Hello Guy's! New member here looking to start moding his bike.

[I make oil]

My Corbin seat is in and so are my forks. I've registered the bike and hope to have it delivered next week.  I'm ready! Now if the rain down here would slack off so I can ride......

[I make oil]

   Here is a pic of my FJ as she sits now.  Only change since I've got it is to install the Corbin and ride.  I wonder if the bike is male or female?  I'm pretty sure it's a he it has way to much grunt to be a female.



I have my forks in and the FZ rim.  The tires on the bike are like new and I am really enjoying riding it the way it is right now.  I am going to continue collecting parts and will do some minor modifications before tearing in and changing the forks, rims and brakes.  I want to have the rims powder coated and can't decide what color to go.  I'm back and forth between polishing them going red or black.     My clutch is slipping a bit so I think am going to do the clutch mods and install a Barret coil spring kit when I get home.  Will post up pics as I go.  Heading back to work on Sunday.

[I make oil]

I rode the bike to a big bike shop a few towns away to get a headset for my helmet and a tank bag.  When I was in the store the guy at the counter asked me what kind of bike I rode.  I told him oh it's just an old Yamaha FJ.  All of a sudden there where like 6 guy's at the counter asking questions.  We went outside and they all went nuts over the bike.  I mean this is a shop with hundreds of motorcycles through there every day.  I was surprised at the attention the bike got.  No one could believe it was a 1986 model and then many of them had stories of FJ's they had known or ridden.  I'm proud of the old boy.  Guess I need to name him.  I think I like Duke. 

[Pat Conlon]

I rode the bike to a big bike shop a few towns away to get a headset for my helmet and a tank bag.  When I was in the store the guy at the counter asked me what kind of bike I rode.  I told him oh it's just an old Yamaha FJ.  All of a sudden there where like 6 guy's at the counter asking questions.  We went outside and they all went nuts over the bike.  I mean this is a shop with hundreds of motorcycles through there every day.  I was surprised at the attention the bike got.  No one could believe it was a 1986 model and then many of them had stories of FJ's they had known or ridden.  I'm proud of the old boy.  Guess I need to name him.  I think I like Duke. 

Yes indeed, this also happened to me. Here's my post from 2010:

I've heard nothing but people express fond memories about FJ's.
More times that I could keep track, they would say something like, "That sure was a good bike. I wish I still had one..."

....Last week on a trip with my FJ, I thought I would stop by Chaparral Motorsports in San Bernardino, and oogle at the gear and all the new bikes.
Locked my helmet and walked in...A HUGE store. Yep and a shitload of new fancy bikes. I think my next bike will be a play bike like a supermotard KTM or maybe the new 1200 Aprilla or maybe a V4 Tuono something with upright ergos, sticky rubber and some balls. Try as I might, I cannot get my 6'3" frame comfortable on the new sport bikes. That's one of the many reasons I love my FJ....

Anyhoo, while kicking tires, I get into a conversation with Jerry, the Sales Manager, and he asked me what kind of bike did I ride. I told them that back in '84 I bought the flagship of the Yamaha line, the FJ1100 and I still ride it....Boy howdy, he got all excited. He asked "Is it outside I sure would love to see it." I said "Sure, come on I'll show you." We went outside, he walked around my bike 3 times, like a dog looking for someplace to piss, then he said, "Stay here I'll be right back." 'ole Jerry rushes back into the building. After about 5 minutes he comes back with 5 other guys, younger guys, turns out who were was part of his sales team. Jerry points to my bike and says, "See that bike? That's the first Yamaha FJ1100. That is the bike that really started the sport touring craze. That bike is a significant motorcycle..." One of the youngsters (25ish) piped in and said "Oh yea, I remember the FJ's, my dad had a FJ....He loved it...He would take me for a ride on the back. It was the first bike I ever rode on"

So here we are, on a smoggy Thursday afternoon, in San Bernardino, Calif. standing in the front parking area at Chaparral Motorsports with all six members of the Chaparral sales team talking about FJ's ....and how they evolved into the larger heavier FJR's (which btw they sell) They had lot's of questions.

Standing outside a building that has the floor area of 1/2 a city block, with over 200 shiny new bikes inside, and we are talking about FJ's .

 Over 200 new shiny motorcycles ignored, getting jealously pissed off,  while we are outside talking about a "significant" motorcycle....

Yea, that was kinda cool.

[ribbert]

I too have had many similar experiences with admirers but my favourite was sitting at one of only 2 or 3 sets of lights in a country town with pedestrians crossing in front of me when a very distinguished looking guy in a business suit deviated slightly, smiled broadly and without breaking stride, patted the FJ on the fairing and said "what a bike". I can only imagine from the look on his face that the sight of it stirred some very fond memories from his youth.

If road bikes were your thing in the 80's, there were only two types of riders,  those that had an FJ and those that badly lusted after one.

Noel

[I make oil]

Some assistance please from the members is requested.  I have bought a 1988 FZR1000 wheel for the front.  I initially planned on installing a YZF wheel on the back but the GSXR mod seems so much easier.  I've found this one on ebay and would like to get it but not sure if it is the right one.  I think it is could someone please advise before I purchase.  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370638747389?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Here is the front wheel I bought.  Will they match?  I am thinking about polishing the front wheel to match the rear.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/320940633441?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

[FJmonkey]

Your front wheel will bolt on as long as you upgrade your forks to 89' or newer and put some Blue dots on. It looks like this when you put knock-off Galfers on and steel brake lines. No more Anti-Dive crap on the forks, they have the RPM valves in them and work wonders for improved handling, really cuts out the front end dive. Put fresh bearings in while you have easy access.

Not sure about the year of your rear wheel, I used a 92 GSXR 750, very easy upgrade.

[markmartin]

That rear wheel will fit and it will match the looks of the FZR front wheel.  You'll never know they come from two different manufacturers.

The rear wheel will fit but you will still need the cush drive, and rear brake and stay and two spacers (if I recall correctly) .  I was able to follow the advice of these who had already done this mod when I did mine, which is to buy the rear wheel complete if you can: wheel, cush, brake disc, brake caliper, brake stay, and spacers.  Perhaps you can contact that ebay seller and make a deal for all the parts that you will need.  It sounds like he's got the whole bike.  It will save you some headaches chasing down matching parts.

As for polishing the front to match, if it were me, I'd have both wheels powder coated.  

[I make oil]

Thanks, I have a set of 89 front forks.  Will rebuild them with RPM's valves, springs etc and do all my upgrades at once.  Just collecting parts now and trying to wear out the tires on the bike.  In Africa right now won't be home until Sept 6.  Should have a bunch of boxes waiting for me.     I think powder coating will be the way to go but that polished rim does look nice.  We shall see.  Good idea on contacting the seller for the other parts.  Maybe I'll get lucky.  If not I'll keep on Ebaying.  Thanks for the advice.  I will be back for more.  This site is a wealth of knowledge and it is appriciated.  It'll be a while longer before I do the wheel upgrade.  Probably around Thanksgiving.  I'll order this wheel and send them off to powder coating when I get home.  Thinking slate gray?  Maybe black?

[fj11.5]

if nobody else wants the front wheel, that's a bargain , can't think why you want to change colour  :lol

[I make oil]

I bought the wheel.  Waiting on a reply on the other parts.  Def going with those rotors FJmonkey.  Is that the FZR1000 rim?  looks good on your bike. 

[FJmonkey]

I bought the wheel.  Waiting on a reply on the other parts.  Def going with those rotors FJmonkey.  Is that the FZR1000 rim?  looks good on your bike. 

Yep, 87/88 FZR1000 front wheel, rattle can paint job, LA_Mike found these on Ebay and put many miles them with no issues. Quality knock-offs at half the price of Galfer.

[I make oil]

The ebay seller had all the parts I needed for the rear wheel mod and he will send them with the wheel I won.  I now have all the peices and parts to do the wheel changes.  Now I need to have both wheels powder coated (Have no idea what color to go) get wheel bearings for front and rear.  New SS brake and clutch hoses.  Gold dot calipers for the front and new rotors for front and rear.  FJR clutch and front brake master and do the clutch mods.   rebuild my front forks with the RPM parts and get a Penske rear shock!    Damn this is getting expensive.    Maybe I should have just bought a Hayabusa.    I hope all this will be worth it.  Once I have all this out of the way I will start on the motor.  Hopefully after the first of the year.  I guess I will own this bike for a LONNNNNGGGGGG time.  No way I will ever get my money out of it. 

[I make oil]

Well looks like I'm going to have to work over for a week.  Won't be leaving Africa untill Sept 11 now.  To make myself feel better I made a call to Randy at RPM.  What a nice guy and put in a order for some more goodies.  Ordered a clutch spring, vibranators and a few other things.  Got my shipping confirmation so it should be waiting at home.  I live right in the path of Hurricane Isaac and boy are we are getting tons of wind and rain.  My wife Brianna tells me everything is good and my son brought my FJ from the house over to my shop for me so that is good.  It's a metal shop and much higher than the subdivision where I live.  So with that taken care of I am thinking about what I need next......  I am going to order Speigler (sp) braided lines for the bike but I am having difficulty finding an FJ1300 Clutch master cylinder.  Any other recommendations?  Is the FJR is the best one for the mod?  I've found two on Ebay in the UK, I'll just order one of them if I need to.  Opinions oh great and knowing forum?  How about the front brakes what is the consensus on the best Master cylinder for that mod?  I want it to look as OEM as possible.  Will braided hoses for a FJ fit these masters?  Or will I need to special order? 

[fj1289]

Best of luck to you and your family for the storm - hope it passes with no damage.

WOW you picked up a clean 86!  Sounds like good mods planned for it