- New Here, No FJ (Yet) -

[Warp12]

Welcome Shane ! As you can see we are an active bunch ! Lots of FJ's still out there running strong.  I Pulled into Nellis AFB yesterday and low and behold parked right by the front door was a pristine 1989 FJ ! Met the owner and told him about fjowners.com, RPM,  and reviewed a bunch of pictures from my computer with him. Hope you locate an FJ soon. Riding season will be here sooner or later...
George

I have been looking around at some bikes....and parts. I am actually considering just building one from the frame up. These bikes are a lot more simple than the modern stuff I work on (and I have assembled some of those from the frame up), and the cost for parts (even frames and and chassis parts) is pretty reasonable. Seems like a fun project....but I will ponder it a little more. 

[Warp12]

just show up and meet some of us crazy Kookalooigans.

Mark just invented a new word for us Fj owners....

Welcome Shane.
Love the vintage pic!

I'm sure I have some more pics, somewhere. We had a lot of fun with those bikes. We tried out a lot of the bolt-ons back then: pipes, jet kits, clutch conversions, RS Carbs, suspension upgrades, etc.. Very mod-friendly machines. Too bad digital cameras weren't around!

[charleygofast]

Welcome Shane,  Great story, lots of great memories and a dad who's into bikes...you are one lucky dude. Good luck on finding your new ride. If you decide to build one, there are alot of us with extra '84-85 parts, just ask. BTW, my son and I are going to be bringing an 86 V-Max back from the dead (10 yrs in a barn) should be interesting and a great "bonding" experience...it allways is!                                                                                                                              Cheers!                                                                                                                                                                                                                Charley                                                                                                                                     

[Warp12]

Welcome Shane,  Great story, lots of great memories and a dad who's into bikes...you are one lucky dude. Good luck on finding your new ride. If you decide to build one, there are alot of us with extra '84-85 parts, just ask. BTW, my son and I are going to be bringing an 86 V-Max back from the dead (10 yrs in a barn) should be interesting and a great "bonding" experience...it allways is!                                                                                                                              Cheers!                                                                                                                                                                                                                Charley                                                                                                                                     

The V-Max is a lot of fun. Here is a thread where I have documented my experiences reviving my 1989:

http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=28610

Still more fun to have with that one, for sure...

[Warp12]

As far as buying a frame to start with...

I'm not saying I did, and I'm not saying I didn't.

But, I did.   

And so it begins....

[The General]

  Welcome Shane. Just spent 2 hours salivating over your Vmax story and also details of your record holding kwakka. Believe it or not we have a guy downunder here that`s the spitting imaje of you that`s into XS. (Will post a pic later.)

Have you still got the Vmax? 

[TexasDave]

Welcome to the forum Shane. I too just enjoyed your VMax thread. Thanks for posting it. Ride safe. Dave

[Warp12]

Welcome Shane. Just spent 2 hours salivating over your Vmax story and also details of your record holding kwakka. Believe it or not we have a guy downunder here that`s the spitting imaje of you that`s into XS. (Will post a pic later.)

Have you still got the Vmax?  

My dad had some XS650's and some XS11's. I've ridden an XS11, but never an XS650. Yes, I've still got the V-Max. I need to get the carbs straightened out, and a little work on the charging system. Only has about 3800 miles on it now. I'd like to increase that number this season!

[Warp12]

Welcome to the forum Shane. I too just enjoyed your VMax thread. Thanks for posting it. Ride safe. Dave

Thanks, I really like that old V-Max!

[wildfire]

Nice Vmax link. Before I decided on the FJ it was a choice between a Vmax and the FJ. If only I had money at the time I would have bought them both. The guy that did end up buying the Vmax turned it into scrap metal after having it for just 2 weeks. What a shame.

[Warp12]

If all goes as planned, I will have a frame and subframe in my hands tomorrow. I am not in a rush to build the bike, and accumulating/sifting through parts is part of the fun. It will just be neat to have an FJ frame to inspect....it's sure to bring back some memories! My dad is not around anymore, but somehow the old bikes make me feel a connection at times.

[The General]

Welcome Shane. Just spent 2 hours salivating over your Vmax story and also details of your record holding kwakka. Believe it or not we have a guy downunder here that`s the spitting imaje of you that`s into XS. (Will post a pic later.)

Your dad or Grandad must have spent time downunder in the past! I reckon My Mate Steptoe is your twin.
This is you in case ya haven`t looked in the mirror for awhile. http://www.brocksperformance.com/brocknm/templates/bpp1.aspx?articleid=316&zoneid=10

This is Steptoe also known as the barefoot mechanic:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G1gHtYho40&feature=player_embedded#t=29

Wish I was tech savvy enough to put up just two pics from videos...but even mannerisms are the same me thinks! (ignore the accents of course)

I sent him your link and even he is now checking his family history in your area. He`s made heaps of you tube videos ta help out all XS1100 owners here in OZ (I got a 78 model,)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ph9xgDXdxY  His Library for those interested....http://xs1100.com.au/forum/index.php?board=39.0 

[Warp12]

Welcome Shane. Just spent 2 hours salivating over your Vmax story and also details of your record holding kwakka. Believe it or not we have a guy downunder here that`s the spitting imaje of you that`s into XS. (Will post a pic later.)

Your dad or Grandad must have spent time downunder in the past! I reckon My Mate Steptoe is your twin.
This is you in case ya haven`t looked in the mirror for awhile. http://www.brocksperformance.com/brocknm/templates/bpp1.aspx?articleid=316&zoneid=10

This is Steptoe also known as the barefoot mechanic:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G1gHtYho40&feature=player_embedded#t=29

Wish I was tech savvy enough to put up just two pics from videos...but even mannerisms are the same me thinks! (ignore the accents of course)

I sent him your link and even he is now checking his family history in your area. He`s made heaps of you tube videos ta help out all XS1100 owners here in OZ (I got a 78 model,)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ph9xgDXdxY  His Library for those interested....http://xs1100.com.au/forum/index.php?board=39.0  

LOL, that is funny stuff!!  

I grew my hair back, so all comparisons are now invalid. Also working on losing some weight.  

[Pat Conlon]

Welcome Shane, let us know how we can help on your FJ project.

I'm curious, about the coil on plug (COP) modification you did on your Vmax. I've wondered if the same could be done on our FJ's? I know that the area at top of the head on the air cooled FJ is a much harsher environment that what the COP's are subjected to on the water cooled Vmax.

Can you refer me to the guy who did your COP set up?

Great reading on the Vmax link....Thanks!  Pat

[Warp12]

Welcome Shane, let us know how we can help on your FJ project.

I'm curious, about the coil on plug (COP) modification you did on your Vmax. I've wondered if the same could be done on our FJ's? I know that the area at top of the head on the air cooled FJ is a much harsher environment that what the COP's are subjected to on the water cooled Vmax.

Can you refer me to the guy who did your COP set up?

Great reading on the Vmax link....Thanks!  Pat

The screen name on Vmaxforum, for the guy who supplied the coil-on-plug mod: 88vmx12