I'm not sure of all of the issues with FJRs during the '17 rally, but was involved in two near-failures and wanted to comment to this group as I think they were likely preventable prior to running the rally. The FJR is nearly bullet proof to begin with, but it's not without a few issues...and I think they could be even more bulletproof by reiterating two potential issues for 2019 rider.
Relay-Arm Bearing. Greasing and/or replacement. This one issue I'm intimately familiar because I nearly didn't finish either 2009 or 2013 because of it and think maybe Greg L. in 2017 was affected. I had chalked it up as shock failure or my fat ass combined with full rally gear, but KNOW that my shocks died because I ignored one particular bearing on the relay. It's a total PITA to get the relay arm off because you have to cut off bolts that Yamaha should have installed 180 degrees, reef on the headers to get the bolt out, and/or cut them off and replace them JUST to get to the bearing...and then grease them if they're not toast or replace them if they are. If you have 30,000 or more miles on your FJR and not had this bearing out to take a serious look DO. It won't kill a shock suddenly, but I'll confess that my FJR with 160,000 miles was killing rear shock seals in less than 10,000 miles. I put a stocker in Vegas and it had blew in less than 300 miles.
If anybody has questions about this, send me a PM and I'll try and describe further. I was gobsmacked when I finally ended my own denial and lucky I didn't crack something and die.
Do yourself a favor and scan this 17 page thread on the subject.
Ground Spiders. There's a lot on this forum about ground spiders in the Gen 2 bikes in the '06 to '08 range in particular and even a Yamaha recall on some of the spiders. And others on the forum think others are at risk too. I don't have all the numbers they're referred to and locations (e.g. S2 or S4), but known Phil O'Connor was bitten by one in Oklahoma on Leg 2. Through the forum and quick text from #2 runner at the time, Erik Lipps, I was able to give Phil some things to look at when his towed bike made it to the dealer on a Saturay afternoon just before close. They got it running and Phil was back in the rally, but I'm betting Phil had these spiders at least identified if not super-duper fixed before the rally.
So, as 2019 comes up, PLEASE add these two items to your already lengthy list of things to consider before getting to the starting line. It could save you from a DNF.
I hope this post is ultimately helpful. Certainly, if anybody has more, clarifying, or corrected information--let me know. I was working these via text and limited direct contact in some cases.
Relay-Arm Bearing. Greasing and/or replacement. This one issue I'm intimately familiar because I nearly didn't finish either 2009 or 2013 because of it and think maybe Greg L. in 2017 was affected. I had chalked it up as shock failure or my fat ass combined with full rally gear, but KNOW that my shocks died because I ignored one particular bearing on the relay. It's a total PITA to get the relay arm off because you have to cut off bolts that Yamaha should have installed 180 degrees, reef on the headers to get the bolt out, and/or cut them off and replace them JUST to get to the bearing...and then grease them if they're not toast or replace them if they are. If you have 30,000 or more miles on your FJR and not had this bearing out to take a serious look DO. It won't kill a shock suddenly, but I'll confess that my FJR with 160,000 miles was killing rear shock seals in less than 10,000 miles. I put a stocker in Vegas and it had blew in less than 300 miles.
If anybody has questions about this, send me a PM and I'll try and describe further. I was gobsmacked when I finally ended my own denial and lucky I didn't crack something and die.
Do yourself a favor and scan this 17 page thread on the subject.
Ground Spiders. There's a lot on this forum about ground spiders in the Gen 2 bikes in the '06 to '08 range in particular and even a Yamaha recall on some of the spiders. And others on the forum think others are at risk too. I don't have all the numbers they're referred to and locations (e.g. S2 or S4), but known Phil O'Connor was bitten by one in Oklahoma on Leg 2. Through the forum and quick text from #2 runner at the time, Erik Lipps, I was able to give Phil some things to look at when his towed bike made it to the dealer on a Saturay afternoon just before close. They got it running and Phil was back in the rally, but I'm betting Phil had these spiders at least identified if not super-duper fixed before the rally.
So, as 2019 comes up, PLEASE add these two items to your already lengthy list of things to consider before getting to the starting line. It could save you from a DNF.
I hope this post is ultimately helpful. Certainly, if anybody has more, clarifying, or corrected information--let me know. I was working these via text and limited direct contact in some cases.
