New to FJO forum

[Brother-J]

Kinda amazing how many of us have similar life stories.  My last bike before my FJ was a new 86 Ninja 1000 that was stolen out of a motel parking lot in LA during an overnight stay back in March 1987.  Shortly afterward I got reassigned to the east coast and then on to other parts of the world - got married, raised a daughter, and never thought about getting back on a bike till my FJ and I crossed paths back in 2006.  Similar to Pat, I bought my FJ while on a business trip to Alabama and kept it there for many years while my family was stationed in Korea... not sure if it would meet their approval should they find out.  Eventually, to my surprise, when I finally told my wife about the FJ, she really didn't have an objection to me having it and it's been a welcome addition in the garage here in California ever since.  But I like Pat's story best.

Yes it is. I was station at camp carol Korea in 82-83. As soon as I got back to the states (Fort Hood TX) I put the down payment on my "84" I'm 55yo, I wonder if this would be classified as a mid life crisis. 

[fjbiker84]

It's a small world... or a big Army.  I spent 4 years at Ft Hood in the early 90s after returning from my first tour in Korea.  I recommend you put the 84 back on the street rather than turn it into a drag bike.  It's amazing how often someone will comment on my bike while I'm at a stop light or gas station, etc.  That happened to me again just yesterday.  A young man in a Chevy S10 pulled up next to me at a stop light and said, "Does your odometer say 40,000 miles?"  After complimenting him on his eyesight (it actually has 43,000+) I asked him if he was familiar with the FJ since he appeared to younger than the bike.  "Yeah, my older brother had one when I was a kid."  It's a classic. 

[Brother-J]

It's a small world... or a big Army.  I spent 4 years at Ft Hood in the early 90s after returning from my first tour in Korea.  I recommend you put the 84 back on the street rather than turn it into a drag bike.  It's amazing how often someone will comment on my bike while I'm at a stop light or gas station, etc.  That happened to me again just yesterday.  A young man in a Chevy S10 pulled up next to me at a stop light and said, "Does your odometer say 40,000 miles?"  After complimenting him on his eyesight (it actually has 43,000+) I asked him if he was familiar with the FJ since he appeared to younger than the bike.  "Yeah, my older brother had one when I was a kid."  It's a classic. 

I just got a PM from another member offering me an extended swing arm but I'm pretty sure I'm going to restore it. I think it'll be cheaper the catching the racing bug. Tx. was a great place for riding the FJ.

[Pat Conlon]

Tx. was a great place for riding the FJ.

Yep.....except for the armadillos .

Back in '72 I took my AIT at Ft Sam Houston (medic) and on weekends used to ride my trusty CB500 up to Austin and visit the UT college gals.

Those pesky armadillo's will take you down. Little boulders with legs.