What did you do to your FJR today?

[FJRPittsburgh]

Installed a new RS3 on the rear of the FJR. I'll scrub it in here later this morning.

[raYzerman]

Today I removed the gear shift and side stand cover. What a pain. The mechanic who did the tranny recall decided to slather the bolt with thread locker.

Removal of footpeg stay was not required for tranny recall... however, there is factory loctite on some of those bolts, and they are a PITA to get out..

[fontanaman]

Rode it about 100 miles today. Just out and about checking out the roads. Most of them have been swept. Yes!

[SkooterG]

I like my SWMotech tank bags. Have been using them for years. I have two issues with them:

1) The latching mechanism gets very hard to operate when it gets dirty. Requiring disassembly and cleaning. Not that hard, just a pita. I imagine the Givi is better here. That being said, the last time I did it I applied graphite dry lubricant and that seems to be holding up very well.

2) Sometimes, it is annoyingly difficult to get the tank bag to latch. (Get everything lined up) This primarily happens with my SWMotech tank bag that was designed for the BMW R12 GS as the rear hits the tank a little. I've gotten better at it. Again, I am guessing the Givi is better here. However SW Motech has since come out with a latching system that has magnets that pull the latching parts together to make them come together easier.

[chazglenn3]

I awakened her from her winter slumber to participate in a Patriot Guard Riders mission. It was good to be on two wheels again!

[fontanaman]

I like my SWMotech tank bags. Have been using them for years. I have two issues with them:

1) The latching mechanism gets very hard to operate when it gets dirty. Requiring disassembly and cleaning. Not that hard, just a pita. I imagine the Givi is better here. That being said, the last time I did it I applied graphite dry lubricant and that seems to be holding up very well.

2) Sometimes, it is annoyingly difficult to get the tank bag to latch. (Get everything lined up) This primarily happens with my SWMotech tank bag that was designed for the BMW R12 GS as the rear hits the tank a little. I've gotten better at it. Again, I am guessing the Givi is better here. However SW Motech has since come out with a latching system that has magnets that pull the latching parts together to make them come together easier.

I have been looking. The SWMotech Bags Connection City bag I have has a tear drop shape with the narrow part about 8.5" wide at the front and 12" wide at the back. This design allows turning the handle bars almost from lock to lock. A bag wider than 9 inches won't work for me. I also am looking at a bag that has exterior pockets and places to attach my heated gear controller and drinking water tube fitted to Guarald's Hydration System. And magnetic bags aren't my thing as I don't want my phone or Canon camera around a magnet.

It is amazing how poorly designed bags are; most are rectangular, some more narrow at the back than the front as if the tank bag is aerodynamic, and the ones having a clear cover to store your phone are just really not well thought out.

All these competing wants make it a PIA to find a new bag and the only upgrade I am getting here is appearance. Maybe an faded old bag will someday be appreciated like an vintage motorcycle with patina?

I think it is just time to go for a ride.

[gixxerjasen]

And magnetic bags aren't my thing as I don't want my phone or Canon camera around a magnet.

I've never had a problem with cameras or phones in a magnetic tank bag. I don't think the magnets are strong enough to do any damage. That said, there's obviously a tipping point somewhere. When I worked at a camera store, I had a doctor come in that thought taking promotional photos of an actual in use MRI would be a good idea. Guess it never occurred to them to just put someone in without the machine actually being on. To demonstrate the problems to me, he popped in the battery and even with it still switched off the camera went nuts, autofocus going in and out and doing all sorts of stuff. I got some spiffs and commission selling him a new camera that day, as well as our extended warranty that would have covered such a situation.

[gixxerjasen]

Soooo, this past week or so I was stupid. My FJR tag was way expired, so I renewed it. I did notice the popup that Texas displays that says they won't change your expiration date, blah blah blah and just proceeded forward without thinking too much about it, as they've been doing this for a while. My sticker arrived on March 28th and expires at the end of March 2025. Sigh, the government gets its money one way or another.

[FjrVfr]

After a wash yesterday I noticed some weeping around the port side fork seal.

Just finished the SealMate dance. Fingers crossed.

[Spininprop]

Road it to get parts to finish an electrical run for lights in the new shed. For now powered by a Bluetti running off its 120v outlet. Less than 10miles, but after being sick for the last two weeks it felt great.

[wheatonFJR]

After a wash yesterday I noticed some weeping around the port side fork seal.

Just finished the SealMate dance. Fingers crossed.

Both ohlins and cogent are in the southern Appalachians... its almost like it was ordained. Right in a good neighborhood.

[raYzerman]

After a wash yesterday I noticed some weeping around the port side fork seal.

Just finished the SealMate dance. Fingers crossed.

I don't know if this will help, but I'll explain.... in the old days fork seals came with a packet of grease you smeared on the inside of the seal to fill the recess. This was meant to lessen "stiction", and as I've come to find out about most leaky seals, dirt/dried bug guts got in there. Nobody these days in the service manuals says to grease them... but Dave Moss, suspension guy, recommends grease to reduce stiction.... Now, after the fact with a leaky seal, who knows if it will help.......

Clean the chrome fork tubes (do this regularly anyway), look for dents/dings/sharp edges/bug guts and fix those (can cause seal damage). Pry up the dust seals and slide them up.... Dave smears grease for a couple inches on the chrome tube, then pushes down on the suspension (back off your preload all the way first a good idea). With each push, the grease will disappear inside the fork seal. Repeat as you feel fitting.... then wipe off any excess and put the dust seals back down. After the fact, does this fill the recess, who knows... thus grease the seals before you install them. Certainly you have nothing to lose, just use any general purpose grease.

I grease all seals now before installation, with a little treatment every year. Have a look at the vid and apply as if your forks are mounted on the bike. PS - I would use finer than 400 grit or if a raised nick, I use a very fine file to knock it down, then sandpaper.

[FjrVfr]

Thanks Ray. Since it's buttoned back up now I'm going to try a test ride first but will certainly grease up if I go back in. Wait, that didn't come out right.

I will say the surface looked great, free of nicks/corrosion/etc and after reseating (bouncing) I couldn't see any fluid at all. I'm hoping that's a good sign.

[wheatonFJR]

Make sure you don't use Kentucky grease.

[fontanaman]

Went for a easy 275 mile ride today and completely forgot my tank bag looks like me, fn' old.

Not a great day for motophotos with high clouds but just turn them into black and white and all is good.



For the bridge guys out here.



This one looked better this way than in black and white.



It was a good day to be on a motorcycle.

[wheatonFJR]

Jim, man those photos are awesome. And reminds me of what traveling the country is all about.

[Cav47]

I think I recall that bridge.

[extrememarine]

Cold, wet and storms here today. Figures...

Spent part of the afternoon checking tool kit, compressor and tire kit; if it's there and ready, I'll not need it the entire season (in theory).

[gixxerjasen]

Rode it. Got out for a short ride between the storms around here. Gotta get something done for that three day registration sticker.

[BkerChuck]

Actually did this stuff yesterday but was too damned tired afterwards to post these.



We know what this means....



New tires, 90 degree valve stems, and reflective rim tape



Black rim tape but it really pops with light hitting it. Rear tire was starting to be a bit squirrelly when it rained