AE computer control clutch

[tmarshall]

Has Anyone ever heard of someone converting a AE to a manual clutch system?
Thom

[ngarider]

Step 1: Sell AE.

Step 2: Buy normal bike

Step 3: Take all your FJR buddies out to strip club with the savings.

[WellsJ]

Step 3: Take all your FJR buddies out to strip club with the savings.

Sounds like a plan.

[HotRodZilla]

Has Anyone ever heard of someone converting a AE to a manual clutch system?
Thom

Someone over on FJRForum started doing it once, or was at least looking into it pretty seriously. I think the idea may have died after running into the issues Dom alludes to in the post above. There was definately a thread started, but I think the OP either ran out of steam or money. Either that, or he had to sell his computer to pay for the conversion and never told us how it ended.

It seemed like a lot of work and expense that would be solved by a simple trade-in.

[Stewart]

It might be a tough trade. Around these parts dealers are selling AEs cheaper than the real bikes.

[ScottyUSN]

The Cheap AE's days are numbered. Curious to see what happens when supply becomes lower than demand with no more planned distro state side.

Yamaha went from flooding the market to zero. Both are mistakes if you ask me... But then again I'm a happy owner

[HotRodZilla]

But then again I'm a happy owner

As it seems are the other 98% of people riding AEs. I wonder what's gonna happen when they start looking for new bikes. Finding an unhappy AE owner is usually pretty hard.

[ScottyUSN]

As it seems are the other 98% of people riding AEs. I wonder what's gonna happen when they start looking for new bikes. Finding an unhappy AE owner is usually pretty hard.

I probably would not be an AE owner if not for the price savings that was involved with the bike. I would/will have no issue with with returning to a clutch. I do miss the clutch at times (normally coincides with runs that produce low gas mileage).

For those who have physical issues with hands or feet. It's my guess there will be more clutchless options in the near future, as well as a lower numbers return of AE's to the US market for 2011/12 models. Which will result in a higher price tag for the buyer.

[old rice]

Mine is great. Took out my FZ1 yesturday and concentrated on just shift times for comparison and I have to say once you get dialed in on the AE it is hard to beat. I would like to see this on my FZ. To have all the shift duty at my finger tips in and out of the corners with my feet firmly planted on the pegs. Trick is to not use your thumb for down shifts. Just a tap from your index one way or the other. I don't see any need to roll off either. Very smooth. It's not a manual clutch so why try to make it one? It does things it's way so master that system. Any way many opinions and Yamaha makes some nice machines.

[ScottyUSN]

Trick is to not use your thumb for down shifts. Just a tap from your index one way or the other. I don't see any need to roll off either. Very smooth. It's not a manual clutch so why try to make it one? It does things it's way so master that system.

Curious as to why you do not use your thumb, other than techique only.

I find a smoother shift if I give the throttle a very slight rmp unload, always, but especially at high rmp shifts... Again technique only.

[old rice]

Curious as to why you do not use your thumb, other than techique only.

I find a smoother shift if I give the throttle a very slight rmp unload, always, but especially at high rmp shifts... Again technique only.

Well next time out look at the upshift position of your index finger. You tap it towards you. But to down shift your hand has to be positioned a bit off the grip and your thumb has to be at the right spot to push the down shift tab. I took awhile to get this down good and I still was fumbling at times and hitting the horn.
In my oppinion I was thinking about it to much slowing down my shift time and this made it kinda jerky. So I started to just position my index fore and aft of the upshift tab (keeps my left hand in the same position all the time with the same grip). I found that with just a lite flick of my finger I could shift up and down at will with hardly a thought and the shift was so fast that I could not feel any slippage at all when on the throttle with no throttle blipping. Now it has become so automatic in my mind it makes my other bikes seem barbaric in comparison. Just my way of doing it I guess. I only suggest giving it a try.
When you get behind a truck on a two way, just a quick flick to down one, twist, 110 easy around the rig, another flick one up and into the right lane, resume at regualr speed. Seconds. Geese I need to go riding right now!
I have yet to see a article on clutch wear. But I did notice that some of the reviewers were ripping it up with out throttle blip. I am still curious about it.

[ScottyUSN]

I will give the downshifting a try. Thanks for the info..

[HappyPuppy]

I find when I lean on the tank hard and drive my knees into the grooves my feet are toes pointed down and using the foot shift is easier and faster. Most of the time I don't use the finger flicker, just habit I suspect.

[old rice]

Has Anyone ever heard of someone converting a AE to a manual clutch system?
Thom

You have me curious as to why you would want to convert an AE? Are you having trouble with the trany or clutch?

[tmarshall]

You have me curious as to why you would want to convert an AE? Are you having trouble with the trany or clutch?

I was just wondering if anyone had done that, it seems that many like to modify there bikes; exhaust, seat, lowering.....ect.
As to the question of problems with the bike, none whats so ever, only have 2k on the bike, time will tell. Maybe the only thing I have a problem with is taking off, its not so fast off the line, but it makes up for it in its lighting speed shifting.

[wfooshee]

I think the original attempt was a guy that didn't really want the AE, but couldn't resist the price at the dealer.

[tmarshall]

I think the original attempt was a guy that didn't really want the AE, but couldn't resist the price at the dealer.

Originally thats what attracted(and the yccs) me to the bike; it being about 4k lower than the normal, got a real good price.

[old rice]

I was looking for a YCCS also so I was feeling pretty good at the price when I found one.
Best of both worlds.
One other thing I really like about it. If you downshift too hard into a corner it won't allow the tire to break loose, sort of like traction control. Just the other day I was out around Moses Lake and got caught in a cold down pour and it worked like a champ.

[phil]

I also bought the AE because the dealer wanted to unload a leftover (and unknown) bike, so the price was too good to turn down. I have now put over 20,000 miles on it, and have no reservations about performance or reliability. I never raced an A-model, so don't know about the launch speeds or shifting time. But I know it's great in traffic jams, and coming out of turns at speed. She's smooth and convenient.

[mcatrophy]

Well next time out look at the upshift position of your index finger. You tap it towards you. But to down shift your hand has to be positioned a bit off the grip and your thumb has to be at the right spot to push the down shift tab. I took awhile to get this down good and I still was fumbling at times and hitting the horn
...
I have yet to see a article on clutch wear. But I did notice that some of the reviewers were ripping it up with out throttle blip. I am still curious about it.

I agree about the finger flick.

As for clutch wear, as far as I can tell, they don't. Mine has done some 20000 miles, not all that many, but my clutch has been slipping for a fair proprtion of that time; about a third of my milage is slow speed inner-city stuff, crawling below clutch engagement speed.

Couple of days ago I did a clutch soak (pictorial documentation here). There was no detectable wear on any of the friction plates, even those that were running dry. (I didn't measure them, didn't look necessary.)
(Click on image for larger view)

[motorcycle-ed]

Great stuff, thanks a million for taking the time to photograph the work. Info like this is INVALUABLE!!!
Ed

[old rice]

I agree about the finger flick.

As for clutch wear, as far as I can tell, they don't. Mine has done some 20000 miles, not all that many, but my clutch has been slipping for a fair proprtion of that time; about a third of my milage is slow speed inner-city stuff, crawling below clutch engagement speed.

Couple of days ago I did a clutch soak (pictorial documentation here). There was no detectable wear on any of the friction plates, even those that were running dry. (I didn't measure them, didn't look necessary.)
(Click on image for larger view)

Nice to see some kind of documentation. Thanks for the report.

[ScottyUSN]

I agree about the finger flick.

As for clutch wear, as far as I can tell, they don't. Mine has done some 20000 miles, not all that many, but my clutch has been slipping for a fair proprtion of that time; about a third of my milage is slow speed inner-city stuff, crawling below clutch engagement speed.

Couple of days ago I did a clutch soak (pictorial documentation here). There was no detectable wear on any of the friction plates, even those that were running dry. (I didn't measure them, didn't look necessary.)
(Click on image for larger view)

Any noteworthy before and after posting since the plate soak?

[mcatrophy]

Any noteworthy before and after posting since the plate soak?

Still a significant clunk from neutral into first.

All other gearchanges better, in particular 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st, which were usually clunky and grabby, now ssssmmmmooootttthhhh.

The requirement for how much and how quick throttle movement needed to be during a gear change was inconsistant. Now it is both more consistant and less fussy.

If the revs are wrong for the next gear (for example a WOT up-change), take-up is smoother (but no quicker).

As far as I am concerned, well worth the effort.

[old rice]

What got you started on that? Kinda new to FJR's is it 20K schedule? By the way thanks again.

[mcatrophy]

What got you started on that? Kinda new to FJR's is it 20K schedule? By the way thanks again.

No schedule, should be a "one-off" for those whose bikes need it, a small but significant minority.

Learnt about it from another forum, where it's been discussed ad nausium.

[old rice]

No schedule, should be a "one-off" for those whose bikes need it, a small but significant minority.

Learnt about it from another forum, where it's been discussed ad nausium.

Now it's all comming together.........Not that I was having serious problems but the juddering at real slow speed and occasional funkiness. Im up for a soakin.
Another thing is the 3000k synth rule my dealer insists on for real or can I just go with it at my first change?

[old rice]

Well going to yank the clutch today and see whats up in there will post results if wet or dry.

[mcatrophy]

Well going to yank the clutch today and see whats up in there will post results if wet or dry.

Good luck.

I'm away for a couple of weeks starting Thursday, so if I don't reply to any questions, it's because I'm not here. I'm going to the land of the FJR's birth,
but won't be visiting the factory.

[old rice]

Well going to yank the clutch today and see whats up in there will post results if wet or dry.

Inside and outside soaked but all the center discs were dry. Had a pic but having a bit of trouble with it. Same as other posts, obvious when you have it laid out. Soaked for 4 hrs, cleaned the plates and sync'd my throttlebodies. Wow what a diff!! Took it for a 100 mile run, highway and twisties lots of shifting and by the time I got home it was like butter. Like day and night on the down shifts and up shifts way better on starting off from a stop light. The adjustment on the FI made a big differance also. Much smoother engine. Makes me wonder about my 08 FZ1. Don't seem right at all but glad it is done on the FJR at least.

PS a bit of discoloration from heat on some of the metal plates (600 miles changed my oil and diff also) Next stop ...Synth at 2500. Oh and by the way I don't care what anybody say's AE's rock!! This is a serious machine. I am upset they are discontinued as of this year.

[old rice]

Inside and outside soaked but all the center discs were dry. Had a pic but having a bit of trouble with it. Same as other posts, obvious when you have it laid out. Soaked for 4 hrs, cleaned the plates and sync'd my throttlebodies. Wow what a diff!! Took it for a 100 mile run, highway and twisties lots of shifting and by the time I got home it was like butter. Like day and night on the down shifts and up shifts way better on starting off from a stop light. The adjustment on the FI made a big differance also. Much smoother engine. Makes me wonder about my 08 FZ1. Don't seem right at all but glad it is done on the FJR at least.

PS a bit of discoloration from heat on some of the metal plates (600 miles changed my oil and diff also) Next stop ...Synth at 2500. Oh and by the way I don't care what anybody say's AE's rock!! This is a serious machine. I am upset they are discontinued as of this year.

You can see the dark clutch disks that were lubricated and the center ones that were dry. This was after 600 miles. Glad I did it. Shifts like butter now!

[HotRodZilla]

You can see the dark clutch disks that were lubricated and the center ones that were dry. This was after 600 miles. Glad I did it. Shifts like butter now!

So, I gotta ask. Are the disks on the left the only things you soak, or are there other things? Also, how do you keep the disks in the right order while you are soaking them? Do you just stack them up and hope they don't get knocked around (I have kids) or is there some other high speed way I haven't thought of yet. I guess they could be numbered with a sharpie.

[old rice]

So, I gotta ask. Are the disks on the left the only things you soak, or are there other things? Also, how do you keep the disks in the right order while you are soaking them? Do you just stack them up and hope they don't get knocked around (I have kids) or is there some other high speed way I haven't thought of yet. I guess they could be numbered with a sharpie.

Could have kept them in wired together but the way I have them laid out it is easy to keep track. The metal plates and disks have a goo on them and need to be cleaned with solvent. I just used WD40.
I had 600 miles(1st change) on the engine so I just got an extra quart of the 20/50 I am useing till I put synth in next. I had a gallon plastic bag, wired the disks to keep them in order and dipped them in the oil bath.
Pretty much followed the instructions that have been posted except I didn't soak them over night. I did leave them in the bath for about 4 hr.s. Take it slow, take a pic or two for referance if you need. read through the instruction posts. I would suggest just getting it done start to finish and don't leave it lay around. I am going to do my FZ1 also just to be sure.

[ScottyUSN]

Rice, Thanks for posting your results. The more I hear, the closer I get to opening up the basket.

[ScottyUSN]

Hot, Did you see the pictorial referenced earlier in this thread. Lots of helpful pics to give one some confidence before disassembly...