Ended up scraping my exhaust...

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DELETE-PLEASE

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My wife and I were doing some riding around yesterday checking out bike shops and bikes in general (in case I ever feel like trading in the 03 for something a little newer), and when doing a U-turn at a light from the left-turn lane, I ended up scraping my left exhaust on the road. On the one hand, I'm happy that I've become comfortable enough/adept enough with this bike to make a u-turn at such a lean angle while two-up. On the other hand, getting smacked in the ribs by my wife who I guess got a little freaked by the sound of scraping parts. Right where there ISN'T padding in my jacket!

Anyways, I bought these pipes used so they had some bumps and scrapes anyway. No biggie. Just a bummer that my lean angle is dictated by pipes instead of peg feelers. Although maybe it's only while two-up?

Alexi

 
I'd bet it was road surface irregularity related. I've touched down pegs while two up, but not pipes. Then again, that could be road surface too. In my case it wasn't slow speed u-turn so who knows, it could be related to turning radius?? Too bad about the rib ***. I've never received one of those ;)

 
I'd bet it was road surface irregularity related. I've touched down pegs while two up, but not pipes. Then again, that could be road surface too. In my case it wasn't slow speed u-turn so who knows, it could be related to turning radius?? Too bad about the rib ***. I've never received one of those ;)

I still have my original pipes for a Gen 1

I suppose I should put them up on the for sale area, they aren't perfect, but def pretty clean...

Personally I prefer a little scrapes and scars from time to time - keeps me from thinking metal and plastic glistening rules my life...

I mean its only metal and plastic.. can't keep it perfect forever.... thats just too anal for my taste

 
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It sounds to me like someone is seriously overdue for a rear shock..... :eek:
Could very well be the case. Still on the stock one. I've only had the bike for about 7 months of riding time, but I ride a little less than 1k a month. And I'm pretty sure, like I said, it's the stock shock.

All in due time. I think I'll keep this bike instead of trading it in like I thought I might on another thread, and just put some money in it with a new rear shock, new front forks, and a new paint job. The rest of the bike is working very well for me so far.

Alexi

 
I scraped the bottom of the can once myself, though while only riding solo. Was riding some really sharp twisties and it didn't take long to recall that I had forgotten to switch the suspension from soft to hard. It took care of the issue and didn't scrape again (at least not the cans! ;) )

And yes, my suspension settings were set to HaulinAshe's specifications. :glare: Ain't Friday yet!! :p

 
I know how it feels to be hit VERY HARD by the Wife too...

We were going through Third Gear on the Back Wheel at about 80mph when she hit me so friggin' hard that it actually HURT through my Leathers...

Ummmm... Didn't do that again Mates!!!

I was having a GREAT TIME right up until that painful moment... She really did enjoy the Back Wheel rides, right up until that prolonged one took place...

Drop the Nose, and Apologize for many, many days...

Didn't help a darn bit...

One MORE Lesson Learned!!!

Shiny Side Up Folks!!

Scott

 
It sounds to me like someone is seriously overdue for a rear shock..... :eek:
Could very well be the case. Still on the stock one. I've only had the bike for about 7 months of riding time, but I ride a little less than 1k a month. And I'm pretty sure, like I said, it's the stock shock.

Alexi
It would depend on the total miles on the bike. '03 FJRs have the weakest rear spring. There were spacers made (in-the-day) that owners were using to wedge the spring for more spring rate. FYI, the fork springs are also the weakest in the product line.

Some '03 owners have purchased "take off" OEM shocks from those who have replaced theirs with an aftermarket unit.

Aftermarket fork springs and rear shock will absolutely transform you bike. In the meantime, be careful on twisty roads while riding 2-up. I know of one owner who touched a muffler and levered the rear wheel off the roadway while 2-up....and we weren't riding aggressively. The results were NOT good for the rider. passenger or bike.

 
I've got aftermarket fork springs that I'll be having put in next month, but I'm gonna try to hold onto that stock shock for about a year. Next year, when I've paid down some debt and paid off my bike, I'm gonna save up and maybe do a complete bike "overhaul". New paint job, fix the small crack in the left fairing, new suspension (at least rear shock if I can't afford to do all of it at once), and new front windshield.

Alexi

 
My wife and I were doing some riding ... I ended up scraping my left exhaust on the road. On the one hand, I'm happy that I've become comfortable enough/adept enough with this bike to make a u-turn at such a lean angle while two-up. On the other hand, getting smacked

in the ribs by my wife who I guess got a little freaked by the sound of scraping parts.
sounds like a great married couple tale to remember and share when all present have had enough drinks...

 
I've got aftermarket fork springs that I'll be having put in next month, but I'm gonna try to hold onto that stock shock for about a year. <snippage>

......new suspension (at least rear shock if I can't afford to do all of it at once), and new front windshield.

Alexi
You might consider advertising for a "take-off" shock from someone here on the forum. That'd be a quick, cheap and easy way to upgrade without the cost of an aftermarket shock.

I've read posts where people have swapped aftermarket shocks from a Gen I to a Gen II so the OEM shock from a Gen II "might" fit your bike.

If not, there must be some '04-'05 shocks laying in garages someplace.

 
I've got aftermarket fork springs that I'll be having put in next month, but I'm gonna try to hold onto that stock shock for about a year. <snippage>

......new suspension (at least rear shock if I can't afford to do all of it at once), and new front windshield.

Alexi
You might consider advertising for a "take-off" shock from someone here on the forum. That'd be a quick, cheap and easy way to upgrade without the cost of an aftermarket shock.

I've read posts where people have swapped aftermarket shocks from a Gen I to a Gen II so the OEM shock from a Gen II "might" fit your bike.

If not, there must be some '04-'05 shocks laying in garages someplace.
i have one off an '05 with less than 10,000 miles on it. $50(OBO)+ shipping

cadman

 
I've got aftermarket fork springs that I'll be having put in next month, but I'm gonna try to hold onto that stock shock for about a year. <snippage>

......new suspension (at least rear shock if I can't afford to do all of it at once), and new front windshield.

Alexi
You might consider advertising for a "take-off" shock from someone here on the forum. That'd be a quick, cheap and easy way to upgrade without the cost of an aftermarket shock.

I've read posts where people have swapped aftermarket shocks from a Gen I to a Gen II so the OEM shock from a Gen II "might" fit your bike.

If not, there must be some '04-'05 shocks laying in garages someplace.
Is swapping a rear shock something I can do on my own? With instructions, I can do a fair amount of mechanical stuff, but do I need special tools or something?

Alexi

 
I've got aftermarket fork springs that I'll be having put in next month, but I'm gonna try to hold onto that stock shock for about a year. <snippage>

......new suspension (at least rear shock if I can't afford to do all of it at once), and new front windshield.

Alexi
You might consider advertising for a "take-off" shock from someone here on the forum. That'd be a quick, cheap and easy way to upgrade without the cost of an aftermarket shock.

I've read posts where people have swapped aftermarket shocks from a Gen I to a Gen II so the OEM shock from a Gen II "might" fit your bike.

If not, there must be some '04-'05 shocks laying in garages someplace.
Is swapping a rear shock something I can do on my own? With instructions, I can do a fair amount of mechanical stuff, but do I need special tools or something?

Alexi

Very easy to do. put bike on the center stand and go for it . It's three bolts and the three nuts that hold the adjuster. No plastic needs to come off. I used 05 shocks on my 03 and shimed the spring to help hold my fat butt up.

 
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