What did you do to your FJR today?

[Bugnatr]

Received two packages today. On Monday, ordered the MV Motorrad riser plate...shipped from Deutschland on Montag, arrived today/Mittwoch!

Ordered comfort bike shorts/longpants from underarmour on Monday, also arrived today.

Both of these items are related to NAFO. If you want to see the animals in person, ya gotta be there. Get signed up!

Try to keep your pants on buddy, nobody wants to see your fancy undergarments.

Understood...and not offering. But thanks for that sage advice. Showing off your bike shorts...Is that a Minnesota thing???

Uh...I believe you did offer to whip out the animals. Rather over stating things I'd say from what Marty told me.

[wheatonFJR]

[rbentnail]

The recently acquired '13 has a Penske shock. Rides really rough, harsh. Like there's no absorption other than the flex in the tire sidewall. I've downloaded a manual pdf but man, is that thing a tough read. Plus I'm a little confused about the model I have. I found what appears to be a preload adjustment but damping adjustments have my baffled. Any simple instructions anyone? https://www.dropbox.com/s/to8x1c85rzya8 ... l.pdf?dl=0

[raYzerman]

Sounds like damping cranked in too much.... does it have remote reservoir? That's compression damping. Should be nut on the bottom for rebound. Maybe seat them and back them out x clicks..... I don't know the good value of x for a Penske.....
~G to the white courtesy phone........

[escapefjrtist]

First things first, let's figure out which Penske you have. If it has a remote reservoir, it's a 8983 or 8987. Look at pages 7- 13 of the manual and identify which compression adjustment it has.

For adjustments, let's start with these;
Preload - Normally FJR Penske's have a 6" (free length) spring. Measure the length and add or remove preload so measured length is ~5-5/8". Each turn of adjuster is 0.100". There's normally two (2) nylon tipped set screws on adjuster. Loosen them first. Check sag and adjust as needed.
Rebound - Reference page 14. From full hard, back out until adjuster stops clicking (30-34 clicks) then add 4 clicks back.
Compression - Back out to full soft then add 2 clicks back.

One other thing I do is add a little ride height. Reference page 4 and make the (12mm max) dimension 3 - 4 mm. Makes for a nice crisp turn-in.

These will get you in the ball park. Report back and we'll tweak from there. The manual does a good job of stepping through the set up. Don't be afraid to twist the adjustments!

Good luck!

~G

[rbentnail]

You mention 4 things: preload, rebound, compression and ride height. I think I've found how to adjust 2 of the 4. Maybe we can do 1 at a time so I can keep up.

First things first- I have a remote reservoir. It doesn't look like those pictured in the manual. On the top, non-hose end is a Schraeder valve, presumably for nitrogen charging. On the bottom is a bolt head. No adjusting knob, just a bolt sticking out. Cannot be turned by hand. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6lxespcm1u31 ... JJ56a?dl=0

Next- you use the term "preload". Are you talking about the "setting the sag" section of the manual? If so, WTF is "the adjustable spring collar"?

[raYzerman]

I have the same Penske out for rebuild before I install it on my VFR......
For now, leave the ride height and preload...... maybe later.
On page 7, pic of reservoir middle right is your reservoir. The big nut is the compression adjuster. See also last paragraph page 11.
On page 6, item 34 is the rebound adjust knob. See middle of page 14 for adjustment direction.

[Blueridgerider]

Just returned from a fantastic 2,000 mile all over the SE and had an interesting rather scary experience. When I left home my Pirelli Angel GT's had what I thought plenty of tread life for the trip as they only had 3,000 miles on them. Almost at the end of the trip I was on a ride out to Fontana Dam in the morning and after taking a photo I looked at the rear and was shocked to see it was down to the cord. The front was worn but ok and knew I would never finish the trip and get home without new rubber. It went from What a Beautiful Day heading to the Gap for the day to panic mode in a flash. So glad I looked at that tire as who knows what might have happened otherwise.

Anyone who frequents the Gap knows of Wheelers in Robbinsville. They are about the only place around that can bale out someone in my situation. On a tire that looked so bad it could blow at any time I rode about 30 minutes there because they would not answer their phone after countless tries only to find out it would be 4-5 hours for them to get to me. I had a friend with me and that is the last thing either of us wanted. Wheelers said there is a guy up in Marysville who works out of his garage/shop and often helps people in need. PJ's Automotive. I called him and he could not have been nicer. and had a set of Pilot 5's and would slap them on for a fair price. I was sweating bullets as I had to ride an hour and a half from Robbinsville to Marysville, through the Gap etc. At least through the Gap the side and not the center of the tire was getting the abuse.

He brought me right in his garage and within 2 hours I had new shoes on the bike. What a great guy. He was telling us stories about many of the times he has come to the rescue of motorcyclists, often towing stranded bikes and helped others like me all while I watched him work on my FJR like he had done it 1,000 times. Wheelers and PJ are about it in that area which is surprising given the thousands that ride there.

So "What did I do to my FJR today?" My prayers were answered and an Angel put some Pilot Road 5's on my FJR. PJ saved my trip, and possibly my ass. Here are a couple pics. 5,000 miles is all I got out of the Pirelli's. Needless to say that will be the last time I buy those.

[Hppants]

I've heard of PJ's in Maryville, but until now, did'nt know anyone that actually used them. Good to know!!

[gixxerjasen]

PJ's Automotive. I called him and he could not have been nicer. and had a set of Pilot 5's and would slap them on for a fair price. I was sweating bullets as I had to ride an hour and a half from Robbinsville to Marysville, through the Gap etc. At least through the Gap the side and not the center of the tire was getting the abuse.

He brought me right in his garage and within 2 hours I had new shoes on the bike. What a great guy. He was telling us stories about many of the times he has come to the rescue of motorcyclists, often towing stranded bikes and helped others like me all while I watched him work on my FJR like he had done it 1,000 times. Wheelers and PJ are about it in that area which is surprising given the thousands that ride there.

PJ is freaking great. I know him from when I was a regular on the FZ1 forum. He's done a lot of good for the motorcycling community and happy to see him jump into give you a hand. I kind of knew where this was going when the shop told you "There's this guy..."

[Festus]

I've run about 4 sets of Angel GT's and been very happy with them. From looking at that tire, with that mileage, I think it's a safe bet to say you rode them pretty darn hard

I just took the set off my bike at 7,400 miles and they probably had another 1,000-1,500 left.

[N4HHE]

Used to take 5.0 gallons like clockwork when my FJR hits "reserve" so today I decided to make use of more of the 1.6 gallons remaining. Went 47.8 miles past the flashing "reserve", 299.2 on tank, and only put 5.743 gallons in the tank. 52 miles-divided-by-gallons. Walmart 87 works pretty good for me.

[Bugnatr]

That is a calendar worthy picture.

[wheatonFJR]

Just returned from a fantastic 2,000 mile all over the SE and had an interesting rather scary experience. When I left home my Pirelli Angel GT's had what I thought plenty of tread life for the trip as they only had 3,000 miles on them. Almost at the end of the trip I was on a ride out to Fontana Dam in the morning and after taking a photo I looked at the rear and was shocked to see it was down to the cord. The front was worn but ok and knew I would never finish the trip and get home without new rubber. It went from What a Beautiful Day heading to the Gap for the day to panic mode in a flash. So glad I looked at that tire as who knows what might have happened otherwise.

Anyone who frequents the Gap knows of Wheelers in Robbinsville. They are about the only place around that can bale out someone in my situation. On a tire that looked so bad it could blow at any time I rode about 30 minutes there because they would not answer their phone after countless tries only to find out it would be 4-5 hours for them to get to me. I had a friend with me and that is the last thing either of us wanted. Wheelers said there is a guy up in Marysville who works out of his garage/shop and often helps people in need. PJ's Automotive. I called him and he could not have been nicer. and had a set of Pilot 5's and would slap them on for a fair price. I was sweating bullets as I had to ride an hour and a half from Robbinsville to Marysville, through the Gap etc. At least through the Gap the side and not the center of the tire was getting the abuse.

He brought me right in his garage and within 2 hours I had new shoes on the bike. What a great guy. He was telling us stories about many of the times he has come to the rescue of motorcyclists, often towing stranded bikes and helped others like me all while I watched him work on my FJR like he had done it 1,000 times. Wheelers and PJ are about it in that area which is surprising given the thousands that ride there.

So "What did I do to my FJR today?" My prayers were answered and an Angel put some Pilot Road 5's on my FJR. PJ saved my trip, and possibly my ass. Here are a couple pics. 5,000 miles is all I got out of the Pirelli's. Needless to say that will be the last time I buy those.

Others have great luck with them, but I only got 2800 miles out of them.

I wish I was jwilly and rode like Satan’s sidekick and would still get 4000 out of a pair of tires. Riding up north-7k on the rear. Riding in the mountains-4k on the rear tire.

[Spininprop]

Exactly what my bike looked like until about 4 hours ago. Had new Road 5 installed as well. Nice.

That is a calendar worthy picture.

[escapefjrtist]

You mention 4 things: preload, rebound, compression and ride height. I think I've found how to adjust 2 of the 4. Maybe we can do 1 at a time so I can keep up.
First things first- I have a remote reservoir. It doesn't look like those pictured in the manual. On the top, non-hose end is a Schraeder valve, presumably for nitrogen charging. On the bottom is a bolt head. No adjusting knob, just a bolt sticking out. Cannot be turned by hand. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6lxespcm1u31 ... JJ56a?dl=0
Next- you use the term "preload". Are you talking about the "setting the sag" section of the manual? If so, WTF is "the adjustable spring collar"?

Okay, as Ray points out you have a 8983 Penske. The "nut" on the reservoir is the compression adjustment. Use a 1/4" drive ratchet & 1/2" socket to adjust. All the way clockwise is full hard. Turn this fully CCW until it stops and then go back two clicks CW. That'll get us started.

Preload is adjusted via a collar that functions as the upper spring perch. Once the nylon-tipped set screws are loosened, tighten or loosen the collar for preload. Reach from LH side of bike, where the hard/soft lever used to live. Did you get a piece of 1/4" round stock with a bent end? This is the "tool" for turning the collar.

~G

[fontanaman]

So "What did I do to my FJR today?" My prayers were answered and an Angel put some Pilot Road 5's on my FJR. PJ saved my trip, and possibly my ass. Here are a couple pics. 5,000 miles is all I got out of the Pirelli's. Needless to say that will be the last time I buy those.

I am glad your tire didn't go flat and it all worked out well in the end.

I ran two sets of Prirelli Angle GT Spec One's to about 6500 miles each, one of the longer mileage tires I have used. What I didn't care for was the rear square off bad at 5k miles. You might have set a record for trashing a set of Pirelli's. Wonder if the tire was defective?

[Blueridgerider]

So "What did I do to my FJR today?" My prayers were answered and an Angel put some Pilot Road 5's on my FJR. PJ saved my trip, and possibly my ass. Here are a couple pics. 5,000 miles is all I got out of the Pirelli's. Needless to say that will be the last time I buy those.

I am glad your tire didn't go flat and it all worked out well in the end.

I ran two sets of Prirelli Angle GT Spec One's to about 6500 miles each, one of the longer mileage tires I have used. What I didn't care for was the rear square off bad at 5k miles. You might have set a record for trashing a set of Pirelli's. Wonder if the tire was defective?

They might have been. I had them put on at my local Powersports place. They have the best tire prices around by far and do them while you wait but have had numerous issues with their work over the years. I always feel uneasy taking the bike there but the there is really no one close to me who can match the convenience and price so I really am stuck with them.

After they put your tires on they always take the bike out to see if everything is alright. The tech said thumbs up so I hopped on and took off. Within a few miles it felt like the tires were going to come off. I have tapered bearings and we all know they mask some issues but the bike had a wobble and felt unsafe. I came back and said there is something seriously wrong, he took it back out and I could not believe he came back and said there was nothing wrong. Man my blood boiled especially when he said, "Well Don't Take Your Hands Off The Bars" I said I am not paying you unless you figure out what was wrong. Either fix the problem or take them off the bike. Pissed is an understatement. They took the bike back in and the mechanic who did the install came out and apologized that he improperly balanced the tires and he got it right this time. Really?? Well it better be right. I told the moron tech not to take it out for a spin and took off to see for myself. The bike was about 80% better but I could always feel something off especially over 50mph. The tires very well could have had some flaw where they were never going to balance right.

I watched PJ balance the Road 5's and he was so meticulous spending a lot of time making sure they were perfect. And man what a difference. The front end is so rock solid now not a hint of anything off at all speeds. I would like to think the tires were the culprit as I again have very few other options the next time I need tires.

[Blueridgerider]

On top of returning home from my trip with new Road 5's I had a big box waiting for me which held my new Seth Laam seat! It would have been nice to have had it for the trip as I sent the stock seat to him in April but he told me up front it would be June before he could get it done. Also he had material delays which did not help but were out of his control.

I know many of you have dealt with Seth and have his seats but all I can say is how impressed I was with his professionalism. He called me a couple of times making sure the seat was going to be what I wanted and that it would fit me properly. When he shipped it he sent me a photo of the finished product. Nice touch. One of my biggest concerns was my 30 inch inseam and not wanting the seat to make it harder to get my feet planted. He said he would narrow the sides of the seat to compensate for the additional height the seat naturally has. It raised it a little bit but definitely does not make it more difficult to stay planted at stops. The FJR stock seat is wide as we all know and the slightly narrow feel of the is seat is very nice. The fit and finish is outstanding and it sure looks great. He says for life if anything ever happens to it he will take care of it for me. I took a couple hundred mile ride on it recently and am very pleased with it. Its very comfortable and really like the way my rump is planted in it but I can still move around if need be. Man its not often you come back from a 2000 trip with new tires and have a new seat waiting. Guess its time to plan another trip to break them both in

[bill lumberg]

Rode it through Unicoi State Park, then rode it home from Helen, Ga via the RRR and Blood Mountain. Glorious.