I made a trip from Omaha to Oakland yesterday/today (Jun 25/26) to attend a week-long IT Conference. I took two days to traverse NE, WY, UT, NV and CA.
The issue; brakes started steaming and it seemed like I lost power or the FJR went into a Limp Mode while at highway speed. Up to that point there was no fade, or other issue. I was coming from Rock Springs, WY and had ridden overnight. I arrived at Reno around 10:44am, stopped for fuel and then started the descent into CA.
I-80 westbound from Reno/Tahoe is a downhill twisty road and on a Sunday is heavily traveled. There were a few “panic stops” (2 or 3) and several long slow braking stretches. The temps were in the upper 80s at the top of the stretch and into the upper 90s when I reached Sacramento. In Sacramento the traffic was shiity. The temp reached 102. I was lane-splitting a bit but mostly going with the flow of traffic. I normally use the brake pedal, but on the panic stops I went for both the lever and the pedal. I try to not use the front brakes exclusively.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and this happened at a point where the traffic was opening up after having come to a stand-still. I was in the left lane and accelerating when all of a sudden the motor seemed to be “bogged down” (like you tried to launch a green light in 5th gear), and wouldn’t accelerate. It did not slow me down enough and I managed to get over to the right shoulder safely.
The front rotor (pictured) has some discoloration along the rim/edge. I have speed-bleeders, and the cap was blown off of it and brake fluid was shooting out. There was lots of steam. There is still brake dust on both rotors. The rotor pictured is, I believe, warped. When moving it onto and off the tow truck it would catch at different places.
The brake lever still does activate the brakes and stops the bike (from the time we backed if off the tow truck).
I replaced the brake pads with OEM last year. They may have about 5,000 miles on them. The fluid was last changed 4 years ago, or maybe 5.
Another issue, I’m not sure is related, but when I stopped I had the hazard lights going. After some point they were not on. They key was in the ON position, but there was no display on the dash nor dials. It’s a Shorai Lithium battery.
I don’t want to bias anyone by offering what I think, because mine is a simple guess. I hope the forum can help me figure it out. I can upload pics as requested, but may take a bit. My FJR is at the most generous Hycle’s casa-de-FJR.
Thanks to him and thanks to Bugnatr who provided his contact info to me and coordinated a response while I was standing on the shoulder of I-80
Your thoughts of whatever else I should check or consider as well as other ideas are welcome. I will answer questions for things that I've left off here. I haven't had much sleep, even though I didn't do this as an IBA ride...
thanks in advance!
The issue; brakes started steaming and it seemed like I lost power or the FJR went into a Limp Mode while at highway speed. Up to that point there was no fade, or other issue. I was coming from Rock Springs, WY and had ridden overnight. I arrived at Reno around 10:44am, stopped for fuel and then started the descent into CA.
I-80 westbound from Reno/Tahoe is a downhill twisty road and on a Sunday is heavily traveled. There were a few “panic stops” (2 or 3) and several long slow braking stretches. The temps were in the upper 80s at the top of the stretch and into the upper 90s when I reached Sacramento. In Sacramento the traffic was shiity. The temp reached 102. I was lane-splitting a bit but mostly going with the flow of traffic. I normally use the brake pedal, but on the panic stops I went for both the lever and the pedal. I try to not use the front brakes exclusively.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and this happened at a point where the traffic was opening up after having come to a stand-still. I was in the left lane and accelerating when all of a sudden the motor seemed to be “bogged down” (like you tried to launch a green light in 5th gear), and wouldn’t accelerate. It did not slow me down enough and I managed to get over to the right shoulder safely.
The front rotor (pictured) has some discoloration along the rim/edge. I have speed-bleeders, and the cap was blown off of it and brake fluid was shooting out. There was lots of steam. There is still brake dust on both rotors. The rotor pictured is, I believe, warped. When moving it onto and off the tow truck it would catch at different places.
The brake lever still does activate the brakes and stops the bike (from the time we backed if off the tow truck).
I replaced the brake pads with OEM last year. They may have about 5,000 miles on them. The fluid was last changed 4 years ago, or maybe 5.
Another issue, I’m not sure is related, but when I stopped I had the hazard lights going. After some point they were not on. They key was in the ON position, but there was no display on the dash nor dials. It’s a Shorai Lithium battery.
I don’t want to bias anyone by offering what I think, because mine is a simple guess. I hope the forum can help me figure it out. I can upload pics as requested, but may take a bit. My FJR is at the most generous Hycle’s casa-de-FJR.
Thanks to him and thanks to Bugnatr who provided his contact info to me and coordinated a response while I was standing on the shoulder of I-80
Your thoughts of whatever else I should check or consider as well as other ideas are welcome. I will answer questions for things that I've left off here. I haven't had much sleep, even though I didn't do this as an IBA ride...
thanks in advance!
