THEY FOUND MY BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pdxfj]

The cops found it parked some 20 miles away on the front door step of a Lutheran Church.  Plate still intact.

Brian and I spent nearly 10 hours chasing all kinds of electrical demons on the bike.  I even installed the head light relays while we had it all apart.  The wiring on the bike was hacked up when John got it.  We were able to piece it back together and make things right again.  I am fearful to see what it looks like now.  From what John describes it sounds like there might have been some wiring ripped out around the battery compartment.

Without running and riding the bike who knows what kind of shape it's in mechanically now.  We know the FJ's are very though although early models do have the 2nd gear issue.  His bike had no such issue, but it's possible it does now.

My thought process is that they ripped the side covers off to try and get at the battery to jump start it.  When they realized there was no access, they drilled out the seat/helmet lock.  Either they drilled the gas cap to remove or add fuel, and I don't understand why they took the rear brake res. cap.  From my readings huffing gold spray paint gives the best highs, so perhaps they were getting baked while they painted things.  !??!!?  They did steal the battery from the FJ and the truck they broke into for tools.  Both were lead acid, so perhaps they were baking something with the electrolyte?

Whom ever did this had some idea of what they were doing.  Or at least a basic understanding how the ignition switch is wired internally.  They did try for a SV parked just a few spots down from John's FJ, but there wasn't any easy access to the ignition switch so they could remove it.  There is damage to the SV where they attempted to steal it.  The unfortunate thing is the FJ was the easier target.

[ogmudbone]

hey sorry i have been brain dead since my bike got snatched, to answer the other part of your query Mr Marsh, no they did not catch or arrest anyone yet.


OGmudbone

[Mark Olson]

John,

The bike appears to be mostly intact and functional, hopefully you can throw a battery in there and see if she runs.
good luck.
still sending positive waves. 

[ogmudbone]

Mark O, yes mostly in tact. The problem is the price to replace the triple clamp,ignition,chain&sprockets,side panels,battery and complete paint job is going to be enough to total the bike. I'm on a fixed budget so I have to pray I can get enough to buy my bike back and get the 86 FJ I have been offered. otherwise I'll be buying the 86 so I can still ride this season.

Thank you and everyone else for all the positive energy, good thoughts and support.


OGmudbone

[Mark Olson]

John,

If you do end up keeping it post a shopping list in the parts wanted section and i'll bet the group will help you out.

If you rub the bike down with paint thinner it will remove most of the custom paint job before it sets in.

[tqmx1]

Just to let you know there is a good looking 90 up in Omac Wa. on ebay at this time. They are asking $1800 with 0 bids. It ends in a day+ 20 Hrs. from the time of this post.

So if they total yours I would be looking that direction.

Good luck witch ever way you jump.

The Ebay # is 190287625928

[ogmudbone]

 I will try the paint thinner trick as soon as I can get my hands on the bike, thanks for the tip. Thank you also for the tip on the 90 FJ.
Mr. Bean is a righteous dude and has offered me up his 86 for a very fair deal, so I think I will go that route as he and Brian have helped me so much I would like to return the favor if possible. The cosmetics of the bike heartbreaking as they are, are not my biggest worries. I am more concerned with finding out if any mechanical damage was done (clutch,engine,transmission etc...).


Anyway if I am able to get my bike back I will certainly list the parts I need to acquire and will be more than happy to pay for them as I can afford it.



Thanks again EVERYONE for your positive energy,support and good will.


OGmudbone
aka
John

[tqmx1]

Unless they dropped rocks in the crankcase that thing will run, Nice thing is they did not take any of the induction system apart so the internals in the carbs should be fine (unless they dropped rocks in the gas tank) They are like a timex (takes a licking and keep on ticking)

As I said before they left all the hard to find parts alone (might be painted on but intact) every thing else can be found on all 84 FJ11 to 93 FJ1200. and then get Mr Brian to put a nice trick paint job on it!!

I think the real bummer might be trying to round up a gas cap (thats why I said try to round up a 86/7 1200 flush cap tank along with the cap) Those caps are still being used on Yamahas to this veary day.

Good luck on what ever you decide.
Kim

Ps I have a box of parts and I might have a triple tree and I know I have a seat latch you can have for shipping.

[ogmudbone]

OK, update...still waiting on insurance guy to get off his ass...now I'm starting to feel like I'm getting the run around...I have to call 3 times just to try to get a nonexistent progress report. If I don't hear from them today I will start calling 20 times a day until they get to it. I am worried they will try to stick me with the impound bill. If they do screw me we can all tell progressive to kiss our ass maybe?

I will keep you all updated. As soon as I know something new i will post it.


OGmudbone
aka
john

[the fan]

I have never had a problem with progressive.

Your bike may be being held as evidence if they think they can bring the thief to trial. I had this happen when my home was robbed. Instead of badgering the agent, try calling the Detective handling the case to find out. I got my stuff back when I went in and signed paperwork attesting to my ownership of the stuff,which was later used to prosicute the offendees. i got the impression that most people, after getting thier stuffback, 'forget' to show up in court and ruin the case against the thieves.

Unless you signed off on the bike its your machine, not the insurance companies (at least in KY and OHIO it is)

[ogmudbone]

good tip ill try calling the local Police that found it.


OGmudbone

[Mark Olson]

John,

looking at your avatar pic I see the carport wall. was that the wall they wheeled your bike under to steal it?
no wonder they stripped the windscreen off but they should have took it with them. did they actually get it running ? was the mileage different as far as you can tell?

[ogmudbone]

yes that is the carport wall i was talking about...and i was so pissed i forgot to look at the mileage to confirm if they got it running. i will know the next time i see her.


OGmudbone

[ogmudbone]

i forgot who commented on it, but now i think they stole it just to take a free ride and steal the gas and battery out of it. i don't know the motivation, don't really care either to be honest they stole my bike any way you try to justify why. it breaks my heart....hopefully i will get enough out of this mess to buy her back and rebuild .


OGmudbone

[Mark Olson]

Hang in there brother, you will ride again.