It came home on a trailer....again

[gslab]

Hi everyone.

New guy here from Minneapolis MN. This is my first big bike. But as is typical for me, this one came home on a trailer. I've had a variety of bikes, all of them legitimate transportation I've used for commuting. Every one of them has started as either a project that someone has given up on, or a toy that has been broken and not repaired.

In the case of the FJ, it's unlike most of my other bikes in that it came to me 100% intact, had a title, and cost me more than $250. Maybe I'm maturing.

I look forward to learning about your experiences with the FJ, and perhaps even meeting some of you at an upcoming rally / event.

[Firehawk068]

Welcome! 

When I bought mine, it came home on a trailer as well. (wouldn't run)
A quick disassembly and cleaning of the carbs, and all was well. 
Mine is high mileage, but runs really strong!

The Central Rally is coming up in a couple months, the first week of June, in the Black Hills SD. 

[FJmonkey]

Welcome, the FJ is a sturdy bike with a near bullet proof engine. Now that you are connected with this group you will find that all can be fixed and made good again. I recently became a second owner, my '86 is my new project to restore with an '89 to ride in the mean time. I think it is fair to warn you that two major changes happen during FJ ownership. "Moditius" and "Mechanidius" (I just thought the Mech part up).... Modidus has been around long before I owned an FJ. Kudos to all the pioneers that figured out how to improve the FJ as newer tech was developed that could be bolted on, or with minor/major work to fit our FJs.  The other issue of "Mechanidius" is enjoying the simple fact that you can do most, or all the work you ever need to do on your FJ. These bikes are so easy to work on. The option is paying someone else to to do it and hope its done properly. My moment happened when the bike shop mechanic said he needed to see if he could find a service manual for a bike this old. I think he was younger than my FJ.... That said, enjoy your FJ and let us help if you get stuck... We like to solve FJ problems.

[movenon]

Welcome ! Mark pretty well summed it up.  Helpful hint's. Get on "flea bay" and start looking for a good deal on a service manual.  As the bike is new to you don't hesitate to ask questions.  The search section is a little odd in the way that it works but it does work.  Check out the Files section.  Check out RPMs WEB site
http://www.rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39 Randy is a rider and very helpful. Here is a site with Yamaha parts diagrams and part numbers. http://www.2wheelpros.com/oem-parts/yamaha-parts.html.  RPM also can get the same parts.
Check out the Gallery also. LOTS of pictures to look at.  The FJ was sold world wide and usually there is someone here that can answer questions in a fairly short time frame.
When running the FJ she can get you into trouble real easy so take your time with "her"  . Like most bikes she has a personality that comes on strong around 6000 RPM.  Enjoy.
George

[red]

Hi everyone.
New guy here from Minneapolis MN. This is my first big bike. But as is typical for me, this one came home on a trailer.I look forward to learning about your experiences with the FJ, and perhaps even meeting some of you at an upcoming rally / event.

gslab,

You may be able to download an Owner's Manual for your bike from Yamaha in Oz:
http://www.yamahaownershandbook.com.au/?r=0

There are some differences with the bikes in Oz, but much will be the same.
Copy shops can print and punch the book pages for a three-ring binder, usually for a reasonable fee.

Cheers,
Red

[Bminder]

My '92 came home on a trailer too. But I had researched the bike and found this amazing site and bought it knowing these guys would help me get it running.
Thanks to Randy at RPM, Pat Conlon, Capn Ron, and man others, I got the thing running like a top!
This is a great group of guys.
Even Noel! 

[Flynt]

My '92 came home on a trailer too.

+1...  after Klavdy thrashed it in the famous pine cone encounter, I drove down and trailered it home.  Then I swung by Rittner's place and bought the pieces to re-create his bike on my newly acquired wreck.  Wizard is the product of an initial recovery to ride worthiness followed by a second tear down and full restoration along with some engine work...  now it rolls right over the occasional pine cone without protest.

Frank

[Pat Conlon]

Yes Frank, you've done a remarkable job restoring/modifying the Wiz....one of the finest FJ's the world.  

Unless you personally know and trust the PO, I think that it is always a good idea to trailer your new used bike home. That way you can take your time and go thru all the necessary steps to assure you that you have a roadworthy bike. Not saying that I distrust PO's....I just would not bet my life on it....

Welcome gslab, we are on kind of a first name basis here, what should we call you?

[FJmonkey]

I brought my '89 home in my truck. Took 6+ weeks going over it and transferring all the good bits over from my '86. I found a hand full of things that needed fixing. Missing lower frame bolt, bolts not tight in the tail section, fuel leaking due to improper emissions repair. All but 2 valves were tight  . Nothing catastrophic but worth catching and fixing early. This a great time to get to know your FJ...

[Firehawk068]

Unless you personally know and trust the PO, I think that it is always a good idea to trailer your new used bike home.

Unless you are Fintip (from Austin) 

[Flynt]

I just would not bet my life on it....

That's a good point Pat.  Even the new-to-me '84 got torn down pretty thoroughly the day after I brought it home...  FJ's are simple, so well worth the exercise.  I found a few things that were festering under the pretty face including some lose fasteners (left clip on bar for example).  The PO/mechanic came by that day to bring the extra screen and GYSM that came with the bike.  He was delighted to see that I was investing the energy to make sure I'd trust it with my life.

Frank

[Mark Olson]

You know the saying "you break it, you bought it" ... that is how I became an FJ owner.

The story is best told around a campfire at a rally.  A trailer became involved.

[gslab]

Wow, Thanks for the warm welcome. Looks like I've come to the right place.
My name is George. G-slab is a moniker I earned from a neighbor when we found out the slab of my out-building was actually poured on my neighbors property. oops.

The guy I got this bike from was a real FJ fanatic. Great guy, and did everything correct when it came to maintaining the bike. The only problem with it was attributed to being put away in 2011 without draining the carbs, and it's in bad need of tires. But it came with spare exhaust, wheels and factory service manual (along with some other good stuff) I feel very fortunate. I don't typically hang onto bikes for very long, but this one looks great, and should take me just about anywhere I want to go. This may end up being a real keeper.

So, 16" radials....discuss.

[FJmonkey]

So, 16" radials....discuss.

Avon is the last radial you are likely to find in 16". I think they are great tires and I never went down on them. I ride the canyons so I know they stick. Don't expect a lot of miles out of them, 3K at best. I have since upgraded to 17" and love the Conti Motions for price and performance. Pirelli sport demon is a good tire in 16" for the stock FJ. If you want long lasting then look for the Metzler ME880, just don't carve the canyons on them...

FYI, tires, oil, are inflammatory topics. 

[Pat Conlon]

FYI, tires, oil, are inflammatory topics. 

Not really...

Tires are critical. Different choices for different riding styles. It's all good.