The NAFO D-Tour

[beemerdons]

I am very sorry to hear that you are having electrical gremlins plaguing your FJR Bill, but AuburnFJR and other PNW Crew will help you get it running right; hopefully, if you can limp it down to Seattle.

I'll do my very best to keep my illegitimate Bastard Son SkooterG from poking fun at your Gen2 at this present time. However, I will have no chance of stopping RadioHowie from bashing your Gen2!

 

[Intech]

Insert Your Favorite Gen II Electrical Joke Here

The wet slogging has taken a toll on my AE and I'm starting to have a problem. After a while of running in the rain the neutral indicator light will start to glow on the dash. As time passes sometimes it gets brighter and if it reaches full intensity the bike will develop a rather severe miss. The problem is definitely moisture related and I am suspecting a problem with either the gear selector switch or the sidestand switch has become waterlogged and is tracking.

I'm going to try spraying down the switches I can get at with WD40 since the WD does stand for water dispersant. I going to cross-post this in the Technical Problems section just in case.

I'm going to try to get a hold of AuburnFJR since I believe he also has a tire changer and I could definitely use a new front tire. I recently read someone having a similar problem so but I didn't follow the thread and am going to see if I can find it.

Wish me luck and go ahead and insert your favorite Gen II joke here. I still think your Gen I is an antique.

Bill that is exactly what was happening to me about a week before we left for NAFO. I narrowed it down to the relay unit. The AE has the same relay unit. It contains the starting relay and the fuel pump relay. Mine started missing when I would be at a steady throttle position in 4th or 5th gear. I replaced the relay unit and had no problem for the 7500 mile NAFO trip. It is item #89 on the AE wiring diagram.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Great RR Bill, last year Panman and I passed through Williams lake during the Rodeo...we just fueled and kept going...

PM sent with contact information for relay assistance.

--G

 

[Niehart]

Bill, I have a trailer and will travel if it comes to that.

And as a bonus, I know where the master plugger lives.

 

[MajBach]

No jokes when this kinda stuff happens mid-trip adventure, my friend. I hope you get it sorted out quick like.

The dimly glowing neutral light thing makes me think that this is yet another incarnation of the dreaded spider bite, marginal ground situation. One other than the typical S4 that the recall addressed, because that is not the typical symptom. I think someone has done a full inventory of each spider and what it handles, but it might just be simpler to eyeball each one and make sure they are clean.

I believe that RossKean's rough running when wet condition was eventually attributed to a bad spider.

Not sure where you ended up but I am in Vancouver until Monday night with access to garage and tools if you need it. You know my number.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Turned Bill around with a new [used] relay and front tire.

I think this one is toast...

En-route to Rockport to spend the night, then onward to points east. Safe travels Bill!!

--George

 

[Bustanut joker]

That front looks about the same as it did on the last tech day here..Bill is too cheap to actually buy a tire and is taking advantage of forum members. I say leave him on the side of the road for polar bear bait next time.

Curious as far as the wear pattern though. I suspect the gallon on Canadian rye in the right saddle bag tends to be fuller than that on the left.

 

[yamafitter]

Escapefjrtist and AuburnFJR Save the Day

First off I need to thank Auburn FJR who headed up the rescue operation. I called Byran from Billingham but even though he was out of town Byran went above & beyond and contacted a number of the PNW crew to help me out. I had stopped at an Auto Supply Shop and had brought some contact cleaner and was in the process when my cell phone ran. It was George (escapefjrtist) telling me he was tearing apart his FJR to loan me his relay to make sure I could continue my trip. He also told me that he had Barb's old tire that was actually in very good shape and he had all the tools to make all the repairs. After fighting with Mr Zumo and my iPhone I was finally able to get George's address into the Zumo. In the meantime Byran was calling back making sure that someone had been in touch. With George giving me his address while I was trying to punch it in to the Zumo and then the Zumo trying to answer Bryan's call I was getting ready to punt the stupid Zumo into the Pacific but we made it down to George's and George had the tools on the bike before I could barely get off the bike...

OK... so the tire was a little tired...

It was pretty obvious this tire was not going to see Ontario again.

I supervised while George spun the wrenches. Now I know what it feels like to be BikerGeek watching others work...

It took a little bit of doing to get the new relay properly mounted on its tab but the tire change went very smoothly. Both Bryan & I have had lots of experience with tire swaps. The balance on the new tire was sweet. By the way Barb I am bringing your tire back to the Great White North. If you need it back I'll have it for you at 2013 CFR in Huntsville...

Once again thanks to everyone involved in this mission. It's folks like this take make this forum truly a great resource. I cannot fully express my gratitude to both escapefjrtist, AuburnFJR and all the others that offered assistance.

On a side note I had a most enjoyable evening in Vancouver touching base with my family on the coast and got caught up with some of the family history. Old Michael would be interested to know that most of the discussion centered around Manitoba which is where my father was born.

When I left Vancouver there was a very light drizzle and as soon as I crossed into Washington state I looked down and saw my shadow under a bright sunny sky. I guess this means that BC is going to have 6 more weeks of rain.

Here is photographic evidence that the sun still exists...

When I was getting a hold of Bryan I was at a car show on the outshirts of Bellingham. There were some really nice hot roads on display...

Bonus points if you can name the make & model for this one...

What started out as being a potentially disastrous day turned into one of my best days on the FJR thanks to the people on this forum. Thanks again.

Right now I'm sitting in the Rockport Pub waiting for my date with Deanne. I have to go...

 

[Bustanut joker]

I have to say it's an AMC product poorly attempting to mimic a Jag..

Oh and the reference to Barbs front iyre?

I didn't know brooms wore tires :yahoo:

 

[Dr. Rich]

I think it is an Avanti (orginally made by Studebaker then sold to a Canadian Company) I believe they ran small block Chevy engines. Rich

 

[escapefjrtist]

Glad to see that you made it to Rockport Bill. Say hi to Deanne for all of us...

Safe travels the remainder of your trip.

--George

 

[dcarver]

Wonderful peeps, eh?

 

[Fred W]

Really glad to see that the good folks in the PNW were able to get you back on your way.

See... That's what makes this forum so cool. :yahoo: Where else are ya gonna find this kind of camaraderie?

I'll guess that the car in question was a Studebaker Avanti. The post Studebakers years they didn't have the chrome thing on the hood still, did they?

 

[bbdig]

I would agree with doctor rich. Have not seen one if those in a long time, looks sweet.

Enjoying the RRNA Bill, keep it coming.

Jack

 

[wheatonFJR]

Kudos to the northwest crew! Good job! :clapping:

 

[yamafitter]

Having lunch in Wintrop after a beautiful ride through the Cascades. Will post up photos tonight. I should also have some great video from today that Needs some post production work.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Having lunch in Wintrop after a beautiful ride through the Cascades. Will post up photos tonight. I should also have some great video from today that Needs some post production work.

Making dashes out of the solid yellow line and modifying your speedo reading is just too much work there Bill.

Just let that video fly! Release the hounds!

 

[BikerGeek99]

Now I know what it feels like to be BikerGeek watching others work...

HEY! I resemble that remark!! And I definitely 'get' the gratitude. Good on he PNW folks for offering a helping hand to ya.

Still following your SPOT tracker, dude... Ride on!

 

[beemerdons]

Who is Bryan? Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

 

[yamafitter]

Who is Bryan? Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

My mistake, that's what I get for trying to do I ride report after riding all day. I quit!!!!!!