New guy on this forum with an old FJ story you might like

[ICBM]

Hello everyone. I'm Brian and I live in metro Atlanta. I am considering buying my first FJ in 13 yrs. I posted a question for people on the General Discussion section. I have a short story you may like. Summer, 1993, riding my 89 silver/white/red FJ back from the California 24 Hr. Rally (known as the Cal 24) I took a detour thru the St. Louis area (I once lived in St. Charles, Mo.) to survey the terrible flood damage firsthand. You think the Mississippi is a big river, you should have seen it then! Epic flooding. Headed southeast from there, near Paducah, Ky., as I was pulling into a gas station, I heard a grinding noise coming from my back wheel. Put the bike on the centerstand and sure enough, a wheel bearing was obviously toasted. Only an hour or two of daylight remaining, I found a guy mowing his lawn so I asked if he had any wheel bearing grease. He owned a Wing, as it so happened, and he did have a small container of that sacred petroleum! Back on the centerstand on the side of a small sidestreet, I removed the back wheel and packed the grease into the left outer nearly destroyed bearing (balls were all present but the cage that holds them was torn apart). Removed broken bearing cage pieces , re-install the wheel and back on the road at slow speed, stopping to check for excessive heat now and then. Once satisfied, I cautiously resumed normal speed, arriving home early morning. This happened when the bike had about 60,000 miles (I bought it new) That and a bad fuel pump relay at 99,000 miles were my only issues. Sold it with just over 100,000 miles in 1998. Clearly, in retrospect and contemporarily (is that a word?) the best all-around streetbike ever made considering comfort, price, handling, speed, looks, and reliability. Nuff said. Ya'll take care!

[Zwartie]

Brian,

Welcome to the Forum. You obviously know the joy of owning an FJ and hopefully you are able to get one again. I had to laugh when I read about your rear wheel bearing incident. While riding with 4 other buddies en route to the Deals Gap in 2005, the rear wheel bearing on my '86 FJ (have a '92 now) completely disintegrated, thus hijacking the trip. It happened just outside of Sevierville, TN, on a Saturday evening with no replacement parts to be found. One of the locals was good enough to take in 5 weary Canadians and he and his wife actually let us crash at their place and store my bike in their garage until Monday morning when we picked up a replacement bearing first thing Monday morning. Long story short, we never made it to the Deals Gap and headed for home, catching a good bit of the Blue Ridge Parkway along the way. It was one of the most memorable bike trips I've been on. The best stories begin as soon as someone's bike breaks down. Fortunately it hasn't always been mine. As a side note, when I returned home I found out a few weeks later that a former motorcycle instructor (I'm an instructor but didn't know him) from London, ON (where I'm from) died at the Deals Gap the weekend we were supposed to be there. Kind of an eerie feeling - maybe my bike was meant to break down...
Anyway, I have since replaced the wheel bearings on my '92 and make sure they are always well greased!

Welcome aboard!

Zwartie

[movenon]

Welcome back into the fold ! They are a great bike. It is one of the better all around bikes that I have owned. When I bought mine I new nothing about FJ's in particular. I went to look at mine on a "lark" and when I sat on it I knew I was going to own it. Which surprised me because I was looking at getting another touring bike. I drove it home with a big grin on my face and I am still very happy with it. 
George

[ICBM]

Great but also very sad story, Zwartie. Deals Gap is way outa my league. Glad to hear you atleast experienced some fine hospitality. And thanks again George, but I don't yet have an FJ.....just lots of memories!

[cyclenutk75]

Great story ICBM.  Here's a blast from the past in Memphis, TN.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Yamaha-FJ-1200-not-FJR-FZ-/290903922530?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item43bb399762#ht_683wt_998

Second time it's been listed with no bids.  I guess nobody wants the white/silver/red scheme - although I'm pretty fond of mine.  Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride.
GT

[ICBM]

Thanks GT.    I am actually aware of the Memphis FJ, along with several others around the US. I am a bit suspicious of it cause the guy has had it all of 1 month. Still, a nice looking machine. So much other stuff going on in my life right now but at some point I need to stop making excuses! It is still my favorite paint scheme, although I seem to see more black ones (ya, I know. Yamaha called it some other color) when I see an 89 for sale.

[ICBM]

Just a minor note on the FJ in Memphis......the fuel gauge needle sure seems to rest in a peculiar way compared to what I recall.

[aviationfred]

Thanks GT.    I am actually aware of the Memphis FJ, along with several others around the US. I am a bit suspicious of it cause the guy has had it all of 1 month. Still, a nice looking machine. So much other stuff going on in my life right now but at some point I need to stop making excuses! It is still my favorite paint scheme, although I seem to see more black ones (ya, I know. Yamaha called it some other color) when I see an 89 for sale.

I have seen a few FJ's for sale by owners that have had them for very short times. Some of the sellers state that it is too much bike for them. Others I think it is that they think it is a big bore sport bike at a great price and once they have it realize it is a sport-tourer.

Fred

[yamaha fj rider]

Welcome to the group. Hope you find the FJ you are looking for soon.

Kurt

[ICBM]

Thanks Fred and Kurt. Interesting but logical angle, Fred. I will keep it in mind

[FJmonkey]

Welcome to the club mate, this is a good time to shop for an FJ, the snow is melting and its riding season...

[reggit]

Just a minor note on the FJ in Memphis......the fuel gauge needle sure seems to rest in a peculiar way compared to what I recall.

Looking at the picture, the gauge needle looks to be on the wrong side of the needle stop.

[baldy3853]

  welcome aboard enjoy 

[ICBM]

Ya, Reggit, thats what I thought. Kinda odd. Minor issue, though