North American Fj1200's new Aussie life

[Troyskie]

Thanks fellas!
Harvy, mate I'll take up your offer of the handle bars.
I took Yummy for a test run. Sweet as a button, but the LHS handle bar is more bent than I thought. I think one of the POs has dropped her on the other side and the RHS is bent, but not as much, no gravel rash so it was likely a stationary drop.

Total damage is, miraculously,
1 x Windscreen
1 x handle bar
1 x embarrassment
2 x days in shed fixing (well, this was a shiny side  )

I can't believe the top & bottom front fairings, tank, mufflers, front guard, duck tail, indicators etc. survived without major damage.

The running poorly was partly a bit of oil in the head, but not much more than gets in from the worn valve stem guide seals. It turned out that a fair amount of fuel leaked out and the bike was in that fake running out of fuel mode, and the false reserve was not on as the PO had butchered that wiring circuit. I repaired it with some of my own butchery, but the reserve switch now works. She was running properly after that.

What lessons have I learned?
After three beers I'd better lower the hoist, and not attempt any important work on the bike, especially,.....NEVER TOUCH THE TYRES WHEN ITS ON THE HOIST   

The pics are of Yummy getting her tail straightened. It was waaay worse, and after the tail pic, we finessed it back to within a couple of mm. All the plastics etc. went back on perfectly, all holes lining up really well. There's also a pic of Yummy good as new...phew 

[FJmonkey]

Wow! The damage seems quite minor based on the pic of her tits up. Good to see that she is making a real good recovery. 

[Troyskie]

Very very lucky mate!

I can't find a parts matched GSXR rear wheel, so I'm going ahead with the FZR rear. I've a couple of machining options so doing the cush etc. should be ok. I'll also still have the stock rear for measurements etc.

[Bones]

Hey Troy, have you thought about trying an xjr1300 rear wheel. There's one on Gumtree with tyre for $65.00, and one on eBay with tyre and caliper for $150.00. Not sure if they require machining to fit or not but certainly cheap enough.

[Troyskie]

    Bones, I'm such a donkey sometimes. I didn't think of it.

I got excited and went ahead with the FZR yesterday. Fingers crossed it will be as I hope.

Top idea though!

[wilso8948]

Hey mate anything you need let me know. I'm in Newcastle NSW and wrecking an 87 FJ1200. Nowhere near the condition yours is in but might be something you need and there's not much in Aus. Just PM me or see my wreck post in the for sale section

[Troyskie]

Thanks mate, PM on the way

[Troyskie]

Lots of parts have arrived.   
1995 FZR1000 rear wheel & associated bits.
A large box o bits from Randy for both Yummy & Effie.

Yummy is a smoker, real cloud-up from start-up, too much to put up with and an hours cruise showed some oil use.
Whilst she is up on the hoist for a new rear....I think I'll take the plunge and have a go at a minor top-end rebuild. I've never done more than watch and assist, so this will be a REAL education for me.

List of parts I don't have yet for the minor top end I've put together are:
Valve stem guide seals.
Rings.
Rocker cover gasket.

I believe with the last order to Randy, I have all the rest of the gaskets, plus clutch parts I'll need, but if there are suggestions of parts I've forgotten feel free to add to the list.

As the bike only has 38,000 original miles I'm not going to do any 'performance' mods on the motor. With the new wheels and tight motor, it is more than enough for me, so stock is my goal (plus I assume it will be more straight forward given my novice level competence)

[FJmonkey]

Looking good Troy, keep the updates coming.

[Troyskie]

Thanks Mark, this will be fun, and a little scary...me with a spanner? 

[FJmonkey]

Thanks Mark, this will be fun, and a little scary...me with a spanner? 

Yea, we saw what you did to an FJ without supervision. Maybe you need a trained adult to watch over your shoulder....

[Troyskie]

Might have to go with mid-strength beer whilst tinkering....

[FJmonkey]

Might have to go with mid-strength beer whilst tinkering....

Better off with this... Wombat wiz...

[TexasDave]

Fosters?  Really?  I think the Monkey owes the Aussies an apology for that one.     Dave

[FJmonkey]

Fosters?  Really?  I think the Monkey owes the Aussies an apology for that one.     Dave

Already included....  see end of post.

And the reference to wombat wiz....   

Married to an Aussie means I need to understand some proper Aussie. When they get mad, I run for cover...