Self-Destructing FJR Panels!

[SkooterG]

So, a couple days ago I go into the garage and walk up to my dirty ol whore, aka Flipper - my FJR, and I see this laying on the ground in front of it:

I'm like, ruh-roh, raggy! That can't be good. Looks like a piece my FJR's plastic.

Closer inspection, and yep, WTF happened here?:

:angry2:

****!

Just a couple hours earlier I had ridden 65 miles. And it waits until it's safely in my garage to self-implode? I don't get it.

I looked for any signs of an impact and saw none....zilch....nada. Believe me, with the bazillion miles on this thing, it's got plenty of 'character and personality' dings, marks, craters, gouges, but NONE in this area. How did this happen just sitting there?

I ain't no expeeert, but based on the freaking cracks everywhere it almost looks like a stress fracture from me tightening the bolt too much. Well, why at this particular time? The lower panel had been removed/re-installed a week and a half and 600 miles ago. Plus, when I loosened the hex bolt, it was no tighter than what I normally would tighten. After 6 years and a bazillion miles of no problemos, I all of sudden get ham-fisted? ****, I suppose it's a possibility, but I am doubtful.

So there are two major bummers to this. One, that upper panel is one of the newest pieces on my FJR!!! Installed last November while repairing NAFO crash damage. It was one of the only one's on my FJR that was NOT scratched or marred in some way! Two, that panel is a PITA to replace!!!!

Looks like it's time find the roll of Duct tape. :huh:

 

[Jeff Q]

Wow

 

[bmwhd]

While that really does look like a stress fracture from the bolt being too tight, I bet it's not. My guess is you hit a bird or stone that just happened to find a weak spot in the molded panel. Likely a defect there from day it was made.

 

[Intech]

Looks like a classic case of overtightening. would be hard to gauge after the break, though as it appears that the material under the bolt has moved. Very weird, though. Lucky that it did happen in the garage instead of pieces flying going down the road. WOW! Look at that guys bike flying apart for no apparant reason!

 

[mdisher]

Admit it, you crashed again....

 

[wheatonFJR]

Too much alcohol while working on plastic reinstallation is my guess.

Don't drink and turn a wrench there buddy!

 

[beemerdons]

Spontaneous Combustion! The poor, old, sad Dirty Old Whore hates your guts so freaking badly due to abuse and damage you've inflicted on her for the last 6 years and 180K miles that she's attempting to commit mechanical suicide. You *******!!

 

[SkooterG]

Spontaneous Combustion! The poor, old, sad Dirty Old Whore hates your guts so freaking badly due to abuse and damage you've inflicted on her for the last 6 years and 180K miles that she's attempting to commit mechanical suicide. You *******!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:****:

My God, maybe your right for once in your pathetic excuse of a life. First she tries to kill me when heading to the Utah1088 by ejecting both front left side caliper bolts leaving me with a truly 'floating caliper', and now this!

Oh, and here's one for you too Ex-mister-Renegade:

:****:

 

[08FJR4ME]

I had the same thing happen to my battery cover on my 08. I charged the battery in January and at the end of March I noticed a hairline Crack around one of the screws. Well the next time out she fragged on me and was ready to blow off while going down the highway. Short story is it was replaced by Yamaha no charge. Less than a year on the original warranty. My assumption is I tightened the screw to much.

Sorry dude you own this one. (180K miles)

 

[wheatonFJR]

Maybe you should file a warranty claim? :clapping:

 

[johnny80s]

It's cause he is so big and brutish. He doesn't know his own strength when he tightens things up.

 

[Intech]

It's cause he is so big and brutish. He doesn't know his own strength when he tightens things up.

Yeah, but smell isn't everything!

 

[brazos parker]

Since I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, I feel qualified to comment on situation.

I think, that since the fractures are radiating from the exact point of the fastener, and, you're pretty sure you didn't over-tighten that fastener, there had to be some kind of impact on that fastener that began the fracture process...maybe via hairline, almost invisible, cracks. Riding vibrations and/or temperature changes just caused the fractures to propagate until the failure occurred.

Jus' sayin'

 

[johnny80s]

Since I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, I feel qualified to comment on situation.
I think, that since the fractures are radiating from the exact point of the fastener, and, you're pretty sure you didn't over-tighten that fastener, there had to be some kind of impact on that fastener that began the fracture process...maybe via hairline, almost invisible, cracks. Riding vibrations and/or temperature changes just caused the fractures to propagate until the failure occurred.

Jus' sayin'

Maybe when he lays his sheep over the tank the feet hit there? Just a thought.

 

[Randy]

IIRC, there's a plastic washer that goes between the fastener and the bodywork. Anyone? yes? no? If yes, did you have this in place?

 

[marcusorelius]

Did ya clean it with somethin before hand? I ask because I cleaned dukes lexan shield with some orange cleaner, I went in the house for 20 mins. When I came out there were cracks around all the bolts come'n through the shield.

 

[SkooterG]

Maybe when he lays his sheep over the tank the feet hit there? Just a thought.

Nope.

My sheep ride in my lap.

 

[BikerGeek99]

I think Fencer snuck in and let his motorcycle-chompin' dog have a lil' snack.

 

[SkooterG]

IIRC, there's a plastic washer that goes between the fastener and the bodywork. Anyone? yes? no? If yes, did you have this in place?

Yep and yep.

It's still there, you just can't see it.