Hi and questions about FJs?

[Ozjavelin]

Hi all, I've been looking long and hard at FJs as a prospective owner, but can't find any local ones to checkout. Specifically I'm interested in seat height (I'm only 5'6") and how home-mechanics friendly they are. I'm looking for a bigger, air cooler sport tourer and though the FJ would fit the bill well ..

BTW: Current fleet is ..
78 Suzuki GS750
79 Suzuki GS550
82 Kawasaki Z650
82 Kawasaki GPz750R1
94 Kawasaki ZR550

Rod
Bendigo, Australia

[Klavdy]

We've had 5'.0"  guys and 6'10" riding 'em.
Home mechanic friendly?
Yes mate, they really are.

[Arnie]

Welcome,

How local is local for you?  I'm in Lethbridge between Ballarat and Geelong.
Seat height shouldn't be much of an issue, as I recall the stock seat height is only 790mm.
Of course, some folks have "improved" the bike and ended up with a higher seat too.

My neighbor has a 1990 FJ1200B for sale that is stock other than a GearSack rack.

With your fleet of bikes, if you maintain them you'll have no problems with the FJ.

Cheers,
Arnie

[paulfj03]

Hey Rod,

Welcome to the club! All I did was sit on one and I was hooked...I'm about 5"7" - 5'8". Mechanically friendly? If I can maintain the bike at home, ANYBODY CAN!!! 

With your fleet of bikes, if you maintain them you'll have no problems with the FJ.

Cheers,
Arnie

+1

[Ozjavelin]

Thanks all .. There is just something about the FJ I really like, even without seeing one in the flesh.  It's not really the type of bike I generally like.  But The idea of a big air-cooled bike, with a decent fairings, but the engine not covered in plastic. It sounds like my idea of a mile eater.  My other bikes are fun but only the GPz has any kind of fairing and it all gets a bit to hard on longer trips.

Might have to pop over between Ballarat and Geelong one weekend for a look?

[Ozjavelin]

Ok .. Ivefound a couple of candidates .. But they are all missing the lower fairing and or damaged screens. Any recommendations where to find these?

[Kopfjaeger]

i believe the belly pans are a touch expensive..or not made... cant remember.. the screens ... i got my dark screen to replace my old cracked screen... was about 160 or 180 bucks... cant remember, there is a company in sydney your local dealer should know... the sticker has peeled off mine but slipscreens australia? i think thats them... sorry to be vague...

[craigo]

http://www.fjcatalogue.com/body.html

This is a link to the UK FJ Owner's Group.  They have the bodywork you need.  Or so it appears.  One hitch is that you have to pay to join them.  Plus the parts will come from the UK so no idea on shipping.  But maybe you could ask.

CraigO
90FJ1200

[jwh]

the bellypans from uk club are really good, excellent quality, well finished and strengthend in the weak points, i got one that was supposed to be a second last year for £50 and it took along time to find the smallest of scratches out of the way on the bottom, very happy with it, but it would probably cost a lot to ship as the box would be quite large and it would be charged by volume not weight.

there is a german company that does good screens, over here a company called hps sells them, they still do them for all years and either clear, smoked, or in some colours, have just ordered an opaque gloss black sports one for my 87 1tx, was about £45.

[Ozjavelin]

Can't believe the number of FJs I've seen with the bellypan missing   Must be the first thing to get damaged.  Shame 'cos it looks great ..

[RichBaker]

I pulled the belly pan off mine a few years ago too keep it looking good.... I have a couple friends who live on dirt/rocky roads and figured it was only a matter of time..... Gotta put it back on one of these days.

[markmartin]

Ok .. I've found a couple of candidates .. But they are all missing the wer fairing and or damaged screens. Any recommendations where to find these?

Welcome Rod,

With reference to the screens, I bought one from these guys in Australia.  It was reasonably priced, the quality is good, and the service was good.  I've been happy with it.

http://www.eaglescreens.com.au/yamaha.htm

Mark