HELP..HELP!!!....PLEASE

[DFW_Warrior]

I just got off the phone with Eric and I'm thinking that he might have solved the problem. He popped the bleed valve on the slave cylinder and there was quite a bit of pressure that might have been keeping the clutch disengaged just enough to let it slip under high load.

He did talk to me about it and it seems to only be happening when the bike is hot or having been run for quite awhile (clutch fluid getting hot and expanding maybe?). From my experience with clutches, if it is the plates then they will either slip or not. Heat has never really been an issue in keeping them from slipping or making them slip when they otherwise wouldn't.

Soooo.... he is going to try it out tomorrow and then make a decision as to where to go next.

[El Fenix]

Originally Posted by ekms377

I cannot thank you all enough for the help. I'm truly amazed at the responses and willingness to help a fellow rider out. I will be sure to post an update tomorrow. THANK U TWTs!!!

We look after our own. Always.

[flb_78]

I wonder if the FJR has a wavy disc type clutch spring like the Venture, Warrior, Roadstar that gets weak after about 40,000 miles. Usually the spring can just be replaced by itself as long as the fiber discs aren't burnt from too much slipping.

[budzrex]

an 07 wonder if its the OE fluid may need a flush and fill, amazing how much
mung gets in a sealed system over years of use.

[Gravel Guy]

FYI Gents Eric told me that he has about 14K on the bike, IIRC.....

[focus frenzy]

if the piston in the clutch master cyclinder does not return fully it will keep the tiny vent port covered and allow pressure to build up as engine heat heats up the fluid in the line and the clutch slave cylinder.

[ekms377]

Hi Guys, this is Shannon. I just wanted to post an update on my husband. I talked to him this morning and they are back on the road. Said the bike seems to be doing good with the fix he mentioned in his posting. So, they are continuing on to Colorado. Hopefully all goes well.

This is a pic he sent me along the way.

[cweaver61]

Richard Pettit, 575 770-1770, is an excellent motorcycle mechanic and he lives right in Taos. He got me out of a bind last month as I passed through Taos.

[Gravel Guy]

Originally Posted by ekms377

Hi Guys, this is Shannon. I just wanted to post an update on my husband. I talked to him this morning and they are back on the road. Said the bike seems to be doing good with the fix he mentioned in his posting. So, they are continuing on to Colorado. Hopefully all goes well.

This is a pic he sent me along the way.

[japako]

Glad to hear the bike is running better and he can continue the trip..

Nice pic..

[ekms377]

Bike is all good. Just bleeding as I go. I'll take apart the slave when I get home. Thanks again for all the help, input and phone calls. Very appreciated. Trip is going well.

[MaxxTraxx]

Ride safe

[DaveC]

Now its an adventure. Water in the fluid, heats up and expands, also when it freezes (water is the only element that does this). So when he gets to 14000 ft it is 29 degrees F and it starts slipping then tell him to bleed the system.
What a good wife,

[Moekazi]

I hope he didn't do anything silly and top up the clutch reservoir for the big trip. As the clutch wears, it fills it up the reservoir so you actually want it on the low side. This also allows more air for compressibility.

Also, it could be as simple as the lever not letting the master retract far enough. Push the lever out, and make sure there's a gap between the lever and master cylinder piston. Gunk getting in the lever stop area is a common cause. Sometimes crud inside the cylinder will keep the master from coming back all the way. Usually you can fix it by engaging and releasing the clutch rapidly.

Hope the rest of the trip goes well.

[Irishcoffee]

Making memories for the future!

[ekms377]

In Leadville. Supposed to be in the 40s tonight. Oh yeah! 10152 ft elevation helps.

[Gilk51]

How does the FJR run at that altitude? I assume that the fuel injection system can adjust but how well does that work?

[gixxerjasen]

Also, just to note. There is NO difference in the clutch between the manual and AE models. The actual clutch is identical, it just has actuators to run the clutch.

Somehow I missed all this action. Heck, if it comes to it, I'll rip the innards out of my clutch and overnight them and we can make it all good when you get back. Not like parking the bike in 108F temps is gonna break my heart. Plus, I'd hope someone would do the same for me if I was having a Colorado trip ruined.

Check out the FJR forum. You CAN do a clutch bleed without taking off the rear swingarm despite what the factory manuals tell you. Might hit up an auto parts store for a mity vac and spend some time in the hotel parking lot with that and some proper fluid (clutch fluid and beer of course!)

Keep us posted.

[gixxerjasen]

Gilk, provided he's had the recalls done it should run just fine up there. I believe the early Gen II's had some issues where if you held the throttle steady and changed altitude by a lot then the bike would get all wonky on you. I think a stop and restart would fix it though. I think most of them have gotten the replacement computer done as you don't hear a lot about this anymore, but there was chatter on the subject before Yamaha had the fix.

[ekms377]

Ok. Made it back safe and sound. The FJR did fine regardless of the slave cylinder needing bled every morning. At altitude, you can tell the bike is losing power. Runs fine but you can tell. Heck, at Monarch Pass, I almost passed out. I definitely got light headed for a bit. Lol.
Thanks again for all the responses. I am truly blessed for being a member of this site.
I'll post some pics later. I am going to go back. I loved it up there. If all the planets align, I could have my diesel Jeep pull my trailer with my dual sport and sport bike along with my mountain bike on top. Asking much?
And to my wonderful wife......thanks again......you rock!!!!!!!