New Hip Progress

[Millietant]

Thanks guys, all is still going well and I can see the day I get back on the FJ looming closer and closer.

I'm fortunate that its my left femur/hip and left side pelvis that were done, so putting the FJ on it's centre stand isn't really an issue - I have "the knack" and can hoist mine onto the centre stand with virtually no effort.

I had trouble holding the bike up if it leaned slightly to the left at a standstill - yes, it fell on top of my leg a couple of times - in the last year before surgery, but damage to the bike was minimal. Damage to my pride was much more extensive  . At the moment, I'm still lacking left side strength significantly against my right side, but it's improving weekly and I can see/feel the results in my physio exercises and checks. As soon as I can do the weight-bearing exercises at the appropriate weight loading, I'll be right back in the FJ saddle.

Being able to cycle is really helping me, both in terms of leg strength.........and sanity. It's great being out on 2 wheels, even if I have to pedal it 

[Millietant]

So guys, it's good news, bad news, time.

The good news - I was cleared to ride a couple of weeks ago. Recovery has gone better than anyone anticipated and I've been able to exceed all of the strength and flexibility targets set by the docs and physio's well ahead of schedule. No pain, no restrictions other than to not be stupid and do heavy lifting, nor start running again. I've basically been told never to run again if I want to remain healthy and happy. Non-impact exercises can be done to my hearts content  

Now the bad news - while I wasn't riding, my FJ's annual MOT certificate ran out and before I took the bike in for its 2022 test, I gave it quick whiz around the estate where I live (the roads are not adopted and so are classed as private roads, not public highways, so it's legal to ride on them without an MOT). Well I didn't fall off or anything daft like that, but my fork seals both started leaking on my test-ride. So I've got new seals, circlips, dust seals/covers and fork oil and I've taken my forks off to change the seals. Here's the bad news - my pal who did them for me 5 years ago had retired and I've found out the my forks are different to the "standard" ones and the official Yamaha compression tool won't work with my forks (no locating holes), so I'm going to have to make up a compression tool of my own. Fingers crossed I get it all sorted ready for a test in the next day or two and hopefully there isn't too long a wait to get my bike fitted in to the test schedule (all the test centres are really busy right now with all the riders wanting to get out in the great weather) !!!

Wish me luck fella's.

[Waiex191]

Good luck!

[Urx]

Best of luck 8-)

Ill be in about my forks soon too...some rpm valves nd new springs & seals etc.....ill ping you about the blue dots once ive fitted the gold ones
Lined up some R1 forks for further down the line ...ill need to accumulate spindle discs wheel and sort out suitable yokes but it will be fun. That will be fter the thundercat rear is in place

[Millietant]

Well, the bad news wasn't so bad at all. My little spring compressor tool worked a treat. It even allowed me to do the whole job on my own. Once I'd compressed the fork springs to expose the lock nut, it was undone and the forks were apart within a couple of minutes. Another 10 minutes each side to change the seals and bushes and then another 10 minutes each side to put them back together.

I did modify the top spacers while they were off (drilled locating holes for my modified spring compressor tool next time) so that they are the same as everyone else's FZR 1000 forks, but I was really pleased that once the cap was separated from the damper rod, there was nothing else to do but use the stanchion to pull the seals and bushes out. All of the on-line horror stories of the "special" Yamaha tools and hours of fiddling, just didn't exist.  RESULT !!

MOT test is booked in for Tuesday and then it's ride ride ride..........

[Urx]

There needs to be a fantastic !!! Total win!!! Emoticon   :-)

[Pat Conlon]

Excellent Deano!

[Millietant]

There needs to be a fantastic !!! Total win!!! Emoticon   :-)

Definitely 

[Millietant]

As I expected.....the FJ flew through it's MOT safety test today with a full pass and no "Advisories" (things checked that are not great, but not bad enough to fail the test).

On the way home, the rain and thunder started, and it hasn't stopped since. I've got a +200 mile round trip ride to a bike meet tomorrow evening, so I hope the rain goes away before then - otherwise I'm going to get wet and the bike is going to get dirty 

[Urx]

.....and it will be fun whatever...

[Millietant]

.....and it will be fun whatever...

Oh Yeah !!!!!!!!!!!

[red]

Dean,

Good to hear that you and the FJ are both healthy again.  Here's hoping that weather is good for the ride. 
As a friend, I'd want you to find local lodging for the night after the event, especially if the weather is foul.

Best wishes.

[Millietant]

Hi Red, thankfully the weather was just about perfect !!! (not too hot, not too sunny, no rain, gentle breeze).

We set out at 3pm, got there around 5.30pm, stayed at the meet until 8pm and got back home at 10pm, just as it was getting dark.

To be honest, I felt great the whole time - I haven't felt as good on a bike for quite a few years. No pain, no discomfort ! We didn't go mad speed-wise, but interestingly there were over 2000 bikes at the meet and on the way home, for about the first 20 miles we overtook many bikes that had left the meet just before us, but were only overtaken by two bikes.

I thought we were taking it easy (and my FJ did too - 204 miles ridden today and still just under a 1/4 of a tank showing on the fuel gauge), but apparently we were not 

The bike was awesome and reminded me yet again why I love it so much.

Here's a few photo's from the meet. "Just Jane" was fired up and did 30 mins of taxi'ing. 4 Merlin's running sweetly, what a treat to hear (and see).

[red]

Hi Red, thankfully the weather was just about perfect !!! (not too hot, not too sunny, no rain, gentle breeze).We set out at 3pm, got there around 5.30pm, stayed at the meet until 8pm and got back home at 10pm, just as it was getting dark. To be honest, I felt great the whole time - I haven't felt as good on a bike for quite a few years. No pain, no discomfort ! We didn't go mad speed-wise, but interestingly there were over 2000 bikes at the meet and on the way home, for about the first 20 miles we overtook many bikes that had left the meet just before us, but were only overtaken by two bikes.
Here's a few photo's from the meet. "Just Jane" was fired up and did 30 mins of taxi'ing. 4 Merlin's running sweetly, what a treat to hear (and see).

Dean,
Good to hear that all went well there.  No mad speed,     but you managed to show a lot of them the short way home.  I get that.    
Nice ride, colorful event, great aircraft.  Can't do much better!   

[Old Rider]

Must have been a great feeling getting back in the saddle and out on a ride again .Nice report i like the old aircrafts