Greetings from Scarborough, Ontario, CAN

[PaulG]

... or to everyone else, Toronto.  This is a first for me as I have never joined a forum before so bear with me.  Iv'e been riding since '84 and my previous bikes have been '81 Yamaha 750 Seca ('84-'86 crashed), '80 Kawasaki KZ750 rat bike ('87-'89 gave away), '78 BMW R80/7S ('89-'97 traded in), '97 BMW R1100GS ('97-'99 hit by car  ).  I was off the road from '99 - '07, initially due to injuries then saving for a house.

I vowed that when we got the house there would be enough cash left over for another bike, and over the years narrowed down my search to five.  When we bought our house in Feb. '07 I settled on a 1992 FJ1200 with 80,000 km (48,000 mi) for $2,600.

The bike was safetied already so I rode it that first summer, noting some of its quirks mostly in the handling department, spongy brakes, and what seemed like some high frequency vibration.  For the winter of '07-'08 I stripped it down to frame and motor and hauled it down to the basement where my "journey of discovery began" :

- fork oil change - when I popped open the fork caps the whole house immediately stunk of sewage due to the fact the oil had never been changed since new (I assume) - 17 years!  It had turned into this vile black water that almost made me puke.

- bearings - wheel (F/R), steering head, rear shock, suspension , swing arm, all had to be replaced.

- belly pan - left rear mount had broken - the only thing holding it on was the heat blanket and road grime

- cleaned and rebuilt all three brake calipers (aren't dental picks the best?) as the pistons had occasionally seized open

Almost all of the work was done myself (with the help of some fiends to haul it in and out of the basement), and was quite pleased after reassembly and it started up first crank.

Finally had it back up and running by mid summer of '08 (total cost about $1300) and what a difference!  In hindsight the bike should have never been on the road before, but after all it was safetied by registered dealer right?  The summer of '09 was crap.  We had the wettest one on record ever, and as I work a continental night shift (3-on, 3-off 12hrs), every day I had off it pissed rain.  I never even put the battery back in to run it, which I think is where my present troubles started.

Since the '09 riding season was written off I decided to clean my carbs, and get everything ready for the '10 season.  Once that was complete, carbs were re-installed in May and gas proceeded to piss all over the place - I will be posting this in more detail later as it is not the usual problem it seems (i.e. worn out float needles).  And it seems the dealer who sucked $600 out of me couldn't fix it either.

Hope this didn't bore anyone too much if anyone actually reads this stuff.  Have to go install tile in the kitchen - the wife is calling...

[racerman_27410]

welcome to the group Paul. 


KOokaloo!


Frank

[paulfj03]

Welcome Paul

Just up the road eh! Hope all goes well in finding the problems....and what do ya know....its raining out there right now!
You'll find prices here much better than at the shops....and competence 2nd to none!

This summer weather IS going to be better ! it will rain mostly at night! And your bike will be back on the road before ya know it!

Cheers
Paul

[carsick]

Hi Paul,
Welcome aboard! It does my heart good to see another who tries to get things right with the bike and learn along the way. Makes for a more satisfying relationship with the bike, unless it rewards you with misbehavior. It could be sulking from the lack of riding. The good folks here will get you sorted, stay the course!

[jvb_ca]

Welcome Paul.... ...just up the road from ya in Barrie. You have found the right place for FJ fodder...best people around and knowledge is unsurpased...

Cheers..Jake  

[Bob]

...
Since the '09 riding season was written off I decided to clean my carbs, and get everything ready for the '10 season.  Once that was complete, carbs were re-installed in May and gas proceeded to piss all over the place - I will be posting this in more detail later as it is not the usual problem it seems (i.e. worn out float needles).  And it seems the dealer who sucked $600 out of me couldn't fix it either.
...

Wow... an FJ with carb problems.  Who would'a thunk it? 
Some of us have had more carb drama than others... looking forward to more details about yours. 
You've found the right place for help.  Nice to see another neighbour.   

[Mark Olson]

Paul welcome 

It is a wonderful thing to work on your own fj and then ride for miles of smiles.

browse the mods section and a whole new world will be open to you for suspension and brakes.

lots of friendly people here with great advice .