Hello from Vegas

[Big AK]

Hello,

So I live in the desert (Vegas) which allows 365 riding for the most part and I decided my big ole 454 suburban wasn't the thriftiest mode of transportation in the world. So I was looking at a bunch of smaller bikes to play with, and while fun, they made me feel cramped. Luckily I got a break from a family member and scored a 1986 FJ1200  (much applause and hollering from the gallery).

http://s1069.photobucket.com/albums/u468/chugiak/?action=view&current=f569c774.jpg

It has some mileage on it. 

http://s1069.photobucket.com/albums/u468/chugiak/?action=view&current=1404b1af.jpg

I got to say it is still in good shape, just needs a bath.

Course soon after I did the worst thing ever and I found this site  . I am already looking at moding my bike and I haven't even ridden it yet. Curse you guys, all of you and your abilities to make this ride even better. Every negative thing I have heard of, braking and perhaps agility is remedied here at this site. So now all I can think of is dog bones, new rear shock, swingarms, new wheels, blue dots, and USD forks (oh and being the blue power ranger, my kids love him and red is already taken by an established rider). I spend quite a bit of time on the site sifting through and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the wife or her honey-do list.

I am already overwhelmed with the knowledge base here and the tweaking ability that the members here have displayed. Any advice to a new member would be appreciated. Already seen some things done by members that were in line with what I had in mind and now just need to save up for the upgrades. I have convinced the wife that in the name of safety these things should be so at least she won't be surprised by a box of new parts when I finally decide the road to travel.

To the personal stuff. I am married, and have 3 kids, dog and cat. Work a job that pays and at this time in Vegas that is a very good thing. Other than that I just try to enjoy a bit of tinkering when I can.

Guess that'll do for now.

Big AK

[Mark Olson]

welcome to the group 

another red and white 86 is always needed .

fyi there are no dogbones on a 86. you have to get an adjustable shock for that.

[FJmonkey]

A big Kookaloo welcome to you AK. No dog bones on 84 to 87 bikes... That out of the way, still many very good mods to improve your ride quality and safety through better handling, breaking and just looking damn good. Happy to have you in the club...

[1tinindian]

Welcome.
Here's a little help at posting pictures.

Leon

[yamaha fj rider]

Congrats on the FJ and welcome. Good first post. Now let the fun begin. 

Kurt

[Big AK]

Thanks for the picture help. Where did I go wrong on that by the way? Didn't see a upload option anywhere.

As for the dogbones, I thought I saw a thread on modifying over to one must be a later year bike. Lots of homework to do yet and will run the eventual plan by all you veterans before I start cutting and buying parts. Glad to be here.

[flips]

Welcome Big Ak 

Good to see another 86 in good hands!

How to post pictures....

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=341.0

Cheers 

Jeff P

[racerman_27410]

Welcome to the group AK!


Have fun with your new FJ!



KOokaloo! 

Frank

[Dan Filetti]

Welcome here.  Good first post.

46K is not all that much, we have member with more than 200K on the clock...

In terms of priority, I would do brakes first, then suspension/ wheels, then, if some some crazy reason you want more power, I would put that last.

Cheers,

Dan

[markmartin]

Welcome Big AK,

I think you'll find this forum adds to the fun of owning and riding an FJ.

Ejoy your new bike!

Mark

[Firehawk068]

Welcome!
Looks like a very clean bike.......
As stated, your mileage is probably more in the "Normal" range for FJ owners............I've got 122,000+ on mine (there was that WCR road trip from Phoenix to Willits and back where my speedometer/odometer didn't work for the whole round trip. (error on my part))

Lee C. here in Denver has over 200,000 miles on his (original engine) FJ1100

You've got many, many miles of fun to look forward to!

You'll find lots of great advice from the members here.

[fj11.5]

welcome mate, , why on earth did you buy an Fj, now you will have to buy a bigger helmet to cover the grin , , 

[I make oil]

Welcome aboard.  I love to see another Red and White 86 on the site. 

[Big AK]

Been spending a lot of time in this particular thread looking at upgrades to my FJ.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1887.0

All I got to say is wow, lots to go through, and a great starting place for newer guys like me to get a good handle on where to start. Thanks for the consolidated effort here, and to the community as a whole for all the advice available.

Big AK