Almost an FJer.

[JPaganel]

I just bought an 86 FJ1200. I don't have possession of it yet, I'll be picking it up next week. The weather is sucky anyway.

The bike has some battle scars, been dropped, but not hard enough to affect function. Starts and runs great. There is a little smoke puff on startup, but I figure that isn't such a big deal. At least for a while. It's got 27K on the clock and runs great otherwise.

The bike is an upgrade for me from the XS400 I've been riding for a year. My wife decided she wants to learn to ride and I rushed to cede XS to her.

I've been reading through the board and finding all the nifty upgrade info. Finances will likely make me keep the bike stock for a while. Once I do get to where I can toss money at it, I'll probably start with the 89+ fork, as that gets rid of anti-dive and makes both suspension and brakes better.

[crzyjarmans]

Good luck with your new toy, careful with the mods, they are adicting  , OH! and welcome to the board

[JPaganel]

Good luck with your new toy

Whaddayamean, "toy"? A motorcycle is an essential bit of equipment, integral to mental health.   

[fj11.5]

Exactly what jp said ,,better than any head shrinker

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the group JP. 

Fred

[FJmonkey]

Welcome JP, we can always use one more at our digital campfire. If you are gonna stay then Google "Kookaloo", it will help you need it the most....

[baldy3853]

  welcome aboard enjoy the ride 

[movenon]

Welcome ! Sounds like you will fit right in... Your in for a thrill when you get to open her up

George

[yamaha fj rider]

Welcome JP and congratulations on the FJ.

Kurt

[JPaganel]

If you are gonna stay then Google "Kookaloo", it will help you need it the most....

Already did. I lurk before posting.

[fintip]

Are you on the XJbikes forums as well? Or just randomly using the same avatar?

Swapping out forks alone, as far as I know, doesn't actually improve suspension. They actually have the same specs as the pre-89 bikes. They don't come with anti-dive, true, but anti-dive can be bypassed pretty easily without going through the hassle of buying new forks. Better suspension is achieved on both model forks by installing Randy's cartridge emulators or by buying new progressive springs and just replacing the oil. The stock brakes, also, are not much better if at all (?) on the later model forks.

It does allow you to buy nicer, later model yamaha brakes and bolt them right on, because of the different mount points. It does give you a bigger wheel, which is the main advantage of the newer forks.

Welcome to the group!

[JPaganel]

Are you on the XJbikes forums as well? Or just randomly using the same avatar?

You caught me. 

I haven't posted about the FJ over there yet, and I haven't mentioned I traded in one of the XJs for it. I still  have the other one, so I'm sticking around on the XJ board.

I'm fairly certain that avatar isn't common. It actually is my nick - Jacques Eliacin Francois Marie Paganel, a character from a well-forgotten book.

[Tiger]

I'm fairly certain that avatar isn't common. It actually is my nick - Jacques Eliacin Francois Marie Paganel, a character from a well-forgotten book.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Paganel

John.

[JPaganel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Paganel

John.

Not forgotten by me.

However, finding anyone south of your border who has heard of it is pretty tough.