Tyddles's (my FJ) major rebuild

[kerry]

OK so I've been lurking for a few weeks since my original introduction post (http://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=30.0) and the list of stuff we'd done to our bikes (http://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=41.0) but now I thought I'd share with you guys what's been happening to my FJ over the winter here in the UK.

For those who don't know, "Tyddles" is the name for my FJ1200 as given to her by her previous owner, Barry Edwards (FJMods site).  Barry has given up biking completely and now sold all three of his bikes but still plans to keep http://www.btinternet.com/~fjmods/index.html going so FJer's worldwide don't loose this valuable source of info.

Because he's given up biking "Tyddles" had really been neglected after an accident he'd had 5 years previous.  So when we collected her she was in a sorry state and wasn't running so had to be picked up in our F150.





But even after a quick clean she looked loads better and we spent a few weeks tinkering in the garage then I was able to take her out for my 1st ride.  I spent most of 08 getting acquianted with her to make sure everything was OK.





So I decided it was about time she deserved some intensive TLC and had the wiseco 1314 kit fitted that Barry bought but never fitted.  Now Mark and I do most of our own stuff but this was a little beyond our knowledge base and as not many people in the UK have ever fitted the big bore kits, even Phil (Doc) who runs our club hadn't so we contacted Dave, another UK member who's FJ is also on Barry's site as it has the thunderace front and rear fitted.  He's also done the 1380 kit so was happy to take on the job for us.  So off Tyddles went.  I feel strange not doing ourselves but he knows what he's doing.

But what I thought was going to be a simple but complicated installation of the 1314 kit for extra power, has turned into a major rebuilt, the more we discussed our 5 year plan with Dave, the more he, Mark and I discussed the ideas, the more it looked like we might be better to do most of the other work we wanted to do while the engine was out anyway.  So I guess its no longer a 5 year plan and things have snowballed into a FULL stripdown and rebuild 

Dave's been kind enough to keep me updated with regular photos of the progress, but I feel like I've had my right hand cut off cause I'm not helping out like normal and it feels weird without her in the garage.  Here's some pics from the stripdown so far.

[kerry]

How rusty



She was a little dirty





She's lost her rear

[kerry]

Frames not at its best











All I can think now is OMG what have I started......



Sorry this is in 3 posts but for some reasons it wouldn't load as 1?

[racerman_27410]

Hey Kerry,

it always starts this way but you have to remember this is going to prolong the life of your bike for many more years to come..... and after all..... "tyddles" only wants to transport you in comfort ,safety and style.



proper regular maintenance and "refurbishings" every couple of DECADES are all that it asks in return   


you know you are doing the right thing.... Eric and I were just talking about this last weekend and we agreed that there really isn't another motorcycle made that i enjoy just looking at as much as i do a FJ... timeless styling and more then adequate performance combine in a way that strikes a chord for me like no other.


KOokaloo!

Frank

[kerry]

I have to agree there Frank, the FJ has aged gracefully over the years.

Got some more pics for ya...

Dave, the guy sorting this for me is doing this in his own spare time as its not his full time job.  He wants her to be restored to her former glory as much as we do (if not more) as she's inspired his and many other FJ projects over the years via Barry's FJ mods site so its a shame not to continue Barry's good work.  Dave has had MAJOR problems actually getting the engine apart, with many of the bolts rusted but he was determined to sort it and has.  The frame is just as bad.



I knew she was gonna be bad as Barry kept her outside all her life and used her to commute into London all year so she's had a hard life weather wise, but I still wasn't expecting her to look as bad as this, but too late to change my mind now.

[racerman_27410]

ugggggggghhhhhhhh.... that England weather will eat a bike up.......those pictures are hurting my feelings and i can imagine what it's doing to yours....... Be strong girl.


KOokaloo!

Frank

[FJSpringy]

mmmm but you should see the new pictures of the rolling chassis, it's a beautiful thing

[n8man1068]

I have learned that every 'quick' upgrade will run you 5x what you planned for cost, and 2x as long in time. You can't take 1 thing off without replacing 3.

At least, that's been my experience thus far.

[markfjer]

@ Frank

Barrys old bike was his work horse, 365 days of the year in "London", they throw salt down on the roads over here as soon as some1 says jack frost, it eats em for breakfast

@ n8man1068 ,
your right with the 5x as much  , but we said it would be a 5 year plan, and @ the moment its looking @ half that


regards mark

[kerry]

Here's some more for ya,   

So here's a before and after for the frame.  Dave rubbed it down to bare ish metal and powered coat it.  We also sourced a alternative subframe, what a difference.  You'll also see below a before and after of the carbs, again after some TLC.











However there's still loads to be done with bits of my FJ all over Dave's garage in boxes etc.

[kerry]

[racerman_27410]

Awwww Kerry,

you're missing the guts of the operation..... the hands on part is the part i really like....especially because it is my arse riding the thing... it makes me be more concious of the details

However i can see from the positive results so far that your bike is indeed in good hands.


KOokaloo! 

[Mark Olson]

damn , that is a lot of work to do. It's lookin good though . keep the pics coming maybe I will be brave enough to break the dirt seal on mine and do a restoration.

[kerry]

I suddenly realised I hadn't updated you guys on progress for a while, so here's some more shots.

Some bits back from powdercoat and paint.









Bag of goodies waiting to be fitted

[kerry]

So here's some of her going back together.