A BMW in StinkyPete's Shed

[Wild Rose]

Good read Pete
Sounds like you picked up a pretty good bike
Thanks 

[Skip]

Based on my 4,000 km I've done since I got it, my plan to make my new Beemer into an even better Long Distance ride include installing the expected quartet of farkles over the next few months

Seat by RDL  -   
Screen by Puig - Similar shape to the ST BikeQuip, to reduce the "not too bad" turbulent noise   
Risers by Ilium Works - Up and back about 35mm 
Coms by Starcom -   
Spotties by Dually - Sometime down the track   

So it's not only Mr Honda that can't make a comfortable OEM seat. That surprises me about the Bavarian product. 

[StinkyPete]

Based on my 4,000 km I've done since I got it, my plan to make my new Beemer into an even better Long Distance ride include installing the expected quartet of farkles over the next few months

Seat by RDL  -   
Screen by Puig - Similar shape to the ST BikeQuip, to reduce the "not too bad" turbulent noise   
Risers by Ilium Works - Up and back about 35mm 
Coms by Starcom -   
Spotties by Dually - Sometime down the track   

So it's not only Mr Honda that can't make a comfortable OEM seat. That surprises me about the Bavarian product.

It wasn't too bad, and would suit many riders if the distances were confined to 500km per day, but on the second half of my 1200km FarRide I was getting pretty squirmy.   Posts on the US RT forum indicate that those with RDL seats fins them to be a massive improvement.  I was going to try a sheepskin cover or get the seat modified by MJM, but the "dearly beloved" reckons the best plan would be to go straight to the gold standard.

I find it odd that many riders make the Holy Trinity of changes to improve their bikes, namely Screen, Risers and Seat, so why on earth can't the manufacturers do a decent job of those things right from the start.

[Skip]

Couldn't agree more with your last statement Pete. They should just source their seats from RDL.

[Shillas]

I find it odd that many riders make the Holy Trinity of changes to improve their bikes, namely Screen, Risers and Seat, so why on earth can't the manufacturers do a decent job of those things right from the start.

Because there are so many riders who won't change a thing from the OEM and learn to live with it.

Least these bikes are rideable with OEM, unlike that american brand where a change of seat, pipes etc. is swapped prior to the first outing.

[alans1100]

I find it odd that many riders make the Holy Trinity of changes to improve their bikes, namely Screen, Risers and Seat, so why on earth can't the manufacturers do a decent job of those things right from the start.

Because there are so many riders who won't change a thing from the OEM and learn to live with it.

It wouldn't matter what they did as no two people would be the same so they have to compromise as best they can.


 

[Knave]

The Beemer is one nice bike. I am sure that it will give you years of fun. 

[Knave]

Just on 91 RON for the Beemer. I had a R1200RT for a number of years and only put 91 RON into it once by mistake at Parkes. It went along ok in the higher revs but the first time that I stopped at traffic lights the pinging and roughness on idle sounded as though the motor was about to break. Since that day I always carried a bottle of octane booster. I used it a couple of times when 91 was only available and it worked a treat. No pinging or performance issues at all.   

[StinkyPete]

Just on 91 RON for the Beemer. I had a R1200RT for a number of years and only put 91 RON into it once by mistake at Parkes. It went along ok in the higher revs but the first time that I stopped at traffic lights the pinging and roughness on idle sounded as though the motor was about to break. Since that day I always carried a bottle of octane booster. I used it a couple of times when 91 was only available and it worked a treat. No pinging or performance issues at all.

Thanks for the tip, which might come in handy on the long hauls.   

[Totgas]

Pete, if you are getting risers from OS let me know because I need a set also.
Thanks,
Adrian.

[Bodø Glimt]

Riding behind you from Walkers Flat to Sedan on saturday I spent most of it thinking "you're right, that top box really is small".

[StinkyPete]

Pete, if you are getting risers from OS let me know because I need a set also.
Thanks,
Adrian.

I bought and have already fitted a set of Ilium Bar Backs (Risers) from Mototoys in Australia.   See http://mototoys.com.au/product/handle-bar-removal-tool-r1200rtw/
The Ilium risers were the only risers that appeared to move the bars back as well as up, and as a bonus were the cheapest.
You'll need to hire the tool to remove your existing bar ends from their sockets, and the YouTube Video from Ilium shows very clearly how to remove the old and fit the new.
Here's the link to the YouTube video.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9K0F3cAJ6Q

[StinkyPete]

The Beemer is off the road for a while and stripped bare, as it's Farkling Time.   

[Jdbiker]

Nice shed / workshop 👍👍🤓

[Bodø Glimt]

I'll look forward to seeing the new farkles in Clare.

[Wild Rose]

Pete it is going to be interesting to what you do to make it a better tourer 

[StinkyPete]

Pete it is going to be interesting to what you do to make it a better tourer 

Rider-Pillion Coms  (fitted today)
CB Radio wit PTT   (fitted today)
New Screen   (already fitted)
Risers   (already fitted)
Spotties  (mounted today but not yet wired)
RDL seat (later in the year)

I hope I can get it all back together......   

[StinkyPete]

I'll look forward to seeing the new farkles in Clare.

I certainly hope she's done by then.    Routing the wires is a nightmare, because the designers have ensured that there is no spare space anywhere.   

[ppopeye]

Quote from: StinkyPete on June 09, 2018, 04:02:02 PM<blockquote>The Beemer is off the road for a while and stripped bare, as it's Farkling Time.   




Sounds like fun. She does look very nekid.

[Biggles]

The Beemer is off the road for a while and stripped bare, as it's Farkling Time.   

My!  You are the brave one, pulling the Beemer to bits!
At least you've still got the ST to go riding.  There's nothing quite like having a spare of everything!   

[StinkyPete]

The farkling is done by late this arvo, and all seems to be working OK.   Phew!! I was a bit worried by the CANbus electrical system on the bike, but the light set-up was supposed to be Plug-n-Play, and I also needed to trim one of the body panels where the under mirror mounts come through.

Denali 2.0 D4 Spotties are on board, automatically operate via the Beemer's switch gear, and pulse when the horn is blow. 
My Starcom1 Digital has been moved from the ST to the Beemer, and incorporates my CB radio as before.
12 Volt Plug in the top box, for charging phones, cameras, etc

Jobs still to be done include....
     Align the spotties
     Check the CB
     Check to bluetooth from the Beemer to the Starcom for music into our heads.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with the last few days work, which was right on the edge of my comfort zone.     
I have two  F@#$%&G  body panel screws left over, and can't work out where they are from.   

[Jdbiker]

Looking good Pete

[StinkyPete]

 
I figured out two of the three left over bodywork retaining screws.   They were removed and replaced with a bolt that helps to hold the under mirror mounts in place.   
One to go....   

[Biggles]

All in all, I'm pretty happy with the last few days work, which was right on the edge of my comfort zone.

That's what I figured.  The Canbus system worries me when it comes to interfering with electrical add-ons.  It's one of the reasons I love the old technology in the ST.

Hopefully the checks all come up trumps.
You probably already know, but you can get a basic spot light alignment against the garage door, pointing them just to the right and left of the high beam.

[StinkyPete]

Guess what Biggles....  I did the alignment on the neighbor's big garage door last night, and took her for a spin through the hills to test the lights.  The are quite impressive.

The Denali light system that I bought incorporates a CANsmart module that plugs into the bike's computer, with another lead that connects direct to the battery.   The lights connect directly into that CANsmart module and the whole setup interfaces directly with the bike's CANbus and existing handlebar controls.   A couple of other switched power accessories can also be plugged into the unit.   My local BMW dealer put me onto the Denali setup when I asked if he'd wire up some spotties for me.

My old hardwired Starcom1 Digital is installed and now talks to the Beemer's bluetooth, so we can get our music piped into our helmets, CB with PTT to my helmet, and Chris and I can chat again.

I'm a legend, but now need a break from the thinking and wondering if I'll ever get it back together and working.