Homepage Project Overview Frame & Suspension Wheels, Tyres & Brakes Engine & Transmission Electrics Cosmetic, Cycleparts & Bodywork
This is my sixth bike in nine years. I started on a Kawasaki AR125, then a Honda CM125 (which I still have), two Honda Shadow 500s, and a Suzuki GSX750ET. I made a 150 mile bus trip to find this FJ - I made the guy selling it swear over the phone he wasn't wasting my time, and that it was a good clean example. And it was, so I bought it at a great price - he was keen to sell. Then I rode it the same 150 miles home in the dark - that was an experience; new bike (I felt like I was in a racing crouch compared to my GSX), unknown roads, drizzling rain, a black visor on my Arai - I'm probably lucky I didn't end up in a ditch thirty miles from anywhere.
(...since I've owned it, that is)
 |
Brake fluid - 1 Paintwork - 0. Note the fairing damage and bent left handlebar from my various spills. |
|
| I'll replace this disc (obviously). |  |
 |
Yes, I did use a power washer, Your Honour. |
| Black high-temperature paint for these. |
 |
I bought my FJ in November 1995, with 36,000 miles on it. It's a 1988 FJ1200 3cv1 model. At that time, it was very clean - only very minor fairing scuffs, that sort of thing. In its time with me it has slid 50 feet down the road on ice (£180 for a new pick-up coil, so I bought engine bars straight after that tip, and yes, of course I should have taken the bus), it has high-sided me twice (once losing and regaining rear tyre grip on a patch of diesel, the other due to my own stupidity - a big handful of throttle on gutter gravel, in front of 3 or 4 work acquaintances. That one caused the worst fairing damage), and it has been stolen & abused by a group of scum who thought they were entitled to have a go on it (I got it back... obviously...). Add the usual wear & tear and owner apathy/laziness, and the result is a bike, while fundamentally sound, that has substantial cosmetic damage & rust, a leaking clutch, pitted forks, seized brakes, etc - in other words, maybe to some other folk - A DOG!...
 |
 |
 |
| Rusted stanchions & frame. | Rusted downpipes, and tatty oil cooler & lines. | Rusted frame & engine bars, and flaking engine paint. |
Of course, ownership hasn't been all bad. I've been around Ireland on my FJ quite a bit, and I was enjoying commuting 150 (mostly) quality rural/suburban miles a week (including part of a major road race circuit) for four all-season years on it, before I got a whim to buy a jeep, but that's another story...
So now I find myself (February 2001) with a huge urge to restore & improve my trusty steed. It's been lying outdoors for over a year now, and is quite rough, so you might wonder why I'd bother - why not just write it off/scrap it/sell it as a project or for parts, and buy a similar newer bike? Well ask any of the thousands of FJ owners and journalists around the world what they think of the FJ, and they'll all tell you - it's the perfect all-rounder, even compared with modern bikes. Its only flaw may be its looks, this of course being a matter of opinion.
I do like the first version of the Bandit 1200S (the one with the fairing) - it's better looking than the FJ (in my opinion), it has even more hp and torque (mmmm... torque), has better handling (compared to standard FJs), and is more modern - possibly with more kudos?...
I also like the VFR750. But although the VFR has comfort for two and has reputedly good torque, 750cc (even in v-four layout) just can't deliver the same feeling of being slung from a catapult that 1200cc does, even if you do wring the bike's neck.
But my favourite alternative would be the Thunderace. I think it's one of the best looking bikes around (only in 1996 black/grey livery - I think the colour scheme & graphics of a bike really make a huge difference in whether it looks great or crap). It has plenty of hp and torque, and my girlfriend thinks it's sexy too, which might gain me points if I were to go for one (don't tell her about the pillion seat...) It might be a little too sport-oriented for me, though.
But I already have an FJ, and with some effort and cash, it will have monster power, great handling, more comfort, inherent reliability, and with a new paint job and some trick bits, it will hopefully look unique...
May 3 2001. Shite! Now my mate Snurk has gone and bought a Blackbird! I'll go for a spin on that and I bet I'll get all misty eyed for one of those. I'll enter my comments here later...
So click on the links at the top, or the links on the site pages to see what I intend to do. I'm moving house soon, so I won't be starting till maybe early summer, but I'll update the site as I go, with pictures and prose about how I get on. If you have comments or questions about anything you see, either on the site itself, or in the content, please let me know.