New FJ1100 Owner - Af few Questions

[bharvey60]

Just bought an '85 from a buddy of mine who was the original owner and babied the bike for 27 years.  Only 13,000 miles and looks like she just left the showroom.  Many upgrades including recently rebuilt transmission, brake, clutch reservoir, Kerkers and Corbin seat.

I rode the bike 180 miles from D.C. to State College, PA this morning and loved every minute of it.  After getting home, I cleaned it up and stared for a while.  The bike is gorgeous, but the running lights/turn signals might benefit from an upgrade.  Anyone have recommendations for lights that blend into the lines of the bike a little better?

Also, I'm a big fan of increasing visibility, but don't want to kill the look of the bike.  Any recommendations for driving lights that fit the bike nicely?  Where did you mount?

Dust on the inside glass makes the trip meter difficult to read.  I see a rubber gasket around the glass.  Does removing the gasket remove the glass, or is there another way to access the inside of the glass?  How tough is this to get back in once removed?

Few observations...

- Great aerodynamics - very little wind buffeting from traffic at high speed.  
- Could use a sixth gear.
- Actually pretty docile given the weight and power - even at low speed.
- Not much happening until 5,000 rpm, when it starts sounding like a disturbed beehive, at 6,000 the bees get really pissed and things really start happening.
- I finally have a bike I can flat-foot at a stop!!

Thanks all.

[big r]

Yea, another ambulance(red&white) I have an 86 and just love it. Welcome to the group.

[SlowOldGuy]

I've got that same "dust on the trip-meter" problem on my '85.  I've cleaned it off once, but it gradually came back.

To get the gauges out, the main fairing needs to come off before you can get to the mounting bolts.  Then the gauge cluster can be removed from the fairing.  Once out, the cover lens can be removed for the cleaning.  Just remember to unscrew the trip reset knob before removing the lens.

If you decide to do this, replace all the dash bulbs with heavy duty replacements.

DavidR.

[1tinindian]

Change to a 18 tooth front , 38 or 39 tooth rear sprocket and you will have what seems like an overdrive.
Very worth while.
Leon

[FJmonkey]

For more light out the front think about an HID upgrade. The HID system connects directly to your battery and uses the OEM lamp plug to control the system. You get an insane amount of light and the ability to switch back in the field if you have any problems. Some members have had issues with HID but I don't know what brands they used. I am using the kit from DDM on my bike with zero issues. Driving lights have an added benefit of a second light system in the event of a sudden and ill timed failure of the primary light. Like in a corner in the dark at any speed. You have many options to meet your needs. 

[bharvey60]

FJMonkey...

Thanks for the HID recommendation.  Can you tell me which DDM kit, bulb type, color you ordered?  Did you go with 35W or 55W?

[FJmonkey]

FJMonkey...

Thanks for the HID recommendation.  Can you tell me which DDM kit, bulb type, color you ordered?  Did you go with 35W or 55W?

I went with the 4.5K but the 5.0k will also give you similar white color. The 4.5 is slightly colder and has the chance to last longer. Going higher than 5K will give the Blue color but will give your human eyes less visible light than you paid for. I have the 55W kit. I also put the same in my truck and love the color of the Sun shooting out during the "Butt Crack Of Early" drives I have when the welding robots have problems..... H4 fits all years of FJ's.....