I Dropped My FJR Tuesday Night On The Road.

[XJRGUY]

Well I finally did it again, after 15 years of being able to keep a motorcycle upright, I dropped my FJR.

It was a 0 MPH drop as I was trying to turn the bike around on a downward angle road, as the bike was sideways tipped downwards and I couldn't hold it up, so I jumped off it and it crashed to the asphalt.

Here is what I broke:

Left hand mirror

Fairing Bracket 2 which is a THREE DOLLAR PART which holds the black plastic behind the glove box to the frame.

Here is what I didn't break but scratched:

Left hand lower fairing (MINOR, like you wouldn't notice from 15-20 ft away)

Left hand upper fairing Same damage as above

Minor scratches on left hand Staintune pipe which I can get out no problem with polish

Left hand engine case scratched

Clutch lever scratched and slightly bent

A friend and I removed the left hand side of the bike last night, and I was amazed that the bracket was the only thing broken out of all that plastic. The left mirror took most/all of the fall and I didn't even break the mirror glass, not to mention there isn't a scratch on the bar end.

So I am looking at less than $500 to repair and look good as new again.

I bought new FZ1 mirrors from Ebay for 50

New engine case, gasket, bracket for fairing, clutch lever $175

Sent the two fairing pieces out to get repainted $250

The most maddening thing is that I repeated another listers mistake. I had bought a set of GSG MOKO SLIDERS and didn't put them on until AFTER THE INCIDENT!!!

PUT THOSE TIP OVER GUARDS AND SLIDERS ON THE MINUTE YOU GET THEM!!!

I would have only had to replace a mirror and take scratches out of the pipe.

Otherwise, for what happened, I feel extremely lucky nothing else but the parts listed broke.

XJRGUY

 

[radman]

I put a set of TOGs on as soon as I got 'em, just to ensure that he would never fall over. Upgraded later to sliders, still can't believe he didn't go over at speed prior to their install just to spite my overconfident ass....

 

[XJRGUY]

and to think I could have driven about 1/4 mile further up that hilly road to a place that was flat where I could have safely turned around, instead of trying to negotiate a very low speed turn on a downhill inclined road at night.

 

[radman]

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda...

 

[RonC]

I put the TOGs on until I could take delivery of the Moko sliders. I learned the hard way with my previous bike. I put my foot down on the only piece of ice left on the driveway. Thwap. Thunk. Lesson learned.

Ron

 

[Vulcan]

OK...you guys have me paranoid now. Where is the best place to buy the sliders online. I an interested in the "no cut the fairing" model.

 

[timk]

Were the bags on the bike? If they were, then maybe I overkilled the tip over thing by installing the door edge guards.

 

[XJRGUY]

No bags, like I said it could have been worse. I could have had the bags/and or the trunk or even a passenger on the back, and considering the minor damage and no injury save a skinned ankle I can't really complain. When I was standing there looking at the bike horizontal in the street in front of me in the dark, with the light still shining out to the Pacific Ocean, I just had to think how this is a small price to pay for all the other times I could have, should have, or would have ATE IT and maneuvered out of harm's way.

I look at it this way. It's an easy, albeit somewhat pricey way to learn a lesson.

If this is all the street takes from me as a motorcyclist, then I am happy to give this to her, if it keeps me safe and upright on other rides.

Mokos are on, and what a nice piece of kit they are. The plastics really come apart pretty quickly on the bike. I didn't use any manuals and had the lower left, upper left, glove box, and top left panel by the mirror off all by just figuring it out without a manual. There are a lot of fasteners and bolts, but I kept them all grouped so I would know how to put them back. If push comes to shove, I have the service manual I can refer to for re-assembly.

The only thing I regret is not putting those sliders on. The way the road was angled downward, I still think that I would have minorly scuffed the upper fairing and definitely lost the mirror. I didn't get hurt, other than skinning my ankle on the brake pedal when I jumped off of the bike, and it was completely ridable with only the left mirror wobbly.

It also forces me to farkle it out with the FZ1 mirrors I was looking at. While the fairing is off I might throw on the magnum blasters with harmess if I am really feeling fancy.

Other than that, it's a shot on the chin for the bike. The engine inclination kill sensor did its thing when it fell, and the bike started right up after I righted it.

I still can't believe that the lower fairing (the big piece) didn't break, crack, or have any damage to the inside where all the fasteners are. Pretty much amazed that the only bracket that broke was the one closest to the gas tank UNDER the left black panel above the upper fairing behind the glove box that broke. The damage to the paint was MINIMAL and the plastic was not harmed at all. Remember, the bike free falled after I jumped off it stationary about 4 feet on a downwardly sloped canyon road.

The mirror did it's job too, its mount absorbing most if not all of the downward force. It just broke away, and I barely scuffed/bent the clutch lever which I am replacing as well.

Two questions:

First, I have Staintunes on my bike, which are polished stainless steel. There are VERY VERY minor scratches on the left hand pipe, with NO dents or marks other than that. Imagine if you can someone keying your car, and leaving a mark the width of a nickle. What is the best way to polish this out? I know you can do this because that is another big advantage of stainless pipes. I'd just like to get some feedback on the process.

Second, the left side engine cover, which I assume houses the alternator? If I remove this cover, is there oil behind it, meaning if I remove the cover without draining the oil from the bike's engine, will stuff leak out?

I had assumed the left side engine cover would be the most expensive thing I would be replacing, thinking it was $267, but it ended up only costing me $65 and the gasket $4.17.

Thanks in advance, and everyone stay safe out there.

I will have my mirrors this week (from Ebay!) my two fairing pieces back from the paint shop next Wednesday, and the other assorted parts the same day.

For now I am commuting to work in my XJR which I haven't been driving much, and the Mustang is parked while I get back into supercharged british car nirvana again.

 

[Toecutter]

Second, the left side engine cover, which I assume houses the alternator? If I remove this cover, is there oil behind it, meaning if I remove the cover without draining the oil from the bike's engine, will stuff leak out?

Good question. I can't imagine it being wet back there, but not sure. Somebody knows, so spill.

 

[weekend rider]

sorry to hear about your bike getting an ohwee, luck was on your side or you live rite. this ia what i call an engineered fall all planned with very little results, meaning not much damage :clap:

 

[brazos parker]

I delivered my Moko sliders to the dealer the day before my bike arrived. They were installed at prep. I felt much better driving off the lot knowing that the sliders were on an unfamiliar bike.

IMHO, if you ain't got'em, get'em! In the long run, they're much less expensive than a drop w/out 'em.

XJRGUY, sorry abt the drop. Like I've said before on this forum, I seem to do the most damage to my equipment w/ the ignition off. I can sympathize w/ you.

P.S. A biker friend (40 yrs riding experience) of mine once told me (after my drop of a YZF600), that there are 2 kinds of riders...those that have dropped a bike and those that are going to drop a bike. This is not much consolation but, at least, you're in good company.

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

I almost dropped my 500 once. I was on a side street with a big slope downhill. The intersection was downhill. I turned around and ALMOST lost my balance downhill. Sorry to hear about your drop. Landing downhill you really got off light. I looked for the link. TJ

https://www.whaccessories.com/

 

[yanktar]

It's not a drop, not a crash, not a get-off. It's a tip-over--they don't count! :lol:

(Mine cost me $450 in body work.... :blink: )

 

[radman]

Second, the left side engine cover, which I assume houses the alternator? If I remove this cover, is there oil behind it, meaning if I remove the cover without draining the oil from the bike's engine, will stuff leak out?

A little bit. Majority of the oil is in the sump, which sits well below the level of the lowest part of the cover. Alt drives directly off the crank, so imagine the crank line through the motor. The crank should not be able to whip at the oil, this will give you rough idea of oil level in the engine. Also, most oil pans keep the oil level below the gasket line.

 

[gr8eyes]

Another option on the left side engine cover would have been to buy a carbon fiber cover for it.

Sorry about the tip over

 

[XJRGUY]

Thanks for the replies!

I thought about the carbon fiber cover, but you know what that scraped paint on that case, which of course would be under the cover would still bother me to no end!

It is an idea for after I replace the case though LOL!!

XJRGUY

 

[XJRGUY]

I fixed my bike after a month of not being able to ride it.

I just drained the oil and removed the side case, and yes it is bathed in oil.

Bike looks like nothing happened to it.

FZ1 mirrors are great, although I smacked a car mirror lane splitting this morning, oops.

Last thing I have to do is replace the FJR 1300 emblem on the left fairing. It's ordered and on its way.

Only thing I am leaving intact from the tip over is the minor scratches in the left staintune.

It's good to be back.

 

[TheRepairMan]

Hey Guys !

I'm a newbie here but am always VERY interested in all your FJR adventures and experiences as I plan to get me one next year.

I've been looking at a bunch of different models and have ridden a few and have narrowed my choice down to two at this time.

Well...that's not why I'm here right now for though...I just wanted to let you all know about a set of "No Cut" frame sliders I saw on the following web site.

https://www.motovationusa.com/FJR1300.html

I too will definitely need to prepare my new bike for the unexpected tip-over. I came oh so close to dropping my friends Honda ST1300 this past spring. That is the only reason I can think of that I am apprehensive about owning one of these super-sport tourers...is the weight. That ST is a real pig (no offense) and wrestling with her wasn't something I ever want to do again even though I have gotten more comfortable each time I ride her. I still dread coming to stops and slow turns.

I'm VERY excited about the prospect of being an FJR owner. I've always owned a Yamaha. Thanks ahead for letting me drop in for an answer every now and then.

Sincerely, TheRepairMan

78 Yamaha XS650Special

 

[Ramblin Man]

XJR guy, how much will you sell me your old alternator cover for. I have an idea for something and need one of those thats been damaged.