Non FJ content. My old 1982 GS1100GLZ.

[1tinindian]

Iowa hit 60  degrees for the first time this year, and I took the time to get my old bike out after a 3 year rest in storage.

Prior to me buying my FJ back in 2010, this Suzuki was my bike of choice and one that I have had great affection for.
I bought it new in 1985 (dealer hold over), nearly killed myself in a bad wreck in 1987, rebuilt it in 1988, and continued riding her.
But alas, the magic and passion of the FJ sweep me off my feet, and lead me to you fine people, and I have had little reason to look back, that is, until this winter.
I have been feeling guilty of the long term neglect of this bike, and made up my mind, that this was the year to get it back out on the road.

Now, I was preparing myself for some trouble in getting it running after such a long down time.
I started by getting a new AGM battery, and giving it a go.
Primed the carbs, full choke, and a little cranking, and she fired right up, WOW!
After a little warm up time, and the choke being pulled back to idle, I was greeted with a smooth idle and throttle response, yeah!
Prior to it's long down time, the only prep it got was a full tank of fuel with stabilizer, that's it.

So, convinced that I had a runner, I buttoned things up and hit the road to my house 6 miles away from my storage garage.
Other than needing a good wash and polish, she'll need a fresh tank of gas and new fork  seals. (Not much of anything for the front brakes due to all the oil leaked down on them) and an oil change....It feels strange on one hand, due to getting so used to the FJ, but yet, it felt like old times when I rode this bike all the time.
I used to take offence to a buddy of mine referring to this bike as a "chopper" due to its styling, ( pull back bars, step seat, leading axle front forks, tear drop gas tank), but after enjoying my FJ as much as I have, I accept that moniker as very befitting.

Any day on two wheels is a good day....today was a good day.

Leon

VIDEO

[movenon]

Very nice looking bike Leon ! 
George

[ken65]

Very nice bike you have in minty looking condition. Some don't like the classic/ special tag put on those cruiser style bikes  from the 80's
but i like them.  I wish it  was mine and am green with envy.. I had an 81 xj650 special  with the same similar seat / shape etc.   Put 50000k's
on it and it was as good as the day i got it ..when i sadly sold it...

[1tinindian]

I agree Ken, this style is very polarizing, people either love them, or hate them.
I like to call them the muscle cruisers, not so good in the twisties, but they get with the program in the long straights!
This bike should be a good commuter this summer, with no worries of squaring off a good set of tires on my FJ.

Leon

[the fan]

Hey Leon,

I have an 81 GS1100GK in my garage that was abandoned after the PO took it apart... You could have a stablemate / sister for that big Suzy for the price of a slight detour on your way home from a rally....

The GK is the big brown touring bike with a soul.

[charleygofast]

Nice! Back in the 80s when I worked at a BMW shop in Tucson, we called them "Disco Choppers".  Put a set of superbike style bars on it and they become a much better corner carver. I just  brought back to life a '79 XS 1100 special true barn find with 13,500 mi on it. Full bagger with a windjammer(ugh!) hard bags, trunk, and one of those funky double bucket seats. I did change the bars to ex RD400 stock bars and now its perfect IMO. I was a bit reluctant to post about it here but now I will...as soon as I can get some decent pics to load. I love my FJ but I think I can keep my wife in the saddle longer on this beast. AnywaY  VERY NICE GSL! and great story I love when people keep a bike forever!!!    (try the bar swap...if your back is up to it)                                                                                                                                              Cheers!                                                                                                                                                                                                             Charley

[Zwartie]

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be...

I miss my first bike, a 1979 XS400 and my second bike, a 1981 Seca 750. I don't miss my 1984 V45 Sabre, though - too many issues with it and I really should have bought an FJ at that time.

sigh.

Zwartie

[rktmanfj]

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be...

I miss my first bike, a 1979 XS400 and my second bike, a 1981 Seca 750. I don't miss my 1984 V45 Sabre, though - too many issues with it and I really should have bought an FJ at that time.

sigh.

Zwartie

The Honda V-4s were a PITA to maintain.
I sold a 1985 Interceptor to get my FJ, never missed it even a little bit.   

[Zwartie]

I bought the Sabre in the fall of 1990. It had something like 12,000 km on it and I picked it up for $1,600. I thought that was a great deal until I found out that I had to spend another $1,000 to replace the cams - ouch! Fortunately I got a few seasons out of it including a ride out west to Calgary and back. Sold it the spring of 1994 for $2,500 so in the end it turned out ok. That was also when I bought my first FJ and I've been an FJ owner ever since!

The Honda V-4s were a PITA to maintain.
I sold a 1985 Interceptor to get my FJ, never missed it even a little bit.   

[gumby302ho]

 What I really like about what I believe to be true are these old GS motors are built smart and tough like the old yams, I think most of the GS model's motors were fine looking, those overhead cams really pop out at ya! My pal had an old GS 1150 EF with a overbore, when word got out of some of the guys he was destroying(drags) nobody wanted a piece of that Suzuki.

[giantkiller]

I totalled my first bike 86 fj1200. Bought several others. Came back to the fj. Now have several fjs.

[TexasDave]

I totalled my first bike 86 fj1200. Bought several others. Came back to the fj. Now have several fjs.

Good to know there is some truth to the adage "with age comes wisdom".        Dave

[giantkiller]

I don't know about wisdom just a little bit more reserv. 37 broken bones later still going a little too fast.

[Firehawk068]

Good for you Leon!

I bet old Suzy was grinning at the thought of getting out on the highway once again. 
She sure cleans up nice!

[Charlie-brm]

The thread caught my attention because a friend of mine started with a 1980 GS850. About all that could be said for it was that he seemed faster than me getting on the straights on my 1979 XS750. Both heavy boats; no point kidding about it. I do miss the triple growl and 'forget about it' shaft drive (sometimes) but that's all. The FJ1100 was such a joy to latch on to in comparison. I'd borrowed a nice FJ1200 for a few days so I had a good idea what I was getting into. BTW, my friend got a 2003 VStrom 1000cc last year so he's leap frogged me in technology but I'm not envious.