Tech Day in Gainesville GA?

[Beemeridian]

11

[CycleRob]

Beemeridian,

A bad day riding or working on your bike . . . . . is still better than a good day at work.

Sh!t happens! We'll see you at the next one.

The replacement chosen, Touchton (Thad), has been notified. I hope he can make it. This still means that 4 old R1150R friends from several hundred miles away will be meeting at my house!

Boxermania called me today and we kicked around the details. My 2 car garage will be emptied of it's 2 vehicles, so there'll be a big open room for 2 bikes to get out of the sun and be worked on. I have a printout of the genuine BMW manual for your reference. My laptop nearby will have WiFi Internet. In addition to one 12K service and maybe a 36K belt change or 24K fuel filter replacement, we agreed that it's possible to give every OilHead a full TB synch. I say that I can also do things like a torque check of all critical nuts-n-bolts, tire pressures, even 1 or 2 clutch fluid purge-n-replace jobs. The way the DOT4 clutch release fluid degrades so quickly, almost any bike will need it changed. In choosing who goes first for bike #2, #3 and beyond in the finite time available, preference will be given to those that rode the the most miles to get here and work downward from there. The intent is for me and sometimes Al and Boxer to guide the students and have them take turns flying solo, oily hands on the tools. It's the best way to learn. I want all of you to first understand the what-why-how of things, not just blindly go thru the motions of the task. That will just risk failure. It's not that difficult with the patient instructors and training aids you'll have.

The $20 Tech Session admission also gets the students coffee, soda & donuts all morning/afternoon and a sit down meal (with seconds) when we decide to eat. Knowing the difficulty, I would like for the Iron Butt riders to "top off" again with nutrition before they leave.

OK . . . . So . . . remind me again who is stopping off for the 2 dozen Dunkin' Donuts? (my dime)

.

[boxermania]

Yes, CycleRob and I chatted for awhile as I'm getting excited about the Tech Day. These gatherings have meant a lot to me since the very first one because it wasn't an orchestrated event but a reunion of people that shared a common bond.

For a small band of banditos we should be proud that we are on our 5th year Bash (East), First (West), Two Minis (Central), a variety of impromptu Tech Sessions and that is not counting all the interaction that the forum generates for its members.

I'm sorry to hear that Beemeridian had to cancel due to work commitments, on the upside I hope that Touchton can see himself clear to join us as I haven't seen him since the first Bash....I stand corrected, as I ran into him at Barber 3 or 4 years ago.

It's going to be fun, everyone will get hands on time, get something done to their bikes, be guests of CycleRob and his lovely better half Miss Ann which as I understand is a great cook, get to meet Boxer, the artiste.... an his better half Miss Jenny (Sparky, my example for character strength under abnormal conditions)

What can I say.....fun away from the sun.....Ahhh, I forgot something....Hmmm, but if I tell you it won't be a surprise....sorry. Be there or be square....Ciao.

[Roxster]

CycleRob,

Did we finalize the start time? Last I read, it was slated for a 9:30/10 am kick off. Should we expect a PM with address/phone numbers of your place soon?

If I am late, save me a donut with sprinkles......mmmmm.....sprinkles.

Thanks,

[takemeaway]

Full list and full house. I can reschedule for a later session. I just might have to stop by and at least meet the banditos, tho.

[Roxster]

One week Baby.

WooHoo.

[boxermania]

I should be able to detect amongst the banditos.....I'm the marketing size one.....

[CycleRob]

I just E-Mailed directions to my house to the group. If I missed anyone or you just wanna stop by a while and say "Hi' send me a PM.

Boxer
Boxermania
WildBlue
SaberTooth
Touchton
Roxster
Hottech
please reply via E-Mail or PM

I still have a lotta work to do in cleaning out and outfitting the shelving & pegboard to my helter-skelter disorganized garage. It'll be ready by Sat.

See you there.
.

[Hottech]

Sorry, but I will have to pass on this Tech day. Was looking forward to meeting every one but could not get anyone to cover my shift this weekend. With jobs being cut I could not afford to put up a fight. Hopefully I will beable to make the rally in Tennesse.

[WildBlue]

TOMORROW!!!

See ya'll there!

[boxermania]

Well, the missus and I arrived at beautiful Gainsville at 3:12 pm local time after an 8 1/2 hour trip. Robbie, Miss Ann and the two of us are going to catch dinner at Outback tonight.

Brought some goodies from Baton Rouge for tomorrow.........

Well see you all there in the am.......

[touchton]

I'm almost done with work and will leave Nashville as soon as I'm packed. I'll be there by 10:00am tomorrow. See you then!

[CycleRob]

It's over and it went better than I expected. I did not expect so much to be accomplished, but with 2 open "bays" 3 coaches and 4 students things move at almost 2x speed. I say almost because we were in teaching mode. Finding TDC turning the rear wheel, gearbox in 6th gear and eyes on the cam sprocket arrows. Repeatedly confirming the feeler gage sliding force for the correct setting, Showing/setting/checking the rockerarm locknut tightness, even rechecking all valve cover bolts for tight.

----We performed:
2 oil changes
4 valve adjustments
4 TB synchs

----The guests were:
Sabertooth (Joey)
Wildblue (Chris)
Rockster (Josh)
Touchton (Thad)
Boxer (Phil) & wife Jenny
Boxermania (Al) & wife Mariam (sp?)

1st off Joey showed up so quiety we didn't hear him. Then Al & Miriam arrived. We had already taken possession of the 3 frozen chickens the nite before when Al treated us at the local OutBack Steak House. We did NOT eat any health food!

Then Phill & Jenny showed up with 2 DOZEN Dunkin Donuts. The Columbian coffee went on when the rest of the gang rolled in 1 by 1. The donor bike ridden by Rockster arrived last and late, having come from Savannah, 5 hours away. He wrung out his socks and was barefoot a while, so the rain must'a been heavy. It wasn't actually raining at our house all day.

The oil changes & valve adjustments were bike owner performed with coaching by Al, Phil and me. One bike had valve clearances OVER 2X the spec!! The .012" feeler fit into the intake side loose!
The TB adjustments were first performed with Phil's TwinMax, then immediately afterward with my 4 foot long differential water manometer. Things were happening simultaneously, but there was enough interest and confidence in the green water stick that it made all the final trim settings. The difference in accuracy, after the TwinMax made it's version of a perfect synch was a wide eyed revelation to the non believers. I'll let them describe what they've seen. The 1 bad thing: Because of the H2O manometer's sensitivity, The Rockster's "synchronization error" sucked up about 40% of my green dyed water when I rolled on/off the throttle. We then hooked up the TwinMax to get it closer before using the water stick again.

Sabertooth had to leave for a work related liability before the food was served. At least he got his bike mostly serviced. He's slated to attend the next TS. About 3:30 PM we were summoned by MLW Ann for a full spread of Boxermania's very generous supply of 3 boneless stuffed Lousiana style chickens. Completely stuffed with crayfish-n-rice on one and sausage on the other 2. (Urrrp!) What a treat! Ann's homemade cold potato salad was needed by me to partially neutralize the very rare but spirited Cajun food. Thanks AL!!!

Thrown into the meet were gifts to everyone of a telescoping magnetic pickup tool or microfine polish towel set from Al.

After finalizing all the unfinished valve adjustments and TB synch's the group got incrementally smaller. I ended up selling my "cosmetically imperfect" system city cases to Rockster and keyed the locks to his ignition key. Since he got the remainder of a 12K service AND my City lid bags for less than the dealer service cost, it was a win-win situation for both of us. I am pleased and relieved, he got a good deal.

There were pictures taken that will appear from Al, Phil and others. Phil hinted at a slideshow with music. I suggested Aerosmith's "Living on the edge".

It was a good, very productive time. The correctly targeted generosity of Boxermania is becoming legendary. Other than Boxer leaving behind his 10/11mm offset boxwrench and the green water getting (harmlessly) inhaled, it was a huge benefit to all. I will do this again with another group, but the food will be more conventional and with slightly less heartburn.

.

[sabertooth]

What a great day it was even though I had to leave early. Being a true novice I was apprehensive about performing any work on my bike. With the coaching from CycleRob, Boxer and Boxermania it proved to be a very rewarding experience. These guys have a great deal of knowledge, experience and are eager to share it with others. I can't thank them enough for their help today. If you can ever attend a Tech Day in Gainesville be sure to put it at the top of the list. My only regret is having to leave before the food was served!

I really enjoyed meeting everyone and hope to see you again in the future. Thanks to everyone who took the time to show a rookie the ropes.

Best Regards,

Joey aka Sabertooth

[combustor777]

Sounds like you guys had fun! Sorry I missed out, I'd really like to try the "water bong" TB sync. Maybe I'll see the motorcycle cop before he pulls up beside me and waves at me to slow down when I have clear mirrors

[Boxer]

Here are my pics. No slideshow yet.

http://slablog.net/photoalbum/thumbnails.php?album=36

[CycleRob]

About those pics.

--We were tipping the bikes both ways to empty the oil pocketed in each valve cover prior to the valve cover removal -or- engine oil being drained. I/we did it again after the oil stopped draining to get the additional trapped 50ml or so left inside.

--I got out the high powered magnifying glass only because Al said the sparkplug's insulator was chipped. It did kinda look that way with the naked eye, but under high mag it was just a thick layer of light colored deposits chipped away.

--Using the flat surfaced end of a heavy 22" long solid steel prybar (Boxermania's idea) as a stethoscope produced results that are not to be believed! I've used screwdriver's before for the same purpose, but the sound volume and clarity transmitted by the massive steel prybar was a revelation. One portion of the noisy bike's cylinderhead was so loud it approached my pain threshold. Everyone got a chance to listen as the engine was running, a big plus in any gearhead's education. This pic shows the proper technique used by Touchton (Thad).

--What? no food pics??


On another topic, when the green dyed water got inhaled by the Rockster's large synchronization error, we discussed how to avoid it. Making the stick 5 or 6 feet long, with 20' (total) of tubing sure would minimize it happening again. Adding precisely equal inline metering orfices also would lessen the chance and/or give more time to react. My next project.

.

[Boxer]

--What? no food pics??

I was so hungry by 3:30 I put away the camera to eat. I think Al took some of the food as we ate. At least I hope so because any slideshow would be lacking without the food shots.

BTW that is NOT my wrench we discussed. I have mine. So any of you guys who attended, who is missing a small open end wrench, please contact Rob and describe it to claim it as your own.

[WildBlue]

Thanks for the hospitality and the knowledge dump. It was a great time, indeed.

Great food, great people, and learned even more. What more could you ask for?

Of course, after it not having rained all day, as I rolled out @ about 4:30 the down pour ensued for the ride home.

2.5 hours later with only slight dampness I arrived home.

Thanks again for a great day!

[boxermania]

Just got home after the Tech Session and my subsequent visit with my brother in Blairsville, GA. Have to go and pick up the doggies......

BTW....the 10/11 mm offset wrench is mine, hopefully CR can see himself clear to droping it into the mail to me as it is part of a set.....will post comments and pics later.