FJR maintenance anything like YZ?

[HaulinAshe]

Yamaha can't afford grease to properly lube their YZ's. So the first thing I do with every new YZ is to strip it all the way down and grease wheel bearings, swingarm, suspension linkages, steering head bearings etc.

I just bought a 2005 FJR with very low miles and was wondering if it needs the same immediate attention?

 

[Centerline]

Yes; especially the driveshaft splines.

Driveshaft spline lube procedure

 

[madmike2]

Some have reported the rear shock linkage as being lubed less than optimal. I did mine while I was replacing the shock.

 

[Yambone]

It's been hit and miss. I must have got the lube guy that works on Wednesday assemblies who did it all right. Others have gotten Friday bikes, I guess. B)

Checked driveshaft splines at first rear tire change 7500 miles--pristine condition, and did the procedure linked above.

Steering head rehab at 18K miles--plenty lube in there, but tightening was needed.

Swing arm and linkages at 31K miles--still good.

FWIW, the head tech at Sunnyside Motorsickle Company thought the spline check was okay to wait till that first tire change. They've seen a ton of FJRs. Having said that, I think they do offer a spline check on assembly just in case.

 

[markjenn]

Personally, I'd just ride the bike out to do the spline lube at the first tire service and chance the steering head and linkage grease as being adequate. Some don't have enough, but I think most bikes are fine to go 10K or so without ripping into it.

IOW, I'd view it like an early valve clearance check - nothing wrong with doing it, but probably not justified by the averages.

- Mark

 

[HaulinAshe]

Thank you all soooo very much for the advice. I promise to pass on anything I can learn, and you all are welcome to wade in the creek at the cabin whenever we can ride the NC mountains together!

 

[FlyingLow]

Don't forget about the output shaft splines. I was going to start a new topic on this since I did this today. Anyway...

So I removed the u-joint today. You do the above items, pull the rear wheel, pull out the pumpkin and shaft for starters.

Then remove the aluminum piece on the left side of the bike that has the foot peg and shift pivot attached to it. You need 6 and 8mm allen wrenches and a #50 torx bit.

Then, there's 2 plastic covers to remove and there it is. The U-joint pulls right off.

Sure enough, it was dry, not to mention dirty. All the splines looked good so I cleaned everything, lubed with Moly 60, and put it back together.

The U-joint looks just like a car item, with pressed-in grease cups. Disassembly not advised; since this is a fairly simple job, I would suggest replacing it maybe every 3 years whether it needs it or not. YMMV.

The bike is an '05 with 13,000 miles.