By Toowoomba on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 10:35 am:

Hello,
I am new to this site and recently bought a run-out model 2002 in blue. I hail from Toowoomba and have been keenly accessorising my new bike. Old bike was a Divvy XJ900S. I have contacted a guy in the Gold Coast, who runs a company called GeelongCarbonCraft, his site is www.geelongcarboncraft.com (great name!?)
he would be prepared to manufacture a mold for a hugger for the FJR 1300 if five orders were pending.. would anyone like to see a hugger made available in Australia???? Feedback desireable!
thanks
Tryg 

By Toowoomba on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 10:36 am:

He also does a tank protector currently for the FJR 1300.
Tryg 

By David1300 on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 12:23 pm:

Hi Tryg, and welcome. You'll soon learn who to look out for!!! Great to have another Queenslander on board.

I'm from the Gold Coast, and am definitely interested in a hugger. I think there are other Aussies who are on the list too. Also a fender extender for the 2001, which had a shorter front fender. Their factory is about 3 minutes from where I live, if all the lights are green.

BTW - if you get a chance, post a piccie of your crash protectors, & where you got them. 

By David1300 on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 05:01 am:

I called in to see Phil at Geelong Carbon Craft (based in Nerang, on the Gold Coast) today to talk about rear huggers and front fender extenders.

As Toowoomba said earlier in this thread, if there are 5 orders for huggers Phil will make them - he needs that number to make it worthwhile to cover tooling costs. I will leave my bike with him for the 2 days he needs if there is enough interest. He can also do the fender extender mould at the same time.

So here's the chance. Please express interest here, or email me direct (address is in my profile), as I'd like to get this going if there is enough interest.

While the bike is with him he can also do plugs/moulds for any other parts we may want - engine armour, other protective gear, or cosmetic gear, whatever. (He already has the mould for a tank protector, and I will be ordering one soon). Obviously the more interest we have, the fairer deal we can negotiate for everyone (including Phil - he has rent and bills to pay too) 

By David1300 on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:16 am:

Tank Protector Piccie. Here is a piccie of the tank protector, unfortunately not mounted on a bike. It gives a (poor) idea of what it looks like for real. The list price is $95
 

By Bernie on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:44 am:

David, yes I would go for a hugger. I already have a fender extender, but I find it is still too short, I would like a longer one. The problem is Phil will need to make different lengths for the 01 and 02/03 bikes. 

By David1300 on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 12:00 pm:

Bernie - My idea is to ask Phil to make the front extender over-size (length-wise) with the correct curve and and shape, and we'll fit it to my bike and post piccies. Then folks can order the exact length they want, or alternatively, it's quite easy for individuals to cut and shape back to the length they want. This should accomodate the different '01 and '02/'03 lengths.

We're up to 4 'expressions of interest' for the hugger, so it looks like it's a starter if we get even 1 or 2 more. I'll get to see Phil later this week (Thurs or Friday) and will have more info at that time. 

By Jwm on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:07 pm:

David1300...
I am definetly intersted in an extender, providing the price is excessive. 

By Jwm on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:07 pm:

Lets make that 'isn't excessive'. 

By Dave on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 02:57 am:

I am definetly interested in an extender, providing the price is OK.
I have a 01 but have fitted a 02 front mudguard, but still would like more protection as I us the bike everyday and winter is coming up. 

By Dave on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 03:00 am:

I am definetly interested in an extender, providing the price is OK.
I have a 01 but have fitted a 02 front mudguard, but still would like more protection as I us the bike everyday and winter is coming up. 

By Fjr01 on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 06:41 am:

David,

I'm very interested in the tank protector and the fender extender. 

By Nocchi on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 08:43 am:

Ok Dave 

By Nocchi on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 08:45 am:

Ok Dave 

By David1300 on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 11:50 am:

Keep posting your interest here (twice is better than not at all, and it even gives Nocchi the chance to have some fun. I said, it even gives Nocchi the chance to have some fun.)

Keep an eye open for more info. 

By Nocchi on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 08:08 pm:

By Toowoomba on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 08:05 am:

I guess I have started something....
Please, David1300, let him know that I have others, from different sites, also interested, but like me, we would also like to see a product, before committing to it.
I guess most of us would like to know how it fits/functions/free's up our wallets, before we shell over the FJR hugger cash...
But, also let him know, there are ready made markets, such as www.amcmotorcycles.com.au or www.mcas.com.au or www.maw.com.au who might like to carry his product etc....
Tryg (a.k.a Toowoomba) 

By David1300 on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 11:47 am:

Hi Tryg (and all who have expressed interest) - I have emailed all details to date. However, just a couple of small points to note - if Phil can develop other markets, good on him (thanks Tryg for the websites - I'll pass the info on). If we bear a small extra cost for being the first - that's life.

I saw Phil today, and arranged to leave my bike there the week after next, for him to make the moulds (and supply and fit a tank protector). Before that time I will put all peeps who have indicated some interest directly in touch with Phil (at Geelong Carbon Craft), and he can make his own commercial decisions as to pricing, etc. If we can get a better deal because we have come to him as a group, great. If not, we each make our own personal commercial decision. 

By Rad on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 02:48 pm:

What is a hugger?

RAD 

By Bernie on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 11:38 pm:

This is a hugger. 

By Miatafjr on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 03:41 am:

David1300,

I'm also interested in the Hugger and possibly a tank protector, but I'm a Yank, so please let me know contact info and I'll talk to Phil about shipping, etc. Thanks. 

By David1300 on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 12:32 pm:

Hi Eric - will let you know how this develops, and provide contact details as 'the plan' comes together. In the interim you can have a look at this site: http://www.geelongcarboncraft.com

He's a lot better at carbon fibre work than web sites. To find the Yamaha link (it doesn't show because of screen size limitations/design issues) select any other brand, scroll down to 'Store Front' at the bottom of the page, then select Yamaha. You'll see from the quality of his piccies that he is better at manufacturing than taking piccies. The piccies don't do the product justice. 

By Miatafjr on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 04:14 pm:

Thanks David1300, checked out the site. Nice work with the product. A little pricy, but not bad. (Yep, did the conversion to USD) 

By David1300 on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 12:04 pm:

Update.
I called in to see Phil on Saturday, and before I update the parts details, a bit about him. I noticed he walks with a severe limp, and in talking and bending to examine possible attachment points, he mentioned that he lost his left leg many years ago in a 'bike accident (courtesy of a cage driver). He has owned and ridden many bikes since, always modifying them to a right side gear change and thumb operated rear brake (befor Mick Doohan made an art form of it).

He is presently 'between rides' his last bike being a GSX750. After going to Philip Island on it he says no more sports bikes.(2000k's in 2 days on a sports bike, with an artificial leg - the body says no more )

Anyway, back to the 'items'

I have ordered my Tank Protector, and when it is ready I will drop my bike in for a few days.

Tank protectors - he has his mould, available to order.

Front fender extender - he will definitely make this mould, and confirm price. He is going to 'step it' at the top, where it joins the fender, so that it has a flush fit. Once he has made a 2001 extender, we will test fit it on a 2002 model, to see if it fits on that fender. If yes, then peeps will probaly be able to order the fender extender to whatever length they want.

Rear hugger - can be done, but the challenges are: There is not much clearance when the suspension is compressed; mounting points (usual challenge that he has to address); width at the top.

So, in summary, it will be another week before I drop my bike off to Phil, and another week after that before 'it all happens'. I will give Phil all the details of everyone who has expressed interest (from this site and others), and each owner will make their own arrangements direct with him.

Piccie is Phil squinting into the sun holding a sample of another hugger produced by his company GCC (Geelong Carbon Craft)
 

By Rad on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 11:15 pm:

David -

I would be VERY interested in a front fender extender.

RAD 

By Shayne on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 11:53 pm:

Folks,
I dropped down two weeks ago and picked up a tank protector. Results are perfect fit and it definitely will not move. Bonus...no more roasted "jewels and belly". I spoke to the owner about the heating problem some earlier FJR's experienced and he was telling me the SP1&2 's had similar probs. He was going to look at a bike (Dave's I persume) to see if it was possible to create a cooling "fin" or "scoop" similair to what he did for the Hondas.
Off the thread a bit, has anyone in OZ fitted no standard grip warmers?

Regards
Shayne

Regards 

By David1300 on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 10:54 am:

Hi all - I have compiled the list of interested parties, and will see Phil tomorrow to get an update.

For interest, the numbers are:
Tank protector: Yes 5; undecided 7; No 3
Front Fender Extender: Yes 10; Undecided 4; No 1
Rear Hugger: Yes 6; Undecided 4; No 5

I'll pass the info and contact details on to Phil for his action. I have not confirmed a date to leave my bike with him as yet, but I am wanting to do it as soon as his workload allows.

Should I ask hime to make the following as well:

Carbon fibre protective clothing for pillions:
 

By Rad on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 11:57 am:

David1300 -

Will Phil contact me via email if he decides to proceed with the exrender? 

By Crash426 on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 03:18 pm:

David, add an additional extender for my US model and very interested in the hugger!

Thanks for your work on this! 

By Rickfl on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 06:55 pm:

I want a vented chin panel, along with a hugger, and fender extender. 

By David1300 on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 11:42 pm:

Hi all - let's terminate this thread (which I think appears in the Aussies only area), and all move to http://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/6110.html?1047595105 

By Jgriffin on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 01:50 pm:

Hi Folks

Re Hugger and other bits (though not tank protector I'm o.k for that) I wish to add my name
to the must have "list". Any update on availability

Regards