Re: FJ value vs cost

[Tuned forks]

Man I just don't know why these bikes are SOO cheep.

I lived in Manteca (next to Tracy) and currently in Atlanta. I also have a JF small world. too bad you cannot keep it, would have a local FJ friend I could ride with...

Paul, they're getting inexpensive because many of them are 30 years old.  Only us fanatics are willing to lay out long green for such a vintage machine.  I think most buyers in the used bike market would prefer something more modern, like fuel injection, modern tire choices, newer electronics, etc.  That's the reason I was able to afford my FJ.  It was advertised at $1600 and since no one looked at it, I was able to negotiate the price to $1400.  Of course by the time I am done with RPM, it will have cost me closer to $4k.

Joe

[Pat Conlon]

Joe, true, we spend some coin on our bikes, but look at it this way: How much would you spend on a new bike?

Remembering, it's not just the price difference at time of sale (non-recurring cost) but the recurring costs that will get ya...

My FJ saves me money every time I work on her. Our FJ's are pretty damn simple. Yes, the carbs are fussy but you'll learn..

Want to spend $480+ with a dealer just to adjust your valves?  Buy a new bike with shim under bucket.

[Paul.1478]

Used to be just a hop, skip, and a jump from RPM headquarters too. When your bike is ready for a spa day you can make a trip out of it to visit your old stomping grounds.

well it in part is at RPM on a spa day. You have my carbs. And your going to get my forks over the winter.
I will tell you, even my wife was surprised about the questions you sent me regarding elevation, humid, weight and riding style for carb rebuild. Shows you are not just going to dunk them to "clean" them but really work on them, fix them and send back a set of carbs I will be able to bolt back on and ride.

[Paul.1478]

Man I just don't know why these bikes are SOO cheep.

I lived in Manteca (next to Tracy) and currently in Atlanta. I also have a JF small world. too bad you cannot keep it, would have a local FJ friend I could ride with...

Paul, they're getting inexpensive because many of them are 30 years old.  Only us fanatics are willing to lay out long green for such a vintage machine.  I think most buyers in the used bike market would prefer something more modern, like fuel injection, modern tire choices, newer electronics, etc.  That's the reason I was able to afford my FJ.  It was advertised at $1600 and since no one looked at it, I was able to negotiate the price to $1400.  Of course by the time I am done with RPM, it will have cost me closer to $4k.

Joe

Yea, I guess your correct. I have already spent in my mind over 3K on it and that is not all I can think of.
I also have a 76 RD400. I got it for about 3K and just put 3600 into the motor 3 weeks ago. it worth about 3K. For me it is not about the value or how much I can make. I love that bike and I love my FJ. My wife keeps asking me why don't you just buy a new bike. good question but I have no good answer. You just love what you love.

[Tuned forks]

Wow, a RD400.  What a widowmaker.

Pat and Paul, my main point was not to emphasize that we put money into our FJ's.  Although that is true, my main point is that the bikes are relatively cheap to purchase because the main stream used motorcycle buyer would not be interested in our older machines.

I do agree that investing in our motorcycle platforms can be a relatively less expensive investment than buying a newer motorcycle because our FJ's can do nearly anything a newer bike can do...except pass modern emissions.  For me, it's a mostly emotional attachment.  Like many boomers that could not afford their dream machine while they were young men, I couldn't afford a FJ when they were new but find that I can live my dream now.

Joe

[Millietant]

Wow, a RD400.  What a widowmaker.

Pat and Paul, my main point was not to emphasize that we put money into our FJ's.  Although that is true, my main point is that the bikes are relatively cheap to purchase because the main stream used motorcycle buyer would not be interested in our older machines.

I do agree that investing in our motorcycle platforms can be a relatively less expensive investment than buying a newer motorcycle because our FJ's can do nearly anything a newer bike can do...except pass modern emissions.  For me, it's a mostly emotional attachment.  Like many boomers that could not afford their dream machine while they were young men, I couldn't afford a FJ when they were new but find that I can live my dream now.

Joe

It's funny Joe, but I have a different attachment to my FJ - and my ownership experience is the opposite of yours in some respects.

In early 1986, I was promoted at work and got my first ever company car. That meant I could sell my own car and buy the first new bike I'd ever bought on my own. With my savings and the money from the sale of the car, I went to the largest bike dealer around (Queens Park Motors, in Manchester) and asked them what was the biggest, fastest bike available at that time - they pointed me to the FJ 1200 (I already figured that's what they'd point me to) and I bought it there and then (for £3,200 in cash - I could have had a VF 1000 F for £100 less, but they only had the half faired version).

In 1989, I got another promotion and my boss asked if I'd sell him my FJ - about this time I was really fancying the 3CV model, so I jumped at the chance and did the deals.

I've still got the 3CV - I fell in love with my 1TX, but really gelled with the 3CV and have never, ever, considered selling it.

The FJ did get relegated to the back of the garage when I went through my mid-life crisis and got my Aprilia RSV Mille and seriously got into track riding (I had annual passes for the Nurburgring Nordschleife and have done a LOT of miles/laps there), but I always intended to "modernise" the FJ, it just took me a long time to get around to it.

Now that it's finished and I'm riding it again, the love has gotten even deeper - but mainly because right now, the bike seems to be absolutely perfect for me.

If I had unlimited cash, yes I'd have a big bore engine, Ohlins suspension, brembo radial brakes etc.....but, do you know what, I just don't feel the need for that stuff right now. And, outside of an Aprilia Tuono 1100, there's nothing else in today's new bikes that I'd consider buying - the FJ is still (after all these years) the best and best value, all-round big bike IMO, by far.

[Pat Conlon]

....Like many boomers that could not afford their dream machine while they were young men, I couldn't afford a FJ when they were new but find that I can live my dream now.....

I hear ya Joe. In '84 couldn't afford mine either and I had no business buying it....but I did anyway (glad I did)

I just didn't know how to tell SWMBO.

FJ's are good value bikes.

[Tuned forks]

This thread has gotten pretty far off topic and I'm about to take it even farther.  Pat and Dean, I'm really envious that you've been able to enjoy over 30 years of FJ goodness.

Dean, know what I was doing before checking the forum...watching Isle of Man video from this year.  Sooooo, I gotta ask.  How's the ride from Suffolk to Liverpool?  Can a person catch a train from London to Suffolk?

Joe the Curious

[Millietant]

This thread has gotten pretty far off topic and I'm about to take it even farther.  Pat and Dean, I'm really envious that you've been able to enjoy over 30 years of FJ goodness.

Dean, know what I was doing before checking the forum...watching Isle of Man video from this year.  Sooooo, I gotta ask.  How's the ride from Suffolk to Liverpool?  Can a person catch a train from London to Suffolk?

Joe the Curious

Hi Joe - I'm not certain where exactly you'll be travelling to in Suffolk (there are some pretty small places that don't have easy access to a train station), but there are regular of trains from London to the towns in Suffolk every day and it's a pretty short journey time.

Regarding travelling to Liverpool by road, it can be a bit of a lottery. The easy route is straight across the A11/A14 to join the M6 at Rugby (where I live). It's not very interesting, but only takes about 2 and 1/2 hours to get to the M6 (from Ipswich area). From there it's straight along the M6 (there is an alternative toll route around Birmingham, which is expensive, but it's worth it) until you get to the M62 and from there it's straight into Liverpool and follow signs to the Docks and ferry terminal. The M6 section can be / is a nightmare. On a good run it takes 2 and 1/2 hours from Rugby. The last time I went to the IoM (2013) it took us 6 hours to get to the ferry terminal from Rugby because of traffic on the M6 - it's an absolute lottery !

There are cross-country alternatives, but they'd make it a 2 day journey if you wanted to enjoy the journey (happy to put you up overnight if you wanted to do that).

Hope this helps - but catch up nearer the time and we've can review again

[Tuned forks]

Thanks Dean.  Seeing the IOM is becoming a bucket list item.  I was informed last week that I qualify for retirement now so I'm mentally making post-employment plans.  One shipping carrier I searched uses Suffolk for their England destination.  I would not be surprised if other shippers used closer ports.  Sending my machine over just seems like a cool idea instead of buying or renting a bike while in country.  Yes, when I am months away from pulling the trigger I will make a post seeking help from my British buddies.  If I was to ride cross country though, the scenic route would probably be more interesting and full of local color.
The reason I asked about London to Suffolk was due to an interest to visit your War Museum in London.  I've been told it's a fascinating museum and could take weeks or more to see.

Joe

[giantkiller]

I bought my first bike. An 86 fj1200 brand new in 86. I lived on a mattress on the floor of a hallway (that had doors on both ends) in a house that 3 of my buddies rented. But I had my Fj. Put 14,000 miles on it. In 2 1/2 months totalled it. Moved on to other bikes came back to fj's a few years ago. And now have 5 of them. Could buy any bike I want. But because they are cheap to buy. And cheap to mess with. I have an 86 1350. A 2up/touring 89. And an 86 getting total custom and a turbo. For about the price of a new bike
Value for the price because they are 30+ years old. But still do more than most.

[Millietant]

Thanks Dean.  Seeing the IOM is becoming a bucket list item.  I was informed last week that I qualify for retirement now so I'm mentally making post-employment plans.  One shipping carrier I searched uses Suffolk for their England destination.  I would not be surprised if other shippers used closer ports.  Sending my machine over just seems like a cool idea instead of buying or renting a bike while in country.  Yes, when I am months away from pulling the trigger I will make a post seeking help from my British buddies.  If I was to ride cross country though, the scenic route would probably be more interesting and full of local color.
The reason I asked about London to Suffolk was due to an interest to visit your War Museum in London.  I've been told it's a fascinating museum and could take weeks or more to see.

Joe

Our museum scene here is like a black-hole - once you get caught up in it, you can be there for months. And the Imperial War Museum is fantastic (and I also love The Royal Armouries, in Leeds)

Shipping your bike over is an interesting option, but to be honest, just IMO, Suffolk (presumablybecause the port is either  Ipswich, Felixstowe, or Harwich) is about the worst place to come from if you're riding a bike - once you're a couple of miles from the coast it's flat and featureless (although there are some quaint little villages). If you can find another port - the further north the better - you'll have a much better journey to get anywhere. My neighbour brings bikes to the UK regularly from the USA - I'll find out who he uses and where they come in.

London is easy to get to by train from just about anywhere in England - it's just mega expensive if you travel during the commuter periods.

I suppose I'm biased, having travelled a hell of a lot for work in the south east of England, but believe me, it's not the part of the country you'd want to travel in by road (even on a bike) - absolute traffic nightmare. The best countryside and what I would call "The Real England" is a long way from London (to the West or further North). There are some super routes to Liverpool from the East and the South West, the only issue you'll have is how long you want to spend getting there. I'd also caution you about booking early if you're going to see the TT races - the ferries and the accommodation get booked up very quickly - don't leave it until February or March to book everything otherwise you'll struggle.

Liz and I will happily help any way we can, once you have an idea what your time-frame and wish-list are (we're both retired, so have no real time restraints on our forward plans).

[Troyskie]

Imperial War Museum is awesome. I'm not much of a fan of London in general, but there are so many must see things there for when you finally tear yourself away from IWM. IOM is on my list as well.

My bro first introduced me to his first FJ in 87. I had been drooling over a GPZ900 since seeing one in Top Gun (I'm being embarrassingly honest now). The FJ changed my mind, plus I couldn't afford the 900, so it was quite convenient. My bro still has his original FJ & we've swapped it a couple of times (I broke it most). That bike has over 700,000k's on the crank. He did a bunch of go-fast mods in the 80's like a JMC IOM swingarm, carbies, bored out head (can't remember to what), modded the CDI, brakes, suspension, electrics, other bits on the motor (especially the wild cams!!!), all on a station hand salary, with most of the wrenching done by him!!!! The bike already had more performance than I had ability before all the mods.

I eventually bought my own FJ, an 85 1100. Rode it across Australia & unfortunately was taken out by a car at a set of lights. Total write-off, the car bent or broke just about everything. That put me off bikes as I lived in the city and just didn't want to ride in traffic.

After a long hiatus I recently got back into bikes. Now I'm older and wealthier (not wiser ) and just like giantkiller, I can choose any bike I like. Long story short, by a twist of fate it was back to the FJ.

Now I have four, with two rebuilt (one of them twice  ), a nice little parts collection, three daily rides. I've no need for a super sports bike as I simply don't have the balls or skill to use it properly. This all for less than one of the new bikes I was looking at.

On top of value for money, I found the FJ community, my bro and I thought we were alone in our preference for it until I came across the forum, which has lead to some great mates. This is probably the best benefit of the FJ. So few dickheads is such a rare thing.

Long Live the Mighty FJ (ambo's rule!)

[Urban_Legend]

 :drinks:Unfortunately we are talking about three completely different concepts.
What a bike is worth = what someone is willing to pay for it
What a bike cost = how much you have spent on it.
Whats it's Value = how much it means to you
My bike is probably worth about $2000 - 2500
I have spent $14000 to $16000 on it (lost count)
Its value to me is priceless.

How do you spent so much =impatience, mistakes, stuff ups, falls and farlkes.

[Troyskie]

Its value to me is priceless.
How do you spent so much =impatience, mistakes, stuff ups, falls and farlkes.

You sure you don't work for MasterCard?