A Whole new bike

[Urban_Legend]

As a lot of you will know, I have spent a lot of time and money on my 84 FJ11. Well it is all together now, and with today being Fathers Day here in Australia, I decided to do the Fatherly thing and bugger off for a ride.

The ride was supposed to be with a few mates here, but they all piked out after looking at the weather (a bunch of sooks), so I set off on my own for a leisurely 280km ride through the hills surrounding my home (Grafton NSW) starting by heading up through Nymboida to Ebor, then turning left onto The Waterfall Way and over to Dorrigo. After that down the range to Coffs Harbour then back home.

I am loving the feel of the 89 forks and the new 17" wheels. This ride is the first time I have ever been over far enough to have virtually no strips left on the tyre. The bike is now a pure joy to ride, with a firm planted feel and great braking.  The bike now handles the twisty stuff with ease and is confidence inspiring. There is no sign of the shakes and wobbles it used to do through the faster corners and with the much improved brakes I can brake much later into the slower corners and accelerate hard out of them.

I though about doing some dirt riding but decided against it

Love this part of the world.

Mark

[Bones]

The bike looks great Mark, the FJ's look so much better with the bigger wheels, they should've come from the factory like that. Love the colour of your bike, are you gonna repaint the fairing or leave the scars on it as a memento.

What's next on the list, a blue bike surely deserves blue spot calipers to match.

[Urban_Legend]

The bike looks great Mark, the FJ's look so much better with the bigger wheels, they should've come from the factory like that. Love the colour of your bike, are you gonna repaint the fairing or leave the scars on it as a memento.

What's next on the list, a blue bike surely deserves blue spot calipers to match.

Thanks Bones. I think I will repaint the fairing as I have some factory decals for it now (even if I don't put them in factory locations) The Blue spot calipers would look a treat, but for the moment I will stick with the 89 FJ items. I just fully rebuilt them with new pistons and seals.

Mark

[roverfj1200]

That's looking the goods mate.. I'm glad it has come together for you.

[FJmonkey]

It is good to see her back on the road and with much nicer shoes.

[Pat Conlon]

Mark, well done!

You have echoed what many of us have been saying for years: The FJ with modern tires is a much better FJ.

You do realize that you are now hooked on modifying, yes?

[FJools]

Looks good Mark, hope the weather kept itself in check for the ride.

Was that the Coramba Rd from Dorrigo down to coffs ? Looks like a nice twisty test road...........

[Troyskie]

Sweet bit of FJ there mate!

[Urban_Legend]

Thanks all for your comments.
Pat - I well and truly have the bug. Will an early 1200 motor bolt in?

FJools - no most if the pictures were taken between Dorrigo and Nymboida / Armidale road. Sweet bit of road these days (some rough bits, but aren't there always)

Troyskie - thanks mate,  she is still a work in progress,  but at least I have an understanding girlfriend.

The bike now looks good and handle well, just need to get a bit more pep out of the engine and/or fix an oil consumption issue. Not sure what is happening with this. Doesn't blow smoke, is easy to start, even push starting -connection issue, fixed now.
Mark