Mr Bignel

this looks good but a lot of money http://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-Yamaha-XJ900F-Blue-White-Excellent-condition-its-age-/222192002434

that's good - just out of interest what do you guys think of the big version of mine, ie: the XJ900F 1985 -1992 it has shaft drive which makes it a bit weighty and it looks out of date now, nevertheless....

does the 1300 have any better fuel economy please?

something i wouldn't mind asking you if that's ok? over recent times i have met a couple of people with fj1200 bikes, they enthuse about them of course...but the speed limit is 70 mph, i,ve never found that 600cc isn't fast enough and i don't really have any comfort problems plus i am a bit wary of anything heavier but still those bikes have something about them...any comment welcome

thank you slice - 'retirement' is a funny old business isn't it, i am still not used to it after 2.5 yrs or so now. i almost envy the neighbour going off to work each morning but, on the other hand, i have run into a few former colleagues and the place doesn't sound as easy going.

wow i am flattered you remembered - tbh i can't recall what i used for my earlier username or the password so i started again plus the pc had to be replaced and i lost quite a lot of links in the process. yes two sheds that's right well done there we are, two sheds, one bigger than the other. Using 'two sheds' in the search i see that i used my name before ianDouglas - sorry for the confusion. I've still got the red XJ600, not been on the road for a while, it's at the back of our garage awaiting a few jobs to be done.

thanks - is the engine the same?

i am a pensioner and with my new spare time i made one good bike out of two, both the same, one was an mot fail and the other in boxes via eBay would like to know if there are any other owners of this model please - it is over 25 years old now so i'm not expecting a huge response taken at pendine wales recently

Do you make lists? I'd be interested to hear if you do. I am trying to write an article on this subject for the vintage japanese motorcycle club magazine, if you have the time and inclination it would be good to have your comments on my take:- Are you a list person? Do you have nagging niggles waiting to be addressed? Some short term priorities and others that need doing but are not urgent? It can become a muddle. Writing stuff down helps clarify thinking. Merely the act of composing a list helps order things although it's not good if it becomes a mass of 'to do' chores that you will struggle to achieve. Courses on 'effective time control' and 'project management' seemed an imposition at work, they were usually too general or unrelated to one's actual job. However, thinking ahead has got to be sensible. It's a case of deciding what you want to achieve then jotting down any random thoughts that might help get the job done. A Greek philosopher observed that, 'if one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable' ie: it's good to have a plan. One biker I met said he was aiming to own (by buying, restoring and selling) the motorcycles that he fancied in his younger days but, at the time, were out of reach. He has worked his way through a fair number over the years. Planning ahead may not be second nature but, generally speaking, things have a better chance of working out if a list is attempted, after all we aren't getting any younger. It could be a significant ride, possibly involving over night accommodation, in which case - should you book ahead?, work out a route? or regard the whole thing as an adventure? I am too timid to not at least sketch an itinerary, contingency plan and note down suitable gear to be taken. Whatever, plans go awry, there will be omissions, mistakes and unforeseen circumstances. I don't list down everything, like recording receipts, but we don't want to know how much we lavish on our bikes. However, I do 'pro - con' lists if ever I am tempted to buy another machine. Some people are naturally organised, one bloke I knew said he didn't want to rely on lists because if he did he would fear losing his memory. Not for me, making lists is my safety net, ticking items off and adding more, I try and write anything that occurs down in case the you forget – Branson, the business entrepreneur, recommends noting all ideas for later evaluation. Motorbikes are to be enjoyed, not something one wants to get into an efficient mind set about. Nevertheless, I expect you, like me, have set out on a bike trip and then, well into the journey, recalled something that you meant to take – it could be ear defenders, a map, an address, anything. Now I have a checklist, spare gloves, cash, 'phone and visor cleaner... There's a similar rote with the bike itself – brakes, tyres, chain, oil, lights, fuel and remember the bike lock. Similarly, for eBay, there's another list so I know what items that I could do with should they come up at the right price. Also, a further list of bike type jobs given inclement weather: it's raining, no matter, I'll get the refurbished swing arm sprayed ready for swapping over. There is a tendency to procrastinate when things become daunting but by plotting out complex issues you can usually see a way forward. List making can be an antidote to panic, forcing one to think though a job and how it might be accomplished. Start with the easiest aspect of a task and the rest then unfolds giving a sense of achievement as work progresses in a logical way. Lists are powerful things, you commit to a course of action and almost before you know it you are sub-consciously following your own plan. I wanted to build one good motorbike out of two I'd acquired, an MOT failure and another in boxes – both the same model. I bite sized the project through lists, it became manageable and eventually went ahead but I forgot to factor in the cost Doh! It wasn't a particularly economic outcome. I need to remember future events like servicing, MOT dates and make lists for planning alterations/upgrades but dare I risk it and accept life as it comes? Not worry too much – use my memory and be more of a free spirit unencumbered by premeditation? Somehow that just doesn't appeal, it goes against the grain, I'm a list maker. You may sacrifice spontaneity for predictability but I'm sure that lists are the way to go.