New R1150R owner!

[ErikU]

Thought I should formally introduce myself before I start asking all kinds of dumb questions...

I recently purchased an '02 R1150R with 15,000mi that I found advertised on this board. After months of looking at and test riding bikes (a great way to spend the day) I finally settled on the R1150R. The styling is exactly what I want, and the used ones are in my price range. I looked at several, some good, and some not-so-good, then I saw the ad here. Though I live in Seattle and the bike was in KY, the owner sent me lots of pictures and answered all my questions. After a month of waiting, it finally arrived a couple days ago. What a relief! It was even cleaner than I thought it would be. It still looks nearly new!

While waiting for a month for delivery I read just about every post here, and as much tech info as I could find on the web. I ordered a BMW maintenance CD, purchased the Clymer manual, picked up a few specialty tools I didn't have, and went to the dealer for some maintenace items.

After riding the bike for a couple days I dove in to the maintenance today. Changed the oil, filter, plugs, trans oil, and installed a Kissan Signal Minder. I'll get to the brake and clutch fluid flush next week. I still have an air filter to install, but it looks like a big pain to get the tank off to do it...??

It is due for a valve adjust and TB sync, and I debating over whether I should get into that or not. Considering that I probably wont be putting too many miles on, it doesn't seem to make sense for me to buy the tools and learn the skill... the dealer wants $150 to do it, which doesn't seem bad.

Considering the mileage, is there anything else for maintenance I should be taking care of?

I'll post some pics when I get a chance. Now I need to de-winterize my old bike and get it ready to sell!

-Erik

[DJ Downunder]

Congrats Erik on the bike..and welcome...btw..mine is also an 02 model..and mines black which makes it faster.. ..what color is yours?

Re your question...

It is due for a valve adjust and TB sync, and I debating over whether I should get into that or not. Considering that I probably wont be putting too many miles on, it doesn't seem to make sense for me to buy the tools and learn the skill... the dealer wants $150 to do it, which doesn't seem bad.

If it was me I'd have it done..if not only for the piece of mind in knowing it's all ok.

Glad you got one that's been looked after and in good condition..mines almost 5 years old and people still say...."new bike hey..it looks good"..it makes me smile.

DJ

[Zanotti2]

Thought I should formally introduce myself before I start asking all kinds of dumb questions...

.

It is due for a valve adjust and TB sync, and I debating over whether I should get into that or not. Considering that I probably wont be putting too many miles on, it doesn't seem to make sense for me to buy the tools and learn the skill... the dealer wants $150 to do it, which doesn't seem bad.


-Erik

Welcome to the board, a great source of information. I would get the throttle bodies synced and the valves adjusted. It may not "need" it, but I find that it really improves the smoothness of the bike and drastically reduces vibration in the handlebars. Every time I get mine done, its like getting a new bike back.

Mine is a 02 Atlanta BLUE - tested and proven as the fastest color, just look at Doug's spec page!

Good luck, send photos ( and send Doug some cash for the board!)

Z

[AL]

Congrats. on your new bike choice. These bikes are very much at home on are N.W. backroads. I think i'd also get a service done for your peace of mind and just enjoy your bike. Oh and be prepared for alot of complements whenever you park and the hoards of woman if you happen to have gotten the Ferro color. Btw what kind of bike will you be selling?

[KHaynes]

Welcome Eric, You'll love the machine even more each time you ride it.

... the dealer wants $150 to do it, which doesn't seem bad. .....

The tools for doing the valves and throttle sync are not too expensive. If you do the job twice, you will have paid for the tools. As DJ said, you'll get the satisfaction of doing the job and knowing that the adjustments are precise.

[ErikU]

My R1150R is Black, non-ABS. I took it for a long and fun ride today, before the rain sets in again. I did notice a strange sound I could use some advice on... When decelerating hard, and coming to a stop headed downhill, I hear a loud clicking for a few seconds,... sort of like there isn't oil getting to the head?? (my oil is full and fresh). I also notice the same clicking for a second or so when I start up before the oil pressure builds,.. I assume this is normal?

BTW- I am selling an '81 Kawasaki KZ550 in mint condition. It is a ton of fun to ride, but I wanted something a little more modern. I love the BMW brakes and suspension!!

-Erik

[Just-Beeming]

ErikU

Welcome...glad you got out today. I took a long ride on my (04 Black R) bike today. Our weather here in the Portland area was glorious. We wound up out on the columbia gorge east of Stevenson Washington. A ride you must do!

I am new to the R myself getting my bike in January I have been waiting, waiting, waiting, for nice riding weather. Even resorted to a few rides innot so nice of weather. I have just a little more than 1000 miles logged on the bike and LOVE it more and more every time I ride it.

See you on the backroads!

Carol

[wncbmw]

Congrats on the new bike. I would probably either do the TB sync and valve adjustment or have it done, just for piece of mind. The valves shouldn't need too much attention after that.

Nice tastes in bikes. It is a great all-round machine. Enjoy!

[ErikU]

Riding the Gorge is high on my list for this summer! Probably cross over on highway 410 through the Yakima area and on down. Don't know about the return trip though, I'm not real enthused about I-5...

[motorbikemike]

What you are hearing when decelerating is the cam chain slap. This can be fixed! there is an updated tensioner. I think I have even read a post describing the entire install! Check the archives!
Congrats on your new ride! I also have a black 2003 r1150r non-abs.
I love her!

[zooomart]

Nice to hear your patience was rewarded with a great bike. Enjoy

[budH]

Erik,

Congrats on your new Roadster! You, Sir, have excellent taste in motorcycles!

AIR FILTER R&R - very simple. Fuel tank removal is not necessary. Your owner's manual explains how you remove I believe one rear bolt, raise the rear of the tank, and hold it up with the same bolt. You can then easily remove the old filter and insert the new one. (By the way, fuel tank removal isn't the chore I thought it would be. I replaced my battery and fuel filter recently. Biggest problem was cutting the single-use clamps from all the fuel lines going to the filter.)

VALVE ADJUSTMENT - tools required are very cheap. Most are in your Roadster's tool kit. Just pick up two sets of feeler gauges so you have two of each. Makes for an easier, more accurate adjustment. Also, download the excellent PDF file "Oilhead Valve Adjustment for Dummies".

THROTTLE BODY SYNC - very easy. You can purchase a tool to check this ($100 TwinMax) or make your own similar tool for about $10. Plus, you'll need a large fan to blow cooling air over the motor. Download a similar PDF "Throttle Body Sync for Dummies" (or something like that). I own a TwinMax and would gladly loan it to you if you were local. I'm sure you can find one to borrow out your way though. Have you concidered joining a local BMW oriented club?

CAM CHAIN TENSIONER - very easy. Your sound may or may not be the left Cam Chain Tensioner. You can replace it if the noise bugs you. I replaced mine recently with the newer style model ($50) that BMW now uses. My engine is much quieter. It was extremely simple. Detailed instructions are on this site but I found I didn't need to remove everything the author did. If memory serves, I believe a 17 mm bolt on the left cylinder, just behind and forward of the left throttle body, means you have the old style (stock tensioner). The new one is 15 mm I think - sorry, I'm at work now so I can't check. The tensioner on the right cylinder doesn't need replacement because it's inverted and therefore doesn't become oil starved.

I perform as much of my own maintenance as possible. Nearest dealer is 80 miles away. A 30 minute valve adjustment would be an 8 hour ordeal; 5 hours if I trailer. Plus, even dealerships can make rare mistakes... A forgotten fastener, etc. - I figure I can make those same errors for free. The time and money saved, plus the fact that my Roadster is actually fun to work on, means I have more time and money to go riding. Ease of valve adjustment was just one aspect of many that attracted me to a boxer-engined motorcycle.

[ErikU]

Thanks for the great tips! After looking over the BMW CD and the Clymer manual I never even thought of looking in the owners manual to see how easy the air filter change is. Done!

I'm sure it's the left cam chain tensioner I hear. The only time I hear it is on the left. Oddly I've olny heard it during startup, or after a hard stop while going downhill. I do have the 17mm bolt, so it is the old one. I'll get to it at some point, but I'm not too worried about it.

I lucked out and had another dry day to do a little riding. It hasn't taken me too long to appreciate the torque of the boxer twin,.. what a fun bike! Now I just need a heated jacket liner so I can ride longer.

[Just-Beeming]

ErikU
I have a heated vest. It makes ALL the difference in the world. Gone are the days of not riding because of marginal warmth. (although I still don't like to ride if it is under 50)
I purchased the BMW vest....it was about 250.00 but has meant the difference between riding and staying home. I strongly recomend it for our area...as well as, well, you guessed it...RAIN GEAR



When I was out on Friday and Saturday I turned the vest on to low. I doubt that It was absolutely neccessary, but it kept me toasty. That heat loss and struggle to keep warm takes my energy and my attention...two things I need to be safe out there.

Carol

[greer]

Hey Erik,

Glad the bike is working out. There's a Gerbings liner for sale on ibmwr for $100. Buy new, buy used, buy whatever, because heated gear is worth every penny.

Sarah

[Airman]

Just-Beeming,

I also live in the Seattle area. I found that my need for electrics was the Gerbing heated gloves first. I'd get in those real damp cold rides and my hands would freeze in spite of the heated grips. No problem now. I think for the longer rides I'm going to buy the jacket liner. I had one winter morning where I realized that if I had to continued riding that morning there would have been some major core heat loss. That was the first time I had ever realized the danger of that type of heat loss. In the Northwest you can ride all year with a few select items from Gerber, eh ? And Goretex of course.

[Just-Beeming]

Erik U and Airman
Do you ever get to the monthly talks at the South Sound BMW dealer at Fife? They have been on Thursday nights but I hear they are moving to Saturdays. We make a night of it and drive up. They have had some really nice speakers with interesting tales.
Unfortunately Portland only has one BMW dealer...they are good folks but they are not a dedicated BMW dealership. So it is worth the trip for us.

I have not had cold hands with the heated grips and water/wind proof gloves....but I admit that I do not go out for any length of time if the temp is below 50.
You betcha on the danger of heat loss. I have never pushed it to extreme but I have had times that it took me hours to warm up.
I now wear insulated gortex pants, insulated boots, wool boot socks, Heated vest and rain slicker over my leather.

Gortex is exciting......in the Northwest is equivalent to lingerie.

yep!
Carol

[ErikU]

Here is the long over due picture of my new ride...



I have sort of chopped the rear fender. Not all the way though, I left enough for the screw for the spray flap to go back in. I'm not sure if I will ever use it, but it's nice to know that I could.

I have ordered the left cam chain tensioner and hope to install that soon. I did buy a heated jacket, what a difference!!

-Erik

[DJ Downunder]

Beautiful pic...beautiful bike...you've taken it from the best angle..IMO.

DJ

[Just-Beeming]

Great picture Erik.
I'd call it Breathless in Seattle!