Chicago area/ N. Illinois FJRs - self maintenance

[wheatonFJR]

My 3 year maintenance agreement expires today. I have 30k on my '04 which I've put on basically on weekends and long trips. My maintenance agreement was $500/year and it included all parts and labor.

I have learned many things on this board, but not enough yet to do all my maintenance without some assistance from others. In fact, I am definitely a novice and newby to doing my own FJR maintenance.

I am wondering if there is anyone out there in N. Illinois who regularly does there own maintenance that is willing to allow me to come to their garage and babysit me/school me in the routine FJR maintenance tasks.

Or atleast someone willing to put on a N. Illinois "techmeet"

Well..... is there?

 

[TriggerT]

What all are you looking to do? I did the TBS on my '06 for the first time a few weeks ago, and it was no big deal. Give me some idea of what you want to do, and maybe I can help.

Hope to see you this coming weekend.

 

[wheatonFJR]

What all are you looking to do? I did the TBS on my '06 for the first time a few weeks ago, and it was no big deal. Give me some idea of what you want to do, and maybe I can help.
Hope to see you this coming weekend.

Trigger,

I can remove the tires and lube the rear splines. I have seen the TBS but have never done it. I have a service manual and would just be looking at doing the routine maintenance given at the designated intervals, including oil changes. Learning more about suspension setup, etc...

Oh, and if the weather is raining like they say it might, don't count me in for this weekend. Otherwise, I might be able to come. Sundays aren't as good for me with the family things I'm involved in. However, on occasion, I might be able to join in on Sundays.

 

[TriggerT]

Wheaton,

I haven't played with the suspension too much, but as far as the rest of the things you mentioned, I have 600-700 square foot work shop and have done the "Regular Maintenance" things on my previous motorcycle, as well as my F350 Diesel truck since I got them. No big deal.

I have a local shop handle the tires, and any really involved items I don't even want to attempt.

Only 30% chance of showers shown for Sunday. Give it a few days and it will either be a lot worse, or a lot better.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Thanks Trigger for your responses. I'll pm you soon about maintenance.

As far as Sunday is concerned, I'll keep an open mind. Rain doesn't skeer me. However, it does dirty things up, but I don't really care about that if this is a greet meet. Obviously, if we were gonna spend more time, we would be headin' farther west .

I will probably head out on county roads to meet you guys if I'm coming, and probably dip down towards Amboy to come back on some county roads so I don't retrace my steps goin' home.

 

[FJRocket]

Just go down to Smitty's and let him do the work. Or show you how. Heck that's where all the good riding is, anyway!

JK, go ahead and do it yourself. You can't screw much up. Get a Penske rear shock and bolt it on. How hard can THAT be? (It's a minor bitch on the AE).

Anyway, if you can pull a tire, you can do everything else. TBS is EASY. And that's about all this bike ever needs, 'cept gas, oil and rubber.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Just go down to Smitty's and let him do the work. Or show you how. Heck that's where all the good riding is, anyway!
JK, go ahead and do it yourself. You can't screw much up. Get a Penske rear shock and bolt it on. How hard can THAT be? (It's a minor bitch on the AE).

Anyway, if you can pull a tire, you can do everything else. TBS is EASY. And that's about all this bike ever needs, 'cept gas, oil and rubber.

Thanks Matt for your vote of confidence.

However, I suspect that you're just secretly egging me on so I can post an "OMG, look what I've done to my bike!!" thread. :lol:

Yeah, if Wheaton was only 150 miles, instead of 350 miles from Hooterville, I'd be down there all the time. He'd have to change the locks on his doors and cell phone number just to get away from the bother...

"Hey Smitty? You in there? Thought I saw a light on!"

Well, I guess I'm gonna start doin my own maintenance, and with a little help from some FJR brethren, maybe I'll turn from tool breaker & thread stripper to a confident "do-it-yerselfer"

Watch in amazement and wonder in the upcoming posts as I either do okay or fail...

 

[griff]

Wheaton - Sounds like TriggerT may be able to help you out. I do my own maintenance, but being in NW Indiana is like being on the other side of the US when it comes to going from your place to mine. I wouldn't mind coming over for a Tech session.

TriggerT - I was planning to ride with you and Blitzer this weekend, but I was just informed that my presence is required at a college orientation seminar in Chicago on Sunday, sooo - there goes the ride. Have fun.

 

[smitty141]

Mark..... come on down, I am always open.... I will help you all I can :blink: . Smitty

 

[wheatonFJR]

Mark..... come on down, I am always open.... I will help you all I can :blink: . Smitty

I'd love to take you up on that, though it's a long shot right now for me to take any more time off from work. If I do, it will have to be before the snow flies and ice comes and they start laying salt down...

 

[radman]

I would imagine the Twin Cities is as far as anywhere else mentioned here. But, if you want to come up....

 

[wheatonFJR]

I would imagine the Twin Cities is as far as anywhere else mentioned here. But, if you want to come up....

Thanks Rad for the offer. I may take it up in the spring. Weather is starting to turn for the worse here in Chicago. I can't imagine the Twin Cities are fairing better.

I guess I'm just looking for someone to look over my shoulder/help me through a few of the basics so when I'm about to do something REALLY idiotic they will tap me on the shoulder and say "uh-uh, don't do that"...