AuburnFJR Build thread

[Auburn]

I am going to use this to document my farkles.

My most recent was switching to the tubular handlebar system.

Like many I have been in search of a better handle bar system for the FJR. The net difference is this moves the bars up 2.5" inches higher than the MCL riser plate (total of 3.5" higher than stock), and 3/4" more forward than where the MCL plate was (not sure where that relates to stock).

I sit straight up and down, no lean forward at all. The bars are 1.5" wider than with stock bars, but you can cut the bars down 3/4" to match stock if you want to. I like the extra width. The bend on these bars relieves all the pressure that my wrists felt before. And I still have adjustment to work with if I need. The shelf is limiting my turning. I did not have to extend any hoses or lines. I have a franken tank and use to hit it first, now it is the shelf.


The new triple tree top




The fat bar adapters with 2.5" rise



After install:

[wheatonFJR]

He's going Tubular!

Very nice.

[escapefjrtist]

Turned out awesome Auburn, nicely done!

--G

[raYzerman]

Nice..... I just read in another sandbox about one done with silver bars.... black the way to go IMHO. Looks great!!

[Cav47]

Looks good. I like the black also.

Side note: Does the Frankentank prevent you from being able to use anything but a small tank bag? Of all the farkles, that is one that seems so cool. Those and smugglers.

[raYzerman]

Brian, watch out for Cav47, with his new-found affinity for dirt, he'll try to convince you to put knobbies on that thang!

[Auburn]

Looks good. I like the black also.

Side note: Does the Frankentank prevent you from being able to use anything but a small tank bag? Of all the farkles, that is one that seems so cool. Those and smugglers.

Not really, it just depends on what you want to use. I use Bagster bag to replace the factory Yamaha bag I used to have.

[fontanaman]

Brian, watch out for Cav47, with his new-found affinity for dirt, he'll try to convince you to put knobbies on that thang!

No convincing is needed. I was at the last Auburn Tech event. Brian said he was going to put some dual sport tires on it for a ride in Alaska.

Unusual and interesting farkle. Well done to as is all the work you.

[Auburn]

Heading out to test the handlebar system. Just moving the bike around the garage feels much better already.

[Auburn]

A while back I built a custom trailer to tow with the FJR for our Alaska 2018 trip. The concept worked great, but the trailer was too heavy, and I didn't want to spend a fortune on ALU to lighten it up more.

Bushtec had a screamin' deal on a 2 year old new trailer, so I bought it. As I was unpacking it, I had to turn the trailer over to remove the bolts from the pallet it was tied down to. I discovered it had three pieces of angle iron under it. I got to thinking, that I could weld some pieces to the angle iron and make a removable rack system.

I need to carry front and rear tires for the FJR, and a mounted spare trailer tire. I also wanted to use a ice chest that is insulted like a Yeti, but not pay Yeti prices. The inside of this I chest is about the same volume as the one bushtec sells but is supposed to keep things colder for much longer. It weighs almost the same as the two tires and spare so they balance each other pretty well. The stuff in the ice chest will put the right amount of tongue weight on the bike.

Headed out to do some camping this weekend and test everything out. Alaska trip in in two weeks.




And the License plate holder looks very stylish on the trailer!

[FJRoss]

Needs the red paint job! Otherwise, looking good.

Looks like I am going to be new to the trailer hauling business. I am buying a used FJR that also comes with a small "Lugg and Roll" trailer. Never having hauled a trailer, what rules do you use to establish an ideal tongue weight? I have no idea how much I will use it but I at least have to transport it from British Columbia to Atlantic Canada. 6000 km "Fly-and-Ride". (Going to have to put a cooler rack on mine as well. And maybe a rack for the top as well)

[fjray]

I usually go for 25-30 pounds or about 10% of the load.

[FJRoss]

I usually go for 25-30 pounds or about 10% of the load.

Thanks Ray
Do you vary that as a function of the road - condition or twistiness?

[Auburn]

I usually go for 25-30 pounds or about 10% of the load.

I use this as a rule of thumb too. If in doubt I go a little heavy on tongue weight, but my bike has aftermarket suspension and is sprung properly to handle the wieght.

[Auburn]

We got a chance to do a test run with our Alaska load out last weekend. Went up to the Sol Duc Hot Springs in the Olympic National Park. A good 200 mile each way test run. Camped for the night.

Right out the gate, the tire cover that we used to protect the spare tires from dirt and debris was an issue. Acted like a wind sock. But the trailer was not towing like usual either. I took them off the tire rack ad pout them on top of the trailer which added a little more tongue weight and eliminated the sail (wind catcher) too. Trailer towed great, rock steady, no swaying.

This is up in the campground showing the best configuration. It will be on the heavier side of 10% tongue weight, but it is where the trailer seems to be the happiest and doesn't affect the bike. The rack system is awesome, works really well.





The other thing I was testing was the new handle bar system. It was better than expected. No issues with sore arms, wrists, or hands. No vibration at all. No back pain, I could sit up straighter, although that means my V-Stream doesn't protect as much as I would like it too. But I can't get a taller one. This is the first time in years that I didn't have some wrist or arm pain during a ride.

[raYzerman]

Looks great, excellent news!

[Cav47]

Auburn, with the FrankenTank on there, I see you have a tank back loc system. Do you have a picture of your bag on top of the tank. It must be a low profile bag, or I would suspect you may have a hard time seeing the gauges. Thanks.

Looks like you have a great set up.

[wheatonFJR]

Auburn, sounds like that test ride gave you some good feedback. Good deal.

Have a GREAT trip!

[Uncle Hud]

Looks good from here. Best of luck on your adventure, and all of us are expecting on-the-road updates.

[Auburn]

Auburn, with the FrankenTank on there, I see you have a tank back loc system. Do you have a picture of your bag on top of the tank. It must be a low profile bag, or I would suspect you may have a hard time seeing the gauges. Thanks.

Looks like you have a great set up.

I'll take a picture tonight. No issues seeing the gages fromt the tank bag. The shelf makes it hard to see the turn signals, but other than that no issues. My frankentank is the 2nd or third one built. The front of it encrouches on the triple clamp area and with the MCL triple tree I took off, it would limit turning the handlebars. Didn't affect riding, just pushing the bike around in the gargae or a parking lot. THe new clamp restores all the range of motion it had before.