The BMW GS boxer twin thread

**Box'a'bits** · 5th June 2009, 20:20

Originally Posted by BMWST?

somebody wants that bumblebee.....bid was 4400,somebody jumped in w a 5000 bid!

Its worth that & a bit more if its really that low mileage & is still in good condition.

Originally Posted by Eddieb

They certainly don't advertise about still being a BMW accredited workshop. First I knew that and I've been in-store twice in the last 3 weeks.

BMW pulled the franchise when Motorad went to Triumph, one of their bigger competitors. BMW really did themselves no favours in terms of the way they did business there. Motorad did more Triumph business in a couple of months than they did in a similar period of years for BMW.

Given that history, why would Motorad exert themselves for BMW?

I've always had good service from Motorad. Mike Dobson is still THE Guru on all things airhead.

But have to say I import most spares from the UK, simply because its generally cheaper & often easier.

**BMWST?** · 5th June 2009, 20:22

Originally Posted by BMWRSNUT

Mike Dodson is still THE Guru on all things airhead.

Dobson

**Box'a'bits** · 5th June 2009, 20:24

Originally Posted by BMWST?

Dobson

That's what I said.

..Trouble with db's?

**Taz** · 5th June 2009, 20:35

Mmmmm DB.... Lets turn this into a beer thread.

**Kokopelli** · 5th June 2009, 21:34

I find Neil @ experience very helpful. He knows his bikes and he can get the parts in very quickly. Often the convenience outweighs the extra cost. If you only need a few bits, freight costs would kill that anyway.

**Taz** · 5th June 2009, 21:46

I find that owning an 1100GS ya just don't need bits......

**Kokopelli** · 6th June 2009, 10:36

Originally Posted by Anthrax

I find that owning an 1100GS ya just don't need bits......

True, but once you start riding it daily and have it for well over 100000km and service it yourself, you might need a few bits.

Anyway, I was referring to the R80GS, I broke an indicator stalk on the 42nd, replaced the bush in the shift lever and the rubber sleeve on the shifter, which somehow disappeared.

**Taz** · 6th June 2009, 11:29

It's already got 122000 kms on it and it gets used. Do all my own servicing. Great bike for the 1000 miler and makes a great sports bike also. The one bike I couldn't part with. The mechanic at experience said the 1100 is the most reliable of the lot. I've only had to replace pivot bearings after my 7000km south island trip. Think all the gravel and 4WD tracks were a bit hard on the pivot

. They were $53 each and exclusive to BMW.

**Kokopelli** · 6th June 2009, 11:48

Originally Posted by Anthrax

It's already got 122000 kms on it and it gets used. Do all my own servicing. Great bike for the 1000 miler and makes a great sports bike also. The one bike I couldn't part with. The mechanic at experience said the 1100 is the most reliable of the lot. I've only had to replace pivot bearings after my 7000km south island trip. Think all the gravel and 4WD tracks were a bit hard on the pivot

. They were $53 each and exclusive to BMW.

I've been through a couple of pivot bearings. You can replace these with bronze bushes, I'll do that next time. Mine get's the occasional work out, but less since I've bought the R80 a couple of years ago.

On top of the Old Man Range, 1.5 years ago. Shit happens, but the bike was not damaged.

**Taz** · 6th June 2009, 14:49

Love it Koko

Need to get a bit more air if you're going to complete the backflip.

**Eddieb** · 6th June 2009, 15:11

Originally Posted by Eddieb

I've seen lots of references to one of these but not explained as well, and not with a piccy

I might even have to build one myself.

http://moto.zoic.org/r100gs/redneck.html

This guy has also done lots of other stuff & upgrades to his bike and documented it on his site.

Bloody called out for work again. Fortunately I can do it from home but it's still a pain as I had things I wanted to do.

Anyway, managed to knock this up between phone calls, now I just have to put the oil in it.

**BMWST?** · 6th June 2009, 18:47

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

I've been through a couple of pivot bearings. You can replace these with bronze bushes, I'll do that next time. Mine get's the occasional work out, but less since I've bought the R80 a couple of years ago.

On top of the Old Man Range, 1.5 years ago. Shit happens, but the bike was not damaged.

surely a mirror and the screen!?

**Kokopelli** · 6th June 2009, 21:13

Originally Posted by BMWST?

surely a mirror and the screen!?

Nope, minor scuffs on the screen, but I've still good mud residue under the rev-counter.

It was still running, struggled to find the kill switch before I realized it was on the other side :-).

There were quite a few bog holes up there, but we tried to stick to the track as much as possible.

That yellow GS is Aslan's bike. These things are built like a tank, so that's the price you pay.

The mirrors and screen are fine.

**Eddieb** · 7th June 2009, 19:29

Originally Posted by Eddieb

I pulled the coil off the G/S last night. Can't see any cracks in it but did find this.....

??

Well, I just spent time in the garage changing coils over to see if that was the issue, and it isn't.

Put the PD coil in the G/S. Turns over fine but no spark, same behavior as before.
Put the G/S coil in the PD. It runs.

While I had the PD coil off I did notice it didn't seem to have been making good contact on the right cylinder. The inside of the coil connector had quite a buildup of green on the copper.
I cleaned it up best I could with what was to hand, which wasn't much, and buffed up the contact on both cables with a bit of mild sandpaper plus spread the contacts a bit. Will have to wait and see if it makes any difference.

So all you experts, whats next? Is there another step I can easily test or is it off to a professional?