New York to Cali...or bust

[racerrad8]

Yes, New York...the Bronx to be exact.

A while back an FJ owner called inquiring about working on his 1991 FJ1200. He had purchased it brand new. It had not run a quite some time and he was unable to find a local shop or mechanic to get it running for him. I assured him we could handle anything he needed for his FJ.

On one of the final calls, he asked, "What is the best way to get there from New York?"....and then the obligatory repeat question back to him; New York...?

Well, just get on I-80 west and head for California. Once you hit Highway 99 head south and then Highway 120 to Oakdale was the answer back to him.

He said, "We are leaving on Friday and should see you guys on Monday or Tuesday".

Monday and Tuesday went by, no word. We thought well that didn't pan out. But then on Wednesday mid-morning the phone rings, the caller says; "We are in Wells, Nevada and are hoping to be there before you close for the day." Knowing where he is on the road, I know we'd see them in the morning.

Thursday morning a maroon Ford pick-up pulls up in the front of the shop, a U-Haul trailer behind with a 91 FJ1200 in it. The license plates on the truck say "New York". The plate on the FJ say "New York". Holy smokes...he really drove out all the way from New York for us to work on his FJ.

Lar's the owner says, "We got stuck in the snow for two days in Wyoming or we would have been here as planned".

The bike gets unloaded. The goal before making anymore decisions is, "Will it run".

It has been to so many shops/mechanics and they can't get it running. He doesn't want to spend a bunch of money upgrading if there is something mechanically wrong internally in the engine.

I about twenty minutes after rolling it off the trailer, we pop on a set of carbs from a race car we are working on. Install his new battery and hit the button.

It cranks around about three times and fires right up. I immediately notice how mechanically quiet the engine is. There is no smoking and this appears to be a real cream puff internally. I look at the odometer and it reads 3930...yes, three thousand nine hundred and thirty miles. This thing is still brand new, but it has been raped by unqualified people working on it.

So, Lar's is happy to hear it run, so out come the pen & paper for the work he wants done. He has brought R1 front & rear suspension to be installed are the major items.

We have the list made and the work is beginning. I will post up as the build proceeds.

Lar's left his FJ and headed back to New York on Friday. They made it home early this week.

We started working on it yesterday afternoon and are down to the blank canvas to build her back up.

He wants to fly out in the spring when the bike is done and ride it. From there he will probably have it shipped back. I have not discussed with Lar's yet, but I am kind of hoping to have his trip back out in the spring occur so he can attend the 2018 WCR.

Much more to come.

Randy - RPM

[WhiteBeard]

What a beauty!

I will follow this thread with great excitement.

[Pat Conlon]

Yeppers, I'm in.... Did Lars have all the components needed for the R-1 conversion?

[fjbiker84]

Wow!  3930 miles.  Another FJ resurrected!

[racerrad8]

Did Lars have all the components needed for the R-1 conversion?

All the big, heavy listing is all done.

Fork extensions, rear shock, GPS speedo as well as all of the little details still need to be sorted; but the ball is already rolling.

Frame and engine are ready for soda blasting and repainting to start the project.

Randy - RPM

[balky1]

What a love Lars has for his FJ.  

[fj1289]

Awesome!

[racerrad8]

Wow!  3930 miles.  Another FJ resurrected!

A true 3900 mile bike.

There is minimal build up of chain goo on the frame.

And for the very first time, I did not have to press out the front motor mounts, they slid right out.

Randy - RPM

[56 CHEVY]

The fact that he would drive all the way from New York to deliver it to RPM should say it all about the level of service and workmanship that RPM has to offer for all of us FJ owners. We are all lucky to have a source of parts and expert help to keep our old bikes on the road. Thank you Randy and your family.

[Steve_in_Florida]

Most interesting

I now know just what I want for Christmas!

Thank you for posting, as I'll be very interested in the progress, also.

Steve

[andyoutandabout]

Another story of greatness begins. The Fj mojo is strong in this latest project. Proof once again that the brightest spot in the universe probably has Yamaha stamped on it.

[X-Ray]

What a project to take on, fantastic! I know this bike will be better than showroom when it is finished,

[CutterBill]

Randy,
are you painting or powder-coating the frame? I ask because I've always wanted to power-coat but the local PC shop is very skeptical that the Federal emissions tag under the steering stem will survive the heat. And as you know, the DMV takes a very dim view of bikes without that tag.

So I assume you're masking and painting, yes? Or do you have some magical way of preserving the tag while powder-coating?
Bill

[racerrad8]

It will be sand blasted and painted. There is too much rust on the frame too not address.

[racerrad8]

Received the frame back from the media blaster today, all nice & clean.

No more rust

Waiting on the color selection from the owner before getting it painted next week.

Randy - RPM