Ozarks Newbie

[81Delorean]

Hello all, I joined a couple weeks ago in anticipation of picking up an '89 FJ1200 which I did this past weekend.
White/Champagne, just over 31,000 miles, not without it's cosmetic flaws but all in all pretty good shape for a 35yo bike. No major plans for it right now but will end up getting a throttle lock of some sort (I have a cramp buster and Go-cruise already), maybe some shorter dogbones to raise it up a little and that's about it for now. Pretty happy so far with it as is. Anyway, just thought I would say hey.

[Motofun]

Welcome to the campfire.  The FJ responds well to upgrades...aka you get a serious case of moditis.   

[Pat Conlon]

Welcome, I also have one of those white '89's, great bike.

Check out our Files Sections, lots of good stuff in there.

Cheers

Pat

Btw, what's your name?

[81Delorean]

I don't think I'm going to get to serious with mods. I've always liked things mostly stock for the most part. I'll check out the files sections to see what's there and what I can get out of them Thanks for the welcome.

Jason

[Pat Conlon]

I don't think I'm going to get to serious with mods....

Hahahahahahaha...I've heard that before....

[FJmonkey]

Start small, the stock oil filter housing has more that can go wrong. 1 You loose the the thin metal washer. 2 You pinch the side stand wire. 3 The small drain screw gets stripped....

The modifications we love soo much are in part, self defense. I like being able do nearly all the work on my FJ, but riding it is way funner....

[Country Joe]

Jason,
Welcome to the campfire. Which part of the Ozarks do you call home? I have lived in Clinton,AR since 2008. I have a significantly upgraded 1993 FJ 1200 and my son has a pretty decent barn find 1987 FJ 1200 that we are finishing up on. Don't be afraid of at least swapping to 17" wheels. You will soon come to appreciate the vast number of tires that you can run once you commit to the swap.

Best regards,
Joe

[81Delorean]

I don't think I'm going to get to serious with mods....

Hahahahahahaha...I've heard that before....

I said that about my old Vstrom also....a lot money later and I had no more mods to get serious about.

[81Delorean]

Start small, the stock oil filter housing has more that can go wrong. 1 You loose the the thin metal washer. 2 You pinch the side stand wire. 3 The small drain screw gets stripped....

The modifications we love soo much are in part, self defense. I like being able do nearly all the work on my FJ, but riding it is way funner....

It does have the aftermarket spin on oil filter already. I'm meeting the PO Saturday to get the extra parts he has for it. Not sure what all it is but I know the center stand, a 17" wheel, lower chin fairing, turn signals.....don't know what else.

The front suspension has been done, upgraded front discs and calipers, braided lines.....not sure what else. I'll see what I get on Saturday and go from there.

I am doing my prerequisite items that I always do. Front/rear cameras, auxiliary lights, back off brake light modulator whenever I get some time.

[81Delorean]

Jason,
Welcome to the campfire. Which part of the Ozarks do you call home? I have lived in Clinton,AR since 2008. I have a significantly upgraded 1993 FJ 1200 and my son has a pretty decent barn find 1987 FJ 1200 that we are finishing up on. Don't be afraid of at least swapping to 17" wheels. You will soon come to appreciate the vast number of tires that you can run once you commit to the swap.

Best regards,
Joe

I'm up around Mountain Home. Been here since 2006. Other than the tire choices, what advantage is there to 17" wheels? Does it handle better? Turn in faster? slower?  Just curious, haven't looked into it much yet.

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the forum 

There are a couple of FJ owners in your area.
I live a bit West of there in Kansas. I do make my way to the Ozarks 4 to 5 times a year to ride. In fact I was just there this past weekend. Look at my recent post in the Trips and Travels reports section.

Fred

[Country Joe]

Jason,
Welcome to the campfire. Which part of the Ozarks do you call home? I have lived in Clinton,AR since 2008. I have a significantly upgraded 1993 FJ 1200 and my son has a pretty decent barn find 1987 FJ 1200 that we are finishing up on. Don't be afraid of at least swapping to 17" wheels. You will soon come to appreciate the vast number of tires that you can run once you commit to the swap.

Best regards,
Joe

I'm up around Mountain Home. Been here since 2006. Other than the tire choices, what advantage is there to 17" wheels? Does it handle better? Turn in faster? slower?  Just curious, haven't looked into it much yet.

I think the turn-in with the shorter, stiffer sidewall of a 17" tire is most of the improvement. Both FJ 1200s that I have owned came with a 16" rear wheel and both of them got a 17" wheel ASAP. I'm gathering parts to swap both wheels on my sons 1987 FJ 1200 as well. For me, the better tire choices available in 17" is impossible to resist. You probably already know that you're going to be going through a lot of tires in the Ozark twisties........    

[craigo]

Hello there. I live in Gassville and have 2 3CV FJ1200s. You can better reach out to me via facebook. My user name is craig ovadia. Hope to meet up soon.

[81Delorean]

I met up with the PO yesterday and go the extra parts that he had. Got the original rear turn signals (had shorty LED ones, already witched them to originals), brake calipers (has FZ1 on it now), center stand (already installed) chin fairing, 17" wheel (blasted and painted, has everything needed to install it I believe) and some misc original oil filter, reflectors.... stuff like that.