Noob questions

New guy here w/o an FJR and I'm probably the 10th new forum member today to ask this but what issues should I be looking for when purchasing a 2013 1300A?

There's a local listing for one that has been dropped at low speed. The right side fairing is pretty scuffed up and the right mirror is not as sturdy as the left. Also, I had some problems shifting into 3rd during the test ride.

Words of wisdom welcome.

Thanks

Make sure it doesn't have a salvage title.

stealth1 said:

Make sure it doesn't have a salvage title.

Click to expand...

Clean title. Owner bought new and put 15K on it. I'm not too concerned about the fairing. That's cosmetic. The shifting has me concerned. Any known issues with the 2013s I should pay attention to? I've heard stories about cracked frames or something like that.

The "right mirror" issue is because the front stay (frame work that supports the nose plastic, headlights, gages, upper fairings, and mirrors) is cracked or broken at the mirror tab. Very common problem with any fjr tip over. If you are skilled in welding, or have access to a welder, you can fix it and even make both mirror tabs much stronger than stock by welding some gussets on each mirror tab.

As for the 3rd gear issue, I'm sure it didn't break the gear, but a shift fork is more likely. Hard to imagine a low speed crash would cause that. If it's the shift fork, the entire motor has to be disassembled. I'd be interested in hearing what the more technical forum members say about the tranny.

This sounds like the FJR listed in Boeing classifieds for $4400?

Repairing the front stay requires some disassembly for a marginal fix, complete replacement for a like new fix. 3rd gear issues could be more concerning...FJRs can have problems with 2nd & 4th due to age and/or ham-fisted shifting. Shifting issue could also be something as simple as dry shift linkage.

Good luck.

--G

Inpsect the rear subframe closely for cracks. It's easy enough with the rear seat off and a flashlight.

Look at both sides, and look at the end of the subframe where the tail light goes.

With the (almost surely) broken mirror stay and the tranny concerns, I'd keep looking. It's almost fall--buyers' market time for moto shoppers. (By the way, that stay is aluminum, complicating possible welding, and needs to be removed to do it anyway. There are threads about getting to it, but it's a very big, very complicated job.)

Walk.

do a fly-n-buy

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/172968-matching-2007-fjrs-for-sale-denver/

I love, oh wait a minute, you said NOOB. All depends on the price. with those issues $4500. Depending on your skills with a wrench.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="escapefjrtist" data-cid="1378814" data-time="1505271709"><p>

This sounds like the FJR listed in Boeing classifieds for $4400?<br />

<br />

Repairing the front stay requires some disassembly for a marginal fix, complete replacement for a like new fix. 3rd gear issues could be more concerning...FJRs can have problems with 2nd & 4th due to age and/or ham-fisted shifting. Shifting issue could also be something as simple as dry shift linkage.<br />

<br />

Good luck.<br />

<br />

--G</p></blockquote>

I see I'm not the only one that trolls the classifieds.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="escapefjrtist" data-cid="1378814" data-time="1505271709"><p>

This sounds like the FJR listed in Boeing classifieds for $4400?<br />

<br />

Repairing the front stay requires some disassembly for a marginal fix, complete replacement for a like new fix. 3rd gear issues could be more concerning...FJRs can have problems with 2nd & 4th due to age and/or ham-fisted shifting. Shifting issue could also be something as simple as dry shift linkage.<br />

<br />

Good luck.<br />

<br />

--G</p></blockquote>

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="escapefjrtist" data-cid="1378814" data-time="1505271709"><p>

This sounds like the FJR listed in Boeing classifieds for $4400?<br />

<br />

Repairing the front stay requires some disassembly for a marginal fix, complete replacement for a like new fix. 3rd gear issues could be more concerning...FJRs can have problems with 2nd & 4th due to age and/or ham-fisted shifting. Shifting issue could also be something as simple as dry shift linkage.<br />

<br />

Good luck.<br />

<br />

--G</p></blockquote>

I see I'm not the only who trolls the classifieds

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="FTL900" data-cid="1378839" data-time="1505320967"><p>

Inpsect the rear subframe closely for cracks. It's easy enough with the rear seat off and a flashlight. <br />

Look at both sides, and look at the end of the subframe where the tail light goes.<br />

<br />

<span rel='lightbox'><img src='https://candybutt.org/pix/motobikes/wrenching/Fjr1300/2012-06-05%20BrokenSubFrame/1.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></p></blockquote>

It must take some hard riding to bust a frame. What models is this a problem?

It must take some hard riding to bust a frame. What models is this a problem?

I cant speak for Gen I's; the rear subframe weakness on Gen II's is pretty well established here. There is a 'stiffy kit' you can purchase from a forum member that will fix the issue. Bad luck, overloaded top box, worn shock, - many have gone miles without ever seeing cracks, and some are not so lucky. Yamaha has released a much stronger GenIII top case mount for the new 50lt top case, it may/should also help with sub frame cracks. I believe it has also been determined that the 50lt mount will work with the 39lt case on Gen III's.

Shift issue aside, to re & re the mirror stay is a lot of work. Like the whole front of the bike has to come off. Be sure you are up for it. There are threads on this forum discussing this too.

Good luck with your search

-Steve

I checked my rear sub after buying the bike and getting it home, and THEN reading about the potential problem. I got lucky, it's all good.

I am installing a Shad 50 that I already had from a previous bike. The Shad mount kind of braces that area by bolting up to other places on each side, farther forward on the bike.

The Givi 357 does similar, but I have no experience with it. In fact, I have no experience with the Shad kit, since Shad has sucky customer service and takes weeks to even ship things. I ordered that mount kit weeks ago and FINALLY got an email saying they were going to ship it and would send me another mail when they did. haven't got that one yet.
It'll probably just show up one day.

gregory said:

Walk.
do a fly-n-buy

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/172968-matching-2007-fjrs-for-sale-denver/

Click to expand...

I like this idea.

(full disclosure: I'm the seller of the linked bikes) But I can also tell you that they've each been to Seattle before, so they know how to get there