PM'ing the Fitz

Hey gang;

Thought I'd just toss this out there--

Aside from chacal and likely HogFiddles, I probably get more PMs than anyone on the forum.

Please don't get upset if I don't respond immediately. You know I'm always willing to help; sometimes just not so ready or able. How many of you have parts on your bikes from the Fitz boneyard? (Rhetorical, you don't need to answer. I know I have in-service parts on 3 Continents. Gives me a warm fuzzy, seriously.)

I'm an old fart and a single parent with a high-stress job and a 120-mile commute. So I may not get back to you right away.

If I "owe" you something, like a wiring diagram or other reference materials, and you've given me your email address and I didn't get it to you, feel free to remind me.

If you PM me and I don't answer right away, please don't get offended. I'm NOT ignoring you; there are days I don't feel like doing a lot of typing (you never get a half-baked answer from me.)

Give the old guy a break; I do genuinely want to help, but it just might not be in your time frame. For that I apologize, it's just life.

Good leaders never hammer the individual troop, they chew out the whole company...

As always...

Cheers--- Fitz

 

Yeah, get off the poor man's back, not like he's charging for his expertise! lol

To hear your situation I'm actually surprised you find any time for forums at all, just goes to show how deep the love for XJ's can run (believe me I'd never considered a Yamaha before I won that auction, hooked in under a week!)

I think we should all be grateful for the experts who give up their hard earned time and knowledge for free just for the love of it. Try going to your local garage and asking the head mechanic how to dismantle/reassemble a caliper for instance...

 

Nobody's "on my back." I was more worried about hurt feelings, especially those who don't know what a BUSY crotchety old firebrand I am.

 

Glad to hear it, thought from the post maybe someone had sent you nasties for not responding quickly enough lol

And as with any field of expertise, the good guys are ALWAYS busy... That's how I got so lazy haha

 

Keep up the good fight Fitz. Sent you a PM. Just kidding!!!!

 

See if he knows how to adjust your valves (my daughter's ZTec Ford is shim-over bucket too) and I'll bet he doesn't.

But WE do, unfortunately the manuals suck. BUT this old guy has at least some free time and I ride my XJs. So why not document the service procedures?

Which is where this came from: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html along with a dozen or so others.

The truth is, I had my first XJ (not my first '80s Yamaha, just first XJ) for a few months before I joined the forum. The gang here (Rick, Wiz) helped me solve the last couple of problems I simply couldn't figure out; and I discovered an incredible "family" of like-minded enthusiasts along with a source for parts that couldn't be got elsewhere.

I'm just trying to give back before I'm gone.

I've been riding street bikes since 1968 and I've always done my own work on bikes AND my cars. I feel kind of like those few guys left that know how to work on steam locomotives; the knowledge has to be passed down while it can be.

And I know I'm not alone in that sentiment on this forum. (I'm not the only old dude that still likes to go fast.)

 

Good to know that nobody is on Master Shifu's back. He needs to reflect and meditate to find the emotional strength to keep his mission of indoctrinating others with XJ wisdom.

If needed I will slap anyone bugging you with my Wuxi Finger Hold

 

Dude; you 550 Seca guys are in the "inner circle" and you of all people know that.

 

I love this man.

 

Thank you for the time you do have for us xj r's . it is appreciated . Your wealth of info is priceless , as is your down time to ride those amazing xj's you have garaged . we will muddle along helping each other when you are away . Again i personally cannot thank you enough for the help and advice you have shared with me . untill a year ago i had a commute just like yours and with this new employer i actually bought a bike knowing i will finally have time to enjoy it.
if we dont get a response right away from you, we will assume you are riding and we will be envious , and patient ! .

 

Fitz says

You're not that old...are you?

He also says...

You're absolutely right about that!

Tony

 

We already lost Master Oogway so you better not pull a "pope" move on us anytime soon.

 

No worries.

I'm here until you pry my XJ550R from my cold dead fingers.

I love my XJ.

Think summer! (I wanna ride, I wanna ride, I wanna ride...)

 

The Black SS brake lines look great and the bike looks SWEET! I can only wish that one day my 650 will look half as good as your 550.

 

It has a Sargent's custom seat, Progressive suspension front and rear., and Avon tires. You would be amazed at what it's like to ride it.

 

Keep on the good work, Fitz! You're a very good communicator and your knowledge is priceless. I don't agree with everything you write every day, but I'm mostly wrong, then, lol!

 

Now that is beautiful, really really beautiful... Envious, me? :wink:

On the passing on of knowledge, I'm 32 and feel like I was born too late, none of my contemporaries seem to know or care how things work, it's a crying shame as I don't know what'll happen to the classic/vintage sector when it ends up in the hands of people who drive their car till the oil pressure light comes on, and then DRIVE IT right to the shop to get oil!

 

WELL SAID

 

Fitz it a good thing you don't live in the south where its warm all the time. My wife and I would come and visit and never leave!!!!! Do you think you might get to Friday the 13th this year? If you do you can stay the night and I wont let killer EAT you.

 

Dang fitz that 550 is SEXY. I've never ridden a 550, what do you think of the power in comparison to other xjs and shaft drives? Where do you ride? Your write ups have been so helpful I've actually searched for pics of your bike, thanks for posting a new one!

I have a 30 minute commute on an interstate and have been looking at getting a smaller bike for fun (have an xj1100 now) - but don't want to be blown around haha

Thanks for all you've done here. You would be shocked at how many people that are not as active posters as many are, that you have really helped by helping those that are.