Feeling Used and Abused:

[SProkai]

So, not being mechanically inclined myself, and lacking a garage to seriously attempt mod installations, I took my 06 FJR13A to a local dealer to have a few items installed. When I got the bill I almost fell over. So here's the question:

How many hours do you think it would take for a professional Yamaha mechanic to install a Signal Dynamics Headlight Modulator, a 6" LED on the back, and the SD Back-Off XP module?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[ponyfool]

All kidding aside for the "Professional" part, that job should be less than an hour. But I could see if they stretched it to two.

 

[abarron576]

I would guess at 4 hours for a trained mechanic and 2 for a beginner.

 

[ionbeam]

What was their estimate before you had the work done?

 

[bramfrank]

So, not being mechanically inclined myself, and lacking a garage to seriously attempt mod installations, I took my 06 FJR13A to a local dealer to have a few items installed. When I got the bill I almost fell over. So here's the question:
How many hours do you think it would take for a professional Yamaha mechanic to install a Signal Dynamics Headlight Modulator, a 6" LED on the back, and the SD Back-Off XP module?

A mechanic is not an electrician.

The Signal Dynamics requires that wires be cut and such - they have to remove (at the very least) the ABCD covers and the mechanic might have an hour removnig and reinstalling those four pieces alone (how often do they do this type of thing - how many FJRs do they sell?). Other brands of modulator are simpler to install

I suspect 3 hours ought to have covered it all

For those who might be tempted to go the SD branded modulator route, the alternatives are discussed in this thread:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=9537

 

[SProkai]

What was their estimate before you had the work done?

2 local dealers said "it should take a coupla hours" so I took it to the closer one.

 

[JohnB]

I've come to the conclusion that it's probably best to learn how to service and install mods myself. I've yet to find a dealer on L.I. I feel I can trust in the service area and there are 8 Yamaha dealers within 50 miles of me! The name of the game seems to be big volume sales in the showroom with big rip-offs by unqualified techs in the service area. :angry2:

 

[Orient_Express]

I would guess at 4 hours for a trained mechanic and 2 for a beginner.

That sounds about right!!

I'm not a "trained" professional mechanic. Most of what I know about working on bikes is a direct result of my lifelong relationship with a friend - nicknamed Buzz.

He's not a bike mechanic either, but is a machinist and is extremely good at restoring old motorcycles - namely Triumphs.

I've done similar mods to my FJR that you've outlined and I'd say for me to do it would take about 2 hrs. (I have plenty of tools and what I don't have Buzz has at least two of)

 

[SProkai]

I would guess at 4 hours for a trained mechanic and 2 for a beginner.

That sounds about right!!

I'm not a "trained" professional mechanic. Most of what I know about working on bikes is a direct result of my lifelong relationship with a friend - nicknamed Buzz.

He's not a bike mechanic either, but is a machinist and is extremely good at restoring old motorcycles - namely Triumphs.

I've done similar mods to my FJR that you've outlined and I'd say for me to do it would take about 2 hrs. (I have plenty of tools and what I don't have Buzz has at least two of)

Yeah, that's part of my problem. I have no tools and no garage. One of the few drawbacks of apartment living.

As an aside, I just took it for a ride. The modulator works perfectly. On the highway it's like Moses himself was parting the traffic before you. I feel much more visable now. The Signal Dynamics module let's you toggle it off, so when I got stuck in a traffic jam I turned it off so as not to cause the driver in front to have a seizure. ;-)

I have read the controversy on modulation, but I really like it so far.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[luvtoride]

So, curiosity is killin' me. How many hours of labor did you pay for? A couple of hours of a few hours?

 

[daddysbike]

As an aside, I just took it for a ride. The modulator works perfectly. On the highway it's like Moses himself was parting the traffic before you. I feel much more visable now. The Signal Dynamics module let's you toggle it off, so when I got stuck in a traffic jam I turned it off so as not to cause the driver in front to have a seizure. ;-)
I have read the controversy on modulation, but I really like it so far.

Cheers,

Steve

I'm no mechanic either but just installed(plugged in) a Comagination headlight modulator in about 10 minutes. I also had one on my Goldwing and feel safer with one but don't feel too safe.

Yesterday on my way home from work in north Ga riding 2 lane state roads, no traffic long straightaway with both highbeams flashing and a car pulls out right in front of me, I was watching the dumb female and slowed and went around her. I got on the horn as I did so and thats when she decided to look my way (lane she was crossing). About 20 miles later and still thinking about the dimwit I'm going down another straight-no traffic 2 lane that forks off to the right. Another dumb female in a SUV is stopped at the fork uphead to my right. I think to myself if this halfwit pulls out in front of me-headlights flashing and all I'll just turn right behind her instead of slowing down. Sure enough I keep riding 60mph and she's stopped and just pulls right out in front of me so I turn right behind her thinking "WTF"??

Oh well just another day trying to stay alive and enjoy riding.

Steve

 

[Bluegrass FJR]

I haven't installed a headlight modulator, but have installed Back Off LED license plates and brake light modulators on two FJRs. To make a neat, quality job of it takes at least three or four hours.

 

[sprint_st]

I would guess at 4 hours for a trained mechanic and 2 for a beginner.

A mechanic is not an electrician.
The Signal Dynamics requires that wires be cut and such - they have to remove (at the very least) the ABCD covers and the mechanic might have an hour removnig and reinstalling those four pieces alone (how often do they do this type of thing - how many FJRs do they sell?). Other brands of modulator are simpler to install

I suspect 3 hours ought to have covered it all

I haven't installed a headlight modulator, but have installed Back Off LED license plates and brake light modulators on two FJRs. To make a neat, quality job of it takes at least three or four hours.

It's kinda nice to make quip about this but how many of you really have done the work? There were three basic questions that were obviously not asked: How long will it take? How much will it cost? AND Have you done this before? Now on that last one, lots of guys will just lie. Personally, I spend as much or more time researching how to install a farkle than the actual install. +1 to Bluegrass and Bramfrank. There is a big difference between slamming something on and doing it right. Last but not least, these guys are in the business of making money and they have bills to pay, they aren't doing this stuff out of a love of motorcycles.

 

[Dan23]

Personally, I spend as much or more time researching how to install a farkle than the actual install.
Last but not least, these guys are in the business of making money and they have bills to pay, they aren't doing this stuff out of a love of motorcycles.

That's right. Next time try doing it yourself and I'll bet that you could not do it in twice the time.

 

[bramfrank]

Delete

 

[DrQ]

I had both Signal Dynamics headline modulator and backoff placed at the same time by a dealer. He quoted me 2 hours and that's what he charged me, but he took 4. SMART move, everybody stares. Bottom line, they know I'm comin.

Denver