BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Trying to follow the thread on the throttle body sync http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=11098 has me scared to even attempt the procedure on my own.

I know some dealerships hold 'tech days', but not mine. And I think I read somewhere one time that there have been "tech sessions" held in the past at a couple of Bash's for a couple of hours. But I've not heard of them lately, so.......... I'd like to propose a Tech Day/Weekend, and I'm bringing up the idea to see if there would be any interest in something like this. I'd be happy to organize it or help organize it, if there is enough interest.

Concept
A weekend where 4-5 (or more) members from this board with an expertise in a specific area would demonstrate/teach different maintenance, modification, and repair procedures. The sessions could be arranged and ordered so that you could ideally attend several, and they could range from simple procedures to the more difficult procedures.

Location: I would defer to the preferences of those who were willing to teach the sessions. However, if anyone wants to offer up their home/garage/drive for a weekend like this - then that would be great!

Cost: Probably, yes, there would be a minimal fee to help defray the cost for those willing to instruct/demonstrate and for food/drinks provided during sessions. But think of all the money you can save if you learn how to do your own maintenance! I paid $375.00 to the dealership for my 12,000 mile service.

Date: Again - I would defer to the preferences of those who were willing to teach the sessions. But here are three ideas:
a) if it is before/after riding season (for those of you who have a riding season) then the weekend is pretty much dedicated to technical stuff instead of riding. Personally, I would have a hard time choosing between riding or learning how to do a throttle body sync, so if the option of riding is out, ........ then I'll learn the throttle body sync.
b) whenever possible for the "instructors" - even if it is during a riding season. The sessions could be scheduled for early mornings and evenings with rides in between.
c) Pre or Post Annual Bash or another gathering from this board. For example, if the Bash starts on Friday and ends on Sunday a.m. - then the Tech sessions could be Thursday or Sunday.

I can think of several maintenance things I'd like to learn to do, and seeing it demonstrated or coached through it would save me a lot of headaches and time. HOWEVER - If I'm the only one who sees the benefit of such a weekend and needs it, then disregard all of the above and I'll just hire a tech to come teach me the stuff I want to know.

Some of the things I'd like to see demonstrated before attempting to do by myself:

Throttle Body Sync
Fluids changed (besides the oil - I learned that one already)
How to Fix a Flat Tire (I don't want to learn this one alone on the road)
Quick Disconnect Mod


Any interest?

Gypsy,

I'd be game for that! I've already done the Q/D's on my bike and done the throttle bodies a few times. Valves are pretty simple too. I've never plugged a tire using the BMW kit before but I understand how it works. I can find a used motorcycle tire to demo on if we wanted. I don't know how far you are from DFW but I would hope we could find some people interested and find a good central point to congregate at. I've got access to a home/shop (my parent's place) here in North Texas, if we wanted to push back a month and a half or so. The joy of these bikes is being able to work on them yourself! Why else would BMW put the center stand in a location that will balance the bike perfectly!

Maybe we can hold a smallish Q&A session during the November ride?

I'm lucky because one of my local dealers (Bob's BMW) has them (at least they used to) and my local club holds at least one just about every month. We have some very well accomplished home mechanics in our local club.

GypsyRR

I'll volunteer to teach a session or two while in the US. I have the garage, a bike lift and all the required tools. There will not be a charge for the session and it can even be videotaped for use by others. The only catch is that it will have to be in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

BTW, during both Bash I and Bash II, I conducted impromptu sync sessions for the attendees, CycleRob helped with the Bash II one. I truly believe that the more you are familiar with your mount the better the riding experience........

Gypsy,
Get yourself over to the Two Wheeled Texans forum (TWTex.com - you should already be a visitor there anyway, if you want to keep up with m/c happenings in Texas - nice bunch of folks over there as well) and look up a guy named "Hetkind". He lives in Canton, Texas - about 60 miles east of Dallas - owns a Rockster, and he regularly runs tech days at his place. VERY worthwhile for you to make the short trip up there, he covers exactly the things you are looking for. You can PM him and ask when his next session will be. Maybe you can even manage a visit to the famous First Monday trade days in Canton while you're in the neighborhood.

I think it's a great idea, it's just that I am in New York (or at least that is where MLW and my R are). If I could talk her into it a ride as far South as Texas or Louisiana would be a blast. Please keep us up to date as details evolve.

Thanks,

DLS

Perhaps there will be one associated with the Bash that Scottybooj is putting together next May in the NORTH for those of you up there.

There seems to be more willing to teach than those who need it, and I must be the only one in the south who needs some coaching. If that is the case, then I'll just hook up with a group or at a gathering or with a board member and get some coaching on the specific things I'm interested in learning.

A bunch of us in IL. WI, and IA are trying to set one up in the NW Chicago suburbs too. Here's a link to the MOA thread:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19142

Is there anything in works for spring '11?

It was not mentioned here, but after the Ozark Arkansas Bash rides on 11-2-2007 we had a Saturday evening & Sunday morning quickee tech session where I changed Kristi's QD's to the durable chrome plated Brass ones, guided her thru the valve adjustment on her bike Pic-1 Pic-2 and synched the TB's. Boxermania and I believe Boxer also assisted with the wrenching Saturday evening. Somewhere in there also changed some brake fluid Pic-3 and one R1200 type left side camchain tensioner on NoRRmad's R1150R.

That kind of was the Tech session she was looking for and instead of $375.00 to the dealership, it was 2 tasty and loaded 8" SubWay sandwiches that I devoured . . . . not realizing ONE was hers!! That Bash was fun and HERE is the rest of the picture Album.

Hey! I remember that!
But where is the lamp?

mac

Just spotted this thread. It looks like a great idea had some trouble getting off the ground. I participated in some of these GTGs, as we called them in my VW Jetta TDI enthusiasts groups around the country. Lots of people together with jobs being done or demoed by gurus.

If it hasn't been done already, do we have a listing by region of people who own the various bikes? I used to drive down to Killeen for the VW GTG since there were a large number down there. I think I can learn most of the things that need to be done on my bike without supervision, but it is always more productive when you can talk these things out and eat chicken and potato salad at the same time . Just sayin.

Mark me down as an R1150r victim in Oklahoma .

I would also be interested in ANY held here in Utah. This is a great idea.