Hi from Holland

[ian.z9]

Been lurking for a while now and using the great information to fix up my recently bought fj1100.Its a bitsa with a 3xw 1200 motor.It had the usual dutch problems of lack of use and neglect.The previous owner confirmed it was rideable over the phone  so I took a gamble and a 2 hour train journey to be told "er, it wont start". When it did fire up it ran on 3 and sounded terrible.Also  the front brakes had zero pressure,flat front tyre.Of course I bought it! The ride home was nerve racking but fresh petrol had it running fine up to 5000rpm then it stopped dead.10 mins bleeding the brakes solved that problem and the tyre stayed up too!
I ran it for a while but the carbs needed a good seeing to.I took the easy route and swapped the carbs with a set from my z900 (not so daft as I fitted a 3xw in that 3years ago)The bike flew round to the redline with ease.I was smiling again.I stripped the old carbs expecting to spend loads on diaphrams but they looked new.The needle jets where slightly blocked and only needed a quick blow to clear (oooer).Surely it couldn't be that simple.It was.More than enough power for riding to work, I love this bike.I fitted a 17" gsxr 5.5 rear wheel and brake as I needed a new tyre anyway.Handles great and looks the biz.I'll try to post pics. ian.z9 

[ian.z9]

Just got back from the front brakeless ride home!Already removed stupid chrome mirrors and huge indicators.The hideous screen is soon for the chop.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome to the posting side of the group Ian. It takes some people many years before they decide to modify/upgrade (like me), and you just jumped right in. Years ago I had the money to modify but not the urge. Now I have the urge but no money. Keep us posted on you other changes and keep setting a good example. Kookalooo.

[Arnie]

Welcome Ian,

Yeah, set it up like you like it.  It'll still run like a train all day.
No, I don't mean with lots of stops and steam and smoke, but strong and unstoppable.  Oops, that might be too close to the truth on your bike. :-)
One thing you probably will want to do before you get to warm weather is get the side scoops and interior snorkles fitted.  Makes a huge difference in keeping the head cool.

Cheers,
Arnie

[ian.z9]

Here's Orca waiting for the GSXR wheel.Lucky there's a breaker 2mins from my work that had all the parts I needed.I cobbled up some spacers from a pile of zed parts I'm always tripping over.The wife to her credit said nothing when she came in the garage to find me hacksawing the screen up.
This is not my first FJ 11. I had a beautiful blue and white one about twenty years ago.Alas it lasted only 13 days before the Edinburgh bike thief's got there hands on it.I always new I'd get another.I'm looking for the intake gubbins but all the mounting lugs are broken off.Its getting colder now here in Holland.It'll soon be too cold for all but the diehards.I'm Scottish so "Ah like the cold".

[Mark Olson]

Welcome Ian , that's the spirit , just jump in and get er done.

great pics.

[ian.z9]

I used the centrestand lug to bolt the brake arm to at first.But it looked pish and I hate not having a centrestand (getting old).Got the blow torch out and bent the arm again,then fixed it to the footrest  mounting .Much nicer and I can clean the white wheel much easier.I'll be painting the wheel satin black soon. 

[Travis398]

Welcome Ian,

Great looking bike, and that windshield looks a lot better now too.

[Pat Conlon]

Hey folks, FYI, if you're looking for the discussion on the pro's/con's of the brake arm mounting, frame vs. swing arm, I split it out of this introduction post and moved it over to the modifications section.  http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2713.0
That way it will get more exposure, for additional feedback.....