Laminar Lip - How Good is It

This is a good time to write down my thoughts about the Laminar Lip that was recently mounted on the FJR. In a nutshell this is an awesome addtion for both me as the pilot and for MeAsWe as well.

 Over time one forgets what the Lip does. Our last one blew off just as we were leaving on a 4 day trip. That sucked. I now can ride with my shield in the up position, even at 80mph. While this might not be the smart thing to do, because bugs and debris can really hurt at those speeds, it does mean the Lip creates a pocket of still air right at that level.

With the helmet shield in the down position at speeds over over 50, the wind noise is much quieter and one of the biggest benefits of the Lip. Without it the noise was driving me bonkers.

Buffeting is all but eliminated at all speeds. Most noticeable is when I use to drop my left hand off the handle bars to rest the hand, the noise level and buffeting significantly increased. That has been eliminated.

MeAsWe says the wind and buffeting that occurred in the space between is gone. She also says the wind noise in the helmet is much quieter.

I suggest using the 3M anchors that Laminar provides and a plastic bolt and nut to mount it. My last one blew off the bike. Laminar will send the plastic bolt and screws if you ask.


This is a very worthwhile farkle for any rider. Laminar Lip can be obtained HERE . Pictures can be enlarges, simply click em.

Getting Ready - The Bike

Over the last couple of weeks I have done or had things doneto the bike (most were had done) to get ready for our trip.

Couple of weeks ago had the coolant and plugs changed out. The bike is just about ready to turn 20,000 miles.

 Last weekend changed the engine and final drive oil. (really the only thing I did by myself). Yamaha made these tasks very easy on the FJR.
Installed the Laminar Lip I bought in March to replace the one that blew off the bike last September on a cold morning. I think the 3m velcro anchors (the glue buttons) are susceptible to temperature changes. This time we also drilled and bolted the Lip on and used the anchors. Hopefully if it decides to try to let go, it doesn't take the whole windshield with it. The drilling went smoothly. First we (Giff and I) mounted the Lip and then drilled thru both layers (Lip and windshield). Laminar LLC suggested going slow and using a dull bit. We also backed the windshield with a block of wood, hence it was a 2 person operation.

This week the FJR got new shoes. I have been using Shinko Ravens since I got a FJR (on both the 2007 and the 2008) and decided why change when you like what you got. I believe the Shinks have a bad rap just because of the name and they are not Michelin, Dunlops or Metzler. This is my third set and based on performance and price they are the right choice for me. YMMV. The set I replaced had about 10K on them and they still had plenty of tread left, but not enough to go 5,400+ miles.

Had the brake and clutch fluids changed. The brakes reservoir was showing an amber to Coke-like color so it was time. The clutch could have gone for awhile longer, but it had to be changed eventually so might as well get er done now.

Giff, the owner of Trinty Auto and the mechanic that does all my maintenance to the FJR, also took apart the brake and clutch levers, cleaned up the contacts and pins, and lubed the pivot points, just because he heard them squeaking when he was moving the bike around and knew they needed some attention. Why I keep going back to Giff for my work. This is Giff owner of Trinity Auto.

Yesterday we took the FJR out to the NER Meet and Greet and everything is working just right. Now I could go out and wash the FJR but what would be the point. It is just gonna get real dirty in another week and I am not a big fan of washing my bike. It is meant to be ridden not looked at. Got some minor things to do, but the bike is ready to rockN'roll.

First Ride 2012

Today I was up bright and early to get the FJR over to Performance Cycle. It was due in the shop for the spider ground recall. If Performance discovers that the spider junction had a meltdown, they are required to take possession of the bike to replace the entire wiring harness. Mid February seemed like the appropiate time to have this checked out. Not quite riding season, so having the bike tied up a couple of weeks would not be a big deal.

Next thing to deal with is will the bike start. I did not put the battery on a tender this winter. There are different schools of thoughts on placing batteries on tenders. I went with the lazy method this year. So I wasn't caught by the short hairs, Friday night I went over to where the bike was stored, put the key in the ignition and watched the dash light up and listened to that familar whirl, the fuel pump energyzing. Pressed the starter button, 2 1/2 turns and the FJR is purring away. For this year, those that say new batteries don't need tendering for the few months they are stored were correct.

Organizationally getting ready to ride, especially the first few times, can be a bit challenging. Getting the riding pants on, then getting the jacket and the liner out of the closet. Placing the helmet and riding gloves on the table so I don't go down 3 flights of stairs, just to go back up because I forgot the helmet. Wallet and phone in the pants pocket, keys in the jacket pocket and put my glasses on. Walk out the door and hesitate briefly to see if I remember something I forgot. This generally doesn't work, but I still do it.

Next challenge is getting the FJR off the center stand. The FJR is just a bit taller than I am, so doing this for the first time in a couple of months can be a bit intimidating. Nothing would suck more than dropping if off the center stand and having the weight get a head of my strength and having the FJR tossing itself to the ground. I mounted the bike, got comfortable in the saddle and threw my stomach and hips forward to rock it off the stand. Plunk, my feet (or should I say my toes and balls of my feet)are firmly planted, the FJR is vertical.

I had MeAsWe help push me out of the garage, like I always do when having to back up some distance. Why get all out of breath, toes slipping out, when a small push works so effectively. This operation goes smoothly, especially cocking the handlebars to one side to turn the bike around to face the street.

Being the first ride of the season, usually has me readjusting to riding. Clutching isn't always that smooth, feet placement and stopping needs to become habit again, and just plain ole riding. Today was alot different than prior years. It was as if I had been riding thru out the winter. Everything just seemed to flow.

Next problem to knock off is to head for Giff's to check the air pressure in the tires. They have been sitting for 3 month now. I checked the rear and it read 29#'s. I didn't bother checking the front. Pulled into Bill's and he and his son, John, were polishing parts for the 80's Goldwing he is working on. Bill checked the front pressure, 39.5#'s, perfect. Some air in the rear brings it up just over 40 and we are good to go.

All done at Bill's, I finally headed out for Performance. It is brisk this morning, probably somewhere in the mid 40's. Performance is probably 15 miles away, not far, but enough to set in a chill to the core. Keeping my speeds down so I didn't start the season with a performance cerificate (speeding ticket) made the cripsness a non-issue. As I progressed to RT 140 and then turning onto RT 20, I was able to open up the FJR a bit. Not a hint of coldness, not even around the neck or fingertips. Onto RT 9, and I probably hit 70 or so, still no hint of the coolness. The ride ended all too soon, the entrance to Performance came much to quick. A right turn and parked the bike right in front of the service bay.



I always go upstairs to see what Performance has on the floor. The had 1 FJR, which I believe was there last season.



Then there was this gorgeous green ZX-14.



Performance had the bike for a couple of hours and we headed back over to pick it up around 2pm. Harness work is all done, no spider meltdowns. MeAsWe is not feeling too good and is headed back home to rest. I decided to take the long way home and spend a couple of hours just riding around, grabbed a chili at Wendy's and stopped in to visit some friends before heading back home.

All in all, this is the best start of the season ride I have ever had. With the angels looking over us, hopefully this is an incident free season. I am passionate about riding again.

A Ride

It is not often that I ride to work because I don't particularly want to think about the traffic, the lights, the cars coming from the right and left, the school buses and I don't really have to worry about the weather either. Today my car is in the shop for new tires and brakes, so I took the bike to work. I have not ridden in about a week and half either.

First experience was starting up the FJR and hearing its purr. No coughing, no sputtering, just a nice constant purr. The first smile.

Pulling out of the driveway where I live can be a real challenge. First are the cars that park close to our entrance so they block the view of on coming cars. Second is the traffic. Most of the time there is enough of it, that you need to be cautious. This morning no car parked on our side of the street blocking any views, no traffic. I simply was able to pull out of the driveway and hit the road. The second smile.

Right turn onto Hartford Ave and I find myself accelerating and having to back off of the throttle. I am sure I was doing 50 in a most certainly a 35 and most probably a 25. The temperature is 63 and should be a bit cold, but it seems much warmer than than indicated. First stop sign no traffic and ease on thru the intersection. Hit the first traffic where RT 16 meets Hartford Ave. There is quite a bit and the line forms for getting thru the stop sign. For some reason it doesn't matter this morning. I have alot of patience and not in hurry to get any place.

Next foray is thru Bellingham making my way to I-495. A bit of traffic as usual, but no texters, sextexters, cell phoners, eye makeupers, combers that I see. Just people like me on the way to work and paying attention to the task at hand. No drama.

Right turn signal on, enter the entrance ramp to I495. One car in front of me, that is going slower than I want, but still making steady progress. We merge onto 495, my eyes looking forward, not looking to blast out into the second lane yet, after all I would have to look back and the car could all of a sudden brake. Eyes forward, we are comfortably merged and traveling the slow lane. I see my opening, in second gear, crank the throttle, 4, 5 , 6k 7k on the tach, slip into 3rd and move to the fast lane. Glance down and we are moving along at 90. There is nothing like the unbridaled power of a FJR. Smile number three for the morning.

Look down at the on board thermometer, its hoverng around 68. Almost perfect temperature for riding. Running in and out of lite fog, sun breaching the clouds and then covered back up, blurs of yellows, reds, auburns on the trees, fall is definitely in the air. Throttle back to a comfortable 70. Exits fly by, the road is smooth, traffic light and well dispersed. I start thinking of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. What a great day this would be to simply ride the road to somewhere and no where.

Pass I95 South then North, next exit is about 2 miles away and mine to take. Exit right, twist the throttle, shift to 4th. I could have downshifted without the clutch. Another blip and we are into 3rd. The exit is mine and mine alone. Shift my weight slightly to the right, drop my right elbow, push with the left hand and the bike falls right over into the decreasing turn. Throttle steady, engine purring, eyes looking thru the turn, no debris, no sand, just a smooth exit ramp. The ramp becomes a road and that road is straight marking the ride is almost over, well at least the good part. Smile number four.

As I pull into Subway for my Black Forest Ham, Egg and Cheese sandwich, I say to myself I really should ride to work more often. I am sure I had a smile on my face.

Somewhere over the Rainbow - Step 1 Execution

This morning we delivered the FJR to Rainbow Movers, which is Allied Moving in Franklin, MA. They will be transporting our bike to Salt Lake City, UT for pickup on 8/11/11. It was quite a relief to walk up this morning to see that the 2 parties's YoYo's in Washington have come an agreement on the debt ceiling and the National Parks should be open when we get there.

The FJeer has Landed

Went to lunch late today and there was a voice mail on my phone. Looked at the number and didn't recognize it. Listened and heard "This is Gary at Bailey's. Your bike has arrived and can be picked up at anytime"

Wow that was fast, I just got an email this morning telling me it left Chicago. I called Gary and told him it was not due there for another week and we will be flying in on the 9th and plan to pick it up then. He said that's perfect.

I then asked him if the bike is in good shape. He said I didn't see it, however the paper work does not indicate any problems or damage.

I said see ya a week from tomorrow.

FJR gets a new pair of Sneakers - Shinko

The FJR was approaching 19,000 miles and in need for a set of new sneakers. Coming up in September we have the beginning of your Silver National Park Tour starting in Salt Lake City, UT. It always seems that the big trips always start while I am part way through a set of tires. Not enough miles to throw them away, but not enough miles left to complete these large trips on them. It’s July and between now and August 23rd, we will put on around 5000 miles going here and there. The trip out west will be around 4,000 miles so trying to do the tour on these tires would put them at the limit of the tour of duty.

While the FJR is new to me, tires are not. I have run Dunlops, Michelin, Metzler and Bridgestones. Bridgestones came on both the FJR and Nomad and are not particularly well thought of in the cycle community, commonly referred to stones. I had a set of Metzlers mounted to the Nomad and IIRC they were better than the stones. Well I had a Stone on the rear because the Nomad has a weird size and didn’t have a comparable Metz. On the Connie I have had Dunlops and Michelin. Dunlops seemed to be a quicker handling tire than the Michelins. On the Connie the Michelin developed a vibration to the tires right around the 7K mark, however the tread seemed to have a ton a miles left in them. The vibration was so bad, I went with Dunlops as the preferred choice, even thou the Michelins seemed like they would provide more mileage. Added miles are useless if the tires just don’t feel good.

As a reader of the FJR Forum one tire had reared its name, called SHINKO. Just the name might keep some people at bay. The more I read about Shinko Ravens and given the situation I was in knowing I would replace the tires no matter what before going to Salt Lake City, what the heck I said I would give them a try. If I hated them the cost was not so large to make you get your money’s worth.

Michelin Road Pilot 2 for front and rear will cost around 453, including mounting. Shinkos will be about 296. Given the expectation of the Michelins to be about 9,000 miles, if the Shinkos go 5,888 miles it will be a push on cost.

First impression of the Shinko (keeping in mind I had Bridgestones mounted) are silky smooth. They turn into a corner quick and without surprises, kept their line thru the corners effortlessly, and instill confidence thru the corners. On the highway they tracked nicely, not effected by what the road throws at you. No bobbing or tracking unwanted lines that may be in the road.

The Stones seemed to have to be worked thru the corners forever wanting to stand the bike straight up. Shinko’s simply went where you wanted them to. Point them and they go. For now I am giving the Shinko’s an A. Time will tell if the stand the test of time.

Freakin Farkles for the FJR - The LIP

I am always comparing the FJR to the Connie. Hands down the FJR is faster, more powerful than a speeding bullet, able to wheelie in a simple twist of the write and will probably accumulate more performance certificates.

One area the Connie out shines the FJR is wind protection especially in front of the helmet around the face. I like to ride with my shield up, even thou it is probably more advisable to have it shut. Additionally on the Connie there is no helmet buffeting. Buffeting is caused by the swirling air around you and you get this feeling that someone is outside of your helmet, gently slapping you around. It is more noticeable at times; however I had come to accept this buffeting as part of the journey. All in all, the Connie stock windshield is simply superior to the FJR.

I frequent the FJR Forum to learn about this new bike of mine. Many of the threads are how to improve on Yamaha engineering. The FJR is also one of the bikes of choice for the IBR, so there is a wealth of farkling knowledge to be found on the internet.



I came across one post about a small piece of plastic that attaches to your windshield called the Laminar Lip. This is a piece of plastic that attaches to your windshield with those fasteners one uses to attach an Easy Pass to your car windshield. The solution is relatively cheap (as compared to ordering a whole new windshield) and installs easily with 2 people, one to hold the device on the bike while one marks on the other side of the existing shield where the little 3M buttons will go.



I installed mine over a Giff’s with his assistance (well maybe I was the assistant) and the recommendation is you let the buttons set up for 24 hours after precisely applying 20#’s of pressure for 1 minute. I don’t have a clue what 20#’s of pressure is and Bill let me handle that part of the installation as well.



Sunday was breezy so I have not fully tested the LIP, however first impression is I have the Connie windshield on the FJR. Actually now the FJR windshield is more effective, since it is adjustable. The buffeting is gone from the helmet, and I can ride with my shield up without any wind in the eyes. MeAsWe has also noticed a difference, especially if I move the windshield up and down.


Recommendation: Get one you won’t be disappointed. Cost, just under a HUNDO with shipping, YMMV. Where to order http://www.laminarlip.com/

FREE hit counter freestats.com

Epiphanies – Grand Schemes – Preparation ~ Lock and Load

Mosquito bites have a way of swelling up and this one was no different. As I was thinking about the FJR, it dawned on me I have a Kawasaki Nomad sitting outside that has been for sale since April. I have gotten calls and some people appeared excited by the prospect but as soon as I mentioned the bike has 48,600 miles on it, you would think it had AIDES or some venereal disease. The phone would go silent and then they would say, well I have a few more calls to make and I will get back to you. Over and Over and Over again.

The EPHINANY –I could trade the Nomad in on the FJR. Simple enough. The Nomad plus a little cash and Brockton Cycle would be happy, I would be happy, but I doubt this would have little effect on Middle East peace, or the war on terrorism. These will have to be solved at another time. I got some research to do

The GRAND SCHEME – Quick check to NADA and KBB (Kelly Blue Book) makes trading for my Nomad for the FJR very feasible. Quick search on the internet about FJR’s and I sign up on the FJRForum, start researching tip over bars, how to mount a Streetpilot GPS to the bike.

Now I am getting excited.

One problem, I have to ride the Nomad down there and a couple of weeks ago the battery died. I have to push the Nomad back to where I live from the Getty station. So I don’t run into problems I start researching where to purchase a battery from. Wow, batteries aren’t cheap, this sucker gonna cost a hundo (HD term for $100).

OK with paper in hand using the High Retail on the Nomad and the low trade-in value on the FJR, Brockton Cycle is going to owe me money. Quick call to my friend Steve to see what is a reasonable method for calculating high mileage deduction, since it is not spelled out on the NADA / KBB. He says $.10/mile. Ouch. The Nomad for the year and CC’s is supposed to have 25K and it has 48.6K, quick math $2,300 mileage deduction.

The plan is to get a battery by Friday, put it in the Nomad and head to Brockton Cycle on Saturday the 12th.

PREPARATION – It’s Saturday the 12th, it is pouring out and I don’t have the battery. I am feeling a tad guilty about not going to Stowe for the NER Birthday Bash, but I do have this riding malaise thing going on.

Left the house about 9am heading for Auburn to the Interstate Battery store on RT 20. They have an exact much, however it needs to be energized (put the acid in it) and charge it up. Head to Upton to the garage to see if my battery tender will be go to go for a slow charge on the battery. Mark, John and Steve are there heading for the Rose Garden. I got time for one beer.

I left the Rose Garden about 3 hours later and still have the battery in the box. Home to N Uxbridge. Bring the battery up, take the battery out, read the instructions like 5 times, once in each of the languages (struggled with the Japanese ones, since I don’t know the symbols). Get the juice emptied into the battery (they actually make this very easy and minimize the chance of spilling the acid all over the place), wait the predefined 20 minutes for it to flow from tubes to the battery, and take the battery into the hall, hook up the battery tender, plug it in and go watch a movie

The next morning I wake to see the light on the battery tender has gone from yellow to green. Get out my meter, read the instructions on how to test, test it, PERFECT.

Downstairs with the battery and put it in the Nomad. Goes in like a charm. Get all the connections hooked up, turn the key on, WrrrBRRRRRR (the fuel pump winding up) and press the start, WrrrrWrrrrW rrr PudataPudataPudata, SUCCESS.

Brockton Cycle is closed on Sunday and Monday, I have a training meeting in Chicopee Tuesday, so Wednesday I will take the day off to perform EXECUTION.