Ride to Waldman this evening.

[Theodore Schefelbein]

Several people asked, but, the answer is 37 years old, and you have to be pretty far into the vintage Japanese motorcycle weeds to remember the Yamaha FJ. I ride a 1989 FJ1200. It is actually the second FJ I have owned, I bought one new in 1991. In between these two was a 1995 Suzuki GSXR750, an ill tempered beast that was the hallmark of a younger man. 

The FJ was the first really successful Japanese Sport Touring bike, and it was considered the very best two up Sport Touring bike for perhaps 2 decades after it was no longer in production. The engine is used to this day in Legends race cars, as a stressed component of the suspension, something it was not designed for in a motorcycle, that works quite well in a Legend car.

Advertising photo of the first version, the FJ 1100, soon upgraded to the 1200cc version. R.I.P “Pee Wee” Gleason.

Ted

[Stephen T Brink]

That’s a beautiful machine!

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[Theodore Schefelbein]

That one is a beautiful bike. The picture was taken half a lifetime ago in California, as Jay was warming up the rear tire before seeing how fast it would run in the early, and cool morning air at Baylands. 

This is mine. A few years newer, but, 37 years old today. Pat yourself on the back if you recognize the venue as the Blind Lizard Father’s Day picnic.

Ted. 

[John Johnston III]

I was at Bike Week in Daytona for the introduction of the FJ1100.

The 16-inch front tire was interesting at the time.

- John

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[Theodore Schefelbein]

Riding a 37 year old motorcycle leads to change. The wheels and brakes on my FJ have been liberated from an R1 and an FZR that no longer needed them. The wheels are 17”, which, literally opens up a new world of tire options I have a preference for sticky, ZR rated radials, the better to resist the 100 ft. pounds of torque available since it was piped and jetted.. Race tech emulators in the forks replace the stock springs. The Vance & Hines exhaust feels about 50 pounds lighter than the stock version. Relays on the big draw electrics, LED  bulbs in a few spots (brake and taillights) braided stainless lines on all the hydraulics, spin on oil filter conversion, and upgrading to the 4 pole XJR1300 starting motor, versus the 2 pole stocker.

It goes on. One day, I’ll not be riding a motorcycle, but, that day is not today.

Ted

[John Johnston III]

It used to be a Raleigh Lenton Sports "Reg Harris Road Model".

- John 

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