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BMW Bikes that are engineered to be ridden... just sayin'... |
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Schadenfreude and the Art of Regular Maintenance
Apologies to Mr. Pirsig (stop auto-correcting me Siri ) and his alter-ego Phaedrus. This one is a bit wordy, so take your ADD meds before reading.
One of the reasons I bought this Oilhead is the incredible amount of DIY maintenance information out there on these bikes. That and the RT (and it's cousin the K1200LT) are beautiful bikes to my eye. For those who don't know - the term "Oilhead" refers to the generation of Beemer (thanks Herr Mega) Boxer twins that were produced through the mid '00s. They also were the bikes that replaced the classic "Airhead" design. Anyhow, I bought mine with 32k on the clock and in pretty good nick cosmetically for a 12 year old bike. Tires had a slight bit of cupping but otherwise the Metzlers have plenty of life left in them. The motor pulls well, but ran a bit rough. I swapped the oil, flushed out the grey-green DOT4 in the clutch for new, clear fluid, put fresh gear oil in the shaft final drive too. Still need to replace the tranny oil and get an air filter. A bottle of Techron FI cleaner also went in the tank. All this done, and the motor seems happier. Some new plugs and a valve check are also planned. I did my research, knew what was going on, and rode out of there with the bike $100 over dealer cost. Last edited by Redleg; 07-16-2014 at 09:49 AM. |
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for James.
Oh, and it wasn't THAT wordy. I'm on drugs and was able to stay awake.
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Kimber |
#3
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One other thing about the oil change and the Techron. One of the long-term Oilhead owners on the BMWST forum suggested using the empty bottle as a funnel for the oil. Well, I did that but when I removed the bottle cap over the open oil filler hole on the left jug, the little paper gasket dropped in! I learned real quick how easy it can be to remove and replace the valve cover on this bike. Last edited by Redleg; 07-16-2014 at 09:48 AM. |
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Sounds like a fun time. The CHP ran with the RT1100/1200 for a few years. I rode a RT1100 over to the state fair one summer for display, after when we picked it up, the lookie loos had fiddled with every switch on it and the heated grips were on, I didn't know how to turn them off so it was either hot-hot-hot or hot-hot grips on a 100° day. But the new Harley's are costing half as much in maintenance now. Except the Harley haters who got their RT's replaced are not happy.
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Hi I'm Tom. Darned if I can remember anyone else's name. MDCGA The Road Goes On Forever... To Ride is Life... In search of the Doof 43. . . . ....... . . Colorado Motel Wreckers 2012 ... Midnight Riders of The Beartooth 2013... |
#5
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Ooooopsee
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Kimber |
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#7
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Schadenfreude and the Art of Regular Maintenance
Yep, knowing what you're looking at can save/make you a dollar or two. Good jorb, dere!
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Just another damn "Dave" Decidedly unpleasant, does not play well with others. Fluent in Pidgin Cigar Spanish. http://sherlynpopelka.net/ Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. *Usual manly disclaimer applies, if applicable.
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#8
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They were never built (certified?) as a police bike (the Cowie Connie) or package, the wiring is (was?) under "gage" for the demands of the lighting and radio system on some of them. Funny thing H0NDA made the ST1300P yet not once did they ever submit one for testing process, I think someone said because they (H0NDA?) didn't want the libility? We have been using, for some 6 or more years, all LED emergency lighting on the motor fleet. Which "I think" works much better than the old strobe stuff.
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Hi I'm Tom. Darned if I can remember anyone else's name. MDCGA The Road Goes On Forever... To Ride is Life... In search of the Doof 43. . . . ....... . . Colorado Motel Wreckers 2012 ... Midnight Riders of The Beartooth 2013... |
#9
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Thanks Boss. Will be paying a visit to the Mother Road tomorrow to make this bike official and stuff. Plus, no trailer will be involved in this 43 sign photo op. Not that anyone here would ever do that...
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Hey, congrats on doing your homework, and pickin' up on a screamin' deal!!!!!
Hope you enjoy you new scooter, and it serves you well for a good long time, and many, many miles!!!!!!
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Why yes, I am Randy, since you asked! just a big ol' Doof..... I MARRIED me a PIRATE!!!.... ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM
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Well done Sir!
(I just want to add that I sponsored this one...) |
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Ahhh, more maintenance on the Boxer. The craptacular standard battery that the stealer put in it died recently (7 months old.) So rather than dealing with removing the rear view mirror, 17 screws, and side panel again to get to the battery conveniently located under the fuel tank... ... I picked up an Odyssey gel battery from Batteries Plus.
Also went ahead and put new plugs in the jugs tonight. Apparently the previous owner did not believe in the application of anti-seize in the boots nor dielectric grease on the threads (or is it the other way around ) because there was no evidence of either having been used previously. Hell, that might have been how the did it. At least now I'm finally able to ride it again. But that's a story for another time.
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"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out there having fun on motorcycles. It makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen |
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When ya gonna ride it up this way. The Queen Size air mattress awaits your arrival?
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Tom "Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter."...Satchel Paige "Mother Nature may dictate I grow older but there ain't nothin' nor nobody can make me grow up." ..Me |
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Well my friend, there's a good chance that by this summer the lovely Dr. Mrs. DMD MPH MSD XYZ PDQ (she spent a LOT of time in school) and I will be living in a zip code closer to yours. Watch this space for further details.
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"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out there having fun on motorcycles. It makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen |
#15
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Me, on the other hand, I could stand across the street and it woulld magically make it's way into my open filler hole, sink to the bottom and disappear forever.
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------------------------------------------------ I know you think you understood what I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." [
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