Let's talk exhaust.

[Dodahdude]

Sadly winter is here. So now is a good time for me to get caught up on some maintenance. One item that I am somewhat curious about is the exhaust can's. I only have 25,000 miles on my garage kept 2004 but how and how often are the insides cleaned of exhaust crud?

 

[ionbeam]

...I only have 25,000 miles on my garage kept 2004...

Gosh, I'm sorry about that.

...how often are the insides cleaned of exhaust crud?

I'm thinking, like, never. Ever. Unless it has been a ticker and is dripping oil out the tips. I'm willing to bet that the Forumites that have >200k miles on their bikes have never cleaned more than the tips of the cans.

Pull the left peg and lube the shift pivot on the inside of the peg plate. Pull the right side brake lever off and lube the brake pivot. These are two very neglected maintenance points. And another two neglected maintenance points, pull the clutch lever to lube the bushing and pull the front brake lever and lube the pivot. Pull the drive shaft and lube the splines where the drive shaft goes into the universal joint. Your FJR is so young I don't think it's necessary to pull the rear suspension links yet.

I'm sure we have other worth while maintenance tasks to keep you busy all winter.

 

[SkooterG]

WTF?

Should have posted this on a Friday.......

 

[Dodahdude]

Why Friday?

 

[Dodahdude]

Anyway. As I was making my list that's when I noticed the exhaust. I wasn't sure if they needed it or not??? I think cleaning out the inside of my exhaust can's is a lot more fun than watch Dr. Phil with the wifey.....Thanks for the additional maintenance items. I do have a list. The one's you mentioned will be added.

 

[ionbeam]

WTF?
Should have posted this on a Friday.......

Just as well not -- notice I actually gave a straight answer?

Why Friday?

Well, here in this Forum we have evolved a tradition about Fridays. Friday is the day where not much serious gets done, answers to, ahem, less than normal questions get twisted answers. The part that gets the most activity for better or worse is when someone takes an attitude and then comes Friday tradition #2 The Dog Pile. It's actually worse than the name.

 

[Fred W]

I dunno. I usually just wipe mine down after I grease the muffler bearings. Not much need for cleaning beyond that.

-Fred W (for whom every day is like a Friday)

 

[Ignacio]

I only have 25,000 miles on my garage kept 2004 but how and how often are the insides cleaned of exhaust crud?

Because this particular service item features so prominently as a required item in the owner's manual?

160,000 miles and NEVER done ANYTHING like this. Do yourself a favor and use this list of maintenance things to actually worry about.

 

[Dutch]

I clean mine on a regular basis.

From around 4000 rpm's to redline 3rd through 4th gears keeps everything clean from the tops of the pistons to the ends of the mufflers.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I am agreeing with Dutch. If you are worried about buildup inside your exhaust you are not enjoying the upper end of your RPM range enough. Blow the soot out of that thing with the 1300 cc heat generating compressor which is conveniently situated in the very front of the frame. The only effort required is a twist of the right wrist.

 

[luvtoride]

Dodahdude, I think that Fridays have become a day that members feel that it's ok for normally helpful/ knowledgeable people (& sometimes other members of peanut gallery) to actually be rude to you if your post has been deemed as ludicrous/ silly by any member. That's a nice BS filter that you've used there, Alan. My BS filter doesn't work quite as well.

Be glad that you didn't post this on Friday.

 

[Chuck35]

If I lived somewhere that it got so cold and nasty that polishing the inside of the exhaust system was a desirable pastime, I' get a snowmobile or a mistress...anything!

 

[Dodahdude]

Alright. Thanks RedFish. I guess i'll just play with my pecker then.......

 

[Wlfman]

Don't forget to change the Blinker Fluid at least yearly.

 

[RossKean]

The FJR cans are maintenance-free. On the other hand, I have a set of aftermarket Leo Vince cans that I removed because they were becoming rather noisier than I liked. Lots of aftermarket exhaust systems need to be opened up and repacked every 30-60 thousand miles. I haven't bothered with the repack since I am happy with the stock system. (The LV's were on it when I bought it.) I guess the original question might not have been entirely dumb.

 

[escapefjrtist]

I occasionally tend to mine with Honda spray polish...does that count ?!?

--G

 

[bwv]

You could always tell your wife that you have to de-soot your silencers, and then flush and optimize your catalytic convertors... and then spend the time in the garage drinking beer and watching all 4 seasons of The Man Show on DVD....

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

I only have 25,000 miles on my garage kept 2004 but how and how often are the insides cleaned of exhaust crud?

160,000 miles and NEVER done ANYTHING like this. Do yourself a favor and use this list of maintenance things to actually worry about.

That link highlighted go's to a HUSKY website?

 

[RaYzerman19]

Don't forget to change the Blinker Fluid at least yearly.

Probably should do it more than that just to be safe. And tighten up the nut that is on top of the seat that joins to the handlebars.