New member from UK

[uan271]

Hi, My name is Martin Rickman and I am from Kent in the UK. I am delighted to say that I have returned to the FJ fold. I still cant believe that have just acquired a one owner 3xw registered in 96 with only 8000 miles on the clock! (I am sure that here in the UK there must be few left now with such a low mileage!). I have owned three previous FJ's, and the first one I bought new in 91. In between I have tried a range of other bikes including a ZX10, BMWK1200LT, FJR1300 and most recently a Suzuki VStrom DL1000.
I have a fair bit of checking over to do on this bike even though the mileages is so low, obviously the rear linkages & steering head bearings will need stripping and lubing as well as the more routine stuff.

I now feel that I have wasted lots of time over the years trying other machines, as when I rode my FJ home everything felt so good & I realised that even after all these years nothing fits me so well or comes close for the type of riding I do (long distance with a pillion and luggage).
As I live about 25 miles from Dover within easy reach of France my main interest is European touring and I have travelled Europe traversed the Alps and Pyrenees many times, usually heading south to get some sunshine away from rainy old England. My next three trips being planned include the Tarn Valley in France, Slovenia and Romania.
I  must say how impressed I am with this site and the valuable information that members contribute. It is also very encouraging how popular the FJ community is in America. I have family in Texas and would love to ride in America one day.

Kind Regards

Martin 

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Martin, you found the best place to help you give your FJ all the love it deserves.

[yamaha fj rider]

  Welcome Martin great post. Congrats on getting your third FJ. We would love to see some pictures of your FJ on those trips, keep us posted.

Kurt

[nurse]

Hi there.  Welcome to the group, my 93 only has 4000 miles on it.  Previous owner was an airline pilot owned about 12 different bikes, he bought the FJ, went round Europe on it then garaged it only starting it to keep battery charged!!

Great bunch of people here very knowledgeable, very helpful.

If ever you head to Norfolk give us a shout and we will have to meet up for a cuppa.  I have family who live by the jubilee clip factory at Gillingham marina, only about an hour from you, so am often in Kent.

Anywho, take care hope to hear from you soon

[racerman_27410]

Welcome to the group Martin,  Nice intro!

Its amazing how many people who used to have FJs are coming back around to them again.


KOokaloo!


Frank

[uan271]

Hi, I am amazed that you have a 93 with that mileage! (same colour scheme as mine). I dont know about you, but I have found that most people including many motorcyclists cant believe how old our bikes are. I think the styling has stood the test of time extremely well.
I have just fitted a touring scott oiler & my main objectives over the winter are to strip and chech the linkages and wheel bearings, it is well known that they were not over generous with grease when new and I am concerned that everything may have dried out due to lack of use as much as anything else. Have you found that to be an issue with your low miler?
Does your user name refer to your your profession?

Take care,

Martin

[Anti-Dive Dave]

I dont know about you, but I have found that most people including many motorcyclists cant believe how old our bikes are.

VERY TRUE - and an example here is when I went on a run, I stopped off for a bite to eat and some coffee.  In the car park were an XJR1200, a fancy moto BMW and a touring Guzzi. - So, I parked my Krauser laden horse beside theirs.

One bike owner came over (who was sat at a picnic table) and started chatting.  He said "jesus - that's a hell-of-a-state-of-a-bike to be just a few years old".

EH? I replied, it's justified, considering the amount of miles it's done.

Then he said...."I meant for a 2003 model, it's been through the wars".

Then I told him it was NOT a 2003 model, but in fact an 86/87 model, and they stopped making these Fj things donkeys years ago.

"But it doesn't look old (style wise)" he replied!  I thought it was one of them new "retro" back to basics style bikes!"

As the UK riders will know, a 2003 registration plate has "03"  on it.

example "SL03 DTP" would be a year 2003 (to show the year)

Now - my bike is registered D503 UGO - which is why he thought it was nearly new, but it's actually just about 30 years old.

(the old system was the first letter as in "D" for 1986)

Confusing?  Yes, to those that don't know.  And for the folk in foreign lands: I apologize, as we have a stupid plate system.

Shall I go now?  Oh...ok then...I'll not slam the door on the way out....promise.   

[nurse]

Hi, I am amazed that you have a 93 with that mileage! (same colour scheme as mine). I dont know about you, but I have found that most people including many motorcyclists cant believe how old our bikes are. I think the styling has stood the test of time extremely well.
I have just fitted a touring scott oiler & my main objectives over the winter are to strip and chech the linkages and wheel bearings, it is well known that they were not over generous with grease when new and I am concerned that everything may have dried out due to lack of use as much as anything else. Have you found that to be an issue with your low miler?
Does your user name refer to your your profession?

Take care,

Martin

I agree styling still looks good even after all this time!  Mine seems to have been ok as far as grease goes, previous owner was meticulous/anal (in a good way)and he got all his bikes (including mine serviced) every year whether it needed it or not.  Mine is pretty spotless, the only negatives have been a tiny bit of corrosion coming through on the rear swing arm right up inside where it faces the the tread of the rear tyre. Also the shiney bits here and there have a bit of creeping corrosion bleeding through, passenger foot pegs engine cover etc.  Lots of polishing has been done on this site so i may look at that at a later date.
Yes the name is career orientated, but i now work as a health visitor in the communty, sometimes even on my bike.

Mike

[uan271]

Hi Mike,

             I am in a similar line of work to yourself, I am in Cardiology working as a cath lab nurse for my sins! It would be good to meet up some time as it seems we have a fair bit in common! Would likely be the spring though as I am awaiting surgery for repair of RIH. (All those years heaving bikes on and off main stands, though I am sure it was the BMW & not the FJ that caused it though!)
Good to hear your bike is so well preserved, have you had any of the common cracking bellypan issues?
Do you do any European trips at all?
I am still getting used to this site, so not as fluent as you experienced guys!

Martin

[uan271]

Hi Dave,

Its interesting that you have had a similar experience to myself with people not realising the ages of our bikes. I think the key issue is that Yamaha got it right first time with the styling and build quality of FJ1100/1200 family, resulting in a timeless appearance. I know am probably biased, but I just love FJ's!
Apart from not showing their age,  I have never known any bike that you can load up to the gunnel's like an FJ and yet it will still ride so well. From my point of view the only areas that are not totally ideal for my type of  distance work are, 1) chain drive, but this is easily sorted with a touring Scott oiler, 2) Tank range, something you just have to live with! & 3) Engine overheating in hot countries whilst queuing at borders/ferries etc. It would be interesting to know whether anyone has had any success fitting a cooling fan to help with the last issue.

Take care

Martin

[nurse]

Hi Mike,

             I am in a similar line of work to yourself, I am in Cardiology working as a cath lab nurse for my sins! It would be good to meet up some time as it seems we have a fair bit in common! Would likely be the spring though as I am awaiting surgery for repair of RIH. (All those years heaving bikes on and off main stands, though I am sure it was the BMW & not the FJ that caused it though!)
Good to hear your bike is so well preserved, have you had any of the common cracking bellypan issues?
Do you do any European trips at all?
I am still getting used to this site, so not as fluent as you experienced guys!

Martin

Well it's a small world.  As you happen to mention my belly ban is cracked, on the mounting just below the Sid stand, wasn't aware this was a common issue till you mentioned it.  I just figured it had acquired it with age.  I have a local bodyshop guy who is good at plastic welding so may get him to look at it but to be homes it doesn't notice unilateral you look hard.  I haven't toured Europe but would love to do some, particularly alps, maybe south of France and Italy.  The wife isn't so keen but is happy to pillion on short trips to the north Norfolk coast for a fish & chips and some seaside donuts!
Be good to catch up in some warmer weather, Hope your 'procedure' goes ok.  I had to have a gastroscopy recently, three cheers for rohipnol is all I have to say on the matter.

Catch up soon and take care

[FJmonkey]

Nearly all cracked pans were weakened by leaking clutch slaves, my pan is damaged/cracked on the slave side... DOT 3, meet ABS plastic...

[nurse]

Nearly all cracked pans were weakened by leaking clutch slaves, my pan is damaged/cracked on the slave side... DOT 3, meet ABS plastic...

Well how about that, you learn something everyday.  My clutch slave was initially leaking until i got it sorted, which ans monkey man has indicated would account for the plastic problem.  I forget who said it but when i was being advised as to what the best way to go with my clutch was they refered to it as 'devils piss' i just thought that it was in relation to the piant but it obviously goes further than that!

[uan271]

Nearly all cracked pans were weakened by leaking clutch slaves, my pan is damaged/cracked on the slave side... DOT 3, meet ABS plastic...

Hi FJMonkey,

            Thanks for that info. I am familiar with the leaking clutch slave cylinder issue as well as the tendency for bellypans to crack. I had never linked the two before, makes perfect sense. In future I will change the slave cylinder seals every couple of years before they can cause problems. I think it also helps to replace the rubber washers that go between the bellypan and mounting brackets.

Kind Regards,

Martin