Tech Session #2 in Gainesville GA . . . June 27th

[Beemeridian]

11

[DMM]

Rob,
The quick-disconnects, 8 EFI clamps, and oil rings and clamps arrived (ordered the items from boneyard per your last PM). Looking forward to the weekend. Friday's drive down may be a bit wet, but we'll see what we get.

[patino]

Hello Rob,

The newest, and first 2 wheel addition to my family is an '02 r1150r. So far, the only thing I know is that it's fun to ride, but I'd like to learn more. Do you have room for one more?

[CycleRob]

Yes, PM me your home phone and E-Mail address. Where are you coming from?

[Moore4u]

Sure would love to get over there for a Tech day and a visit back to North GA. I used to live off of Brown's Bridge Rd. Some of the best Scenery around up towards Suches. Anywho...No way I could come, seeing how I am on my second vacation to Iraq right now, so be sure to post on the aftermath so I can read in envy. I am trying to talk my wife into going camping up that way when I go on leave. I don't know which is the tougher battle...

[CycleRob]

Saturday nite and it's over. I found out from the 2nd PM from patino that he was the new owner of my old bike. Joined my TS only to realize afterward I was the former owner.

The group consisted of:
takemeaway (Lori) on her Black ABS R1200R
Beemeridian (Dave1) on his Red dual spark non-ABS R1150R
DMM (Dave2) on his Silver dual spark non-ABS R1150R
patino (Michael) on his Sunburst Gold single spark non-ABS R1150R

With 4 in the group I thought things would go faster, but we ran out of time after 6pm. That was with a 10AM start. Since Dave1 & Dave2 are staying over for a second nite, we were able to check/adjust the TB synch on the silver bike afterward. A lot of little important details I take for granted were noticed and remembered. Greasing the oil cooler rubber grommets and the oil cooler cover's plastic posts for easy insertion without popping the grommets out of place, ziptieing the QD cover pin's rubber grommet to it's holder bracket, removing all the bodywork washers after removing the screws so they won't walk away. Other times, the proper use of tools or introduction to other unique tools. Some of the (nameless) participants were awkward and clearly doing things for the first time. They will improve with practice and that's why they rode 1 or many hours this morning. To learn, understand and actually DO things themselves (with coaching). There's nothing like DIY. Think about something as easy as tying your shoelaces. You can do it in under 4 seconds while someone that has never done so is amazed at what was just witnessed. The difference is practiced simple movements that look like an absolute miracle to the inexperienced. That is what seemed to occur when I demonstrated the valve adjustment the easy way on 2 intake valves in about 30 seconds. Bim-Bam-Boom, both clearance set correctly with rapid familiar movements. Explaining the technique of counteracting the locknut's loosening or tightening torque with the Allen wrench and when needed traveling with that still snug locknut to get to the correct tighter or looser clearance adjustment setting. Michael picked it up quickly (like he has done this before), while most the rest were still tying their shoes. I described the alternative methods that any decent mechanic knows is a waste of time or potentially damaging to costly parts who's replacement is an hour's drive away. NO OPEN END WRENCHES on anything but the throttle cable locknuts. Flare nut wrenches where box wrenches cannot fit. Calibrating their human hand torque wrench on rockerarm locknuts. I believe it was Dave2 that mentioned you cannot learn these things (as simple as they are) from a book, a picture or a movie.

Then we tackled replacing the QD's with the Omega's from Beemer Boneyard. We went the practical route by cutting the frozen on fuel lines right at the old QD's (to which they were unbelievably bonded to), removing the shorter downstream rubber fuel lines and replacing them with ~1.5" longer new EFI hose. That way, we only needed a 12" length of new hose. I arranged the new EFI screw&nut clamps so their protrusions caused no problems but had to reorient 2 of the 8 clamps on the final hook-up. Turned the key on/off repeatedly checking for fuel leaks. None! Lori's 15MP SLR camera was flashing the whole afternoon, so we will be seen.

Somewhere in there we quit for lunch. Grilled Ham & cheese sour dough sandwiches. Mild chili made Thursday nite that was now almost famous with the cheddar cheese shreds and/or sour cream toppings. Wow! Lori's corn bread and chocolate chip chocolate flavored cookies. This meal alone IMHO was worth the modest entry fee!

Back in the hot garage, surprisingly the DOT4 fluids were new looking like they were just changed. The clutch needed a little topping off after the official new BMW bleeder screw replaced the hostile OEM production line slug. The air filter lid's tabs were trimmed to ease servicing the airfilter without lifting the fueltank. The diagnostic plug was relocated. The heated grip's right side internal wiring was given more slack - - - it was too tight and rubbing on the sharp internal edge. The front harness zipties were cut and the horn's power terminal spun around out of the way of the wire harnesses movement.

Those are the things that come to mind quickly. There were more. Things the dealer does not and will not do.

Then the group thinned out, the residents took their showers and we (+wife Ann) went out to dinner, courtesy of our housemates Dave1 and Dave2.

What a day!! It thundered and the wind blew, but no rain fell. A good time was had by all and Dave2's bike got most all the wrongs made right. My dog Sadie got pet so much, but still barked at them when she thought it was appropriate. Everyone got a return invitation when needed. They even know the way now too.

.

[takemeaway]

Thank You Rob!!! The technical session was very informative with all of the little tips and tricks that you and everyone else had to share. You know so many of the little things to watch out for on the R1150's!!

The company was great and the food was wonderful. Thank you for opening up your house, garage and knowledge base. Wish I could have seen the transmission and FD servicing. Try to catch that the next time around.

Thank you to everyone for putting up with the camera intrusion. I did still learn lots...the camera was for "documentation". I will get some posted as soon as I can sort through and convert them.

Hope to see you all on the road in the future!

-Lori

[DMM]

It was a long but worthwhile trip. Once again, my thanks to Rob and Ann for your hospitality and tutelage. Dave 1, thanks for your company on the way down. I hope that you are currently enjoying the rest of your trip. It was also good to meet Lori and Michael.
Rob quoted me correctly. Doing this with someone who knows how to do it is the best way to learn. I can read good directions and follow them well, but I've found that plenty of the instructions for working on a bike omit certain details. It's the details that make all the difference.
Thanks, also, for the detailed instructions on replacing the starter motor - my next project.

[takemeaway]

@DMM: How was the ride home? Were the valves all correct since we all had our hands on them? (But always under the watchful eye of the teacher. )

[DMM]

The bike ran beautifully, Lori.
As to the promise from the mechanics who looked over the bike before I bought it, their estimate of 1-2 years left on the starter, may be accurate, but it's sounding worse and worse with each passing day. Cold starts, naturally, are the worst.
New Valeo on order from Beemerboneyard and installation to be completed within a week.
Though I have heard that there's also a Bosch starter. I'll have to look into which is considered the better option.
Thanks for sharing the photos.

[CycleRob]

DMM,
That was the worst sounding OilHead starter I've ever heard. When they sound like that, the armature segments of the commutator are worn down, melted and smeared together. The starter is drawing a LOT of Amps on startup and it's future lifespan is very very short! That massive current draw is hard on the battery, especially when it doesn't start right away. I recommend you park it on a hill until the new one is installed.

[patino]

Hi all,

It was a pleasure meeting all of you on Saturday, and getting to know my bike a little better. It was a nice surprise to find that my bike's previous owner was Rob, and I could rest assured knowing it was very well taken care of, to say the least.

Too bad I had to skip out early, but I had to make it back home in time for my own party, for which I was late (heavy rain slowed me down a bit).

I will most certainly participate in any further tech sessions, and would have liked to return on Sunday morning to see Dave II's 12k servicing completed if it weren't for that wicked headache...

[DMM]

DMM,
That was the worst sounding OilHead starter I've ever heard. When they sound like that, the armature segments of the commutator are worn down, melted and smeared together. The starter is drawing a LOT of Amps on startup and it's future lifespan is very very short! That massive current draw is hard on the battery, especially when it doesn't start right away. I recommend you park it on a hill until the new one is installed.

Per worst sounding OilHead starter:
The new Valeo starter arrived yesterday. I'll be replacing the old one this week. Since the return trip, the bike has been in the garage. I hadn't wanted to abuse the starter and battery (especially the battery) by continuing to ride it. Looking forward to changing it out and getting on the road again.