Grip Warmers

[Courtney]

So I got out for a ride Friday night and decide to use my grip warmers on the way home. This is a new farkle to me because I’ve just bought the bike in July and haven’t tried them. The grip warmers work fine (really like them).

Saturday morning I get up to clean the bike to realize my battery is dead. After further investigation I realize I had left my warmers on from the night before. Is this normal to install this device directly to the battery and not through the switch? Why would anyone do this? Frustrating…

So I read up on this forum (and others) on how to get to the battery. In the process of removing the dash panel I loose the middle “quick fastener” looking screw behind the handle bars. As my frustration continues I read on FJRtech.com that this screw is unavailable for order through Yamaha. My dealer is closed on Monday so I can’t verify this. I’m just wondering what to do now. Any suggestions would be appreciated (and I’m not in a position to drill, fabricate or re-engineer this quick fastener application).

 

[ponyfool]

I wouldn't have wired them directly to the battery, I would have done it through a switched fuse panel, but that's just me.

As for the fastener, there are several throughout the bike, including along the side rails of the seat that you can swap them out with. I have personally ordered bags of 10 and still have about 7 left. If you can't get them through your dealer, send me a PM and I'll mail you a couple.

 

[wfooshee]

Why would anyone do this? Frustrating…

Because they were too lazy (or unskilled) to wire in a fused circuit with a relay, so the things would turn off with the bike. They just wired it right across the battery (hopefully still with a fuse!!) and "remembered" to always turn them off.

 

[Panman]

Here is a link on how I set up mine.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=8074

Breath deep take your time and set it up right, you bought a great bike fix this little glich and all will be well.

 

[ionbeam]

...decide to use my grip warmers on the way home...The grip warmers work fine (really like them)...my battery is dead...I realize I had left my warmers on from the night before. Is this normal to install this device directly to the battery and not through the switch? Why would anyone do this?...

As you have painfully discovered, your grip warmers need to have the power switched in some way. Who knows why the dummy previous owner short-cut the install.

Some heat controllers automatically sense battery voltage and will shut off the grips when battery voltage drops below 12.8 volts, regardless if the engine is running or not. It's clear your heat controller is not in this group

The best way to handle power switching to your heat controller is to use a high current automotive type relay. You would connect the relay's coil to any ignition switched voltage source such as a front marker light to turn the relay on. One of the relay's high current contacts would go through a fuse to unswitched battery power; the other high current contact would go to the +12 volt power wire of the grip heater. When you turn the key on the switched ignition voltage will close the relay contacts and when you turn the key off the relay contacts will automatically open.

You can use a high current toggle switch but you will have to always remember to turn the switch off. That's not a very reliable system for many of us old experienced riders. If you want to use a switch I highly recommend that you use a LED or lamp for a power indicator.

Many owners will add a power distribution block when they install their first electrical farkle. This makes any future wiring much easier and a lot more reliable.

BTW, watch your battery performance now that you have run it flat. Often times the battery is never quite right after being fully depleted. The typical symptoms are failure to retain a charge over time and rapid depletion when the key is on but the engine is not running. Failure to hold a charge will show up after the bike has sat for several days or more, then the battery will turn the starter weakly and/or the dash gauges will reset their readings. 'Rapid depletion' would show up if you turn the key on but don't start the engine right away while you dillydally around gearing up and getting ready to ride.

 

[DJB]

I also have some of the rivets 90269-07006-00 I believe is the part number. Send a PM and I will send one via mail. You can also call my dealership and they will order one if you have an issue getting it from yours. As for the grips I am going to asume that they are not factory Yamaha, if they were they would be wired to the switch like mine are.

 

[Geezer]

There are three different size plastic rivets on the '05 that I know of. I think you are talking about the large one that goes in the center of the dash panels. If you can't get one right away it is OK to ride without it for a while. You may be able to find a suitable plastic rivet at your local hardware store.

And, as everyone else has said, you should rewire the grip warmers so they are controlled by a circuit that is only live when the engine is running.

 

[Courtney]

I also have some of the rivets 90269-07006-00 I believe is the part number. Send a PM and I will send one via mail. You can also call my dealership and they will order one if you have an issue getting it from yours. As for the grips I am going to asume that they are not factory Yamaha, if they were they would be wired to the switch like mine are.

The original owner told me the grip warmers were from Yamaha. At this point I don't know what they are. They served the purpose but now I have to fix a problem caused by someone being lazy. Anyway...

The rivet problem must not be original to me and this bike. I looked for one I could borrow under the seat and there is a rivet missing there too!

I almost feel like Barney in the Andy Griffin Show episode, when he bought the car that was supposed to be in such perfect shape and never driven over 20 MPH, etc. I bought this bike to find the grip warmers installed wrong, rivet screws missing, saddle bag hole covers missing, no saddle bag bags and no extra lock for the back trunk (that I intend to get one day). Oh, and only one key and I'm having trouble finding a local place to make me a copy. The guy I bought the bike from said he washed it after every ride and it only had 9200 miles. It's a great looking bike. I'd be willing to bet the saddle bag hole covers (or whatever you call them) and the bags that fit the saddle bags went on e-bay before the bike sold.

Thanks for letting me vent and all the info. I'll be checking with the local dealership in the next day or two. I love my FJR and don't mean to sound so frustrated. I guess if this is all I have to worry about then I'm doing pretty good. Not to long ago I didn't even have a motorcycle. I should count my blessings!!!

 

[Grand Poobah]

Oh, and only one key and I'm having trouble finding a local place to make me a copy.

I ran into the same trouble. It appears that no one wants to be responsible for a stolen bike.

I found a solution by riding it up to a tow truck/vehicle storage outfit and pleading my case. The guy made me five keys for five bucks. For some reason the local WalMart and Ace Hardware locations, the ones with the dummy-proof automatic key makers, won't touch a motorcycle key.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I guess if this is all I have to worry about then I'm doing pretty good. Not to long ago I didn't even have a motorcycle.

The difference between smarts and wisdom!

OK, so you bought a used vehicle and need to straighten out a couple of minor bits. I'm glad that your issues can be resolved cheap and you've already got some people willing to help. If nothing else, you can find a dealer who can order these fasteners and pick them up after a few more happy miles.

Bob

 

[keithaba]

If you take a picture to show me which fasteners your missing, I'll send you them. I have so many extra pieces from rebuilds, I don't know what to do with them.

Oh and while you've got the battery exposed, install yourself some pigtails to a battery tender. Then just zip tie them, and duct tape them on the inside of the fairing. Then you can just pull the tape off, and you can recharge your battery!

Don't sweat the small stuff, get out there and ride that thing, and you'll forget all about those saddle bag plugs.