Hello all, a belated intro!

[JoBrCo]

Hello All!

I'm an original FJ owner; buying my 1984 FJ1100 sometime in 1985 after my Yamaha Midnight Maxim 750 was stolen.  At first I was devastated, my bike was stolen, and she was beautifully black and gold like a bumble bee, and it sounded like one too, or so claimed the Harley riders as they passed by!! Of course I could burry her throttle easily, wanting much more than she could afford, still she was my first brand new vehicle, including automobiles and I loved her.

That is until I got my insurance check and walked into the Grand Prix Kawasaki/Yamaha dealer's door's and saw by baby, the last 1984 FJ1100 in stock, probably because it had 25 miles on it.  I was assured is was due to a year of rolling it into and out of the dealer's doors every day, plus a couple of short test drives.  I scoffed, but she was so beautiful, her lines just perfect.  They said they'd throw in a bra, set of engine guards, and a helmet.  How could I say no to her, to hell with the deal, just so much cheap icing, she was mine, and I couldn't have been happier?

For the most part, of course she was for canyon cruising in the hills between the San Francisco bay area and the Pacific Ocean; Skyline Boulevard anyone?   Woodside, Sky Londa, Alice's restaurant, La Honda,  Highway (1), Saratoga, Highway (9), Castle Rock, Big Basin way (236), Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay.  Ahhh yeeess, I remember those sweet days, fond memories indeed.  If only I could turn back time.

Along the road to these elder years I seem to have lost my spirit, and allowed her to fall into disrepair, but I have vowed that those days have ended, as I've found new vigor, and can't wait to ride again.  I've decided to eventually make her cherry, as much as working with ABS will allow that is, of course my abilities are included in there somewhere.  Let's hope for the best.

Am I the craziest FJ rider here?

My Travels:

I rode her from Mountain View California to Cincinnati Ohio twice, once as straight east/west as possible, the other via Los Angeles and Phoenix Arizona.

The east/west route, one way, was a little over 2,500 miles and was a round trip for a total of over 5,000 miles.  I did each one way trip in under 3 days, stopping only once in Denver Colorado, approximately the half way point, to sleep for 8 hours, then back on the road again.

The LA/Phoenix deviation trip only included those cities one way, the return trip was the same as the east/west trip above. I did this trip with the same intensity, except that I rested in LA for 2 days (friends), then off to Phoenix Arizona for a 4 day rest (relatives), then finally off to Cincinnati.  I never really added up the miles on this one, but of course they exceeded 5,000 miles by at least 500, (SF to LA), but also included more rest.

So I've done well over 10,500 mean assed highway miles on my FJ in less than 6 days, anyone else ass crazy.  Both trips were attacked to maximize a 30 day leave window, so as to maximize R&R with the returns leaving no margin for error; 3 days only.

After the second round trip, I "SWORE" that I'd never do it again.  The first trip, the east/west version, I was in my latter 20's, the second trip, Phoenix version, I was in my early 30's, about two years between them, so I had forgotten how sore my ass was the first time, so as to actually, foolishly do it again.  Of course the trips had their moments, like coming down out of the Eisenhower tunnel at 11,000 feet, with 18 wheelers in low gear due to steep grade, while I was flying down full throttle, sometimes at 100 MPH plus, with no worries in the world, and 140 mph indicated on the 'straight as an arrow' Nevada highways; youthful exuberance, along with faith in my FJ, man and machine.  

Luckily I had no FJ hitches at all; she ran like a top, just rain and the lost bottoms of my rain gear; soaked from the waist down, several times.  


Later, my fellow enthusiasts.  

FJ forever!  

[Pat Conlon]

Welcome to another original FJ owner! I'm glad you kept the bike. Let us know how we can help.
Over the years, I've had too many adventures to list on my '84, but I never got as far east as you did.
I trailered it to Tellico but that does not count as a tour in my book.

'84's rule

Cheers Pat

[cclase]

Hi Jo!  Welcome!  I'd love to see your ride, so post some pics when you get a chance!

Chris

[FJmonkey]

Welcome FNG, happy to have you aboard and rediscovering your Kookaloo....

[charleygofast]

Welcome, glad you're gonna bring her back from her rest and you too! Old FJs never die they get a checkup and return to duty, much like their ageing owners.                                                                                                                                                                                                    Charley                                                                                                                                                                                       

[yamaha fj rider]

Welcome to the forum. Good that you joined us. 84's are rare. Hope you can send some pictures.

Kurt

[JoBrCo]

Thanks guys!

As far as the pictures go, in time my friends, in time.  You know how women in quilted house coats, curlers in hair, makeup half on, hate answering the door? Well right now my FJ is in parts, paint faded, shrouded in grease and muck, did I say dust? Let's just say that ancient untouched tombs of Pharaohs, have nothing on her right now...  Of course in this case It's I that really don't want her seen.

The good thing is that I'm pretty sure she's not seized, as a few years ago I put a couple tablespoons of "Mystery Oil" in each cylinder via the spark-plug holes, and cranked her over by hand a couple times with a socket wrench.

Working on carbs right now, as the first goal is to hear that spark of life, before continuing.  She's only got 31,630 miles on her, 10,500 being long distance highway, those two trips I mentioned above, so I'm confident that her engine, (her heart), is not broken. I hope my wife doesn't get jealous with all the diverted attention, spending an inordinate amount of time in the garage, it could get me in trouble.   

Nah, she's looking forward to seeing the world at a 45° angle @ 1.75 the posted on a banked sweeper again too.     You just gotta love those California roads and K comp!

[novaraptor]

Welcome back!! Lots of great info and help on this board. Always nice to hear of a resurrection.