08 FJR R&R Clutch Plate Soak

[IronHorse]

I have an 07AE and it's still smooth as butter after the clutch soak. I'm enjoying

that bike more and more every day. If i could just stop buying Farkles for it!

 

[Woketman]

I have an 07AE and it's still smooth as butter after the clutch soak. I'm enjoying that bike more and more every day. If i could just stop buying Farkles for it!

OK that does it. I am convinced that I must do this clutch soak. Is the cover gasket and the oil the only parts I need to have on hand before I start?

Thanks guys.

 

[IronHorse]

Don't quote me cause I had my dealer do the clutch soak. "Was covered Y.E.S."

But I don't think you need to drain the oil. The gasket may stay in once piece

when you take the cover off but it would be best to have one on hand anyways.

You will be glad you did it. The bike is so much nicer to ride now. It's even smooth

when it's cold. I even fired it up yesterday morning and did not let it warm up just

took off and it was still smooth as silk.

 

[OK Red]

OK that does it. I am convinced that I must do this clutch soak. Is the cover gasket and the oil the only parts I need to have on hand before I start?

You will not need oil, just the gasket.

 

[RadioHowie]

You will not need oil, just the gasket.

Really?

Then what are you gonna soak the clutch plates in? Budweiser???

 

[TheRepairMan]

Hey guys. At the risk of embarrassing myself, I'd like to throw a little hypothetical situation in there, and someone please feel free to slap me back into reality if I'm way out of line here... and I did read over the problem and solution but was still left a little curious.

So ...lets say ...hypothetically speaking of course. I was putting my FJR away one evening. Backing her into my garage as usual, and accidentally lost my footing, laying her down ever so gently. It just so happens to be over on the clutch side this time. I really need some help to get her back up (bad back), and that may be tomorrow. So, oh well ...there aren't any fluids running out. I'll just go in and get a good night's sleep, and deal with it all later.

...oh, and I thought this would be a real good time to strap the clutch lever in ...well, just 'cause I read it might help in some way. I'll bet the clutch pack can't possibly stay dry like this. Hopefully I'm right.

Not suggesting you drop your bike on purpose, or be too lazy to take the clutch apart, but I surely can't be the only person who ever thought of, or tried this. Hey, it could work, maybe ...just take the bag off first, and improvise a nice soft support for her to rest on instead!

Okay...? Yes ...no ...???

IDK!

-R

 

[mcatrophy]

...and ever so gently laid her down ...just happens to be over on the clutch side this time, and since I really need some help to get her back up (bad back), and that may be tomorrow, so, oh well ...there aren't any fluids running out, so I'll just go in and get a good night's sleep. I'll deal with it all tomorrow.
...oh, and I thought this would be a real good time to strap the clutch lever in ...well, just 'cause I read it might help in some way. I'll bet the clutch pack can't possibly stay dry like this. Hopefully I'm right.

...

IDK!

-R

Sorry, won't work. You need to clean off accumulated gunge (or possibly original manufacturer's grease) from between the plates.

 

[TheRepairMan]

...and ever so gently laid her down ...just happens to be over on the clutch side this time, and since I really need some help to get her back up (bad back), and that may be tomorrow, so, oh well ...there aren't any fluids running out, so I'll just go in and get a good night's sleep. I'll deal with it all tomorrow.
...oh, and I thought this would be a real good time to strap the clutch lever in ...well, just 'cause I read it might help in some way. I'll bet the clutch pack can't possibly stay dry like this. Hopefully I'm right.

...

IDK!

-R

Sorry, won't work. You need to clean off accumulated gunge (or possibly original manufacturer's grease) from between the plates.

Okay ...but I accidentally poured a whole can of Seafoam in the oil just before I laid her down ...oh, my! Now I'll have to drain all that crap out tomorrow.

 

[OK Red]

QUOTE (OK Red @ Oct 22 2009, 12:34 PM) You will not need oil, just the gasket.

Really?

Then what are you gonna soak the clutch plates in? Budweiser???

Should have known better than to post first thing in the morning (anything before noon AZ time is 'first thing in the morning') :huh:

 

[TechMaven]

I have read this thread, but am still uncertain if any of this applies to an '06 AE (I know Ironhorse has an other year AE). Does it? Or is this only for non-AE's?
Thanks FJR studs.

AEs are just the same, their clutch is no different.

Symptoms: Clunk from neutral into first, juddering on slow move-offs from rest (particularly when being gentle), difficulty to get smooth gear changes (particularly 1st to 2nd), can be a reluctance to disengage the clutch coming to rest.

Clutch soak has improved all of these on mine.

It has eliminated all these symptoms on mine...Just did 1200 miles to Biketoberfest and back..Bike performed perfectly, weather sucked on the ride. Lowest mpg was 40 highest was near 60!!

Not to be off topic, but how fast were you averaging? I get an average mileage of about 38 mpg commuting to & fro work.

And to certain this post is on topic: I use my clutch in my commute!

I was riding with 3 FL Harleys and a BMW tourer..Being that we accelerated gradually up to cruising speed of 70-85 and the wind was generally in the direction we were traveling, my overall average going down was..52.3mpg. Coming back was about 46mpg.

 

[fjrthree]

Took my `08 in for the 12000 mile service and complained of poor shifting and getting stuck in neutral from take off (when shifting from 1st to 2nd, would get stuck in neutral and unable to shift without pulling over. Yamaha covered the repair under the extended warranty and the service guy soaked the plates while they were out. Shifts smooth now.

Now a new problem, my bike doesn`t sound right to me. Can`t put into words but the sound is different when accelerating through gears. Idles fine and casual driving speed seem ok but when you want to race it, it just sounds different and not as strong. I ride daily and whenever I`ve gotten the bike back from service before, it`s run great. This time somethings up. I did take her back to have it checked out and they did the thottle body sync which made her run better but the sound is still not right.

I know nothing about engines, which is why I do the service through the dealer. Thought maybe something up with the air filter but they say it`s ok.

Has anyone had this problem before?

 

[Rob R]

I am having intermitent problems with my '06 AE shifting into first. Sometimes it shifts fine and other times will not click into first. Sometimes the bike will stall when does go into first, other times not. When it does shift into first, when riding it shifts flawlessly. The bike was not used for 6 months while I was replacing parts from accident.( no damage to foot shifter) I did start up weekly during down time, however never thought to shift into gear. Should I proceed with the clutch plate soak or just riding will eventually clear up the problem?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Rob R.

Now no problems, Took bike for several test rides, shifts into first fine as well as smoth shifts up and down. I guess was from not using the bike for 6 months.

 

[gazza]

Hi all

Gazza here from New Zealand. I have just toured the South Is of NZ(3600kms) and noticed my clutch operation of my 05,100,000kms slowly deteriate over the trip. This was quite worrying as the bike got rather clunky in all gears but mainly starting the bike cold and shifting into first,with the bike lunging forward a tad. After i got home i had the clutch hydraulics done and there was no change to the operation. My next thought was to replace the clutch plates. I recall when i bought the FJR how silky the gear operation was and have been disapointed with the slow deteriation of the gear selection compared to my friends Honda Blackbird. I plan on pulling the clutch down very soon so will keep you advised on the outcome.

Gazza

 

[Woketman]

Dumb question from a dumb rider......

When I perform the clutch soak, will I loose a bunch of engine oil (in other words, will it pour out in mass)? If so, then I will time it to coincide with an oil change.

How 'bout it, guys? Thanks!

 

[SilverHound]

Dumb question from a dumb rider......
When I perform the clutch soak, will I loose a bunch of engine oil (in other words, will it pour out in mass)? If so, then I will time it to coincide with an oil change.

How 'bout it, guys? Thanks!

No, if you do it on the side stand, little or no oil should drip out.

 

[FJR919]

No oil will come out if done on the sidestand.

 

[HaulinAshe]

Well I finally succumbed to temptation and read this thread. Interesting...

Pre-soaking the fiber plates of a new clutch in engine oil BEFORE installation, is Wet Clutch Installation #101. Sounds like Yamaha may indeed have failed to even show up for class on some bikes.

It could also have to do with how the bike was ridden during the first few hundred miles. If the transmission was not shifted often through the entire gear range, but instead was ridden for long durations in a single gear (or higher gears), the assembly "gunk" could have hardened from heat/time and prohibited oil from penetrating between the plates as designed.

For those doing the Disassemble & Soak, you can do all sorts of things to the clutch behavior by changing the surface of the metal plates. Wire brushing, ScotchBrite pad, Glass Bead Sandblasting (lightly!), or just general scrubbing all produce different release and engage characteristics.

Have fun and enjoy!

 

[pjm204]

I bought an 03 with 3k miles about 3 weeks ago. The shifting is less than perfect and I am wondering if the plates have dried out due to it sitting unused for some much of its life? I'm thinking about doing a clutch soak. Good idea?

 

[mcatrophy]

QUOTE (pjm204 @ Jun 23 2010, 07:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I bought an 03 with 3k miles about 3 weeks ago. The shifting is less than perfect and I am wondering if the plates have dried out due to it sitting unused for some much of its life? I'm thinking about doing a clutch soak. Good idea?

Can't do any harm, may do a lot of good.

FWIW I used billfjr's original post as a basis, then did my own "pictorial how to", shows a bit more detail. It's an easy job. (Mine is an '06, so there may be some minor differences.)

(Click on image for larger view)

 

[pjm204]

Thanks for the reply. One thing I haven't seen a confirmed answer to is whether or not the oil needs to be drained. If it doesn't, I will do it now. I just did an oil change so I'd hate to waste it. Doesn't look like too tough of a job. I've had good luck re-using gaskets but I am a little nervous if the gasket rips...so I guess I better order one.