Washington DC?

[ikold]

Can anyone reccomend a mechanic who they trust and who does good work in the Arlington or surrounding area. I have an 04 FJR which I love, but which I affectionately call the "Cajun Cooker" during the summer months as it has a tendency to bake yours truly to a crisp.

I'd like to have some general maintenance done on the bike but would also like someone who knows what they are doing to perform some of the heat mods. Otherwise I'm liable to throw in the towel and get the new BMW k12gt, anyone ridden one of them yet, how is the comfort on it.

Thanks in advance for everyones help!

J

 

[JimLor]

DON'T DO IT! I live in Stafford and have done some wrenching and I know there are probably 5 or more folks who will speak up here. ON the heat issue, I've applied the Frost King insulation to the bottom of my tank and am probably going to try the heat shield as explained here (I hope): https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...ation&st=20

The frost king helped and to be honest with mesh tex pants on I really don't have a problem with the heat. That said, Lorie and I did an overnighter this weekend and ended up at the Flying Circus Sun PM. Got home about 1630 or so. As you know, the temperature was as least 150 degrees with 200% humidity that day :dribble: I went out into the garage 2 hours later and the tank was still so hot I couldn't hold my hand against it for more than a couple of seconds - just doesn't seem right (safe?) that it should be that hot. Again, it really isn't all that objectionable while riding.

I haven't taken Maxine to a dealer for any work so far so don't any good mechs. If you find one let me know!

Jim

 

[ikold]

Thanks for the comments. Would like to ride with you sometime. I primarily use the bike for commuting and my ride home at 6pm is a SCORCHER. I really like the bike but the heat issue and the goofy windscreen which never seems to be in the right position are driving me crazy :dribble:

 

[Leghorn]

I'm in Arlington and I do my own work because of scary maintenance and "repairs" performed by others. These experiences are more than 10 years ago, so there may be good mechanics in the immediate neighborhood now that I'm unaware of. If you find a good one please let me know.

The extreme heat and humidity and gridlock make the DC area a tough place to ride the FJR. I have an '04 too and I feel your pain. PM me if you want to talk further.

 

[lovetoo]

I am in Rockville and have not found anyplace around here I trust.I bought my 06 at Coleman Power Sports out your way in Va. but their service dept. wanted to rape me so bad on the 600 mile service and was so unreceptive to warrantee issues I'll never go near there again.I am finding it is a lot less trouble just to get the manual and have at it.I won't say it is always fun but there is some satisfaction in doing it yourself.If you really enjoy being raped though,by all means get a BMW.

 

[FJR Gary]

Hey guys, maybe we all ought to get together some weekend and have a "maintenance party". I bought mine at Colemans in Falls Church, but have been doing my own periodic service. I agree with lovetoo that their service prices are kind of outrageous.

I now have my factory service manual and just received my Morgan Carbtune last week. After 9,000 miles I probably should to a throttle body synch. Also I have ordered the steering head spanner and wheel removal tool from BikeJohnny.

 

[JimLor]

Gary - glad to hear you got the steering head spanner! I'm changing the fork oil and stickin' in Race Tech springs tonight. Was gonna do the steering head service but it's too damn hot - and I don't have the spanner. Was going to do this last night but after getting her jacked up and the wheel off I didn't feel like doing much else!

Don't know about the 06, but on the 05s the TBS is pretty simple. Hardest part is figuring how to hang the carbtune.

 

[FJR Gary]

Jim,

I was going to do the throttle body synch last Sunday. By the time I lifted the tank up, removed the T-bar and heat shield, I could barely see the connector for the #2 throttle body under all the vacuum hoses. #1 and #4 are out in the open, and #3 is fairly easy to get to, but that #2 is buried under a mess of hoses

By this time I was sweating like crazy, so I just buttoned everything back up and said I'll figure it out later.

Once I get the steering head spanner you're welcome to use it anytime. Let me know how the Racetech install goes. I may want to do that too.

Gary

 

[Aviator]

I work in the Rockville area (live in Arlington now) and I have used Criswell Powersports before. They did my 600 mile service and I think they did an OK job. I called around and everyone was charging $200+ for it. I am the type of guy that does stuff myself and I hate paying someone to do it when I know I can do it. But I sucked it up. For what it is worth though, those guys all ride Yamaha bikes and know their stuff.

I like the "maintenance party" idea. . if you do it count me in. Send me a PM or whatever. Point being whether I need the work done or not I can help you or just watch and learn. I have a lot of stuff that I need to install on my bike and it is way too hot to do anything right now.

 

[JimLor]

Gary - the fork oil/spring change really isn't difficult. I started Tue night and have done it in pieces because of the doggone heat and because I don't want to stay up all night and then get up at 0500 to get to work. Took off the wheel - Tue/Forks + drain - Wed/figured the spacer length, cut it, and put forks back together last night/will put the bike back together tonight and test it tomorrow. Again, not a single thing about doing this is difficult!

 

[Ari Rankum]

Myers Cycle Engineering, just north of DC in Kensignton has a solid reputation. I've used them for tires and some carb work. They have a big fan club in the DC area. Bob's BMW, in Columbia, MD, recommended them to me.

Myers Cycle Engineering

Address: 10529 Summit Ave, Kensington, MD 20895

Phone: (301) 897-0050

 

[PlaynGuitar]

hi folks;

I missed this thread entirely because I wasn't looking under Northeast... geezerly tunnel vision I reckon. In any case, I live in Warrenton -- not exactly DC, but close enough.

fwiw, my wife graduated last May from AMI as a factory-certified BMW motorcycle tech. In order to get a first job -- she worked for Colemans for not quite two months. But, recently she accepted a job at Mortons BMW in Fredericksburg. With all of the transitions in the last couple of months she doesn't have much hands-on experience with the FJR yet, but she is an unflagging learner with a drive to understand and patience to do work meticulously.

I'm mechanically inept, so its a good combination.

In any case, a maintenance day would be a fantastic idea. I know this may be tough -- but if people could be convinced to consider doing it on a Sunday, then she could roll over with me. I know that she'd love to watch and learn and help where she can. You all know much more about our bikes than she does, but she picks this stuff up very fast.

I'm great at supplying cold drinks, snack items, and answering to "hey you".

If a Sunday doesn't work, then I'd be interested in rolling out anyway.

Thanks very much!! best regards.

Patrick

 

[JimLor]

+1 to Patrick's post.

 

[Bikewhore]

I'm in Fredericksburg and have done all of my own maintenance. (TB sync, shaft spline lube, oil/filter/air filter, punkin oil, brakes.....

I know I am late to the game but if anyone needs help I can lend a hand.