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Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:18 am
by sacramentomike
I only ask because mine did today. Just rolled it out for a quick run to Costco--less than 5 miles up the freeway. Fine for the first 3/4 of the way, and then it seemed to start lugging somehow, not quite the right snap on acceleration. I let off a bit when I came up on traffic approaching my exit and it just seemed to be dragging, but I was coming up to the red light. When I let off to coast up to the light, it just stopped way too soon. I had to accelerate more to get up to the stop line. Felt like the brake was dragging. Then I smelled it. Something way too hot!

Well, it was a hot day and I was two short blocks from the store, so I went that last couple tenths of a mile. Same weird feeling when I rolled to a stop, so I got off to look at the back end. Imagine my surprise when I saw the freaking flames coming out of the back brake. Tried to just blow it out, and did, but it just reignited like a joke birthday candle. Had a water bottle so I poured that on and it hissed like a cast iron skillet left on the burner on high.

There was just time enough to get a tow truck out and get it to Roseville Yamaha before they closed. Brake seized up somehow--something to do with the ABS ('05) maybe. A couple of expensive issues over the last couple years, and I really don't need another. Wondering if I should have let it keep burning.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:01 am
by Cougar8000
damn, that is not fun. Just out of curiosity. What issues did you have before and when was the last time brakes were bleed?

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:27 am
by beemerdons
Cougar8000 wrote:damn, that is not fun. Just out of curiosity. What issues did you have before and when was the last time brakes were bleed?
Sorry to hear about this sacramentomike, but I have to ask the very same question that Alex asked: When was the last time you bled the brakes or have you never bled the brakes.

Our FJR's do require good brake maintenance, more than any other moto's I've ever owned. I routinely bleed my brakes and change out the fluid with new at the specified miles!

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:11 am
by clocklaw
I believe there is also an issue with the rear brake pedal "dragging" if you don't clean it regularly. I am not exactly sure what regularly is but I check it every now and then to make sure that the lever returns to the proper position. Hopefully, you did not warp the rotors by pouring the water on them, and I am sure you're going to need to bleed that cooked fluid out of it.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:06 pm
by Cougar8000
clocklaw wrote:I believe there is also an issue with the rear brake pedal "dragging" if you don't clean it regularly. I am not exactly sure what regularly is but I check it every now and then to make sure that the lever returns to the proper position. Hopefully, you did not warp the rotors by pouring the water on them, and I am sure you're going to need to bleed that cooked fluid out of it.
that is a great reminder about cleaning the pedal.

hey new guy with an 07 with under 3k, sorry forgot your name. Make sure you remove brake pedal clean and lube and put it back.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:55 pm
by bungie4
"Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?"

No. But I've had to wipe my ass with a snow-cone once. Never believe a Mexican when he says the food is 'mild'.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:57 pm
by beemerdons
bungie4 wrote:"Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?"

No. But I've had to wipe my ass with a snow-cone once. Never believe a Mexican when he says the food is 'mild'.
Fecking Canuckistanis, the only race of people on the entire planet that think the "Hot Sauce" at Taco Bell is KILLER! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:59 pm
by sacramentomike
So it didn't actually "BURST" into flames, but yeah, there was definite fire. Probably the covering on the line, rubber cover on the fitting there, whatever was flammable with it so hot. I guess I thought it was more of a priority to get the fire out than keeping water off the parts. Sometimes you just gotta make a call, ya know?

Anyhow, the brakes have been bled, but not for a few thousand miles. I don't do too much maintenance myself, but keep it serviced pretty timely. No issues building up to this, either, at least that I've known about. They'll check it out and give me a call in the next couple days. I'll update then.

Bungie, damn lucky you had a snow cone handy. Wish I'd had one yesterday.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:11 pm
by Cougar8000
sacramentomike wrote:So it didn't actually "BURST" into flames, but yeah, there was definite fire. Probably the covering on the line, rubber cover on the fitting there, whatever was flammable with it so hot. I guess I thought it was more of a priority to get the fire out than keeping water off the parts. Sometimes you just gotta make a call, ya know?

Anyhow, the brakes have been bled, but not for a few thousand miles. I don't do too much maintenance myself, but keep it serviced pretty timely. No issues building up to this, either, at least that I've known about. They'll check it out and give me a call in the next couple days. I'll update then.

Bungie, damn lucky you had a snow cone handy. Wish I'd had one yesterday.
if you bled then in the last few K miles, you should be good unless you only put few hundy a year :) I would check the brake pedal to make sure it is not sticking as there is really no other thing that could have caused that. Well, maybe seized caliper

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:23 pm
by Old Michael
clocklaw wrote:I believe there is also an issue with the rear brake pedal "dragging" if you don't clean it regularly. .
Indeed.
I replaced my rear rotor a couple of months ago. Cooked it and ruined it. Likely a sticking pedal, because I NEVER use my brakes. Hardly.

Mikey, maybe you should move up to a Gen 2. These Gen 1's are sucking you dry.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:26 pm
by Old Michael
bungie4 wrote:"Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?"

No. But I've had to wipe my ass with a snow-cone once. Never believe a Mexican when he says the food is 'mild'.
Okay.
Funny.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:40 pm
by beemerdons
Old Michael wrote:
clocklaw wrote:I believe there is also an issue with the rear brake pedal "dragging" if you don't clean it regularly. .
Indeed.
I replaced my rear rotor a couple of months ago. Cooked it and ruined it. Likely a sticking pedal, because I NEVER use my brakes. Hardly.

Mikey, maybe you should move up to a Gen 2. These Gen 1's are sucking you dry.
Our Old Michael comes from a long line of great Irish comedians eh, Dara O'Briain is probably worried about Mick replacing his act at the Theatre Royal!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0123R6vjIoE#at=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:22 pm
by Name Etc.
Or a Gen 3!!!!

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:24 am
by Bugnatr
I'd bet it was the rear brake pedal that on the Gen1 love to stick. Had to watch close on my 04.



Skip the Gen 2 and get a 3

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:05 am
by beemerdons
Name Etc. wrote:Or a Gen 3!!!!
+1, Gunny; Great Minds Think Alike, very well spoken Name Etc.!

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:59 am
by Name Etc.
beemerdons wrote:
Name Etc. wrote:Or a Gen 3!!!!
+1, Gunny; Great Minds Think Alike, very well spoken Name Etc.!
I'm at 82,000 miles on my 07 and thinking about maybe a 14 or 15 but I am kinda attached to Fiona... we've been together a while...

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 1:02 pm
by bungie4
Bugnatr wrote:Skip the Gen 2 and get a 3
This

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 1:55 pm
by wheatonFJR
A lot of good low mileage Gen 1s popping up for sale over at the other sandbox.

Dirt cheap for a low mileage FJR...
...plus you don't have to open up a thread on how to take the plastic off.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 2:42 pm
by bungie4
wheatonFJR wrote:A lot of good low mileage Gen 1s popping up for sale over at the other sandbox.

Dirt cheap for a low mileage FJR...
...plus you don't have to open up a thread on how to take the plastic off.
Well their will be a cherry high mileage one for sale soon even cheaper. I figure the fairing designer worked in the consumer packaging industry doing blister packs. Nothing a set of tin snips can't open.

Re: Has Your FJR Ever Burst Into FLAMES?

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:59 am
by clocklaw
bungie4 wrote:Well their will be a cherry high mileage one for sale soon even cheaper. I figure the fairing designer worked in the consumer packaging industry doing blister packs. Nothing a set of tin snips can't open.
Yeah, but who wants one you have to ride side saddle (it's Canadian), not to mention that the odometer will be in km and not miles! :mrgreen: