Jolene, Jolene, Jolene...

[Festus]

I've read all the replies and thought a lot about it today. I'm not sure what to say. As mentioned once before, I'm an introvert. I read Pants ride reports and I get on my bike and ride, and I ride by little restaurants, I don't stop and talk to locals, and it's a real chore for me to feign interest in people I don't know. My ride reports will never be in depth journeys that take you there. I'm just not that guy. However, this project is my comfort zone. It's what I can do. It's probably more my skill set than mingling with strangers. Writing about Jolene comes natural to me. I honestly did see her as a race horse that had a broken leg. I wanted to help her.

From the moment I saw Marie hug Jolene and tell her goodbye, my mission was clear. Jolene had to be brought back to good health. It was obvious that Jolene transcended being just a motorcycle. She had a soul. As long as her soul was strong, we could fix most anything.

The hardest part for me was Saturday, putting it back together. That was a chore. To be honest, I think you guys give me too much credit for being able to fix the transmission. Splitting the cases was easy. All that stuff was easy. I mean easy. Not overwhelming, but easy. I'm not sure why people are so intimidated to do it. Hooking all that shit up after putting it back together? Now that's the pain in the ass. We put the throttle bodies on 3 times. 3 times because we did stupid shit like hooking up a wire wrong (like the side stand switch to the gear indicator plug). I said it when I plugged it in that I thought it was wrong. 15 minutes later, I knew it was wrong and the throttle bodies were coming off. That almost turned into 4 times because I didn't run the starter wire before putting the throttle bodies on. We managed to fish it through but it was tough to get the bolt and nut on.

I would encourage anyone thinking about it to consider giving it a try. My advice would be document the removal process much more than I did. Have someone there to just take photo after photo at every single step. I didn't have that, so I'd be taking stuff off and my hands would be oily and I didn't want to grab my phone to take pictures with oil dripping off my fingers.

It's still early on. I don't have that victory feeling yet. I'd like to see 500-1000 miles on it before I'd start to feel like it was a success. We'll see.

Jolene's story isn't over yet. Got a few more parts coming in, and then she needs some miles put on her to make sure she's healthy.

Stay tuned. One thing is for certain, that's one strong, strong bike. I cannot believe how smooth it is. I honestly believe it runs smoother than my bike does. I can't put my finger on it, and it's very small, but it just seems so smooth. I can't believe it has 58,000 miles on it. If I taped up the odometer and rode it, I'd swear it had less than 5,000 miles on it.

I do appreciate all the comments and support, and the thing that makes me the happiest is reading Rob's posts about his thoughts as well as his wife's reaction. That makes every bit of this journey worth it to me. I know that they get it. They understand that Jolene isn't just a motorcycle, it's a motorcycle with a soul and a spirit Watch out ladies, your men aren't safe, Jolene's back!

[LKLD]

I just read this to Marie, and she cried...again.

Steve, I knew when you picked Jolene up, that you was exactly what Jolene needed. Someone who wasn't afraid, to do the work, and bring her back to life. I saw that, watching you carefully get her into your truck and meticulously securing her, so that nothing happened to her on that trip home.

You're right, it's not just a motorcycle. Sure, I know most look at them as an inanimate object, but I tend to project a personality onto them. I take care of them, and they take care of me. We have a friendship. A friendship that I selfishly benefit from, much more than that bike does from me.

I carefully listened to that video that you took, also watching that tach, so I could see and feel the result of your labor. My smile was beeming. My joy should not be underestimated, I am so happy!

Well done, Sir. Well done indeed.

[Cav47]

Festus, the technical side of things is not my favorite for sure, maybe that’s why I buy FJRS, but I have followed this along with anticipation.

You say it was not a big deal, well let me tell you what, for guys like me, what you did is inspiring. I know my limitations but because you did this, I might try something I previously would not have. Thanks for that personally, and I am sure the board appreciates you being the pioneer on this. Others will certainly benefit from your work.

Carry on with best of luck.

[BkerChuck]

Festus, Congratulations on a successful operation to repair the second gear issue! Awesome write up, awesome job! While I may not ever undertake such an ambitious project myself I will say after reading your write up I'd feel less anxious about it should the need arise. These FJR forums with the ride reports and technical write ups I believe make all of us better people just by taking part in them. A few years ago I never considered writing or posting photos but after getting so much out of what others have done I felt contributing some of my own was the least I could do to say thank you to those people.

I look forward to reading the rest of this story as it plays out and the miles pile on. Ride safely.

[raYzerman]

Well done, Steve and all your helpers! I'm happy to see you had the courage and determination to embrace this big project. I never doubted for a second there wouldn't be success. Most of the time, there is no mystery about things mechanical, you take it apart, replace what needs replacing and put it back together. Of course, there's a few critical things like lining up timing marks and not hamfisting fasteners, but that's what service manuals are for. It helps if you've had a lifetime of tinkering or always wondering how stuff works. And who hasn't made a mistake or two, like your throttle body story.... frustrating but all fixable. Last year, I had my dirt bike engine completely apart and it sat in a thousand pieces for several months waiting for parts or that replacement bearing that I damaged putting the first one in. But, went about it methodically, took several days that should have taken hours.... the satisfaction you get when you first spin it over and it fires right up is priceless. I could use you up here when I tackle my FJR in a basket project....... Someday, I would like to get your full collection of photos you took just for fun.

It's also a nice story to hear everyone involved was glad to see the bike go to a good home and into competent hands. Jolene has a great future ahead. I think y'all need to get together for some champagne! Well, no, something better is in order. Cheers to all.

[Uncle Hud]

You say it was not a big deal, well let me tell you what, for guys like me, what you did is inspiring. I know my limitations but because you did this, I might try something I previously would not have.

What he said. For me, it's a lack of patience and (perceived) lack of time. This, however, has inspired me to take off the fairing, wire in the Clearwater lights that have been in a box for six months, and install a back-end terminal block for heated seats and detachable power to the topbox.

AND, what about the "Jolene Lives!" tour to EOM, SFO, and other places?

[wheatonFJR]

I just love that "first upshift" video...man, that is sweet and meaningful. Looked like a heck of a lot of fun, too.

[silverback]

... As mentioned once before, I'm an introvert.

We introverts rule the world from our dark caves of seclusion. We are also nice enough to let extroverts think they have control.


I am heartily amazed and happy to see your quick success in this project. Great job!

[HotRodZilla]

NICE! I don't care what you say about how easy some of it was. That's a not a job for someone ill prepared or unqualified. I think I'm both. I'm amazed at how quickly this all went.

That's an awesome job!! Congratulations!!

[Festus]

NICE! I don't care what you say about how easy some of it was. That's a not a job for someone ill prepared or unqualified.

Clearly, we've never met. gixxerjason even made fun of me because I didn't know how to drain the coolant

Much appreciated guys, but still think it wasn't much to it. Now, if one single thing had to be timed, then I would have wet the bed.

[gixxerjasen]

Clearly, we've never met. gixxerjason even made fun of me because I didn't know how to drain the coolant

I guess the misspelling is what I get for calling you Fester in another post.

That said, it was pretty darn funny there at the beginning, you gotta admit.

[raYzerman]

The hubby/wife team who brought you the Seven Nation Army.......

[Hppants]

Isn't it great how good it feels to read this thread? Obviously, everyone like a happy ending. But it's more than that, I believe. LKLD and his lovely wife certainly had more skin in the game than the rest of us. But as I read this, it has occurred to me that all of us took this personal.

Ray and the other accomplished mechanics did what we knew they would - offer technical pointers, tips, and tricks. But the rest of us - at least for myself... we were just rooting for Festus. As bad as I wanted that bike to start and be ridden again, what I really wanted is for Festus to succeed. I wanted my friend to feel the pride and joy of facing his demon, conquering it, and watching (reading) the Victor enjoy his spoils. And for him to have another friend (Viper Dad) holding his hand and offering a little kick in the rear where needed - just icing on the cake. For me, even the little insignificant things were really special. Like using the ratchet straps to hoist the heavy motor in place by himself - Festus wrote about that in relative detail - that was a big deal for him and rightfully so.

Following it along was kind of inspirational for me. Probably not, but maybe.... just maybe.... I could do this if I had to? I hope I never have to disassemble an FJR transmission. But the next time a personal challenge looks me in the eye I'll think.... "If Festus can get bring that '13 to life, I can do this."

The other sandbox won't embrace the non-technical side of this thing. I'm not casting stones, a spade is a spade. They are old grapes drying on the vine and they refuse to get it. This is a WHOLE lot more than nuts and bolts and tires and oil....

[wheatonFJR]

^^^ I'm with the dood that's got his pants on.

These FJRs are more than metal, plastic and rubber. You could take most of my stuff without me getting emotional about it...sure I'd want to have the cash to cover the loss...but don't you ever lay a hand on my FJR(s)

They take me to places I've always dreamed of going, they also help me meet some of the most interesting people asshats.

We also hear about people striving to do things we've never ever considered doing...like this thread, right here....and succeeding!

Kudos to Festus!

[NTXFJR]

Festus gets double kudos in my book. First he tackled this mechanical challenge and met it with a resounding success, but he also recorded and documented it with an equal resounding success. Nicely done sir!

[Festus]

And for him to have another friend (Viper Dad) holding his hand and offering a little kick in the rear where needed - just icing on the cake.

WHOA THERE PANTS! Festus don't swing that way In all fairness, how else would I have known Viper Dad's hands were buttery soft?

I appreciate all the support and cheering. I'm still not that guy

I really wanted a LOT more details and a LOT more photos. As I went through it, I thought "if someone's heading to the transmission, then they can figure out how to take this or that off". I wish I could go back and rewrite some of it. There are a number of things I'd do different if I had to do it again. I'd take the clutch out first, and I'd remove that main gear from the transmission as well. Those things would have made life easier. I'd also try hard to not take off the final drive or rear wheel. I think I could have made that work. But in this case, I'm glad I did it that way because I got to take the swingarm off and lube that up, so it was worth it, Plus it gave me something to do while I was waiting on parts.

I also thought about putting this on another forum or two. I'm glad I didn't. I like it being here. If someone wants to learn about what we did, they can come here and see it. If they don't, then they can learn it the hard way.

The front left fairing came in today. That was lightly scratched up from her tip over. I'll get that put on as soon as possible. Only thing remaining is the saddlebag. If I could find the paint that matched, I'd be done with it all. However, I have yet to find the '13 paint to match. I bought cans of it, and Rob gave me a can of it. My can is WAYYYYYYYYYY off. I mean WAYYYYY off. Rob's is closer, but it's not close enough to go without notice.

The exhaust come in on Monday, my new Klim jacket replacement comes in on Tuesday, so it's shaping up to Jolene on the road again soon.

[LKLD]

Wayne needs to pin this thread.

[Viper_Dad]

Wayne needs to pin this thread.

... and label it "How to keep your woman happy!" (singing Jolene in my head)

[Festus]

Holy Smoke! These puppies showed up for her today! HUGE thanks to Rob for seeing them on Facebook and telling me about them. The guy wrapped each one in a towel, packing taped the towels on them, then wrapped both of them in a U-Haul blanket, then cardboard on top. Best packing job I've ever seen for something like this.







Saddlebags were ordered from some shop in Canada. Rob tipped me off on those too. Wrong color, but brand new. For the last year I've tried to match that damn paint with no luck. Now I'll have to kick it up a notch and solve the problem. Hopefully me taking the time to solve it is going to solve the problem for someone else down the road. I think that's it. No more parts coming in that I can think of. Probably take 2 weeks for the bags to get here, and 2 more weeks for me to resolve the color issue and paint them.

[Red]

Saddlebags were ordered from some shop in Canada. Rob tipped me off on those too. Wrong color, but brand new. For the last year I've tried to match that damn paint with no luck. 2 more weeks for me to resolve the color issue and paint them.

Festus,

Just a few ideas here . . . Carbon Fiber vinyl wrap comes in various shades from silvery to gray to charcoal. They sell it by the yard everywhere, and on Amazon. Easy to do (so I hear) with a heat gun here and there. Otherwise, try the hammer-finish paints in rattle-cans, or even spray-can undercoating, for toughness. Shake well and often. Test your choices on some old cardboard boxes, and then have fun.