Disaster for the Yamaha FJR1300 - Valve Check gone wrong!!!!

[@scotw67]

I admire you for having the “courage” to air your mistakes so others can learn. Plus, you guys learned a good lesson. My hat’s off to you for doing the valve check; not sure I’d try to tackle it myself. 👍🏻

[@rsv4pilot114]

Thanks for the kind words. The job is actually not bad or difficult, just very time consuming. My friend John is not a mechanic and he made a costly error by not covering up holes where things could fall down. So I made the video so others can learn from his error.

[@peterblacklin9174]

FYI my 2007 FJR had 98500 miles and the vales stayed in spec. Never had to take the cam shaft off. Sweet engine.

[@peterblacklin9174]

You mentioned in the video the when the shim came loose there was a metallic noise. I would cover any holes and recreate the situation to see if the shim dropped outside of the engine. The shim is small and round and can roll. The whole garage floor should be swept with a very strong rare earth magnet. I have dropped stuff and over the years have found that magnets are good if it is magnetic. A flashlight shining along the surface highlights anything that is above the floor. Don't move anything until the first sweep is done. The last resort is a vacuum cleaner with a new bag or filter and an empty canister. I am always amazed how far stuff bounces and rolls. I once had machined a prototype part 8mm diameter and 1.5mm thick in aluminum (non-magnetic) an dropped it from slippery fingers. This one didn't make sound and the trajectory was vertical. It wound up under a bench, behind the leg 6 feet from the drop point. So as the shim is magnetic I would go back and take the garage apart before taking the engine apart. If it made sound it is probably on the shop floor. Hope this helps.

[@rsv4pilot114]

Excellent advice and I really appreciate it. I may not have mentioned it on camera that we did all of that. We searched every inch of that garage, swept, used magnets, etc.. I did a follow up video explaining what ended up happening. Take a look if you get a chance. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@wacio]

I used magnet pushed into the piece of PVC tubing. Selected tube holding magnet very tight. Then inserted hose into the hole. On second or third attempt in came up with the shim attached.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

That was something I considered when I did a valve adjustment on my FJ-09, so I plugged every hole with paper towel, including all spark plug holes. The shims on mine were stuck to the buckets. I did break the timing chain damper while incorrectly reinstalling the tensioner. It took 3 weeks to get a new one. It just sucked and I kind of wish I'd just spent the money and had it done. I don't know if I'll take of that task again.

[@rsv4pilot114]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Glad to hear your incident went well other than the minor part issue. You should definately do it again. You now have experience and it also gives you confidence that you can do it and other things as well. That is how people learn and gain the experience. If you just take it to the shop, then you will never know how to fix things on the bike.

[@skywatch4639]

Last time i heard about this happening was on a cbx550. Screw and locknut if i remember correctly. One of the locknuts came loose and dropped in the motor. Owner decided to ride it to the dealer and let them find it, bad idea as fair ammount of damage caused. I guess for you it's head off first and go from there.

[@rsv4pilot114]

Thats not a good thing. We were able to find it. I posted an updated video if you get a chance to watch it. Thanks for commenting and watching. Hope you will subscribe.

[@MartinQuigley-b5s]

That's great ye found it have u it up on your video when ye found it I would love to see n hear your reaction whe shim was found. I have a 2008 fjr myself great bike the one fault I have with my bike it's top heavy when pushing round garage..

[@rsv4pilot114]

I put a followup video up as to what happened. Yeah, the FJR is a heavy bike but still a very cool bike. Just sad that its so outdated. I wish they would update it.

[@MartinQuigley-b5s]

@@rsv4pilot114 personally myself I love the look and ride n power of the Fjr I find a lot of the new version bikes ugly looking yokes also bikes with only one tail pipe puts me off straight away and I prefer shaft driven bikes. I'm in Ireland it's wet n windy here today so I won't be out on the bike. Thanks for your reply to my comments. You sound like a sound good guy..

[@MartinQuigley-b5s]

@@rsv4pilot114 I almost forgot to menchion why do bike makers have their bikes so high off the ground from the saddle height majority of riders are of average height round 5,,7 to 5,,8 not 6ft.plus I'm round 5,,8 had to fit lowering dog bones on my bike I also fitted the motorrad handle bars riser n closer to the rider good job but I would like to b able to lower bike some more.

[@rsv4pilot114]

@@MartinQuigley-b5s Well, you know how it is. Everyone has their opinions and likes about bikes. I love all bikes, no matter what they are. I have my picks on what I would buy just like anyone else. I always say, get the bike you like and have fun. I still love the FJR, two of my friends have one and I have ridden them. Great machines.

[@rsv4pilot114]

@@MartinQuigley-b5s Good question. I am 5'9 and not had an issue flatfooting most bikes.

[@billbonu1639]

Dump gas oil or blow air in the hole and see where it comes out.might have to take the side covers off.if you dismantle that motor you're going to destroy it because anyone who did a valve adjustment without plugging all the holes should never take that motor apart.anyway pour something where it went in and see where it comes out and search there.

[@jarin12ga]

He said,He did that.Did you watch the video.

[@Wabbit1961]

And that's why I like motorcycles that have lock nut adjustments. Why most use shim is purely a scam to discourage the home mechanic. Hope the problem is solved.

[@MILLSY768]

It's not a scam dont be so paranoid. Lifters are a better design than rocker with nut adjustment, faster rpm and less space taken

[@brandonhindmarsh4353]

I did this on a Kawasaki z650 parallel twin. Dropped shim down timing chain side. Fortunately I just had to drain oil and remove clutch side cover. Found the shim wedged under bottom of timing chain. I scared myself silly with that mistake!!!

[@rsv4pilot114]

Yikes. That is very scary. Glad you found it

[@jimberger7362]

VALVE INSPECTIONS ON THE FJR ARE AT 26,000 MILES BUT IF RIDDEN CONSERVATIVELY AND FREQUENT SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES THAT INSPECTION WILL TURN OUT TO BE ONLY AN INSPECTION AND NOT AN ADJUSTMENT.

[@rsv4pilot114]

Yeah. His first bike turned out to be just an inspection. This FJR needed adjustment.

[@cliffmassop9791]

Hope you solved the problem. Otherwise you might try to let down a small fishing hook, with a little magnet to increase the weight... Fishing time..

[@rsv4pilot114]

Yes. And I did an update video on what happened. Hope you check it out. Thanks for watching

[@0n596]

Well done! But -- How to prevent such disaster??

[@rsv4pilot114]

Thanks very much. Cover all holes where you dont want a shim to go. My friend learned this lesson the hard way. He knows now though.

[@0n596]

@@rsv4pilot114 Tks, that is always a good idea!

[@Snowmonkeypablo]

Whats the mileage on bike?

[@rsv4pilot114]

@@Snowmonkeypablo at the time we did the valve check, it was right at 26k miles

[@michaelperkins5746]

11yr old 31500 mls no probs just change the oil every 3500 mls job done

[@paultanton4307]

Mmm that's a bit of a Conundrum - is the Owner 100% sure that the Shim actually Detatched from the Bucket,did he Double Check it ? .I think id go with your Idea - Cam's out,Head off and check From there.

[@rsv4pilot114]

Yeah. He is sure. I posted an updated video on what ended up happening. Thanks for watching and hope you subscribe.

[@paultanton4307]

@@rsv4pilot114 Cool,just watched Videos 2 & 3 ,Glad the Problem was Resolved.

[@rsv4pilot114]

@@paultanton4307 Thank you

[@garydinn8793]

Rig up an external oil pump and pump oil down that drain passage. Easier than trying to run the engine just to build up oil pressure.

[@rsv4pilot114]

Well we were able to find it. It all worked out.

[@yamaharider8014]

Sounds like some expensive learning going on. That's why I let professionals do that stuff. I'm not trained to do it...👍😺

[@rsv4pilot114]

It worked out. Just a huge pain. A small error on the part of the bike owner. But fortunately, we were able to correct the issue.

[@madheadmadDAZ]

Did you get this sorted?

[@rsv4pilot114]

Yes. I posted another video on the end results. Thanks for watching

[@ahbrian]

it is very suprised Yamaha FJR1300 still not using hydraulick oil valve lift system yet. Still using Shim is very old technology. Disassemble engine every 10000 ~ 20000 miles is very dumb idea. I was almost ready to buy FJR13000, but I will not buy this bike because this bike still using engine that require to disassemble engine that offten.

[@rsv4pilot114]

I agree. But a lot of bikes use that technology. And here in the US market, Yamaha has one of the longest service intervals. Some manufacturers are as low as 7500 miles. Yamaha calls for 26000miles. So in the grand scheme of things, it's not that bad.

[@ahbrian]

@@rsv4pilot114 thank you for your reply. Do you know any similar touring bike that are using hydraulic valve clearance adjuster?

[@rsv4pilot114]

@@ahbrian Unfortunately I don't. As far as I know, they all use the shim and bucket system. Maybe Ducati Multistrada. Problem with them is that the Valve adjustment is way more expensive than Yamaha and I think their adjustment is less than 26000 miles. I would still suggest the FJR. My only issue with the FJR is that it is very outdated. There are other bikes in the same category for similar prices if not cheaper and you get far more options and features. FJR is a great bike but I would not buy one because of how outdated it is. I also heard rumors that they are discontinuing the FJR.

[@anonymouscommenter801]

@@rsv4pilot114 what other good bike options are there that have more features for the same price?

[@rsv4pilot114]

@@anonymouscommenter801 The Versys1000, Tracer 900GT (cheaper), KTM1290 Adventure, BMW1260GT, all around the same price if not cheaper. FJR is too outdated. Other bikes now have ride modes, and TFT displays among other features. For $18K, FJR is too much.

[@sl077766]

Whenever I see an advert for a used bike that says "serviced by me", I always leave the bike well alone. Too many people spend a lot of money on a motorcycle and are complete scrooges when it comes to maintenance!

[@rsv4pilot114]

I agree. Good thing is the owner of this bike maintains it well. He just made a mistake. But he is also not a mechanic. And after the mistake was made, he brought it to me and we got it resolved. It all worked out in the end. But yeah, a lot of people don't do the maintenance or the way it's supposed to be done.

[@kurt-kq7se]

I used to be a mechanic in a multi franchise dealer, long ago before a substantial career change. I had a dealer service my current bike once and then I had to service it properly afterwards. Consequently I do all my own maintenance, and photograph as I'm going along. A bike serviced at home by a competent person is much better looked after than one that goes into most dealerships for maintenance, because they don't have the time to do everything, or the customer won't pay for things like routine head bearing or swingarm pivot lube jobs so it gets left. Of course the problem is working out who is competent to look after their own bike, and who should have their tools taken away!

[@rsv4pilot114]

@@kurt-kq7se So true!

[@stickyfingers9016]

Personally I would have turned the engine by hand via the back wheel,slightly rocking it back and forth.

[@rsv4pilot114]

I guess that would have been a good option

[@chrstphrm]

Sometimes the Simple Thinking-Out-of-the-box Solution is best. If it fell in with gravity, it should fall out with gravity. Try this. [ ] Drain all fluids. [ ] Hoist Bike by wheels so it is hanging upside-down over a white sheet. [ ] Shake a little and/or lightly tap on engine with rubber mallet. This may sound crazy, but with the hoist and a few good men, this could be accomplished.

[@rsv4pilot114]

We ended up getting it out. I think the next video explains it. But that was a thought

[@MartinQuigley-b5s]

Having a shim lost in an engine that is a real bummer would be a real Pain if u went to the bother of taking engine apart and still not find the shim.

[@rsv4pilot114]

No kidding. Thankfully we found it and it worked out. But we got very nervous.

[@scottygdaman]

You're the only one ? Drops a shim cant find if broke his scope.. Maybe time for 4 wheels. Might be scored in at an angle . I've heard?? Freezing that cylinder Will might free things up.