I just can't win...

[LtPwnzor]

So I've been using this site as a very valuable resource over the past few weeks, since I was considering buying an FJ of my own. Well, as of last Saturday, I'm a proud (and quite satisfied) owner of a '92 FJ1200A. I decided to call her the "Blue Dragon." At any rate, I went out to put the tags on her today (I rode her to the DMV, how could I not have?), and on the way home--on the final stretch of road to the house--someone driving one of those boxy little asian SUVs cut me off right after a left turn, braking hard thereafter in order to make a right turn into a parking lot. Being in the lane that he cut into, I had little to no time to try and get the bike upright and proceed to stand on the brakes. It wasn't enough time. I low-sided, mangling the shifter assembly all to hell, and grinding up the front fairings (as well as a few other spots) pretty good. Needless to say, I was pissed. I promptly jumped up off the pavement to toss the man a raised middle finger, though that really didn't help any. So now, after having finished recovering from my last accident only a few weeks ago (I got creamed by an F-150 on my '95 1200 Sportster back in mid-September, fracturing the fibula in my right leg and totaling my Harley), I have a bike to repair (full coverage, though, so not too worried about that, plus it definitely wasn't my fault), a few spots of roadrash and bruises to heal, and a pretty crummy attitude to boot. Can't wait for my bike to get fixed up, though. You guys don't rave about these FJs for nothing, and I know that all too well now.

[Mark Olson]

That is just so sad

You went from lurker to 1st poster with a wreck .
Lucky on your physical outcome.

Hang in there and put the FJ back together again . Ins co may try to total you out.

[fj johnnie]

 The most important thing is you are okay. Glad you could join us. Heal quickly. Similar to how an FJ is to be ridden.

[ZOA NOM]

That's the definition of a shitty day. Talk about going from a high to a low!  Hang in there, and get back on that horse.

[aviationfred]

Sorry to hear about your mishap. Never a good thing to hear about things like this. Glad that you are ok with some bumps and bruises. The FJ is a very durable beast and repairs are fairly easy to do. Colorrite.com carries paint for your fairing. I was rear ended in June and rode to the Central FJ Rally a month later.

Post a detailed parts list of everything that need replaced. Many members have an abundance of spares.

I will be in Beaufort, SC. Sunday for a week. I will have my '89 with me. Some parts interchange. I can look through my spares and see what I can bring along.



Fred

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Wow, glad you are  OK. Hope you didn't strain your middle finger.  Bike sounds like it should not be too challenging to get on the road again albeit scared a bit. I had similar low speed tumble, I was able to pound my shifter back into shape, gonna get a new on some day. Went it goes wrong... it happens fast man. Let us know how the recovery goes.

[LtPwnzor]

Thanks for all the input and good vibes, fellas. I appreciate it. I'm gonna try and rustle up a camera (I can't find even one of the three lurking somewhere in this house) and get some pictures of the damage (as well as the bike's good side, because it's purdy). So far as my condition goes, I'll be fine, just a little sore. Actually, if I had hurt myself worse (like, another broken bone or something), I probably would have hung up my helmet for good. Two broken somethings in a 4-month period would have seemed like a sign that it's time to give up. I can't wait to get all this crap sorted, though. Two days on that FJ just hasn't been enough. If Progressive does try to tell me she's totaled, they're gonna get an earful, because I know that's BS. I'll let y'all know how things are going after I get a better idea tomorrow afternoon.

[novaraptor]

On the bright side: Maybe you have used up your crash quota for quite some time into the future. To better days:

[red]

Thanks for all the input and good vibes, fellas. I appreciate it. Two days on that FJ just hasn't been enough. If Progressive does try to tell me she's totaled, they're gonna get an earful, because I know that's BS. I'll let y'all know how things are going after I get a better idea tomorrow afternoon.

LtPwnzor,

If the bike is totaled, you can buy it back from the insurance company (cheap)
for a hobby project, and seek out an undamaged FJ nearby with the accident money.

Best wishes,
Red

[FJmonkey]

Always sad to hear of one going down and worse yet, damage and injury. My last real crash was over 17 years ago, I did better than the bike. I got to work late but still got in a day's work. My FJ sat for years, it hit a curb and took major upper fairing damage. But I did fix it and have enjoyed many more years riding it and upgrading it... You mentioned damaging the shifter, I almost punctured the left side case. Some of us have opted to install the Renntec engine guards like I have recently. I have seen first hand, on more than one crash, one of our FJs ride home. I don't sell them or make any profit from the sales, just promote them to owners that want that extra protection. Randy is a member here and top notch supporter of the FJ and this group. He has the Renntec dealership here in the states and my engine guards were purchased through him (RPM). They bolt on easy and have become mounts for freeway pegs, horns and camera mounts. So as you rebuild, consider some extra protection. We promote ATGATT All The Gear All The Time. This extends to our FJs as well. Why protect just our self?

Heal fast and get back in the saddle soon...

[FJ_Hooligan]

Unfortunately, the insurance will probably total it.  They will want to replace fairings rather than repair them.  IF they can find one, it's going to be expensive (they deal only in retail pricing).  The FJ is worth far more to you than it is to them.  They'll just write it off.

The good news is they will sell it back to you for pennies.  My 14 year old car got smashed in the passenger door.  Replacement parts were prohibitively expensive.  Insurance totaled it and gave me a $2700 check.  I bought it back for $214.  Drove it for another year with the damage and sold it on Craigslist for $500.

[wildfire]

Always sad to hear of one going down and worse yet, damage and injury. My last real crash was over 17 years ago, I did better than the bike. I got to work late but still got in a day's work. My FJ sat for years, it hit a curb and took major upper fairing damage. But I did fix it and have enjoyed many more years riding it and upgrading it... You mentioned damaging the shifter, I almost punctured the left side case. Some of us have opted to install the Renntec engine guards like I have recently. I have seen first hand, on more than one crash, one of our FJs ride home. I don't sell them or make any profit from the sales, just promote them to owners that want that extra protection. Randy is a member here and top notch supporter of the FJ and this group. He has the Renntec dealership here in the states and my engine guards were purchased through him (RPM). They bolt on easy and have become mounts for freeway pegs, horns and camera mounts. So as you rebuild, consider some extra protection. We promote ATGATT All The Gear All The Time. This extends to our FJs as well. Why protect just our self?

Very good advice  and something I will need to heed to.

[aviationfred]

If you will need paint to repair the fairing, this is the colors that you will need.

Marble Silver
http://www.colorrite.com/product/yamaha-000l-marble-silver-mas-1810.cfm

Dark Violet Metallic, (I am not 100% sure on this one)
http://www.colorrite.com/product/yamaha-0778-dark-violet-metallic-a-dvma-1977.cfm

Fred

[LtPwnzor]

So I got everything sorted with Progressive, and yeah, they called it totaled. Just as you said, Hooligan, they wanted to try and replace the fairings. Yikes; the price on that estimate that they came up with was scary. At any rate, I opted to do as a couple of you said and took what money they could give me, and bought the bike from them. I took some pictures of the damage and put them here: https://plus.google.com/photos/108064577079251029572/albums/6093548626882746833
I also got the parts list in the form of an estimate from the company. I'm pretty sure I won't bother just yet with half of the stuff they specified, but here's what they figured they would need to replace:
-Clutch Lever (I really don't think this is necessary for now)
-Left Cowl Vent Cover
-Left Footpeg
-Left Footrest Bracket
-Shifter
-Shifter Rod
-Left Mirror (Nor this)
-Generator Cover (I can probably live with this the way it is, or maybe just sand and buff? I dunno.)
-Generator Cover Gasket
-Upper Cowling
-Front Fender
Now, I'm not afraid to put my heart and soul into this bike, but I'm not a pro with a wrench, either. However, my determination knows few bounds, and my resolve has never been stronger.

[FJmonkey]

I think you have the right idea, fix the functional stuff, then work on the cosmetics. The plastics, like the side scoop can be fixed, even with basic plastic welding skills and plastic fillers they can look like new again. You will feel so much better when you can ride her again... Don't let her sit for too long with out running some gas through the carbs (once every two to three weeks works for me). This will prevent what happened to me and may others and require a carb rebuild. Consider some fuel stabilizer products if you are not going to be riding soon. I have had good luck with Seafoam, others really like the Startron, pick one and it will be better than doing nothing. Or find some really good non-ethanol gas.... I am glad I fixed my bike years ago, I have had many great years of riding and it seems to be getting better and better. Cap'n Ron just posted up our recent mini-rally....

"Now, I'm not afraid to put my heart and soul into this bike, but I'm not a pro with a wrench, either. However, my determination knows few bounds, and my resolve has never been stronger."

Well said....