New FJ12 owner on Vancouver Island, BC

[VanIsleFJ]

I've wanted one of these bikes for about 20 years and finally picked up a 1990 with 31,000 km, plus a 1989 parts bike with 63,000 km.  It looks good and runs but has some wiring nightmares which I'm going through, soon with the help of the new Haynes manual I ordered a few days ago.  The previous owner had installed some really old school heated grips and a super loud horn, hacking into the main wiring harness to do so.  Also "upgraded" rear caliper and 17" diameter wheel, which I'll be replacing with the originals from the donor bike.  Front calipers changed as well by PO.  The fairings have had several repairs and need more; looks like I'm going to learn how to weld/glue plastics.  It hasn't been used for about 3 years so I'll be going through the shocks too I believe.
I'm looking forward to the project now, and riding it asap.  Thanks for operating this forum.  It will be helpful for sure.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome, hang on to the 17" wheel. Getting good rubber in 16" is nearly impossible. Welding plastics got easier with the hot staples and Plastifix like products. Hot air welding is not too hard. Sounds like you have had a few bikes before. 

[VanIsleFJ]

Thanks.  I ride a '74 Yamaha TX650A (XS650) and a 2019 Suzuki DR650.  I've had other bike before but have done the most wrenching on the old bike, with much great advice from the fantastic members on XS650.com forum. 
I'll post some photos of the rear wheel configuration to show you guys.  Where is best place on this forum to start a thread on this bike?

[FJmonkey]

You made an introduction, that seems like a successful start of a thread. 
We have a photo gallery. Posting in the FJowners gallery first, saves the images (links tend to break). You can also post images directly. Look to the lower left for  +Additional Options... then Attach.
Beyond that, browse the sections and gallery. Pull up a chair at our campfire and enjoy the FJ life.

[Waiex191]

Where is best place on this forum to start a thread on this bike?

Welcome.  I'd suggest the project thread.
https://fjowners.com/index.php?board=63.0

[Derek Young]

Welcome to the forum! Where on the ilsand are you? I'm in Cedar, just south of Nanaimo.

I agree with the Monkey on the 17'' rear wheel. Most on here would call that an upgrade. Much better selection of tires. Those front calipers are an upgrade as well.

Derek

[Millietant]

I doubt you'll find many who will agree with you about changing the rear wheel back to the narrow-rim 16" stock wheel. Tyre choice with that wheel is already limited and with Avon pulling out of bike tyres the situation is only going to get worse.

The only reason to go back to 16" is if you're going to make the bike a "time capsule" machine and put e erything back to as it came from the battery.

The wheels, brakes and suspension changes we've all done here are what Yamaha should have (and easily could have, at almost no cost) done to keep the FJ more current.

The only gripes ever heard about FJ's are that the original suspension was only passable, the bike lacked a bit of cornering clearance, the mirrors gave a good view of your elbows if you're over 5'9" tall and the brakes, although powerful, lacked a bit of feel and bite. In its latter years, having wheels designed for crossply tyres, when the whole technology of tyre's had switched to radial construction, definitely worked against the FJ.

You've got the back wheel and the brakes sorted, why not work forward from there and have a modern FJ that keeps everything that made the original great, but has had its "opportunities for imptoveme t" ( I hesitate to call them weaknesses) addressed 

[VanIsleFJ]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll reconsider keeping the rear wheel.  Derek Young, I'm in Victoria.  I believe we met once at Mile Zero because I remember a red and white FJ.  It was demo days for Royal Enfield I believe. I'll be up island on this at some point. 

[VanIsleFJ]

I'll start a project thread 

[Derek Young]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll reconsider keeping the rear wheel.  Derek Young, I'm in Victoria.  I believe we met once at Mile Zero because I remember a red and white FJ.  It was demo days for Royal Enfield I believe. I'll be up island on this at some point. 

Yes, I was at Mile Zero that day. Test rode a Himilayan, a Versys and two different Vstrom 650s. I do remember talking with a guy from Victoria. What did you ride there? I'm not riding much these days, but we should meet up for a ride next season.

[VanIsleFJ]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll reconsider keeping the rear wheel.  Derek Young, I'm in Victoria.  I believe we met once at Mile Zero because I remember a red and white FJ.  It was demo days for Royal Enfield I believe. I'll be up island on this at some point. 

Yes, I was at Mile Zero that day. Test rode a Himilayan, a Versys and two different Vstrom 650s. I do remember talking with a guy from Victoria. What did you ride there? I'm not riding much these days, but we should meet up for a ride next season.

I was riding my 2019 DR650.  Ride next season sounds great to me.
This is now moving to the project section.