2018 FJR recall repair

[CAADet]

hey all,

I struck gold and have my vin listed to match the recall repairs.
After discussing the repair job with the advisor which involves taking the bike apart and splitting the engine to repair the 2nd gear, it all sounds very involved.

A major repair like this got me concerned. How do you feel about this repair and what would you look out for after its done? From what I hear, pretty much the whole bike needs to be looked at. Any advice or what to look out for?

 

[dravnx]

I would make sure you're not the first 2nd gear repair that the tech has accomplished. It's a very involved process and is booked at 14 hours. Lots of information and threads over at FJRowners.com.

 

[kneedraggeroldy]

+1 for Jeff's answer.....it is INVOLVED. I had 1984 FJ1100 in which shifting fork bent and second gear went toast and the brain child of doing it myself...D'OH...took engine out, took case off and went...NOPE..took to MACH 1 at the time, but this was in 90's....

 

[ST Guy]

Take all the plastic off yourself and keep it at home. Then ride the bike in for the repair. You might be surprised at how much the typical mechanic can screw up the plastic.

 

[islemann]

A friend of mine is a Suzuki tech at a large dealership.

He's finishing up his 8th FJR 2nd gear repair tomorrow. The work takes two full days, no matter if it's your first time or you've done...well...8. Suzuki is screwing their dealers on the warranty hours.

What to look for after? Leaks but they're not likely at all as the repair is pretty well laid out and careful application of sealer is pointed out more than once in the manual.

There have been times of late that I've missed my 2014 FJR just a bit. They're amazingly compete nt motorcycles.

 

[Frisco]

I had my ‘13 in to Berkeley Yamaha for the brake switch recall. I was chatting with Scott and he told me that as of last week, they’ve done 4 of the tranny recalls.

 

[bergmen]

Take all the plastic off yourself and keep it at home. Then ride the bike in for the repair. You might be surprised at how much the typical mechanic can screw up the plastic.

^^^This for sure. I have heard several horror stories regarding dinged up plastic and at the very least, missing or wrong placed screws.

Dan

 

[Honey Badger]

I'm presently working as a service writer at a dealership in this area, we've had a bunch of these come through - our techs are good and experienced, and doesn't seem to be a bad job for them, but they rebuild engines regularly - I think a lot of dealerships tend not to have as many experienced techs.

I think we've done around 8 or so of these, been pretty smooth sailing and no issues after the fact.

That said, I've personally had bad luck with transmission recalls in the past through a dealership, with techs who didn't know what they should be looking for doing the work....

 

[dravnx]

I brought my FJR in to a local dealership to have the brake switch recall accomplished. They did fine but no way would I let them split my engine. The shop is a mess and they are mostly working on ATVs.

 

[bergmen]

I brought my FJR in to a local dealership to have the brake switch recall accomplished. They did fine but no way would I let them split my engine. The shop is a mess and they are mostly working on ATVs.

I have to do the same. At first, I checked the NHTSA site with my VIN and mine wasn't included in the recall. Checked it twice to be sure.

Then I got a recall notice in the mail so I need to get this done. Dealer I bought my 2014 from is 45 minutes away (Lakeport) but I trust them more than those in Petaluma or Santa Rosa.

If I had the tranny problem I would just buy the 2nd gear parts and do it myself. OR, I would just skip 2nd on the upshifts and hammer it in 3rd on up...

Dan

 

[WWWobble]

If I had the tranny problem I would just buy the 2nd gear parts and do it myself.
Dan

doing it yourself... well, speaking honestly, that exceeds my level of mechanical competency. There's special tools involved, plus timing issues, plus the replacement ECM. Not to mention, getting all the parts for free from MamaYama might not be so easy...

OR, I would just skip 2nd on the upshifts and hammer it in 3rd on up...

Dan

Nice if that would work, but it wont. Constant mesh. If you had that problem, you would have that problem.

Biggest piss off to me is, I never thought an FJR needed a six speed in the first place.

 

[bergmen]

doing it yourself... well, speaking honestly, that exceeds my level of mechanical competency. There's special tools involved, plus timing issues, plus the replacement ECM. Not to mention, getting all the parts for free from MamaYama might not be so easy...


Nice if that would work, but it wont. Constant mesh. If you had that problem, you would have that problem.

Biggest piss off to me is, I never thought an FJR needed a six speed in the first place.

I agree, one of the benefits of the FJR (and the ZRX1200R) is the 5 speed transmission. No need for the 6 speed at all.

I have repaired transmissions in a number of horizontal split cased Japanese motorcycle engines. I would have no trouble dealing with this issue if necessary. See this post:

https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=547400

Dan

 

[WWWobble]

I agree, one of the benefits of the FJR (and the ZRX1200R) is the 5 speed transmission. No need for the 6 speed at all.

I have repaired transmissions in a number of horizontal split cased Japanese motorcycle engines. I would have no trouble dealing with this issue if necessary. See this post:

https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=547400

Dan

Ah, yes, I remember seeing pictures of the red bike early on and was impressed. Somehow I missed the 2020 thread that detailed all your work.

Much respect sir. Very cool project.

 

[afm199]

hey all,

I struck gold and have my vin listed to match the recall repairs.
After discussing the repair job with the advisor which involves taking the bike apart and splitting the engine to repair the 2nd gear, it all sounds very involved.

A major repair like this got me concerned. How do you feel about this repair and what would you look out for after its done? From what I hear, pretty much the whole bike needs to be looked at. Any advice or what to look out for?

If you don't do this, you will regret it.

There's nothing complicated about replacing second gear or any gear. Any competent tech can do this, and I doubt any dealer would have it done by a hack, as they don't want to pay for a second go around. Yammie has a history of second gear problems.

 

[ST Guy]

I wonder if they undercut the dogs on their transmissions?