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Nother noob

Started by houseofcharm, April 15, 2013, 06:51:08 PM

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houseofcharm

I wish I WAS a noob, late middle ages here, but nice to have found an active bunch for an old ride.

I have a local 92, 30k smiles on it, all stock w/ Jardines, available to me-seems a tad rich at 2800 but it ooks great, 'just service' by the dealer.

How are these FJs for heat in FL sans water cooling? What DON"T you like about the FJ? And how hard will it be to add hard bags(used pref), and some other bits/mods? Anywhere out there making mods for it still, peg lowerings, etc? Thanks!

aviationfred

Welcome to the group.  :hi:  There are a few members here that are from Florida. Can't recall any mention of heat related problems. To help with the heat, of which I am planning to install this mod on my own. Randy at http://www.RPMRacingCA.com has an awesome larger oil cooler kit. Lowered foot pegs can be done. A few have adapted Buell Ulysses lowered pegs. Hard saddle bags are not an issue. Three common brands are, GIVI, Hepco & Becker, and Krauser. I believe that Hepco & Becker are the only one that still makes NEW frames for the FJ.

Fred





I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

houseofcharm

Thanks, love your sweet looking retro-ride. I think I'm missing the mid 80s-late 90s when I took off form riding(after being an offroader and even an AMI grad). The new bikes are amazing but a lot of the tech leaves me in the dust.

Any reason I'd want an FJ over say a newish Bandit or similar comparable? ABS, EFI, sound awfully nice for only a few $1000 more. 

I need to take a 20 mile ride and test the FJ for size/feel.

Steve_in_Florida

Welcome to the group.

What part of Florida are you in?

I'm in and around Orlando. I've ridden with a couple on here a bit further north in DeLeon Springs. Met a guy on here from Lakeland, another in College Park (Orlando) and spoke with a guy from Sanford/Deltona.

No heat problems, as long as you keep the bike moving.

Besides not yet having blue dot calipers, or some of RPM Randy's essential parts, I can't think of anything I don't like about the FJ. Whoops, I take that back. The mirrors could provide a clearer view of the road behind me. I often wonder how many cops I've neglected to pull over for, simply because I didn't see them!

Hard bags are around, just depends on how much you want to spend. Some types of soft bags really accent the bike's lines (methinks).

Please post some pictures of your ride. We like to oogle.

PM me if you feel like riding.

Steve

`90 FJ-1200
`92 FJ-1200

IBA # 54823

Steve_in_Florida

Quote from: houseofcharm on April 15, 2013, 08:12:42 PM

I need to take a 20 mile ride...


Ha!

These bikes are _SO COMFORTABLE_, you'll leave for a 20 mile ride with a full fuel tank, and before you know it, you need to fill up!

You'll see...   :yes:

`90 FJ-1200
`92 FJ-1200

IBA # 54823

houseofcharm

Treasure Coast, not too far away. We lived in Maitland for 12 years in the 80-90s.

Not mine yet but I do need to check it out:

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/houseofcharm/slideshow/FJ1200

movenon

Welcome ! Let us know how your test ride comes out. I think you will find it a very fun ride. There is a ton of information on here and plenty of advice / help from all over the world.
George
Life isn't about having the best, but about making the best of what you have...

1990 FJ 1200

Steve_in_Florida

Quote from: houseofcharm on April 15, 2013, 08:40:36 PM

Not mine yet but I do need to check it out:

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/houseofcharm/slideshow/FJ1200


Picture 14 leads me to believe that the bike has been tipped over slightly on the right-hand side. Look at the scuffs on the black air scoop protector.

Maybe if you complain about it, they'll knock a few hundred off the price. (Ha!)

When they start it, complain about the rattles coming from the engine (normal). Maybe they'll knock a few hundred more off the price. (Ha! x 2)

Check the oil level, and see if it's overfilled. If it is, maybe they'll knock a few dollars more off the price. (Ha! x 3)

Good luck!

Steve

`90 FJ-1200
`92 FJ-1200

IBA # 54823

houseofcharm

So, 2 things, what's a decent price for this one assuming all checks out? And is there a thread uin here on what to look for on FJs?

aviationfred

My 2 cents worth.... Looking at the photos, 1 good thing I noticed is no ABS to deal with. Check for evidence of the Clutch slave cylinder leaking. Check for excessive smoke on a cold start up. Check the choke for an easy pull and retract. Does the motor start easily with the choke pulled and warms up quickly? Push in the choke and it settles to a good idle. Pull the seat off and look at the black sheathed wire coming from the fuel tank, look at the condition of the connector for corrosion.

I am sure other members can add more things to look for.

From the photos and with a good test ride. I would offer $2200 up to $2500.

Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

houseofcharm

Pipped at the post-sold in 2 days! Bugger!

movenon

Quote from: houseofcharm on April 16, 2013, 08:17:26 PM
Pipped at the post-sold in 2 days! Bugger!
No problem. They come for sale quiet often. :). Enjoy the adventure of shopping and learning before you buy.  :good:
George
Life isn't about having the best, but about making the best of what you have...

1990 FJ 1200

houseofcharm

Thanks but were in a forgotten wasteland in FL here-need to drive 1-2 hours to find anything to buy!

yamaha fj rider

Houseofcharm welcome to the forum.

Kurt
93 FJ1200
FJ 09
YZ250X I still love 2 strokes
Tenere 700
FJR1300ES

houseofcharm

Thanks, and if I don't find an FJ, it may be 'Hello, I must be going...' :nea: