Advise, in a quandary

[FJMam]

:thinking: I realize this is a little pre-mature because I don't have all the numbers in front of me but here goes......................

I do want my beautiful machine back, the FJ1200. I've already bought mufflers for it. A fresh paint job would be excellent too!

Thing is I'll be buying it back from the Ins. Co. for $$$? Plus get replacement parts- $1500?

Now there's this amazing looking black/blue FJ on PDX craigslist for $2700. I want to go up there NOW and get it before it's gone. I know if I'm meant to have it it will wait for me, but..............uuuugh!

If I did this, would it be worth it to part out the old friend? Parts are really kinda scarce.

INPUT?

thnx, FJMam

[roadrunner]

why not go check the one in pdx?? you are intimate with that model so youll know what youre looking at. you know whats up with yours. you dont have to commit to the newbie in pdx, just look. if its a hottie - get it. you can always sell yours. it could be a breat project for you and someone else would get to know the fj love that youve got.
BUT
if youre connected to yours and unbreakable, stick with it.
to me it seems even. you could go either way. if youre gonna stick with the fj id at least go look at it. have lunch up there. and its getting close to end of most folks riding season im sure you could get a few bucks off the pdx bike.
like dogs and cats.... the right bike will always find you :)

[Kelbor]

That was a pretty good looking bike.....I think I saw a black one in Salem (p-town Craigslist hit on it) for the price you quoted (aftermarket pipes, seat, etc). Not bad for the price!

[Z1-2dream]

Two bikes are better than one! Ride the new one and part or winter resto the old one, then sell whichever one you like the least come spring. Or keep both and have a spare. That's always nice.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Z1-2dream]

Also keshtie, Im available next week if you want someone to go look at it with you. Even if it's just for company and I know a lil about bikes and such.

[wesleyw]

Like you said, parts are getting hard to find for some of these old bikes...THAT being said, I've seen an awful lot of bikes in about the condition of yours get parted out just to make a bunch of money off them...makes me sick to see a more or less good bike that needs a little work parted out like that... of course, its your bike and you can of course do what you wish... I'm probably just a little partial cuz I hang out around a motorcycle wrecking yard from time to time. :P

[Flyte Risk]

If you want a prelim look at the PDX ride I can grab friend and the two of us can go check it out. That way you can get two personal opinions on it.

That said, $2700 asking, they'll take less. By the time you buys the bike back, fix it and paint it you will be out more then the cost of the bike up here.

[Xusia]

What Flyte said. If you like the bike in PDX, why bother even buying your old one back??

[FJMam]

These are all great points.
My buddy G said just about the same things.
I hate the idea of tearing Solomon apart. I'd rather someone rebuild him. I already have mufflers on the way.
That machine up North just makes me drool. The price is right.
If I had a decent garage I might keep both but,.............
If someone wanted to buy Solomon and make him a project bike I'd be happy to work that out.
I'll be with some friends in PDX at the Art Museum Saturday. They're driving so I don't know if I could work the look see at the other FJ at that time.

Flyte-I'd really appreciate it if you could find a way to take a look at it. I already wrote to the owner saying what a fine looking machine it is and how I hoped I could work out a way to possibly buy it.

The ad was posted on Aug. 22. It's in Beaverton. Black and Blue-like my ego. Not the red and white modified thing.

I should have $$ numbers tomorrow.

FJ

[Alex9101]

WoW That bike in Beaverton is so nice!!! :drool: Wishing you luck to work things out!!!

[Flyte Risk]

From looking at the ad I wouldn't think twice about bringing my gear and some cash and taking that bad boy home. With only 23k on the clock it really doesn't have many miles on it.

If you're still unsure I'm certain that someone up here would look at it for you. I'm leaving town for the weekend tomorrow after work other wise I'd say set up a time this weekend. Or you can paypal him and I can deliver on my way south

[ZX-14]

:ride:Keshtie, I looked at the aforementioned bike on craigslist and my opinion is get it when you go up to the museum. You should get back on the horse after it throws you. You can fix Solomon when time and money permit, but if you buy that black FJ now, you can be riding into bike night on your new bad boy FJ!

[FJMam]

Sad news,
That black beast has been purchaed by someone in Philadelphia!!!! They're flying in this weekend to take it back East!!
Hell, I was ready to pick it up tomarrow!


Booooo

[roadrunner]

wasnt meant to be

[FJMam]

So true.
Now there's the one down in Ely, NV. $1500.
24 hours of driving, $150 in fuel. Boring scenery. It's a '90, black and blue. 2nd owner 38,000 miles.

[MTS620]

So true.
Now there's the one down in Ely, NV. $1500.
24 hours of driving, $150 in fuel. Boring scenery. It's a '90, black and blue. 2nd owner 38,000 miles.

Is this one sold too?
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/mcy/1335465142.html

[FJMam]

Honestly, I didn't even see this post. I suspect it is but I'll call anyway.

thanks!

[FJMam]

Do you believe it? It's NOT sold!
Needs tires, performance exhaust, small dent in top of tank.
Corbin seat.

Oh, my.

[roadrunner]

what to do what to do

[Flyte Risk]

So true.
Now there's the one down in Ely, NV. $1500.
24 hours of driving, $150 in fuel. Boring scenery. It's a '90, black and blue. 2nd owner 38,000 miles.

I just got back from Reno NV an hour and a half ago. I could have snagged it while I was there for the extra fuel. Maybe I could convince my friend down there to pick it up and come visit me for the weekend.

[FJMam]

well, I'm still looking closer in.
thnx

[FJMam]

So I have a '93 GSX1100F Katana. The one in my avatar.

It needs a new chain like no tomorrow. Sprockets too.
Problem is:
This year apparently came with a 132 instead of a 130 chain. To get the right length I'd be needing to buy a longer chain and cut it short at greater expense. So I want to convert it to 130 via the sprockets. What combination do I use so I don't lose my low end grunt?

Or do I spend the dough on extra links? I hate the idea.

Thanks for your input.

I should have my manual by Tuesday 15th.

[Xusia]

I can do the math for you. How many teeth are on each of the current sprockets?

[FJMam]

I guess I'd better find that out, eh?

[roadrunner]

whats the difference in $ for the correct size??

[FJMam]

Nobody has the "correct" size. That's why I'd have to buy like a 150 and cut it.
I don't remember the diff.
question 2 to get clarified.eh?

[Stacya_250]

I have chain tools if you need them.

[wesleyw]

FJ, is it really that difficult to find a close length? I don't have the most popular chain size (unless you are into older, dare I say classic, 750+cc bikes or drag racing) but have little trouble finding chains through multiple manufacturers that are within a pair of links of what I need...and the big ticket according everyone that advertises chain/sprocket conversions for my application is so I can more easily find better combinations/replacement/cheaper-deals... :P What chain is that thing running?

[FJMam]

Thanks Stacy.

Wes, Hell if I know! I know it's crappy and I don't like riding with it. How do I go about figuring that out?

I'm feeling a bit stupid at this point................; (

[ZX-14]

Hello Keshtie,

Please check the following:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-GSX-1100F-1100-Katana-Chain%2fSprocket-Set-NEW_W0QQitemZ350212645496QQcmdZViewItem

http://katriders.com

Cheers,

:yes:

[Stacya_250]

Good find!

[wesleyw]

Quite a few of them have it stamped on the side plates, although some I have seen don't. You can also measure it, and count the links...

First you measure the length of a link from pin to pin... it's most likely either gonna be 5/8" or 6/8" (3/4"). Then measure the width..

Chain sizes as they were explained to me work this way: The first number is the pitch, and the second two numbers are the width of the roller in 1/8ths of an inch with a decimal place assumed between them. For example, 630 is 6/8" (3/4") long and the roller is 3/8" wide.

520 - 5/8" long, 1/4" wide
525 - 5/8" long, 5/16" wide
530 - 5/8" long, 3/8" wide
630 - 3/4" long, 3/8" wide

I'm sure Flyte will jump me if any of this is inaccurate... :P

[ZX-14]

Good find!

Thanks Stacy!

[FJMam]

What a super group of people!
It may take a few days but I'll get this figured out.
I just might have to have another party before the weather gets crumby!

[Xusia]

So, I'm confused. Do you still want a different sprocket combination? It doesn't matter to me - I just need to know what you have to figure out a smaller circumference set with close to the same ratio. :)

[FJMam]

OK, I just want to get a new chain and fresh sprockets on the beast. It seems that I can not buy just a 530/132, if indeed that's what's on there now. I need to couont and see.
The reason different sprockets came up is that it was suggested that I might be OK with a standard, easy to find 130 by changing the tooth count.
The other option is to spend more money on a longer chain.
So it boils down to me finding out EXACTLY what I have on there and go forward. I thought this was going to be simple....................
Plus I don't have a center stand so I need to go borrow from a friend. ugh!

[Xusia]

Not sure how close you are to me, but I have a stand you are welcome to use.

[FJMam]

I think were neighbors.
I'm near Terry and Roosevelt. At the circle.

I priced one at Discouont and they want $125. Still looking.

PM me, I'd gladly accept your offer just to get this chain thing straightend out.

thnks X