Resurrecting an FJ1200

Erdoc48

Erdoc48

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Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
1,418
Age
60
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC/ Sometimes Colorado
Bike
94/00/04 STs, FSC600
This is from the Bearded Mechanic channel on YT: Craig is Sean’s friend and mechanic from SRK Cycles before Sean moved from PA to TN. It’s a 20 year non running FJ1200, which is sad- I always liked these especially when I first got into bikes:

Video 1: Craig buying the bike:


Video 2: The mechanical restoration:


The endgame (sorry to ruin it)- he plans to sell it, then decides to keep it! I love new bikes and all the tech, but there‘s something about getting an old bike out of storage and not letting it become a parts bike, get it running, and realize its potential. I think that’s why I keep my STs- they’re old, not tech superior, and maybe not the fastest or best handling out there, but they work for me and I have no plans to part with mine anytime soon.
 
Erdoc48 said:
and I have no plans to part with mine anytime soon
Click to expand...

I remember feeling the same way about my ST11 when I was 59 too! Was never going to sell it . . . . until I turned 72, when it just became too much weight to move around in the garage. Still miss that bike! :(

Enjoy it while you can!
 
As a friend once told me, "old bikes and old girlfriends are best left in the past." I love old bikes too. Seem to love them more when they're on someone else's dime.
 
I have a friend who used to have a FJ12, and after it started to get old he said he had trouble finding tires to fit the old skinny rims. Don't know how hard he tried though, he may have been talking about the local dealerships in the LA area.
 
I have often considered going backwards and getting an older bike that my 01 ST1100. Why? Simplicity. Maybe I remember the past with the proverbial rose colored glasses, but my old bikes never gave any trouble. Like none. Not that my 01 has been anything but spectacularly reliable, I know I'm going to need a final drive at some point, etc. I used to ride a 92 CBR1000 and that remains in my memory as the best bike I have ever owned. The only thing I can think it lacks is hard bags, kinda a big deal, but if I found one with Givi's I might just do it. A Blackbird wouldn't be bad either, the carb version. FJ's are another level up in simplicity. Air cooled. I haven't ridden one in 30yrs but I remember them as smooth and comfortable, and fast. We'll see what retirement brings....
 
I sorta went back.

I have fond memories of my 1973 Honda CB350 which was my first real bike. I went everywhere on it for the 1st 2 years I owned it, through every season. I didn't even have a car.

Recently, I bought a Triumph T120 because I always wanted a Triumph (even though it's not a "real" one) and I wanted a naked bike to remind me of my CB350. I wasn't sure that could trust nostalgia since it's often a memory of something that never was, but I actually feel like I'm re-living something from my youth every time I take it out for a ride. It has saddlebags so whenever I need to pick up a few items, that's the bike I take. I couldn't know until I tried, but I'm really enjoying it.

Oh, and of course, I still have my ST1300 for the long rides.
 
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