FJRiders.com

250 miles today through the Louisiana backcountry with 2 local friends. It was reasonably pleasant this morning, but pretty sticky and hot this afternoon. We routed ourselves more in the trees for some shade. We had a good time.

Tomorrow, new shoes for the FJR, and some fluid changes.

fontanaman wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 12:56 pm

JoelTheMole wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 11:23 am Gotta get back to digging myself out of the hole I dug myself into.




This is what I get for deciding I want to get a better understanding of suspension.

Scooter, I hope you have some good laughs at this!

Looking at these photos reminded me of the song Shattered by the Rolling Stones with a couple of updates.

Uh huh shattered, uh huh shattered
Love and hope of better suspension ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶s̶e̶x̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶d̶r̶e̶a̶m̶s̶
Are still surviving in my mind ̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶t̶r̶e̶e̶t̶
Look at me, I'm in tatters!
I'm a shattered
Shattered

More of a pain than I had planned, and I will need to adjust the rebound damping range, but it is nice to have control over compression damping, rebound damping, and preload in my ES forks.

FJRPittsburgh wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 1:24 pmWhile washing the FJR yesterday, I had the front wheel off the ground to make it easier to turn and clean. I noticed a ticking noise while rotating the tire. I'm guessing I have a bad wheel bearing. I didn't pull the axle to check. The 2013 bike has over 75,000 miles and it wouldn't hurt to replace the front wheel bearings anyway. New front tire and bearings and seals ordered. They'll be in sometime next week. I could use a little motorcycle project anyway.

FJRPittsburg,

The front disk rotors attach to the hubs with bobbins. Every bobbin on each rotor should be loose, and free of grit. Insert a common screwdriver into each bobbin and rotate left-and-right, to check if they are free. It is normal that you will hear a clicking noise from the disks when the bobbins are all clean and the wheel is turning.

Red wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 12:04 am

FJRPittsburgh wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 1:24 pmWhile washing the FJR yesterday, I had the front wheel off the ground to make it easier to turn and clean. I noticed a ticking noise while rotating the tire. I'm guessing I have a bad wheel bearing. I didn't pull the axle to check. The 2013 bike has over 75,000 miles and it wouldn't hurt to replace the front wheel bearings anyway. New front tire and bearings and seals ordered. They'll be in sometime next week. I could use a little motorcycle project anyway.

FJRPittsburg,

The front disk rotors attach to the hubs with bobbins. Every bobbin on each rotor should be loose, and free of grit. Insert a common screwdriver into each bobbin and rotate left-and-right, to check if they are free. It is normal that you will hear a clicking noise from the disks when the bobbins are all clean and the wheel is turning.

When I remove the wheel to mount the new tire, I'll check the bearings. I'll check to see if the bobbins are free later today. Maybe my front wheel noise is just from my free and clean bobbins? No idea. If the bearings don't need replaced, it won't hurt to have a set of front wheel bearings and seals should I or one of you need them. Thanks for the tip Red!

Got out for the first ride of the season and my first test of the STS self cancelling turn signal module. It was a lot of work getting that module into the fairing and hooked up (thx Johnd and DesignFlaw) so very gratifying to see that the thing works properly and as advertised!

New shoes for the FJR (Roadsmart 4s). MIke P and I did mine and a rear for him (Africa Twin) in about 90 minutes. We almost looked like we kinew what we were doing. Changed the engine and final drive oils as well. Just need to grease the pivot points and bleed/flush the brakes/clutch, and she's ready to go.

Tinkerers would do better with another motorcycle. The FJR is for RIDERS....

Changed the oil, filter, final drive fluid. Lubed the shifter “stuff”. Disassembled and cleaned and lubed the pegs and rear brake assembly.

Flushed/bled brakes and clutch. The clutch was a tad darker than the brakes, but certainly not bad.

Cleaned/Greased the brake/clutch levers, and rear brake pivot.

Both motorcycles are ready to go!

Rode the FJR with the BMW/Ducati/Honda/Triumph Tuesday riders today. It was a spirited ride along scenic Lake Couer 'D Alene. The speed limit was 35 and we were well north of that the entire time so no photos but lots of smiles. How fast were we going. Well let's just say I was doing 5k in 2nd gear and rolled off the throttle just slightly mid turn causing the front fork to compress more than I wanted. It wasn't a hazard but a disappointment. I am looking for a Gen 4 A model and I will fit it with after market suspension, if I find such a beast.

Well the Gen 4 A model is out. Today I bought a 2021 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro with 6000 miles. I switched my mind because this morning I found a tool I could use to adjust the Throttle Bodies. Vacuum gauges won't work. Once I realized I could to the maintenance, a test ride was next.



I will learn to do the valves. The test ride went well. The bike put a grin on my face. Nice engine, suspension and ergos. This will be fun.

So today I moved the FJR to the front of the garage where it is hard to get out.

Congrats Fontanaman. Awesome addition to the stable!

~G

Congrats, Jim...... go on ebay for a couple of the valve check tools you'll someday need...... These are the cheap ones..... now is that torque limiter tool really needed?? $300, sheesh.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/388339048421?_ ... earch=true
https://www.ebay.com/itm/388339053648?_ ... earch=true
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=t3 ... &_osacat=0

raYzerman wrote: ↑Wed May 21, 2025 11:01 pm Congrats, Jim...... go on ebay for a couple of the valve check tools you'll someday need...... These are the cheap ones..... now is that torque limiter tool really needed?? $300, sheesh.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/388339048421?_ ... earch=true
https://www.ebay.com/itm/388339053648?_ ... earch=true
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=t3 ... &_osacat=0

Thanks for the suggestions Ray, I booked marked them. I look at it this way. The bike has low miles and I got it locally. I was looking at FJR A models last night and if I went that route, I'd likely be out a plane ticket, multiple night accommodations etc just to get the bike home, a lot of cash, depending on the distance. With this I might spend a few bills on tools but certainly not more than a fly and buy.

When I rode the Triumph today it was something completely different than the FJR. The motor is smooth to 5k rpm, then there is some vibes at 5k but it turns 4100 rpm at 70mph where it is very smooth and pleasant. The engine is fun, good acceleration, quiet, not a lot of air box sound, the windscreen does the job, quite amazing given how small it is and I am optimistic suspension will meet my expectations.

Beautiful bike!

fontanaman wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 1:49 amI was looking at FJR A models last night and if I went that route, I'd likely be out a plane ticket, multiple night accommodations etc just to get the bike home, a lot of cash, depending on the distance.

Just FYI, never count the cost of the fly n buy in the cost of purchasing the motorcycle. Just chalk it up to the first trip on the bike.

Aweosme, Jim.

I think we are at the point in our lives and our hobby where we weight the analysis MUCH more heavily on what we WANT, even if that ends up costing us a bit more. So you have to pour some money on it? Small price to pay for (s)miles. I need to think about that more for myself moving forward.

Right on, man!

Hppants wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 8:11 am Aweosme, Jim.

I think we are at the point in our lives and our hobby where we weight the analysis MUCH more heavily on what we WANT, even if that ends up costing us a bit more. So you have to pour some money on it? Small price to pay for (s)miles. I need to think about that more for myself moving forward.

Right on, man!

I am 69, 70 in November. I don't know how many motorcycle years I got left. I haven't bonded to the 17 FJR, like it did with the 09 FJR, so I choose smiles. My time to pull the trigger shrinks one day, every day. I may keep all three bikes or I may not. I am taking a very small chance on the Triumph and I hope it checks off all the bonding boxes. I may like it so much and may not want to work on it and be willing to pay for the service rather than do it myself. I don't know. I do know it will be fun to find out and I am moving forward. I had a grin during the test ride yesterday.

gixxerjasen wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 7:34 am

fontanaman wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 1:49 amI was looking at FJR A models last night and if I went that route, I'd likely be out a plane ticket, multiple night accommodations etc just to get the bike home, a lot of cash, depending on the distance.

Just FYI, never count the cost of the fly n buy in the cost of purchasing the motorcycle. Just chalk it up to the first trip on the bike.

Hey Jasen. Some bikes need a lot of farkles just to make the rideable. The FJR is on of those for me. Seat, windshield and bar risers. So sometimes a fly in ride is not a good experience or first trip. I got my 17ES in Austin Texas just before Covid. I was sitting at Pant's house the night international travel was banned due to Covid. Joey was going to ride with me for a day or two but due to the travel ban and developing Covid situation he had to go to work to help stranded people get home. My trip turned into a bit of a slog. Restaurants started closing when I arrived in Monterey California after riding Hwy 1. Nobody new anything as it was early on in Covid. Would hotels remain open? Nobody knew.

~Years ago G did a fly and ride and froze his ass in the high Nevada desert.

I probably have the wrong mindset. Fly ride get home. I was happy to buy local this time. The dealer is 15 minutes from me and they have a good reputation. I bought my DR650 there as well.

fontanaman wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 11:38 am Hey Jasen. Some bikes need a lot of farkles just to make the rideable. The FJR is on of those for me. Seat, windshield and bar risers. So sometimes a fly in ride is not a good experience or first trip.

Really? Might need farkles to make it rideable? Not a good experience? I have no idea what you are talking about!



I still made an adventure out of it and never counted those expenses in the cost of the bike. If I did, I'd cry more than I already do because I bought it right before the bottom fell out of the market, and I already lost enough money on it that I just have to own it forever now.

fontanaman wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 11:38 am I probably have the wrong mindset. Fly ride get home.

I think you do have the wrong mindset. Though that can be shaped by previous experience.

Over the years I have done Fly-N-Rides to purchase an FJR from the following places and riding back home to Phoenix: San Francisco, Portland, Ohio, Omaha, Southeast Oregon, Missoula, Atlanta, and West Virginia.

All enjoyable. Some more than others. Even if not farkled perfectly. You know, you can bring or send ahead of time some necessary farkles......

Remember, if everything goes well it's a vacation. It's when the shit hits the fan that it becomes an adventure!

SkooterG wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 2:21 am

fontanaman wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 11:38 am I probably have the wrong mindset. Fly ride get home.

I think you do have the wrong mindset. Though that can be shaped by previous experience.

Over the years I have done Fly-N-Rides to purchase an FJR from the following places and riding back home to Phoenix: San Francisco, Portland, Ohio, Omaha, Southeast Oregon, Missoula, Atlanta, and West Virginia.

All enjoyable. Some more than others. Even if not farkled perfectly. You know, you can bring or send ahead of time some necessary farkles......

Remember, if everything goes well it's a vacation. It's when the shit hits the fan that it becomes an adventure!

Don't remember where I first read it "Adventure is adversity tempered by time" I've found that to be pretty accurate.