Faced with a fix-or-buy decision:

[James Burleigh]

Here's a new one for you Hans: Clicky.

If the bike is satisfactory, and you can get him down to an acceptable price, you could probably talk me into riding it out for a plane ticket back home.

I can also go look at it for you.

Thanks for the heads up, Skoot. I'm going to ask for pics....

P.S. And thanks for the offer. Let's see how it goes.

 

[James Burleigh]

I asked for pics of the '05 in Scottsdale. It looks great* (well, it IS an '05 ). I also asked if a local friend could go have a look. Greg, if you want to PM me with your email address, I'll forward the pics, and if this moves ahead we can figure out logistics. Given all the bikes we've looked at on-line, this one looks like it's in the running (at least until my purchasing advisor calls to chew me out... Fairlaner to the white courtesy phone ).

And BTW, still waiting to hear back on my email from the guy with the '05 in Ashland for $5,250.

*When I crashed my bike the insurance adjuster said no need to send him pics because he said all bikes look great in photos, even when dinged up.

 

[dcarver]

Very cool. Go Hans, go!

 

[pmeysemb]

But I do like the idea of getting an '05 and cannibalizing my current ride and moving all parts and accessories straight across.

I am going to second this: I just did this (moving all my '05 farkles to a newer '04) and it actually felt pretty good NOT having to buy all these items again. Everything from the fenda extenda to the trailer hitch moved right over. :clapping:

 

[RadioHowie]

JB,

I've got an almost perfect '04 motor sitting in my garage that the wife keeps bitching about.

Seems she keeps tripping over it.

Anyway, ALMOST perfect means everything but the head is okay. Valve disaster after a CCT failure. Your 05's cylinder head on my 46k mile '04 motor would make for a VERY cheap way for you to get back on the road, 'cause all it would cost you would be the shipping to get the motor out to you in Kali and the time to swap out some parts. Yep...just the shipping and she's yours.

I've got to redeem some karma payback after the forum paid for my motor replacement back in '09.

The tranny is just fine, but like I said, the valves are toast but your '05 head would be a simple bolt-on. You'd need to move your starter over, too, because I sold the starter to another forum member whose starter died. A set of head bolts, various and sundry gaskets, and a couple of days (weeks?) to get the job done and you'd be back on the road.

If you're interested in a VERY good complete bottom-end, plus transmission, for shipping only, give me a PM.

'Howie

 

[wfooshee]

That's . . . . . a cool thing! And a damn fine way to pay it forward!!!

I don't care what I've said about you 'Howie, that's a fine offer to post up.

(I guess you haven't been able to get her to trip over it hard enough to be worthwhile ?????)

Um, he'd need a CCT for it, right?

 

[RadioHowie]

That's . . . . . a cool thing! And a damn fine way to pay it forward!!!

I don't care what I've said about you 'Howie, that's a fine offer to post up.

(I guess you haven't been able to get her to trip over it hard enough to be worthwhile ?????)

Um, he'd need a CCT for it, right?

I thought about "accidentally" dropping it on her head, but my back is in too bad a shape to pick it up!!

.....and A-Firm-A-Tive on the need for a new CCT, and camchain, if JB didn't want to transplant his.

Otherwise, the only out-of-pocket parts would be head gasket, head bolts and a few minor gaskets and O-rings.

 

[RadioHowie]

Hey FJR Forum....

I've just received a PM from a fellow Forum-ite offering to donate $100 to help defray costs to ship my motor to JB if he is interested in my offer. I DON'T expect this to be the last offer for assistance, based on MY experience with the generosity of the Forum.

'Howie

 

[El Toro Joe]

I've seen a 2006 with 9k for $7000 in the local newspaper

 

[kartooo]

i been following this all along and still not a clue as to what exactly is wrong with the trans and clutch !!

been earning my daily bread fixing trans now for 35yrs.

what are the symptoms ?????

 

[RadioHowie]

i been following this all along and still not a clue as to what exactly is wrong with the trans and clutch !!

been earning my daily bread fixing trans now for 35yrs.

what are the symptoms ?????

She's a brokeuhnofeex!!

 

[kartooo]

She's a brokeuhnofeex!!

just a big bang and no move ??

tell me more......

as a fj owner i just gotta know !!!

 

[Tree Doc]

That hasn't yet been determined but after clutch work, it was determined that something is amiss in the tranny. The $$ to breakdown, diagnose, and ultimately repair, are likely more than an '05 with 90k on the ticker are worth.

Hence, this thread.

Hans, my good friend is interested in your FJR should you decide to part with it if the price is right. He'll dig in a do the repair himself.

 

[Gcopter]

If it will cost me $4K to $5K to do all the repairs on my 2005 that has 90,000 miles, does it make more sense to spend $6,000 for an '05 with 27,000 miles (curiously, they all seem to have 27,000 miles)? I feel like if the replacement bikes had half or less mileage, then the answer becomes clearer. Also, is the '04 virtually the same as the '05, so that my '05 accessories would fit an '04 (there are some nice-looking '04s out there)?

Regarding my bike: I'm looking at a new clutch and a, let's call it, re-built transmission. The engine seems to be running great. Do I just invest the $5K in my '05 and plan for another 90K miles out of it?

And just to book-end the conversation, right now I can't do much more than $6K, so upgrading to a newer, more-expense bike is not an option.

Here are a couple of local prospects:

2004

2005

JB

There are a lot of good replies here!!

The clutch is an easy fix... I would not spend that much to rebuild the transmission.. If you’re lucky and keep your eyes open you can find a complete engine and transmission for a good price... If you’re fortunate to have the tools and the time you can do 99% of the work by yourself.

I found a replacement engine for my 05' with only 6300 miles on it on eBay and after shipping was under $1000.00 I am fortunate to have all the tools and a great work shop to do the work myself. It took about 3 days to tear down remove and install the replacement. Then about 3 or 4 days to clean and polish EVERYTHING old engine had 167K on it.. It is now on the bench and will be a winter project to overhaul completely.. Keep your eyes open and look around at some of the smaller shops for a good mechanic. The prices you were quoted seem a bit $$$$$ for the work that will be done.... If they quote you out of a book I would steer away. Also find a mechanic that has a passion for his or her work.. In my experience with every bike I have owned..... Only 2 or 3 of the engine techs were not only good at what they did but took great pride in their work..(Kind of a coincidence they were also the cheapest )

 

[James Burleigh]

JB,

I've got an almost perfect '04 motor sitting in my garage that the wife keeps bitching about.

Seems she keeps tripping over it.

Anyway, ALMOST perfect means everything but the head is okay. Valve disaster after a CCT failure. Your 05's cylinder head on my 46k mile '04 motor would make for a VERY cheap way for you to get back on the road, 'cause all it would cost you would be the shipping to get the motor out to you in Kali and the time to swap out some parts. Yep...just the shipping and she's yours.

I've got to redeem some karma payback after the forum paid for my motor replacement back in '09.

The tranny is just fine, but like I said, the valves are toast but your '05 head would be a simple bolt-on. You'd need to move your starter over, too, because I sold the starter to another forum member whose starter died. A set of head bolts, various and sundry gaskets, and a couple of days (weeks?) to get the job done and you'd be back on the road.

If you're interested in a VERY good complete bottom-end, plus transmission, for shipping only, give me a PM.

'Howie

Just saw this. Thank you for the offer. Gone in a different direction....

 

[RadioHowie]

JB,

I've got an almost perfect '04 motor sitting in my garage that the wife keeps bitching about.

Seems she keeps tripping over it.

Anyway, ALMOST perfect means everything but the head is okay. Valve disaster after a CCT failure. Your 05's cylinder head on my 46k mile '04 motor would make for a VERY cheap way for you to get back on the road, 'cause all it would cost you would be the shipping to get the motor out to you in Kali and the time to swap out some parts. Yep...just the shipping and she's yours.

I've got to redeem some karma payback after the forum paid for my motor replacement back in '09.

The tranny is just fine, but like I said, the valves are toast but your '05 head would be a simple bolt-on. You'd need to move your starter over, too, because I sold the starter to another forum member whose starter died. A set of head bolts, various and sundry gaskets, and a couple of days (weeks?) to get the job done and you'd be back on the road.

If you're interested in a VERY good complete bottom-end, plus transmission, for shipping only, give me a PM.

'Howie

Just saw this. Thank you for the offer. Gone in a different direction....

Glad you got things worked out. What direction did you take?

 

[CRMH Eagle]

Just buy mine and we'll both be happy.

 

[CAJW]

JB,

I've got an almost perfect '04 motor sitting in my garage that the wife keeps bitching about.

Seems she keeps tripping over it.

Anyway, ALMOST perfect means everything but the head is okay. Valve disaster after a CCT failure. Your 05's cylinder head on my 46k mile '04 motor would make for a VERY cheap way for you to get back on the road, 'cause all it would cost you would be the shipping to get the motor out to you in Kali and the time to swap out some parts. Yep...just the shipping and she's yours.

I've got to redeem some karma payback after the forum paid for my motor replacement back in '09.

The tranny is just fine, but like I said, the valves are toast but your '05 head would be a simple bolt-on. You'd need to move your starter over, too, because I sold the starter to another forum member whose starter died. A set of head bolts, various and sundry gaskets, and a couple of days (weeks?) to get the job done and you'd be back on the road.

If you're interested in a VERY good complete bottom-end, plus transmission, for shipping only, give me a PM.

'Howie

Just saw this. Thank you for the offer. Gone in a different direction....

Glad you got things worked out. What direction did you take?

Howie here you go. JB's new bike

 

[JT Pedersen]

Hello James,

Its a question I had to face regarding an insurance case a couple years ago. Sometimes it's a black 'n white decision, sometimes not.

One factor to consider is your interest in parting out your existing machine. Bodywork, handlebars, and other component always fetch decent prices on ebay. Intact frames for machines are also valuable for the right people. You may find you have $1K of 'easy to sell' parts, and perhaps another $500 or so in parts requiring a bit more effort. That may impact your decision.

Fundamentally, I'd look at the assessed value (e.g. kbb.com) for your machine. With 90K miles, how much more than $5K might it be worth? If the answer's 'not much,' I'd go shopping. At the end, it's a ~5 year old machine with 90K.

Sorry you've got a tough choice to make.

JT...

 

[JT Pedersen]

Sorry for being late to the game. Not quite used to the forum yet and noticed many 'more' replies prior to writing my own.