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Finally got my FJ1200

Started by joew, November 17, 2009, 05:21:17 PM

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joew

November 17, 2009, 05:21:17 PM
Hi everyone.    My name is Joe and I live in central New Jersey.  I've had bikes (all Yamaha) all through my teens and twenties.  Took a twenty three year break from riding.  This past spring, I picked up a '82 Honda Nighthawk to get my MC license again.  That was it.  The big bit and I immediately started looking for my dream bike.  So...

I sold the Nighthawk and just picked up my first FJ . This bike has been on my 'gotta have' list  for quite some time.  An '86 with 30k an the odometer.  It's red and white and all original except for the 4 into 1 with a superstrap exhaust.  Seems to  be mechanically in great shape.  As for the rest of it, only some chips, bings and cracks in the plastics. (Will need this board's help for tips and tricks to repairing plastic).  Two problems - it's getting cold here in New Jersey and I just had hand surgery so couldn't ride it even if it was warm enough.  So I have all winter to get it into prime shape for the first spring thaw.

Can't wait.

Joe

rktmanfj

#1
November 17, 2009, 05:43:06 PM
Couldn't find a silver & white '89, huh?

You did say "dream bike"...

I reckon one of those red & white things'll do until one comes along.      :scratch_one-s_head:

Randy T
Indy

PS: Welcome!

racerman_27410

#2
November 17, 2009, 06:18:37 PM
Hey Joe,

86"s are the best looking year by far!  :good2:


welcome to the group!

you didnt say which hand was injured but if you need to soften up the clutch pull a 14mm master cylinder will do wonders for ya!


KOokaloo!

Frank


threejagsteve

#3
November 17, 2009, 06:26:40 PM
Hello, joew, and welcome!

Keep reading here, and I'm sure you'll find plenty of improvements to make to keep you busy through the winter! 
"If you wanna bark with the big dogs, you can't pee with the puppies!"

waricle

#4
November 17, 2009, 07:09:29 PM
Gooday Joe,
Welcime
I read somewhere you can get heated hand grips
http://www.hotgrips.com/
Or you could move to sunny Queensland down in oz- just click your heels three times!!
26c today, cooled down a bit from yesterday.
I've often been asked, 'What do you old folks do now that you're retired'?

"Well. I'm fortunate to have a chemical engineering background, and one of the things I enjoy most is turning beer, wine, Scotch, and margaritas into urine."

Ratchet_72

#5
November 17, 2009, 08:50:00 PM
Excuse me? Best 'Looking?' 
The 86 just plain Rules.
Jason Cox
-------------------------------
2000 Honda CBR1100XX
1977 Ironhead
Sacto, CA.

FJmonkey

#6
November 17, 2009, 09:36:45 PM
Joe, another 86' owner here and you YES!!!! :drinks: you got the best year (I might be just a bit bias on this).  The 85 and 86 seem to have the smaller sportier wind screens but it seems that all years have owner/riders that are staunch and loyal to their steed of choice. We have a collective wealth of knowledge that will boggle your mind and some of it even includes the FJ. Welcome to the collective...  :biggrin:
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

joew

#7
November 18, 2009, 07:45:17 AM
Thanks.  It is my right hand.  Cant twist the throttle or grab the brake lever yet. So I just start it up and sit on it.   My 19 year old has driven it up and down my street just to make sure all the necessities work.  They do.

Been browsing this board for a few weeks just to see if there were any universal issues with FJ's.  I like that i havent really found any.  Just normal maintenance  and upkeep.     

Here's what I need that I cant fix/repair myself...
New chain
New front tire
Fairing mount mirrors
Repair/replace chin fairing
New windscreen

When I get to ride, I'm sure I'll find other things but right now I guess I am looking at around $ 500 for this stuff.  Not too bad.  Paid $800 for the bike so I am still way under-budget for the total expected cost of $2,000.  Found the bike on Craigs List.  If you are patient, you can find anything.     

jvb_ca

#8
November 18, 2009, 07:53:29 AM
Welcome Joe.  :hi: Yup... you are the proud owner of the best year FJ  :good2:
We here in Ontario also have to put our baby's to bed for the long winter hibernation. Give her a fresh transfusion of clean oil, stabilize the gas, top the tank up with ethanol free gasoline if you can find it, and park it. Put on stands, remove battery, put on tender, cover bike till spring.

Then go get the sled...    ... :wacko1:

Cheers....Jake
Cheers...Jake
86FJ1200
Ontario

Fred

#9
November 18, 2009, 02:04:44 PM
Welcome Joe,

Another '86 owner here, I'm in central PA and well what else needs to be said about the '86 :good:

andyoutandabout

#10
November 18, 2009, 04:41:54 PM
Agree
life without a bike is just life

56 CHEVY

#11
November 18, 2009, 05:39:47 PM
Another 86 owner here. My favorite year FJ.

rktmanfj

#12
November 18, 2009, 10:04:10 PM
Quote from: Fred on November 18, 2009, 02:04:44 PM
Welcome Joe,

Another '86 owner here, I'm in central PA and well what else needs to be said about the '86 :good:

Well, you can use '89 parts to upgrade 'em...        :rofl2:

Randy T
Indy

waricle

#13
November 18, 2009, 11:24:26 PM
Paint it silver & white....
I've often been asked, 'What do you old folks do now that you're retired'?

"Well. I'm fortunate to have a chemical engineering background, and one of the things I enjoy most is turning beer, wine, Scotch, and margaritas into urine."

Fred

#14
November 19, 2009, 09:19:38 AM
Quote from: rktmanfj on November 18, 2009, 10:04:10 PM
Quote from: Fred on November 18, 2009, 02:04:44 PM
Welcome Joe,

Another '86 owner here, I'm in central PA and well what else needs to be said about the '86 :good:

Well, you can use '89 parts to upgrade 'em...        :rofl2:

Randy T
Indy

Sheesh, can't try to be nice :flag_of_truce: I like '89's, the black and gold ones are pretty. The lower fork tubes are quite nice and uh....uh... :scratch_one-s_head:
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