Yesterday I had a service done by the dealer and the tech changed the driveshaft oil but didn't use the oil that the factory recommends for the FJR but instead used the standard Yamaha driveshaft oil. I had beeen using the Yamaha recommended oil. After the service was completed, I rode the bike about 100 miles and there was a significant increase in the buzzy vibration coming through the frame and was very noticeable in the footpegs. I changed the driveshaft oil back to the too expensive Yamaha recommended oil and was surprised that the buzzy vibration was back to a very low normal level. Has anyone else noticed a change in vibration associated with using different driveshaft oils? I have read a wide range of reports of the "buzziness" of FJRs and since some dealers don't use the more expensive driveshaft oil, I was wondering if this could be some of the reason that there is such a wide range of opinion about the FJR buzziness.
Reduced buzzy vibration by changing driveshaft oil
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UHOH
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not for me - can't remember the earlier fluid, but the last one ~45,000 was Shell Rotella 80w-90 and I couldn't tell any difference.
C&C
Well-known member
To the OP, sorry, but I am skeptical of your observation.
Wee Willy
It's bad, you know
While flight testing the F-22 at Edwards AFB, we had one bird that had a horrendous vibrational noise in the cockpit that occurred repeatedly at a specific Mach number. It was so loud that it interfered with the pilot's concentration at times. One pilot described it as putting your head next to the grille of his high school car, a big Plymouth of some kind, and having someone hit the horn...only it was louder in the cockpit. This went on for a number of weeks and many things were tried to discover what was causing it, then determine a fix.
Well, they never did find it. The canopy seal was the suspect but they never did pin it down. It just stopped happening after a certain flight. The pilots were happy, but the structural test engineers weren't. The structural dynamics lead made a point of it when, during a preflight briefing, the pilot mentioned that the "vibration" noise was apparently no longer occurring and he would enjoy the test flight more. The lead said quietly that whatever HAD been vibrating was not "fixed," it was now broken. That got everyone's attention.
So...something to keep you up tonight. :grin:
I also tend to agree with the previous responses that the lubricity and viscous damping differences between the two fluids used is UNLIKELY to be the cause of what you experienced so long as they were both gear oil of the correct grade. I would tend to cast my attention elsewhere.
Cheers,
W2
Well, they never did find it. The canopy seal was the suspect but they never did pin it down. It just stopped happening after a certain flight. The pilots were happy, but the structural test engineers weren't. The structural dynamics lead made a point of it when, during a preflight briefing, the pilot mentioned that the "vibration" noise was apparently no longer occurring and he would enjoy the test flight more. The lead said quietly that whatever HAD been vibrating was not "fixed," it was now broken. That got everyone's attention.
So...something to keep you up tonight. :grin:
I also tend to agree with the previous responses that the lubricity and viscous damping differences between the two fluids used is UNLIKELY to be the cause of what you experienced so long as they were both gear oil of the correct grade. I would tend to cast my attention elsewhere.
Cheers,
W2
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saread
Well-known member
This makes a little sense to me and seems plausible. Hypoid gears (as in the rear end of an FJR) require a lot more high pressure additives in the oil than say straight cut gears would. It makes sense that if you use a nonhypoid gear oil that you might not be getting proper lubrication between the gears due to the lack of high pressure additives. The increase in friction could be felt as a vibration and ultimately could lead to total failure of the gear set. I've been running Bel Ray hypoid gear lube, no issues yet.
ekfeejay
Well-known member
Sounds too simple ~ but I had the same improvement when I coughed up the extra for the FJR specific stuff
saread
Well-known member
Geez, it's not like using the right stuff is going to break the bank or anything either. $11/Qt for BelRay Hypoid Gear Oil - 4 oil changes to the quart - minimum.
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Not only did changing the rear gear oil in my FJR make the vibes go away, the new oil made my tires last longer, my headlights brighter, and my speedometer faster!
RadioHowie
I Miss Beemerdons!
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
RadioHowie: My God Man, you are an Einstein, Aristotle and Gandhi all rolled up into one! Truly a profound point of view and realistic assessment of our young SkootyDeG! Bravo!!! Encore!!!But you're still a dik, so there was no REAL improvement, right?
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SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Alas, no. Final drive oil did nothing to help improve the poor sap of a rider. In fact it was detrimental as it made hair grow on my ***!But you're still a dik, so there was no REAL improvement, right?
RadioHowie
I Miss Beemerdons!
Click HERE for help......describe your problem, click "Send" :rofl:Alas, no. Final drive oil did nothing to help improve the poor sap of a rider. In fact it was detrimental as it made hair grow on my ***!But you're still a dik, so there was no REAL improvement, right?
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wfooshee
O, Woe is me!!
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
wfooshee, You are correct, RadioHowie is freaking BRILLIANT! I described my problem and quickly got back a well thought out solution, it does work.
Bustanut joker
Well-known member
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: .... :finger:Click HERE for help......describe your problem, click "Send" :rofl:Alas, no. Final drive oil did nothing to help improve the poor sap of a rider. In fact it was detrimental as it made hair grow on my ***!But you're still a dik, so there was no REAL improvement, right?
Very good Howie .... I just about fell outa me chair! dik
I wonder what kinda **** Boy Wonder is going to ask?
:jester:
