Heat issues after ticking repair?

[Joe Nardy]

I've owned an '04 FJR since June of '04 and have put 32K miles on it. I never noticed a heat issue until after the bike was repaired for ticking last year. The bike has a PCIII, with the same map as before the repair, the O2 sensor is unplugged and the bike seems to run fine. I went on a ride last weekend and the tank got hot enough that I couldn't keep my legs against it. I just lined the underside of the tank with a Thermozite blanket which I hope will keep the heat under control. However, I can't think of any reason the bike would run hotter after the repair than before. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[FJRMGM]

Hmmmmm. I never had that problem on my '05 when it was repaired.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Is it running a little hotter now because the bike is breaking in again...and some more initial friction points? I can't imagine that it would run hotter because of that.

I guess other ticker owners would need to chime in...Heidi?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Is it running a little hotter now because the bike is breaking in again...and some more initial friction points? I can't imagine that it would run hotter because of that.

Joe,

Like Wheaton said and a couple of other things...

1-It is a Hot/Humid Summer now... we're all hot

2-Check and make sure your antifreeze is Full Up. I find after you get your bike back, the bike may have suffered AIR Space in the cooling system and was not full... hence higher heat.

3-Have you Changed/Adjusted your CO levels?

One of my problems was the bike running (fuel) rich...so now that it is Normal, it is running hotter than before.

4-Now that you don't have Oil getting into your Cylinder Walls... it will run hotter 'cause it was probably running superficially cooler before.

Just some ideas that may help you out.

 

[RadioHowie]

Is it running a little hotter now because the bike is breaking in again?

Interesting question, but I wouldn't think so. The only thing changed for a ticker fix would be valves and valve guides. It's not like the motor's got new rings and bearings that need to wear in.

I'd definitely recommend a look at coolant levels...and not park in the sun.

 

[Jobr]

This is probably a crazy idea but is it possible that it was reassembled with the cams out of time? I seriously doubt it would run "fine" though. Or maybe mis-adjusted valves? Having the tank so hot that you can't keep your legs on it sounds way to hot to me, though I've never ridden a GenI so I don't know how bad the heat issue is.

 

[RadioHowie]

This is probably a crazy idea but is it possible that it was reassembled with the cams out of time?

Not without catastrophic results

I seriously doubt it would run "fine" though. Or maybe mis-adjusted valves? Having the tank so hot that you can't keep your legs on it sounds way to hot to me, though I've never ridden a GenI so I don't know how bad the heat issue is.

IF it was 95+ degrees out, IF the bike was completely up to temp, and IF one was only wearing shorts, then yes, the tank on a Gen I could be to hot to press your legs against it.

 

[ionbeam]

When my Gen I was new, and the gas tank allowed to drop below 2 gallons, it would get hot enough to leave red burn marks on my thighs if I rode with jeans and no MC over-pants. It would also piddle a little gas when the tank was full and almost always smell of gas when parked hot. Someplace between 14k and 18k miles the tank stopped getting so hot, the gas piddling had stopped some time ago, and it no longer smelled of gas when parked hot.

Then came the Big Bang, leading to a new cylinder head including all new rotating & reciprocating bits plus a complete set of new rings.

Now if I let my gas tank drop below 2 gallons it gets hot enough to leave burn marks should I be silly enough to ride with just jeans. It has just recently stopped piddling gas and no longer smells when parked hot. These changes have taken ~14k miles after the cylinder head and ring repairs.

 

[luvtoride]

Funny thing which I notice on and off since tick repair. I SWEAR the right side of my bike is putting out more heat than it used to. It was always the left that was so hot... & I thought the side switch of heat was unusual.

As always & like Ion says, the tank has always gotten as hot as hell when dropping to 1/2 a tank. On hot days (in the 90's) I always keep over 1/2 a tank of gas. It helps tremendously.

Soon we will be entering the August "Heidi no ride zone". For real, I don't even bother riding in August unless it is assured to be in the LOW 90's or below. Otherwise, I cannot stand to be on the bike.

No help, I know... but I will suggest to keep your gas tank above 1/2.

Heidi