Spark plug and brake hoses replacement interval per manual

[chrisz]

Hi all, 

I've recently taken out the bike (MY 2013) after it was in hibernation throughout the Covid 2020 year.  Making myself familiar with it again, I reread the owner's manual and noted that the spark plugs need to be replaced yearly, and the brake hoses every 4 years.  I am a bit surprised by the short interval for replacement of these components.  What have you all done?

Thanks in advance...
Chris...

 

[RossKean]

No need to replace sparkplugs annually.  In fact, I generally go at least double the "recommended" 8,000 miles for a change - even longer if I am running iridium plugs (2011 FJR).  Easy enough to pull a plug and check if you are under the tank for a throttle body sync or other service.  Quite a few folks change plugs when they do valve checks, assuming they do those at the 26,600 recommended interval.  Still, conventional plugs are cheap and changing them is easy...

I am currently on year eleven for the brake (and clutch) hydraulic hoses.  I have no intention of changing them anytime soon.

 

[chrisz]

Thanks RossKean for your input.  As I bought the bike second hand and didn't know its full service history today I replaced the plugs.  The ones were out of spec gap wise (over 1mm).  The bike runs the same with the new factory recommended plugs.  I may have to think about the rubber brake hoses, to see if braided ones are available and do a one time replacement.

 

[RossKean]

I may have to think about the rubber brake hoses, to see if braided ones are available and do a one time replacement.

Braided hoses are available (or at least they used to be).  Not cheap and by all accounts they are a major pain in the ass to replace.  A bit of bling but they won't work any better than OEM.  

Galfer makes some that will fit.

Galfer USA Stainless Front/Rear Brake and Clutch Lines - FK003D701-7 | JPCycles.com

 

[Fred W]

Spark plugs, even the ordinary ones, can easily last the 25k miles between valve checks, so that is what I’ve always done, replace them when they come out for the valve check.

Brake hoses do not need to be changed.  That’s just nonsense.

 

[chrisz]

Fred W, regarding brake hoses; my experience with BMW (2002 model some years ago), the rear brake hose de-laminated on the inside causing rear wheel lock up as it would not allow the brake fluid to return to the master cylinder after brake application.  That is what the mechanic told me after he replaced the brake hose and cut it open to show me.  Maybe that is only an issue with older BMW.

 

[RossKean]

I have never heard of a brake hose failure on an FJR and I don't personally know anyone who changed them "just because".  A number of years ago, some people were changing them out for the braided hoses with the perception that they would work better.  No glowing reports came back although I think there was a comment about a better "feel" (whatever that means).  I guess you have to say something positive after spending $400.  They do look good!

11 years and 130,000 km on my (current) 2011 (bought 3 years ago) and 10 years and 295,000 km on the 2007 I sold three years ago.  No serious mechanical problems with either bike other than a couple of electrical gremlins on the '07.  Only ever replaced tires, brake pads, fluids, spark plugs, air filters, a couple sets of fork seals, rear (aftermarket) shock refurb, a plastic coolant overflow reservoir, one set of front wheel bearings, a few light bulbs and one battery in 425,000 FJR kilometers on two bikes.  Nothing ever done to engine, clutch, rear drive, swingarm, cables, ABS, hoses, brake calipers etc. other than routine maintenance.

Brake hoses do not need to be changed.  That’s just nonsense.

+1

 

[Fred W]

Fred W, regarding brake hoses; my experience with BMW (2002 model some years ago), the rear brake hose de-laminated on the inside causing rear wheel lock up as it would not allow the brake fluid to return to the master cylinder after brake application.  That is what the mechanic told me after he replaced the brake hose and cut it open to show me.  Maybe that is only an issue with older BMW.

Maybe it was a BMW thing.  I never understood the reason they said to replace them so soon.  My son’s (once mine) 2005 has the original hoses with no problems ever.  Never replaced hoses on any car and never had one fail.  I’ve had metal pipes fail after they rusted out, but never a flexible brake line. 

 

[chrisz]

Good enough for me, I'll give it a rest regarding the brake hoses... thanks guys.

 

[Auburn]

No need to replace sparkplugs annually.  In fact, I generally go at least double the "recommended" 8,000 miles for a change - even longer if I am running iridium plugs (2011 FJR).  Easy enough to pull a plug and check if you are under the tank for a throttle body sync or other service.  Quite a few folks change plugs when they do valve checks, assuming they do those at the 26,600 recommended interval.  Still, conventional plugs are cheap and changing them is easy...

I am currently on year eleven for the brake (and clutch) hydraulic hoses.  I have no intention of changing them anytime soon.

I put in iridium plugs with the valve check. 26,000 mile interval for me. The plugs always looked fine. But did it since I was in there anyway 

 

[RossKean]

I put in iridium plugs with the valve check. 26,000 mile interval for me. The plugs always looked fine. But did it since I was in there anyway 

I have iridium plugs in there now and will run them until 30,000 miles or so.  The last set of iridium plugs I used for maybe 50,000 miles and they were noticeably eroded when I removed them. 

Will probably switch back to conventional plugs the next time.  They are cheap, readily available, easy to change and work just as well.

 

[Mortenk]

I prefer standard plugs, and replace them every 24,000 miles. Brake hoses? Maybe I'll consider after 15 years, or sooner if the bike is stored outside a lot

 

[Panman]

I may be off base, but a brake & clutch fluid flush at least every other year if not every year would be a good practice. Get the contaminants out keeping things clean would be my thought on this.

Going thru all systems on my 07 on my 120,000 mile gently use 07 now. Touching them is loving them so to speak.

 

[roger dodger]

Do the plugs whenever you are in there for a valve check ... 25k +

I wish I did the fluids as often as it says in the book... maybe that's why some older FJR's no longer have working ABS. 

 

[chrisz]

Yes, I do replace the brake and clutch fluid every two years, twice for me since acquiring the bike.  Very easy on the FJR.  It would take me 8 hours to do my older BMW RT, that I didn't look forward to every couple of years.

Thanks to all.