Dry Hole!

[flying junior]

Had my '04's 32,000-mile service done July 26, then took a trip through Oregon and back down the California coast. I noticed some drive-train whine, but not bad. I've ridden it a bit more since I got back in mid-August, maybe 2,000 more miles. The whine persists, but it doesn't seem to be getting worse. However, yesterday afternoon I went for a romp through the foothills and those gears were really complaining.

I remarked to myself in my head that it sounded like an old Ford pickup with a bad rear-end, whining loudly when I cranked on the power, changing pitch when I slowed down, and sort of warbling back and forth on the straight and level. But the noise wasn't really loud amid all the other sounds, and this machine has always had a turbine-like whine anyway. It must've been lost in the freeway noise and traffic sounds on the way home, because I forgot about it.

Until I woke up at 1:30 a.m. realizing that I should take a look. I went out to the garage in my all-togethers and did just that. The plug was torqued down plenty tight, and as I honked on it I thought how that plug usually has a little weepy stain around it after I take it out. I almost didn't check it because the case was so clean and shiny. But I did look. There ain't no oil in there!

I'll call the shop first thing in the morning, but I'm wondering:

Surely, those gears are ruined, aren't they?

What are my chances of getting them replaced?

What's my best strategy here?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Flying,

Well, I would personally take a flashlight and see look down inside and see if any of your gears are blueing due to high heat. Then call Yamaha Customer Service and let them know about your situation and Request the Regional Yamaha Serive Manager be there for the inspection (they control the quality level of the shops and you will then have a record on file for future reference if needed). Then take it back into the shop and see what they say to you.

Good luck on this I really feel for you.

Do you have the YES warranty and if so is it still active?

 

[flying junior]

Flying,Well, I would personally take a flashlight and see look down inside and see if any of your gears are blueing due to high heat. Then call Yamaha Customer Service and let them know about your situation and Request the Regional Yamaha Serive Manager be there for the inspection (they control the quality level of the shops and you will then have a record on file for future reference if needed). Then take it back into the shop and see what they say to you.

Good luck on this do you have the YES warranty and if so is it still active.

Thanks.

No warranty. How do I find a phone no. for Yamaha Customer Service?

 

[bramfrank]

I suspect at least some internal damage, but it may not be fatal . . . .

However Yamaha will not cover the problem (warranty or not) because it will have been considered abuse. The dealer is indeed resopnsable if you can prove the case (does the invoice detail the service?).

You will have to have a chat with the dealer, because he is the one who sent you out dry. If he doesn't resolve the matter in a satisfactory manner, small claims court is probably your next stop.

Been there with my (now ex) car dealer who messed up a water pump replacement (covered under a 3rd party warranty) that necessitated $3K in consequential repairs. Warranty company blamed the dealer and the dealer steadfastly ignored my complaints, so I sued the warranty company, the dealer, and just for good measure, added in the manufacturer as well.

I played 'dumb' and in the end my case was won by the dealer's mechanic, who admitted that the damages were indeed consequential. The judge split the cost of the repair and other expenses (I had to have a lab analyse my coolant for some $600) plus interest between the dealer and the warranty company.

If indeed you need a new pumpkin, they price out complete at about $580. There's one on Ebay that'll cost you $60 delivered:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YAMAHA-FJR-...sspagenameZWDVW

Don't know if it is for Gen-I or Gen-II, mind you - you can ask - or else you can have a bit less power and vibes, depending on which version the seller has. It is a bit cosmetically challenged, but between what you have and what he has it is a quick fix.

 

[flying junior]

Thanks, guys.

It may not be as bad as I thought. Turns out there IS oil in there, just not up to the top.

I should stop doing anything wrench-like in the middle of the night half asleep, barenekkid on the garage floor with just a little mini mag light.

I'm still going to get that whine checked out, though -- especially the way it gets louder the more I lean.

 

[Ignacio]

I'm still going to get that whine checked out, though -- especially the way it gets louder the more I lean.

Ahhh.....possibly the magic words.

Have you felt across your rear tire? Do they fell scalloped? As in one tread block has more or less tread than the one right next to it? And is that difference the greater from the center?

If so you could be experiencing tire "howl".

I ask because I had this little learning experience in 2007 where I REALLY thought the final drive was going out....only to find it was my skewed perception of things and a tire issue. Mine was probably a different tire than you have, but any tire can do it and when you lean you'd swear it's metal on metal grinding. You can feel it in your ***, hands, and even hear it.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

+ 1 on what 'Ignacio' just related.

I once had a Concours that just "howled" the rear tire when accellerating through a curve. That bike had many tires on it -- but, there was that one that I remember was especially noisy.

As to ring gear/pinion lube: I once serviced a Yamaha 650 twin and, when the engine oil was drained, about a 'cup' of oil came out. I thought, "Hmmm, this might not be good...." But, when it was all adjusted and serviced and started again with fresh oil -- it ran and sounded pretty decent. Apparently, it didn't need all the oil it normally carried (anyway, for the use it was being given -- very light, I imagine?)?

Hypoid gear oil is especially "robust".

 

[luvtoride]

Wow, when I first read the heading I though that you were having some personal problems. Thank goodness you were talking about your shaft drive.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Wow, when I first read the heading I though that you were having some personal problems. That goodness you were talking about your shaft drive.

:lol:

That is funny Heidi!

 

[eeksnake]

Oh hell! Just start riding without hearing protection.

Give it a little time and you won't hear those silly noises that spoil rides anymore.

 

[mophead]

Metzelers will howl like a hound dog when the wear gets to a certain point when you lean the bike.

 

[flying junior]

Wow, when I first read the heading I though that you were having some personal problems. Thank goodness you were talking about your shaft drive.

What's not personal about shaft drive? Especially shaft drive with a dry hole??

Personal or not, that tire is going to get a looking-at. It's a nearly new pilot road.

 

[Duff]

Wow, when I first read the heading I though that you were having some personal problems. That goodness you were talking about your shaft drive.

:lol:

That is funny Heidi!

So often I want to open a thread and reply without reading it. Just because I have an awesome response to what the title posted was.

On a related issue... I sure HATE looking at threads that I am not interested in because of the "teaser" title and I hate it even more when I ignore it and miss out on something that actually has value. :angry2:

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Flying,

Here is Yamaha Corp Headquarters number in Cypress CA 800-962-7926, in case you need it.

 

[flying junior]

Flying,Here is Yamaha Corp Headquarters number in Cypress CA 800-962-7926, in case you need it.

Thank you.

 

[flying junior]

I'm still going to get that whine checked out, though -- especially the way it gets louder the more I lean.

Ahhh.....possibly the magic words.

Have you felt across your rear tire? Do they fell scalloped? As in one tread block has more or less tread than the one right next to it? And is that difference the greater from the center?

If so you could be experiencing tire "howl".

I ask because I had this little learning experience in 2007 where I REALLY thought the final drive was going out....only to find it was my skewed perception of things and a tire issue. Mine was probably a different tire than you have, but any tire can do it and when you lean you'd swear it's metal on metal grinding. You can feel it in your ***, hands, and even hear it.

Yes indeed.

The trailing edge of each block of tread is sticking up a little on each side of the tire. Down the center, they're level from front to back. I read your account of the iron butt rally (Damn good reading, by the way) and see that that's exactly the kind of riding I've been doing. Probably too much slab, too little twisty. I live in the middle of a city, and I have to travel a good bit to get on the fun stuff. Then I take these interstate trips and just make it worse.

Is there any cure for the cupping? I have pilot roads now. Don't recall the problem with the Avon Azaros I had before. Is there one kind of tire or another that is less susceptible to this sort of problem? Would different inflation help? Suspension setting?

 

[Dadskool]

Found out a lot of years ago that lubrication is awfully important :rofl:

 

[Ignacio]

Yes indeed.
The trailing edge of each block of tread is sticking up a little on each side of the tire. ......

Is there any cure for the cupping? I Is there one kind of tire or another that is less susceptible to this sort of problem? Would different inflation help? Suspension setting?

I'm glad to have helped on this one. It's one of those seemingly arcane experiences that I spotted and just kinda knew. I'm sure you'll agree the prospect of tire wear issues is far better than a gear issue.

Some believe it's a sign one needs more pressure, but I already run 42 psi and not sure more is the best prescription. I also have to admit that tires are a commodity to be replaced after long rallies. Could be suspension settings, but again I'm slabbing in these rallies.

I think in the case of the ME-880...it's the tires. They're like wooden shoes, but needed when you do 11,500 miles in 14 days.

I haven't had it happen with PR, Azarro, or Bridgestones. I found Kaitsdad SPANK 2008 experience with PR2 encouraging. Something I'm considering for a rally next year as an option to my venerable 880.

 

[Draggon Rider]

"If so you could be experiencing tire "howl"."

Well **** Howdy! I've noticed that howl on corners and thought something was wrong with the rear end.

Good to know. Thanks. But now I have questions about the tire but that will be another thread.