Bought Some Parts

[Millietant]

Well, the FJ itself actually stayed in the garage today.....but I made a 300 mile round trip to north wales in the car to pick up a fairing and belly pan (chin fairing to you US guys) from another FJ owner.

$60 for both was a price I couldn't refuse !!

The fairing needs a tiny bit of repair to the lugs for the side scoops (but nothing visible when on the bike) and the belly pan just needs a clean up and the left side rear piece reinforcing.

Both are in generally better condition than my originals, so I don't know whether to fit them once I've rejuvenated them, or keep them in stock "for a rainy day" !!

My son Ryan and the dog "Daxter" made they journey to keep me company and we stopped off in the old Roman city of Chester for lunch and a bit of sightseeing - as it's still warm, dry and the schools are still on the annual extended summer break, it was a bit too crowded for me, but you can hopefully get a flavour of the city from the photo's

[Millietant]

It might not be common knowledge, but since being my ace helper (and carb tool inventor), my son Ryan had an injury while teaching martial arts and now struggles to walk (he's classed as "disabled") due to nerve damage resulting from his injury. He can't ride at the moment, but is very hopeful of getting back on a bike "one day".

It was a real boost that he wanted to come with me today, so i made a point of fitting in a visit to a place he loves, Chester. Here are a few photo's from today to give you a flavour of the city (and don't worry, the Roman Soldiers aren't real   ).

[Urx]

My 'sort of' rule is that the best bits should be on the bike ( or planned for fitting) and the less good but still usable parts are held in reserve.
If you do it the other way round you end up with a lot of lovely bits covered in dust in the garage and a bike looking less than it could and should.

I changed the fairing on mine as many of the hidden but vital brackets for indicators and scoops were broken decades ago when the bike was knocked over by some delivery driver who did a runner I finally found a midnight blue and gold flash fairing in better condition and swapped it on in recent weeks. New OE brake discs as the ebc prolites never really convinced me of their quality(rusting in the slightest damp) and some nice gold spots with new matching gold goodrich hoses fitted. Forks getting sorted out at the moment with new seals springs and rpm valves to install.

A friend of mine has built and in the finishing stages of an xj900 based trike for his missus.
Beautiful craftsmanship...
Perhaps something like this might suit your son and help him get back out there earlier rather than later?

[Millietant]

Hey Doug, yeah I think I'll be putting them on for the Sywell Classic, where my bike will be on display on the VJMC stand, at the end of the month - and then I doubt I'll ever take them off 

Unfortunately for Ryan, a trike won't be any good either - at the moment he can't use his hands or arms properly, due to spasms that cause him to lose grip and give him severe pain. He also has severe chest pain and muscular spasms. That's why we had to get him a joystick controlled electric wheelchair, rather than a handlebar and throttle controlled 4 wheel mobility scooter/quad.

He also struggles sitting and definitely couldn't climb onto either a trike or a bike. Fortunately, he can still drive an automatic gearbox car, so we bought a Volvo V60 for him, which has given him greater independence (he can go out with friends where he can drive and they can help load/unload his wheelchair).

Overall, his mindset is unbelievably positive and he is convinced that he will ultimately recover and get back to riding his beloved Fazer again

[Urx]

Oh    wow ...Im sorry to hear that he is so injured by something he enjoyed doing..
I was training in ITF TKD for more than 15 years but gave it up as so many friends weregetting long term injuries to knees and back.

Never underestimate the power of positive thinking and attitude though

[Millietant]

Never underestimate the power of positive thinking and attitude though

Absolutely