What did you do to your FJR today?

[bill lumberg]

Amazon decided to substitute a gallon of 20w50 for the 10w40 that I ordered. So it is my duty to put enough miles on to get to the next oil change before it turns cold.

It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Tomorrow, my Indy shop is replacing the exhaust hanger bracket that somehow got got ripped open from road debris this summer. Looking at the brute force damage, it’s a wonder that me or the bike didn’t suffer debilitating damage. Didn’t even find this damage until long after the incident.

[N4HHE]

Started replacing the steering head bearings with the All Balls tapered roller bearing kit.

I'm not real crazy about the seal set-up on these. Anybody else used these?

Yeah, it is funky. But other motorcycle manufacturers use the same style seals as original equipment.

I cut a slit in my lower race with a grinder then broke through with a chisel. The old race upside down made a perfect driver to install the new tapered bearing.

[rbentnail]

Engine oil & filter change today. A little early per mileage schedule but I felt I really abused it a couple weekends ago by running 2nd and 3rd gears at unusually high (for me) rpm. I shouldn't have bothered, drain-out wasn't even black yet. Mobil1 10w-40 4T racing. Damn good stuff!

[N4HHE]

Flushed brake fluid on KTM yesterday and when I had a fresh open bottle of DOT4 decided to do the FJR. Clutch went without incident. Front brake circuits. Then found I had lost one reservoir screw from the front brake. Had placed the screws on the gas cap then covered the tank with a towel. Screw not to be found. Didn't do the rear brakes.

Later when logging the maintenance noticed I had previously flushed the clutch and brakes last October. Thought the fluid looked awfully good to be 2-3 years old, the last time I remembered flushing brakes.

Lowes had a 12 pack of M4-0.7x16 for under $2. Shiny, not black like the one I lost, so I might ride today but for the rain.

[Toter]

Flushed brake fluid on KTM yesterday and when I had a fresh open bottle of DOT4 decided to do the FJR. Clutch went without incident. Front brake circuits. Then found I had lost one reservoir screw from the front brake. Had placed the screws on the gas cap then covered the tank with a towel. Screw not to be found. Didn't do the rear brakes.

Later when logging the maintenance noticed I had previously flushed the clutch and brakes last October. Thought the fluid looked awfully good to be 2-3 years old, the last time I remembered flushing brakes.

Lowes had a 12 pack of M4-0.7x16 for under $2. Shiny, not black like the one I lost, so I might ride today but for the rain.

You do realize two of the right front caliper pistons are operated by the rear brake and still contain old fluid, right? The ABS unit also still contains old fluid unless you operated front and rear ABS via the jumper and FSM procedure. Any time I have to work with brake fluid, I make sure to do 100% of the job as the fluid is useless afterwards. No shelf life. Also, never use just a towel on the gas tank. Always put a garbage bag down, then a towel. I prefer a fender cover. No chance of paint damage. Brake fluid is nasty shite.

[Toter]

Put the new Angel GT A-spec on the rear. 4,700 miles and the previous one was below wear bars on the right and left and just at the wear bars in the center. Renee is looking forward to SFO. Turk sure knows how to throw a party!

Anyone going to the Vintage weekend at Barber Motorsports Park this weekend?

[N4HHE]

Flushed brake fluid on KTM yesterday and when I had a fresh open bottle of DOT4 decided to do the FJR. Clutch went without incident. Front brake circuits. Then found I had lost one reservoir screw from the front brake. Had placed the screws on the gas cap then covered the tank with a towel. Screw not to be found. Didn't do the rear brakes.

Later when logging the maintenance noticed I had previously flushed the clutch and brakes last October. Thought the fluid looked awfully good to be 2-3 years old, the last time I remembered flushing brakes.

Lowes had a 12 pack of M4-0.7x16 for under $2. Shiny, not black like the one I lost, so I might ride today but for the rain.

You do realize two of the right front caliper pistons are operated by the rear brake and still contain old fluid, right?

Yes, that is why I said front brake circuits.

The ABS unit also still contains old fluid unless you operated front and rear ABS via the jumper and FSM procedure.

Meh. It was done last year.

Any time I have to work with brake fluid, I make sure to do 100% of the job as the fluid is useless afterwards. No shelf life.

Bah humbug. Its good for another few months.

Also, never use just a towel on the gas tank. Always put a garbage bag down, then a towel. I prefer a fender cover. No chance of paint damage. Brake fluid is nasty shite.

Paint is fine even if I got some on the towel.

Keep an open bottle of rubbing alcohol within arm's length when working on brake fluid. Brake fluid is an alcohol so rubbing alcohol mixes and seems to to a good job of cutting and neutralizing brake fluid.

[rbentnail]

Replaced the front tire with my tire of choice. Still only $30 when I take the wheel and the replacement tire to my local Honda dealer. No appt necessary.

[FJRoss]

Paint is fine even if I got some on the towel.

Keep an open bottle of rubbing alcohol within arm's length when working on brake fluid. Brake fluid is an alcohol so rubbing alcohol mixes and seems to to a good job of cutting and neutralizing brake fluid.

Brake fluid is miscible with water. Rinse with water and wipe with a damp cloth is all that is needed if you drip some on a painted surface. Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol would work but isn't necessary. (Don't think I would use methyl (wood) alcohol/methyl hydrate.) I have no idea how quickly DOT4 would damage modern paint/clear coat finishes. It certainly isn't instant. After doing hydraulic fluid flush, I usually hose the bike down "just in case..." I missed a drip. I do throw a towel over the tank when I am working with open reservoirs but as much to protect the paint from me dropping something (wrench, screwdriver, reservoir cover) on it as from DOT4.

I also keep half full bottles of brake fluid rather than throw them out - not an issue as long as they are tightly covered. Probably wouldn't keep one for a couple of years but even that shouldn't be a problem. Seal well and store in a cool dry place. This goes against conventional advice but I don't see how water could get into a properly sealed container.

I have to say I don't bother with using a jumper to activate the ABS when doing a brake flush. I do make a point of deliberately "using" the ABS from time-to-time when I am riding just to make sure that it is still working OK - maybe once per month. I'm sure that flushes the systems adequately. Never had a brake system issue with almost 300,000 miles on two Gen II FJRs.

[FastPappy]

Ok yesterday actually dropped her off at the dealer. Decided to bite the bullet and have them do the work. After my health issues working in the driveway (no garage) is just not working for me so soon she'll have new shoes with Hawk's Head metal T stems and rebuilt forks with upgraded traxxion Spring kit.

[gixxerjasen]

Finally got the oil changed after my trip. I had a hard time finding Mobil 1 Racing 4T of which I found 2 quarts at the local Wally World and then nothing anywhere. Finally got some shipped to me from Wally World but last weekend was the MotoGP race so it had to wait till this weekend. She's all ready for the impending cooler weather to settle in. I feel a motorcycle camping weekend coming up.

[fontanaman]

Filled it with non ethanol fuel and went for a short ride. Riding season is nearly over in Spokane Washington.

[Hppants]

Took a 100 mile jaunt through the back country early this morning. The light was pretty good and I went photo-calendar hunting. Pickings were slim, but I got a couple decent shots.

So I've got 4 pictures to choose 2 from. Decisions decisions.....

[mcatrophy]

Took a 100 mile jaunt through the back country early this morning. The light was pretty good and I went photo-calendar hunting. Pickings were slim, but I got a couple decent shots.

So I've got 4 pictures to choose 2 from. Decisions decisions.....

Post them, we'll take a vote.

[rbentnail]

Finally got the oil changed after my trip. I had a hard time finding Mobil 1 Racing 4T of which I found 2 quarts at the local Wally World and then nothing anywhere. Finally got some shipped to me from Wally World but last weekend was the MotoGP race so it had to wait till this weekend. She's all ready for the impending cooler weather to settle in. I feel a motorcycle camping weekend coming up.

Usually the only place I can find it is at Auto Zone.

[gixxerjasen]

Finally got the oil changed after my trip. I had a hard time finding Mobil 1 Racing 4T of which I found 2 quarts at the local Wally World and then nothing anywhere. Finally got some shipped to me from Wally World but last weekend was the MotoGP race so it had to wait till this weekend. She's all ready for the impending cooler weather to settle in. I feel a motorcycle camping weekend coming up.

Usually the only place I can find it is at Auto Zone.

I'll remember that, I don't recall them having motorcycle oil there but I also haven't checked in a really long time.

[rbentnail]

Finally got the oil changed after my trip. I had a hard time finding Mobil 1 Racing 4T of which I found 2 quarts at the local Wally World and then nothing anywhere. Finally got some shipped to me from Wally World but last weekend was the MotoGP race so it had to wait till this weekend. She's all ready for the impending cooler weather to settle in. I feel a motorcycle camping weekend coming up.

Usually the only place I can find it is at Auto Zone.

I'll remember that, I don't recall them having motorcycle oil there but I also haven't checked in a really long time.

Our stores here have it off in the corner away from the auto oils and usually have a couple different weights and brands. I've moved into the 20th century by going online to check store stock before driving over.

[bill lumberg]

Left it at the office. I’ll be in my work car until the end of the month. It’s a terrible hardship. I am going to have to make up for it by riding to Key West in November.

[Bounce]

Got closer to clearing out the garage so I can put it back together again. 'Bout half way done after 2 weeks. I think it will get slower the deeper I dig as the first half was sort-and-toss. Now if it's not tossed a bunch need to go with previous stuff so that has to get dragged out...

[gixxerjasen]

Left it at the office. I’ll be in my work car until the end of the month. It’s a terrible hardship. I am going to have to make up for it by riding to Key West in November.

You gonna uber some folks around in the back seat?