Old ride for an old man

[Alte Fahrt]

If you're going to read this you might as well go get a cup of coffee or a beer and get comfortable. This is quite a tale and I sometimes get a little long winded.

We'll start with ancient history. I started riding in 1970 at age 16 with a Honda CB350. At 17 I got my first Harley, a sportster. From then to 1989 I rode nothing but Harleys. I was about to make my last trip over here and knew I couldn't bring my ride. Frame mods are not allowed. It was with a lot of sadness that I sold my 1948 Knucklehead. I retired form the military in 1994 and had to get a regular German drivers license. For a car it was expensive and I could not justify the expense of getting one for a motorcycle.

Fast forward to a year and a half ago. My friend told me he had the perfect project for me. I asked what it was. He told me it was an old Yamaha that had been sitting for a couple of years. I told him I would think about it. Discussed it with the Boss (wife) and she was ok with it. I have a workshop, tools and the skills And figured if he didn't want too much I would go for it. I thought I could invest some time and money and then sell it for a profit. When I asked how much, he said I could have it for free. I thought there must be something major wrong with it but later found out it was given to him by a guy that had a stroke and couldn't ride anymore. We loaded it in his pickup and took it to my house. Into the workshop it went and he gave me the keys and all the paperwork.

The first sign of trouble, I could not get it on the center stand without help. After going through the paperwork and doing some research I had figured out just what was sitting in my workshop.

1988 FJ1200
Less than 54000 km (about 38000 miles)
Rated top speed 240 kph (about 150 mph)
130 hp which according to my research was only sold in Europe that year in Austria and Switzerland.
This thing had not had plates on it for 12 years.

About a month and a half into this my job went away. After 18 years in a computer repair shop it closed with only one week notice. It then that I found out that if you are 55 or older no one will hire you no matter how skilled you are. So my financing for this was gone. I worked odd jobs fixing things for people to buy what I needed. This meant restoration was out and mechanically sound was in. I rebuilt the engine and carbs. Had to have the inside of the gas tank sandblasted and an epoxy coating installed. It also need new tires, battery and other bits and pieces. Anything that moved got taken apart, cleaned and lubed. When it was done, I figured I had spent about 1000 Euros and 150 hours of my time. Now what to do with it.

I didn't figure I would ever get out of it what I put in. I decided I would ride it. That meant driving school. I found one across the river in Mainz that would do it for 1000 Euros. That was also when I found out that you need the full Road Warrior gear for training and testing. Another 400 Euros. When I started the riding part of the training to say I was shaky would be an understatement. It had been 26 years since I had been on a bike. I passed the test, got mine inspected and put plates on it. The first ride on this old beast was a little shaky but I will say that thing has so much power that it scares the hell out of me. Maybe that is a good thing though. Some questions and more about it later. The boss is on my case to go cut the grass now.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome to our digital campfire. I enjoyed your introduction. The '88 FJ is either an '87 generation or an '89 gen year depending on where it was originally sold. Got any pics to post up of your FJ?

[aviationfred]

Great introduction

Welcome to the forum  

The 1988 model is when Yamaha really decided to aim at the Sport-Touring side and made some good improvements. There is a vast collective of knowledge here. Many of the members are original owners and there are a large amount that own 2, 4, 6 FJ's.

There are a few members in Germany, and a few in Denmark and The Netherlands. Look on the following link and pin yourself. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10618.0

You can see where other members are.

Fred

[movenon]

Welcome to the forum ! Great place to learn about the FJ !
George

[Dads_FJ]

"I thought I could invest some time and money and then sell it for a profit."

Didn't really work out that way did it?  Nice intro, welcome to the club! 

[Dads_FJ]

"I thought I could invest some time and money and then sell it..."
Didn't really work out that way did it?

You seemed to have found the kookaloo, next is moditis...
Nice intro, welcome to the club! 

[Alte Fahrt]

Thanks for the welcome. I got the grass cut and will add a little more to the story. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea, I love riding this thing but it demands a lot of respect.

I'll give you an example. The first time I took it on the autobahn (think interstate without a speed limit). I made a left turn at a traffic light, followed the curve to the right and started down the acceleration lane. I changed to 3rd gear, gave it some gas and the font wheel promptly came off the road. Not what I expected. The old monster draws a lot of attention where ever we go. The best part is the look on peoples faces when I take off my helmet and they realize a guy in his 60s is riding this thing.

I seriously doubt I'll get into mods. In 2 years it qualifies for historic plates which means no taxes. There was one mod I had to do. With the original mirrors I couldn't see anything but my shoulders. My local bike shop hooked me up with a set from a newer Yamaha. The mirror sits about 4" farther out than the originals. Now I can see who is sneaking up on me.

[FJmonkey]

What Yamaha bike did the mirrors come from?

[Alte Fahrt]

What Yamaha bike did the mirrors come from?

I'm not sure but I'll ask on Monday. I forgot to mention that the holes didn't line up but a Dremel andlittle black paint worked wonders.

[FJmonkey]

I'm not sure but I'll ask on Monday. I forgot to mention that the holes didn't line up but a Dremel andlittle black paint worked wonders.

Most mirrors found today regardless of make, seem to be a slightly smaller hole pattern.

[PaulG]

I decided I would ride it. That meant driving school. I found one across the river in Mainz that would do it for 1000 Euros. That was also when I found out that you need the full Road Warrior gear for training and testing. Another 400 Euros.

I almost spit up my coffee when I read that.     I new things were relatively more expensive there but jeeez.  Glad that didn't put you off getting back into riding. At least you have the autobahn to wring it's neck occasionally. Best way to keep the carbon from building up.... 

Have fun! 

[Pat Conlon]

The best part is the look on peoples faces when I take off my helmet and they realize a guy in his 60s is riding this thing......

60's? That's too old for the FJ...

Oh, wait a minute.....

[Mark Olson]

The 88 is the split year .
If you have anti-dive forks then it takes 87 parts.
If you have a fuel pump then it takes 89 parts.

Awesome story , keep it coming .

[TexasDave]

The best part is the look on peoples faces when I take off my helmet and they realize a guy in his 60s is riding this thing......

60's? That's too old for the FJ...

Oh, wait a minute.....

Yes guys that age should not be on bikes like the FJ capable of 150mph. I am still twenty years old in my mind.       Dave

[ribbert]

60's? That's too old for the FJ...

Oh, wait a minute.....

Yes guys that age should not be on bikes like the FJ capable of 150mph. 
Dave

You're right Dave, with that much experience under their belts they should be riding something faster.

Noel