Fazer Owners Club - Unofficial

Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner => Topic started by: Falcon 269 on 03 March 2018, 08:16:24 am

Title: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 03 March 2018, 08:16:24 am
... you know the rest of the saying ... and after much thought and consideration, I've decided to call a halt to my UK 'Ivanising' trips.

It was a difficult decision to make but finding time for them since quitting my day job has proved harder than when I was working 48 weeks of the year.  Now that Lynn and I finally have the chance we hope to spend many months each year travelling extensively.  With family visits to fit in around our motorhome adventures, suddenly there aren't that many spaces left on the calendar.  It seems it's true what they say about being busier than ever in retirement. :) Asking owners to travel to my work location during the UK winter months is a non-starter and the travel costs in the summer are too high for me to come over for just a handful of bikes.  I don't like to admit it but I'm no longer up to doing 16 Full Monty installations in 4 days, with 600 miles in a rental car between venues. ;)

However, the most significant factor in my decision wasn't the age and condition of the mechanic but that of the bikes themselves. :)  I still find it hard to believe that the last Gen 1 rolled off the line almost 13 years ago and most of the bikes I've worked on have been older than that.  No matter how well they are maintained and cared for, corrosion and other age-related issues are appearing more regularly.  I can only travel with a limited selection of tools and my biggest concern is that I might encounter a problem which I can't fix without more specialized kit.  The last thing I would want is to have someone stranded having ridden many miles to get to my work venue.  Thankfully that has never happened but the odds have increased to the point where I no longer feel it fair or sensible to take that risk.  Since it's not feasible for me to do individual home visits or to set up a properly equipped workshop in the UK, it's clear that it's time for me to hang up my much-faded overalls. :)

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has trusted me to work on their Fazer over the years, and a very special thank you to those who provided me with a workshop, sometimes a bed, delicious bacon butties and countless cups of tea and coffee on my travels.  It was your hospitality and kindness that made these trips possible.  Since doing my first Slip On kit installation in 2003, I've had the pleasure of meeting many hundreds of Foccers from all corners of the UK and it was a wonderful experience to see how one machine could bring folks together from every walk of life.  Great times all round.  :)

My heartfelt thanks to you all.

Mike
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Flooky on 03 March 2018, 08:34:12 am

I think all your hard work has really been appreciated, I have not been ivanised but met people who have and they were really impressed with your skill.
Thanks. ( least I can stop saving up for it now ). :lol
Enjoy your travels.
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: essiec on 03 March 2018, 09:18:07 am
Blimey,  Mike, you must be on the verge of getting your telegram from Queenie and you've only just stopped working   :eek


I haven't been on here for many years but a mate has just bought one and I recommended the website as a good source of info so thought I'd better check in and your post was the first thing I saw 


Best wishes in your retirement wherever you go and a big thanks for doing both of my Fazer. I still have fond memories of the bikes even though I've defected to some Austrian brawn nowadays.


Cheers, Andy
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: old son on 03 March 2018, 09:27:38 am
Well what can I say Mike?  I actually thought you would never retire. It's been a real pleasure to meet you, my trip to Spain was all the more rewarding having met up with you and Lynn. I hope you enjoy your travels and you keep in touch. Your knowledge of Fazers is almost unparalleled!!
All the best mate
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Dustydes on 03 March 2018, 10:37:21 am

Good luck in your travels Mike, it was a pleasure to meet such a knowledgeable and friendly guy.
I'm sure your wife will be looking forward to a holiday that does not include bike fiddling.
Your a ledged in the fazer world.
I do hope you find time to pop in now and then to give us your advice.
I still haven't fitted the front end yet, lots of factures have stopped that from happening least of which was a torn tendon in my arm.
It will happen and I look forward to my first ride out.


Good luck


Des
   
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: cl1ve2004 on 03 March 2018, 12:06:32 pm
Mike you ivanised my brand new thou back in 2003 and I rather expect I was one of the first..(I think it was around Bristol area??) Since I returned to the fold a couple of years ago,I realised how much influence and knowledge you have as the Master of the Thou...
It's always difficult to draw a line under anything you enjoy,but you have earned the respect of all of us foccers old and new,well done :) :)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Kenbob on 03 March 2018, 12:26:20 pm
 Many thanks for your ivanising skills mike, I had mine done by you last year and I still love the bike.
Wishing you all the very best in your future travels.
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Hedgetrimmer on 03 March 2018, 12:27:39 pm
The end of a Fazering era!
I can only echo what has been said above: you are a legend in the gen 1 world, and many folks have much to thank you for, self included, so thank you  :) I wonder how many bikes you gave the Ivan's treatment to over the years you have been doing it?
Best of luck with anything you do, and cheers!
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: PieEater on 03 March 2018, 12:29:06 pm
Hi Mike, It was a real pleasure to watch you work and listen to your words of wisdom when you came to Ivanise my bike. It's a shame that others will miss out on the opportunity to watch you work but I'm sure you will still be on hand on the forums to share your wisdom. I was wandering if there would be any merit in you getting a couple of sets of carbs / rubbers / air filter housings so you could provide a postal service where folks would send you their bits and you could send them out the Ivanised bits on receipt? Faced with this option or messing with the bits myself I would be happier to remove and send you the bits that needed modding knowing that the work would be to the highest standard and turnaround would be down to postage. Just a thought.
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: SkidT on 03 March 2018, 12:41:23 pm
Likewise Mike, I can only echo the thoughts and heartfelt appreciation of those that have posted above.


You have “Full Monty’d two of my three Gen 1’s over the years. The third, which I still own, you upgraded from the “Slip on”, down in Saltash a year or two back.


It is a testament to both the original design of the bike and your skills, advice and that of others on this forum, that it remains in my garage after nearly six years. This is by far the longest I have ever owned one bike.


I wish you the best of luck and happiness in your future retirement travels.


Regards Allan

Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: BMCfaz on 03 March 2018, 04:06:38 pm
Like so many others, you "full-montied" my Fazer a few years ago and it hasn't missed a beat since, plus you supplied the rear-sets that make it even comfier! I shall miss seeing the "I'll be over..." posts from you and all the "It's a different bike since Mike Ivanised it" posts from all those you've helped out.


Enjoy your travels!
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 03 March 2018, 04:29:18 pm
Thanks everyone for very kind words and good wishes.

Andy, great to see you back here ... but Queenie-gram?  Cheeky sod ...  :rollin

Yes, cl1ve2004, it all began in my garage in Bristol back in 2003.  I got my first Slip On kit from a friend in Florida and it took me 5 hours to fit it!  Then our dear mate, Polar Bear - sadly now absent here - persuaded me to help him fit one to his bike and another Yahoo forum member joined that session in Brum.  As I recall, I fitted the kits, they helped with the tea and bacon butties. ;)  I still have the pin vise that PB gave me that day. :)

SG Motorsports had started importing Ivan's products at that time (still the sole UK/EU agent) and more Yahoo group guys asked me about fitting the kit.  I recall I spent most weekends through spring and summer 2003 'Ivanising' in my garage, not out riding.  Kept the mileage down on my bike, though.

Luke (Devilsyam) was one of the first ten owners during the Bristol sessions and I've since done dozens more at his place in the city.  Thanks, mate ... you've been an inspiration to us all with your many Fazer mods and 'how to' guides. :thumbup

When we moved to Spain in 2004, I thought that would be the end of it but it turns out it was only just the beginning ... ;)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 03 March 2018, 04:30:04 pm
Thanks everyone for very kind words and good wishes.

Andy, great to see you back here ... but Queenie-gram?  Cheeky sod ...  :rollin

Yes, cl1ve2004, it all began in my garage in Bristol back in 2003.  I got my first Slip On kit from a friend in Florida and it took me 5 hours to fit it!  Then our dear mate, Polar Bear - sadly now absent here - persuaded me to help him fit one to his bike and another Yahoo forum member joined that session in Brum.  As I recall, I fitted the kits, they helped with the tea and bacon butties. ;)  I still have the pin vise that PB gave me that day - it's seen some service since. :)

SG Motorsports had started importing Ivan's products at that time (still the sole UK/EU agent) and more Yahoo group guys asked me about fitting the kit.  I recall I spent most weekends through spring and summer 2003 'Ivanising' in my garage, not out riding.  Kept the mileage down on my bike, though.

Luke (Devilsyam) was one of the first ten owners during the Bristol sessions and I've since done dozens more at his place in the city.  Thanks, mate ... you've been an inspiration to us all with your many Fazer mods and 'how to' guides. :thumbup

When we moved to Spain in 2004, I thought that would be the end of it but it turns out it was only just the beginning ... ;)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: robbo on 03 March 2018, 05:39:44 pm
Mike,
I'd just like to wish you all the very best in your retirement and upcoming motorhome adventures. You performed your Ivanising magic on my bike at your pals house at Goffs Oak, almost two years ago. Your knowledge, thoroughness and very friendly nature will always be remembered.
There will no doubt be a number of un-ivanised foccers lamenting your retirement, so glad I'm not one of them :lol .

All the very best of luck and happiness.
Pete.

P.S. The Ohlins is still doing the business all be it with a chunkier spring in it.


Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: essiec on 03 March 2018, 07:57:11 pm
Thanks everyone for very kind words and good wishes.

Andy, great to see you back here ... but Queenie-gram?  Cheeky sod ...  :rollin

When we moved to Spain in 2004, I thought that would be the end of it but it turns out it was only just the beginning ... ;)


Sorry - couldn't resist it ;)


You still in Spain? I've been back in the UK 10 years now and if I had room in the garage I'd have another Gen 1 to keep the KTM company - but I'd make sure it had already had your handiwork over it. Enjoy the motorhome - even better with a small trail bike strapped to the back for those itches that need to be scratched  :D
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 04 March 2018, 08:36:46 am
Hi Mike, It was a real pleasure to watch you work and listen to your words of wisdom when you came to Ivanise my bike. It's a shame that others will miss out on the opportunity to watch you work but I'm sure you will still be on hand on the forums to share your wisdom. I was wandering if there would be any merit in you getting a couple of sets of carbs / rubbers / air filter housings so you could provide a postal service where folks would send you their bits and you could send them out the Ivanised bits on receipt? Faced with this option or messing with the bits myself I would be happier to remove and send you the bits that needed modding knowing that the work would be to the highest standard and turnaround would be down to postage. Just a thought.

Thanks, mate.  Don't know about words of wisdom but it was fun to chat with everyone while I was working. :)

I've considered the exchange parts idea in the past but discounted it for a few reasons.  The first is the shipping costs to/from Spain would be quite high.  Second, I've found that DIY owners have had as many problems with removing/refitting the carbs as with doing the mods to the internals. 

Leading on from this, anything they do incorrectly in refitting the carbs could cause issues which have now't to do with mods I've done but which I would feel obligated to try and resolve from a distance.  Not easy, especially as older Thous are now showing up with ignition-related misfires that present as carb faults.

Maybe I should try recording a few videos for Youtube  ...  :)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Mustang on 04 March 2018, 08:45:16 am
Hi Mike, It was a real pleasure to watch you work and listen to your words of wisdom when you came to Ivanise my bike. It's a shame that others will miss out on the opportunity to watch you work but I'm sure you will still be on hand on the forums to share your wisdom. I was wandering if there would be any merit in you getting a couple of sets of carbs / rubbers / air filter housings so you could provide a postal service where folks would send you their bits and you could send them out the Ivanised bits on receipt? Faced with this option or messing with the bits myself I would be happier to remove and send you the bits that needed modding knowing that the work would be to the highest standard and turnaround would be down to postage. Just a thought.

Thanks, mate.  Don't know about words of wisdom but it was fun to chat with everyone while I was working. :)

I've considered the exchange parts idea in the past but discounted it for a few reasons.  The first is the shipping costs to/from Spain would be quite high.  Second, I've found that DIY owners have had as many problems with removing/refitting the carbs as with doing the mods to the internals. 

Leading on from this, anything they do incorrectly in refitting the carbs could cause issues which have now't to do with mods I've done but which I would feel obligated to try and resolve from a distance.  Not easy, especially as older Thous are now showing up with ignition-related misfires that present as carb faults.

Maybe I should try recording a few videos for Youtube  ...  :)


Hi Mike, hope you will enjoy your retirement, I was considering ivanising my bike, a series of YouTube videos would be a Fantastic legacy and be of infinite help to many people. Could take a lot off effort though.
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: robbo on 04 March 2018, 10:43:33 am
If you had a campground near your house in Spain, maybe a group would be prepared to have a whizz down to visit you. Resulting in a faster whizz home :lol .
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: tex on 04 March 2018, 11:27:53 am
Ahh mike what a shame , end of a era, you did both my fazer and they ran like clockwork,  also your brilliant r1 fork conversion guide ,enjoy your retirement  but please stay on the forum.
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 04 March 2018, 04:17:52 pm
No fear of me disappearing off the forum - well, I hope not anyway. :lol

I've already had a couple of owners ask about coming down to the Costa Blanca for a visit to my workshop here.  Retiring isn't as easy as I thought it might be. :)

I will look at the video idea some time, possibly later in the summer if a standard bike does happen to make it into my den.
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: onejay on 04 March 2018, 05:33:32 pm
Hi Mike


It was a real pleasure to meet you as well as the other guys when i played host for your Ivanising session here in south west Scotland


i still have the bike now fitted with the s1000rr rear shock


it still pulls like a train just as if you done it yesterday


enjoy yourself in whatever you do and wherever the road takes you
door is always open for you if or whenever your in Scotland


take it easy
Brian
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Andy W on 04 March 2018, 06:27:08 pm
Enjoy your time riding & motor home travelling, Mike.
You are a true Fazer mod pioneer!


Andy W.



Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 04 March 2018, 07:31:33 pm
Cheers for that, Brian and AndyW. 

A great weekend all round, although as a Sassenach arriving in that part of Scotland the morning after the 'No' vote, I did feel a bit of an endangered species. ;)

I've done several trips to Scotland with the toolkit and every one was a blast.  The one at Nick's place in Eaglesham last summer was memorable, too.  Well, what I remember of it after a few hours in his local on the Friday night.  8)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: JonnyFoxtrot on 05 March 2018, 11:34:19 am
Mike,


I'm relatively new to the forum so unfortunately can't talk on experience of having met you, but it is more than clear from having seen so many posts on here, the Facebook page and even many other sites  that you are a one of the true Guru's of the Fazer and it makes a great impression as a newcomer to see someone so passionate about sorting the running of these bikes out for people (in fact I've had nothing but positive experiences with members since being here, (Thanks clive for the shock!) which says a lot about the forum). So a bit of a newcomers perspective for you  :)


I'd have loved to have had the opportunity to get the bike done by you but know all too well the toll things like this can have on you so can more than understand your decision (I'll not expect any further updates to my emails lol). The idea someone said of putting the process up on Youtube would be a great help though, so I do hope you give that some consideration, it would be much appreciated by a lot of people I think!


P.S If you need a standard bike to be ridden down to Spain for a Youtube tutorial, me and the Fazer would be more than willing  :rollin
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: essiec on 05 March 2018, 12:17:31 pm
Blimey - are there actually any bikes out there that haven't been modded? :rolleyes :rolleyes


Personally I wouldn't buy one that hadn't been Ivanised, seeing as Obi Wan Falcon has hung up his Dremel. Just wondering what the ratio of modded/unmodded bikes is....
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 05 March 2018, 07:09:06 pm
P.S If you need a standard bike to be ridden down to Spain for a Youtube tutorial, me and the Fazer would be more than willing  :rollin

Jonny, you'd be more than welcome.  But probably not the first, as a couple of others on my waiting list have said much the same.  :) 

Seriously, though, I'm not averse to doing a few down here if folk happen to be passing on a riding tour of the Costa Blanca.  You would have to be 100% sure that yours hasn't been 'Ivanised' already though!

There were about 3600 Gen 1s sold in the UK, I believe.  I think I've laid spanners on around 600 and I'll leave it to you to do the maths. ;)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: SEPTIKANGEL on 05 March 2018, 07:58:14 pm
Mike, enjoy yourself, about time.
But...... :'(
Have just returned to the forum to seek you out - picking up a '54 Gen1 tomorrow for my 25yr old lad - I'm gutted, he's gonna have to ride around without the blessing of your expertise on a standard FZS1000 - but hang on.....Costa Blanca you say?  I can feel a touring holiday coming on once he's got used to it. :)
All the best Mike and thanks for sorting my Gen1 many years ago - Polarbear put one of your friends onto it and he took it to Spain near you if I recall.  Still there?  I'd have it back any day 8)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 06 March 2018, 07:35:52 am
Welcome back to the fold and congrats on your son's accession to the ranks.  :)

Lousy timing on my part, it seems.  Sorry about that but you'd be more than welcome to visit if you're on tour down this way ... ;)

I'm not sure which of PB's mates bought your previous Gen 1 or where it might be now.  Sadly, I kind of lost touch with Trev and haven't seen him since he moved over to Mallorca.  He's been radio silent for a while.  I know he's OK-ish but he doesn't post on any of the forums these days. :(
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: ram on 06 March 2018, 04:40:11 pm
 :rollin


Seriously, though, I'm not averse to doing a few down here if folk happen to be passing on a riding tour of the Costa Blanca.  You would have to be 100% sure that yours hasn't been 'Ivanised' already though!

There were about 3600 Gen 1s sold in the UK, I believe.  I think I've laid spanners on around 600 and I'll leave it to you to do the maths. ;)

sad news you are semi-retiring but enjoy yourself
do you have a record of the ones you have done? if i gave you my reg would you know if it had been done?
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 06 March 2018, 05:55:12 pm

Sad news you are semi-retiring but enjoy yourself
do you have a record of the ones you have done? if i gave you my reg would you know if it had been done?

Trying to retire completely but not doing too well so far  :lol

I never kept a record of reg numbers - sorry.  Didn't think I'd be doing more than a few dozen when I started in 2003.  By the time I realized I was in hundreds it seemed a bit pointless to start.  If you know the name of a previous owner, I did keep all those and might be able to help you that way.

If neither option works, I can tell how to check it yourself quite quickly. :)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: JonnyFoxtrot on 07 March 2018, 10:58:56 am
If neither option works, I can tell how to check it yourself quite quickly. :)


Would be grateful for this info Mike! I haven't gone exploring enough around the bike yet, so who knows, maybe its already been done!
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: nickodemon on 07 March 2018, 03:36:26 pm
Cheers for that, Brian and AndyW. 

A great weekend all round, although as a Sassenach arriving in that part of Scotland the morning after the 'No' vote, I did feel a bit of an endangered species. ;)

I've done several trips to Scotland with the toolkit and every one was a blast.  The one at Nick's place in Eaglesham last summer was memorable, too.  Well, what I remember of it after a few hours in his local on the Friday night.  8)


Hey Mike, Sad to see you are giving up on the ivanising... It was a great weekend the last time you were at my place and all the guys were very happy with your work. The first time you were at my place was 2006! I still have my fazer and i'm about to go on an island hop adventure to the outer hebrides in May. It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and you will always be regarded as a true gent and more importantly a legend in the world of fazer. If you ever fancy a trip up to Scotland, you're more than welcome to stay at mine again... Maybe less beer next time :lol  All the best, Nick.
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 07 March 2018, 05:22:05 pm
Nick, you're a star.  Your welcome on both of my visits was fantastic.  I can't thank you enough for your hospitality - not just to me but to all the fellas that travelled to your place on both occasions. 

The social side of the 'Ivanizing' trips is what I'll miss the most - well, that and the reactions after the test rides. :)

More beer next time - no work to be done the following morning!

Take care mate and all the very best. :)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: dowtroddendave on 13 March 2018, 12:55:56 pm
Hi Mike.

Good Luck and all the best to you and your good lady.

Kind Regards

Dave.   
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: blackcabbie on 14 March 2018, 08:27:57 am
hi mike...... you ivanised my bike at drillers place back in 2004 or maybe 2005 i think....... iv'e still got the old skunk..... can never part with it although its getting a bit heavy and cumbersome for my 59 year old 5 ft 5 frame.......old driller was a bit of a character...he had some kind of special deal with george whites in swindon and got hold of all the latest bikes of the time..... i still remember the big grin i had riding the fazer back to essex from swindon avoiding the motorways....


happy days
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: Falcon 269 on 14 March 2018, 09:05:06 pm
Wow, that was a good while back.  Sad to reflect that Driller passed away quite a few years ago, too.  Lovely place he had in the country and I was fortunate enough to have had use of his garage on a few occasions.  Not sure what his deal was with George White but he certainly got through a lot of their new bike stock. :)

Nice to know that you've held on to your Fazer for so long.  Mine's been with me since 2002 and although I don't ride it so much these days, I couldn't face the idea of getting rid of the old girl.

Cheers!

:)
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: tommyardin on 14 March 2018, 11:12:59 pm
Wow, that was a good while back.  Sad to reflect that Driller passed away quite a few years ago, too.  Lovely place he had in the country and I was fortunate enough to have had use of his garage on a few occasions.  Not sure what his deal was with George White but he certainly got through a lot of their new bike stock. :)

Nice to know that you've held on to your Fazer for so long.  Mine's been with me since 2002 and although I don't ride it so much these days, I couldn't face the idea of getting rid of the old girl.

Cheers!

 :)


I feel the same about my FZS 600 as I would struggle coming to terms with parting with it,
On the other hand my son said when I snuff it he is going to paint it pansy pink and stick it on eGay,  :eek  the little shit, that him crossed out of the will.
LOL

Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: kitcrazy on 17 March 2018, 09:49:12 am
Had the full Monty on mine 2 years ago same time as robbo and what an amazing difference it's made to the bike and still running as smooth as butter today worth every penny and more thanks a lot mike and good luck in the future
Title: Re: All Good Things ...
Post by: JOE on 26 March 2018, 09:09:07 pm
I don't post on here often, but I'd like to offer my sincere thanks for your Scottish trip last year.  I ended up selling the Fazer to another forum member recently after my father in law made an offer to buy his FZ1 I couldn't refuse (having barely ridden it since the Ivanising  :rolleyes ). It was a pleasure meeting you, best wishes to you and your family for the future.