12 year old, it is still hard for me to grasp that I am a grandfather. I spent the rest of the day playing with Cambria. The bike ran great. Bags, including the tank bag, were unnoticeable on the bike.
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More family time today and maybe a ride to see some friends.
Great post ! Glad the trip went so well. I hope to get a trip or two over to Bend this year. From here it's about 317miles. Just right for trip.. You got a good bike there.
George
Days 5-7 Spent with family and friends.
Day 8 - Packed up and took off. First 10 miles were highway 126, two lanes, straight and fast, and then highway 150. I nice bit of twisty from Santa Paula to Upper Ojai. This is St. Thomas Aquinas College.
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My good friend, John, has an organic farm in Upper Ojai, I spent a few hours on Wednesday helping him prepare for his summer planting. Before I moved to Oregon, I volunteered on his farm and another a couple of days a week for 7 years. It was good to be back and get my hands dirty.
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Riding down the 150 into Ojai and thru town onto the 33. I diverted into Meiners Oaks for a veggie burger at my favorite resaurant, The Farmer and the Cook. Steve and his wife, Olivia, have a great farm that supplies most of the veggies for the restaurant and market. Steve gave me lifetime picking rights to his farm, anything I want, anytime I want it... and then I moved. I visited with him and he bought my lunch. :good2:
Back to the 33 and one of the funnest parts of the ride. The 33 climbs, twisting and turning, for thirty miles to the summit.
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The ride continued down the backside, hooked up with Hwy 166 thru grazing and oil land. I stopped in McKittrick for a soda and a candy bar to offset my healthy lunch and give my butt a rest.
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Rode from there to Hwy 99, and then to Hwy 178 toward Lake Isabella. The Kern River flows down the mountain and sometimes it rages.
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Rode up joyfully passing all of the good people courteous enough to let me pass. Filled up at the far edge of town and rode east toward Ridgecrest and Hwy 395. I had a 50 mile an hour tail wind most of this section. I could put my had out to the side and feel almost no wind doing 65. I did have to stop and clean my visor...
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Rode the 395 into Bishop and decided to stop for the night. First day, 350 miles. The bike has simple rubber, MX style, grips and my hands were numb, vibrating and sore. Got a $54 dollar room and had a good $13 prime rib dinner. The Giant Loop back takes 90 seconds to remove. It works great, holds a ton of stuff and doesn't require a rack. I can also use it on my dual-sport. The magnetic tank bag that came with the bike also worked great. It never moved the entire trip and since it was only magnetic, removed instantly for refueling.
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Slept well. It was supposed to be a cold morning but turned out to be in the high forties. I had breakfast the same place I had dinner, Jakes Waffle Shack, and hit the road. Cold enough to get my attention but bearable. Hwy 395 is beautiful. Lots of amazing vistas.
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I stopped at Mono Lake to take a break. This isn't the best place to see the wonders of this special place, but it is a perfect place to stop and stretch.
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Continued to Bridgeport, stopped for gas, soda and the guilty pleasure of Nutter Butter bars which I shared with this guy.
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I saw flocks of seagulls flying in formation several times. Some flocks had over a hundred birds.
Stopped for the night in Alturas, Ca. Day 2, 370 miles. Nice Best Western room for $80 and a tolerable lasagna dinner. Great nights sleep. Packed up by 7:00 and found the bike didn't want to wake up. It had dipped to the upper thirties during the night and I thought it might just be cold. It turned over great but didn't seem to want to fire. I let it sit in the sun and tried it every 10 minutes. It finally started and I was on my way.
Rejoiced to be back in the Rose State.
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South Eastern Oregon is a mix of verdant valleys and stark desert landscapes. The ride had been cold. I have a decent pair of winter riding gloves but after several hours it was time to stop. I stopped at the turnoff for Fort Rock State Park and warmed my hand and stretched my legs.
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The bike fell asleep and didn't want to wake up. I was only two hours from home... I tried the wait ten minute trick... several times. I had three quarters of a tank of gas and thought I could make it home if only I could get it running. I tinkered a bit and it finally started. I had removed the bags, seat and side covers and misplaced the seat in trying to reinstall it. I had to stop the bike to use the key to remove the seat and reinstall properly. Luckily it restarted instantly. I then noticed I forgot to replace the side covers which required stopping the bike again. Dumb luck, it started again and I was on my way. Made it within a couple of miles from home before it started to sputter, like it was running out of gas. I coaxed it within a half a mile from home when it quit. I had two hundred miles on this tank but the fuel light never came on. I could see the tank was still above the center divider. I waited. It started after 20 minutes and I gratefully sputtered home.
About a thousand miles, averaged 44 mpg and loved every minute.
Today is going to be spent cleaning the bike and sorting out the fuel problem.
Nice pics. Looks like a really nice ride, and beautiful scenery. Hope you get the bike sorted out. Big R
Wow
Looks like you had a great trip
With some excellent scenery :good2:
Thanks for sharing
Darran
:good2: Wow! How good was that! I hung off every word. Loved the look of Jakes waffle shop. Incredible variety of scenery (and diet) you guys have over there. I even understood the comprehension (no Aussie dictionary required) - though for a second I did wonder how you could have lost your seat while parked on tha side of the road. :sarcastic:
Hey mate, I want one of them Nutter Butter Bars - I`ll swap ya for some Vegemite - but somehow I don`t think you should try both together!
That bike looks great and so does the paint job, so watch out for dust particles that get attracted to the magnets - I `d hate ta see you scratch it.
Amazing how common that fuel prob is on that model. I reckon the PO`s get sick of the unknowing mechanics that cost them dearly, while the solution is reasonably simple.
Many thanks for making my day. Doug
Jeff, I suspect you are having the same issue that drove me Nucking Futs. The issue is easy to check. You need to lift the rear of the tank just high enough to access the vacuum line that feeds the petcock on the underside of the tank. Remove the vacuum like from the intake boot, leaving it attached to the petcock. If you removed the fuel line from your carbs then provide a safe place for the fuel to flow during this test. Then suck on your petcock....Wait for it....Wait for it..... The comments will be rolling in on that one. The effect you are looking for is a slight give and then a solid stop. If you can keep sucking then you have a vacuum leak just like I did, and it only gets worse with age. If you have a leak then check the hose and its connection to the petcock, it could be the leak. If not then you need to get a new 86/87 petcock, or upgrade to the 84/85 like I did for less $$$.
Thanks for the pics and ride report, makes me want to win the lottery and ride everywhere....
Thanks Mark!
I'll just replace the hose tomorrow and give it a go. I checked the inside of the tank and the friggin' thing looks brand new.
Jeff
p.s. trying to plan a trip again down south with a stop for the West Coast Rally!
Quote from: CatTomb on April 29, 2013, 08:56:25 PM
Thanks Mark!
I'll just replace the hose tomorrow and give it a go. I checked the inside of the tank and the friggin' thing looks brand new.
Jeff
p.s. trying to plan a trip again down south with a stop for the West Coast Rally!
Don't just change the hose, I still have my original hose, I had to change my petcock..... Do the test..... Just a small suck on a tiny hose... And it would be good to meet you at the WCR if you can make it. Attendance has changed my loyalty and affinity for this mongrel bunch of misfits like myself... We might even have a potato cannon or two this year. I am bringing some home brew, not much as I am ridding up, but you get the point....
Alright, I'll suck the tiny hose... just please.... don't tell my mother.
:shok: monkey, are you corrupting ppl again :lol: