Some assurance please

[iowabeakster]

Your baby is fantastic!

[Boxer]

I think Scotty understands about the gender thing. When he first came on board, with his profession what it is, he wanted to use the name "ILUVBONZ", but we quickly talked him out of it for the obvious reasons of possible misconstruations.

Now I ask..."Is misconstruation even a word?"

[Sander Abernathy]

They are collecting photos for the 2011 R1200R calendar on the R12R forum and I've been looking for a unique setting for my bike. If I drive my bike over can I pose it with some of the animals? I'm thinking of a Natasha Kinski pose if you have a snake big enough or we could put it on the center stand and let a gorilla sit on it eating a bannana.

[wncbmw]

That is absolutely a cool picture!

[John H]

I'll have to second the recommendation to consider doing some of your own basic maintenance, Richard - if there is any interest, give it a try. I was intimidated to try and do my own maintenance - "Its a mystical BMW, it's over my head, too precise, too technical - Agony!!"... Once you get your hands dirty a bit, you'll find that they are not mystical at all. Basic Fluid changes are easy, valve adjustments are actually fun and not difficult, even changing brake fluid is not difficult.

I'd be willing to bet there is someone in Memphis that would enjoy working side by side with you to guide you some Sunday morning. Just food for thought (oh-but how you'll feel when you KNOW that your valves are now properly matched - prrrrrr........)

Enjoy!!

[page62]

My first post: I just ran out to the garage and cut those zip ties. And I can understand why...

Thanks!!!

[marsdog]

There are a couple of small things to do to easily avoid the small hassles: replace the fuel disconnects with metal ones, and cut the zip-ties around the wiring harnesses on the horn bracket.

I replaced the Quick disconnects a while back, so glad I did, metal ones are so much easier to use... but what's the reason for cutting the zip ties? Thanks!

[marsdog]

Now, to the point of this post. I have NO mechanical skill. Zero, nada. I'm a zookeeper for heavens sake. Maintenance will have to be done by the local dealership or a reputable mechanic. I will retire in two years and although I will be able to afford routine maintenance, any major repairs would almost certainly be a serious hardship. I am aware that one of the main purposes of this forum is to post problems and look for answers so I accept that it is skewed in that direction. Still, after several weeks of visiting I'm beginning to wonder if the vaulted durability of BMW's might have been overstated. Thus the subject line of this post. I need some assurance that with proper maintenance and sensible riding (I use it for recreational riding only, no commuting and very little in town riding) I can look forward to several years of trouble free ownership. Yes, I know, all things mechanical can and will break, but I'm hoping that in the case of BMW's, that probability is low, very low. Comments on both sides would be sincerely appreciated.

_____________
Richard
Memphis, TN

Richard, FWIW, I went into this venture (New BMW Rider, and new rider for that matter) six years ago at the age of 43. In no way shape for form would I consider myself a mechanic for "wrencher" (at least not then). In fact, I had no intentions nada, of doing ANY work myself! Due to the sheer cost of dealership service, I slowly and tentatively began doing some of the simpler services... ie Oil Change. From there, confidence grows. I started lurking about boards such as this, buying maintenance books and gradually began to up the ante. Now, I do pretty much all my own service. The only thing I haven't had the nerve to do is flush the abs system. Once I year, or year and half, I do have it dealer serviced. I figure, if I messed something up along the way, they'd notice it and tell me. So far, some 50K miles and no major problems later, they haven't had so say a word, except to recommend replacing a throttle cable. Nowadays, I think I enjoy working on the bike, as much as I do riding on it!
What I'm saying is, if you're so incline, try something simple, like an oil change. You'll save a bunch of cash, feel real good about yourself, and who knows it, soon you might find yourself successfully wrestling the dreaded fuel pump into place after a fuel filter change! Good luck, have fun and ride safe! Nice bike by the way... a work of mechanical art!

[iowabeakster]

marsdog,

Those zip ties put to much tension on the wiring. After a while, they will sever one (or more) of the wires inside the bundles. It's happened way too many times to count. Cut them!

Trust the community that has seen way too many: turn signal problems, hazard light problems, intermittent bike shut down (from the kill switch wires), instrument cluster issues, heated hand grips problems...etc. Almost all of those problems, with the broken wires, were right at those darn zip-ties.

[marsdog]

marsdog,

Those zip ties put to much tension on the wiring. After a while, they will sever one (or more) of the wires inside the bundles. It's happened way too many times to count. Cut them!

Trust the community that has seen way too many: turn signal problems, hazard light problems, intermittent bike shut down (from the kill switch wires), instrument cluster issues, heated hand grips problems...etc. Almost all of those problems, with the broken wires, were right at those darn zip-ties.

Trust I will! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!