My R1200R - Version 2.0 with an update to Version 2.5

[ziobato]

It will be a GREAT ride!!! I'm eager to watch your report and pictures on it (and other italian friends too ): please, tell you'll report!

[famousperson]

chi,

You mentioned someplace that you use gaffer's tape to protect your front fender paint from wear from the tent. Does the tape not leave a residue? And where does one get gaffer's tape if one is not in the biz (which I used to be--I worked my through Texas A&M as a stagehand)?

I like the placement of the tent. It looks cool. Does it affect handling or is it so light that it doesn't make a difference?

Also, your rear bag does not look waterproof. How do you deal with that?

Sorry for all the questions. I just returned from a 1000 mile camping trip and, although reasonable pleased with my packing, can always learn from a pro. For me, the preparation is half the fun!

[Lost Rider]

chi,

You mentioned someplace that you use gaffer's tape to protect your front fender paint from wear from the tent. Does the tape not leave a residue? And where does one get gaffer's tape if one is not in the biz (which I used to be--I worked my through Texas A&M as a stagehand)?

I like the placement of the tent. It looks cool. Does it affect handling or is it so light that it doesn't make a difference?

Also, your rear bag does not look waterproof. How do you deal with that?

Sorry for all the questions. I just returned from a 1000 mile camping trip and, although reasonable pleased with my packing, can always learn from a pro. For me, the preparation is half the fun!

Just google gaff tape, there's lots of sources. I recommend Pro-gaff brand, it's what everyone uses on tour.
It doesn't leave a residue, unless it's there for a while, then it can just leave a small line on the edge, and that easily comes off with goof-off. Much better than rubbing the paint or forks. The H2W bag will turn the fork slighty black if left on there without protection...

I can't even tell the tent is there when riding, the goal is to keep the mass of my gear as low as possible. I'm not sure if having the soft bag on the seat is better for C of G versus the panneirs, but it is lighter, I will get better mileage with less drag, and it looks good....
Honestly though I never ridden with just the tent bag there without other luggage so I can't say what it does I just know it feels and looks better than having it piled on top of my other stuff. When gear is up high you can feel that when throwing the bike back and forth - one of the reasons I lost the pelican top box. As convenient and functional as it was, the box and gear weighted around 35 pounds and you could really feel it when riding places like deals gap with it being so high up and that far back. The H2W bag on the back now carrying the sleeping bag, pad, Toggs raingear, pillow, Gerbings jacket and weighs less than the Pelican box empty...

The BMW and H2W's bag's are 100% waterproof, though the outside pockets on BMW bag aren't marketed as waterproof so I keep stuff that can get wet in it like cooking stuff, and freeze dried food packets. I did a little review on the BMW 51L sportbag a little while ago here with some more pics, just look down in the forum listing.

I don't know about being a pro, but I obviously love the prepping also and have spend a lot of time seeing what others do on ADV, and trying out different things myself. It's a never ending battle to improve and try and get smaller, lighter, and less stuff to take. The prep is half the fun!

For an EXTENSIVE, 39 page thread on packing a bike go here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237723

[Lost Rider]

I couldn't resist..... I went for a ride for about an hour, cruising around the Loop.
The Ohlins are nice, quite a different feel. Much stiffer compared to my worn out showa's, there's obviously some tuning that needs to be done to get them how I want.... in good time.
The akropovic exhaust with out the baffles is too loud for me, and it just doesn't feel like it pulls as hard until high rpm's... and "pops" on deceleration. I'm going to put one baffle back in and see how that works, if not I'll put them both back in for my trip. When my buddy went for a ride today I could hear the bike drive away for 3 blocks - I don't want to be that guy, I'd rather my bike was stealthier. Granted it sounds great, very deep and crisp, just a little too much for me. No doubt it looks beautiful.
The Vario levers will take a little getting used to, I haven't even played with the settings much to really get them where I want them, though I have no doubt I will like them. They really have a bling factor, the true value is in the eye of the beholder...
Obviously these are just first impressions, frankly I'm just overwhelmed to be back in the saddle - hard to make an accurate comparison when I haven't even ridden in 8 weeks. The good news is I'll have an enormous amount of time in the near future to dial things in and really be able to appreciate them. Contrary to what Eisen thinks, I doubt I'll be dragging these white valve covers any time soon.


One thing is for sure, I LOVE THE WHITE WHEELS. Thanks ziobato for the inspiration and help.
Proper pictures and a exhaust (baffles) comparison video soon to come...






I'M BACK!

[ziobato]

It seems we are on the same wave: I can't stand with a loud exhaust sound too.

Put both baffles back in and you will find all the missing torque and more.
I guess that removing DB killers requires proper remapping.

Now, work a little on your nice "golden boys" pair to find your proper setting, then enjoy your ride

[ShinySideUp]

Hey Joe - It's great to see your recovery and launch into the next phase.

I took the liberty of cropping and Photoshopping one of your images, seeing it as "found art". I call it Motospirit.

http://tinyurl.com/4t84vw

[Lost Rider]

Time to dig up this old thread from 2008! Time sure does move fast.

My R just got a refresh and while it's not quite as dramatic as earlier in this thread, I've done quite a bit of work on her in the last few weeks and thought I'd share.
With over 70,000 miles on her now, Roadie the Roadster needs some love.
The first thing in order was to get the Ohlins shocks rebuilt, having about 45,000 miles on them. While they didn't seem that bad, and weren't leaking or anything, I know that they were far overdue to get rebuilt so I sent them in toDan at Kyle Racing who does all my suspension work.
I also have on order a fancy new Ohlins Gold steering dampener to replace the OEM one that is far gone, it should be here Monday.
So up on a jack she went.




I replaced all of the shock bolts while I was at it, two of them are one time use bolts with micro-incaspulation. I was very glad to not find any bent shock bolts while I was there, like I get on my GS.


MMMMMMMMmmmmmmm Gold.........




















While the shock were getting done, I had already started to compile replacement parts to replace all the stuff I, um, "used". I found many used parts on Beemerboneyard.com or ebay, and bought the rest from my local dealer.

I did score some new used headers for cheap at first, but found out after the fact that they were bent and unusable, but then found some like new, used chrome one's with just a little dent on them from a dealer. Unfortunately I had already installed the first new headers, then took the shocks off so they were trapped until the shocks came back. It's surprising how cheap headers can be found used, I paid $140 for the chrome ones.


OEM headers












Second set of headers that went on but didn't work for me.







Here's where they were bent, hard to spot initially, but the muffler wouldn't line up correctly....










The new and final set of headers, my they are shiny! There hasn't been anything shiny on my bike since it was brand new, and that didn't last long.







The dent on the new one's, thanks for making these are bargain!








































The best wrenching partner a guy could have!












I also replaced the headlight, as mine has been all cracked up for way too long. This will be the 3rd headlight that's been on this bike. I also replaced the right side valve cover with an HP2 one I bought used on ebay. I still need to send it out to get powder coated, but for now it'll do.
While I was waiting for the shocks, I gave her a good washing and armor all treatment to all the plastics. The engine and wheels needed serious degreasing as I didn't really wash the R much, and hadn't given her a thorough detail since the rebuild earlier in this thread years ago. She needed and deserved it!
Simple Green, and Goo Gone did wonders to all the nooks and crannys


































This valve cover had served its purpose for an additional year after my Death Valley adventure with JB weld and a beer can holding the oil in, but it was time retire.














This corrosion is disheartening..... I really should open this up and see what's going on, which reminds me I'm still on the original alternator belt. I'm doing a test to see how long it will last, and carry a new one always, but so far so good!
















Saddle bags:
Mine were not doing so good, the right side was trashed, the left didn't unlock from the bike and I needed to remove the passenger footrest to get it on or off.
I found a used right-ide inner, but needed to change out the locks..... how to do that?....


Start by grabbing a beer, and start taking out all the many many screws.









Holy Moly that's a lot of stuff in there!
Unfortunately this was not the first time I had been in here, while in Newfoundland I has a bag break and managed to get in here and fix it.






This key mechanism basically just falls out once you have everything apart, so doing a lock swap really isn't that hard, you don't need to remove the cylinder, and nothing comes flying apart.
BUT, since I had a "donor" bag with the unusable lock from the "new" bag I decided to just take it apart and see how you could remove just the cylinder.
I like taking things apart.





From what I saw you had to take the whole mechanism apart to get at the cylinder, if you even want to use it again, DONT DO THAT!
As soon as you take the screws out, the big spring unwinds and I don't think it can be put back together by hand.








I did get the cylinder out by destroying it, but this whole process isn't necessary since you can just swap the whole key thingy.










I also did test the whole "leave the key IN the cylinder" thing, it's true, don't removed a key while you have this apart.... not that any of us should.


































Here's all you have to swap if you're swapping bags and already have your keys lock in one































As for the left bag that didn't release from the bike that I thought I'd need to replace..... having a donor bag and seeing how it works I felt confident I could fix it instead. Turns out I was right and the left bag was just missing this connection, and once I took the old one out the right and installed it into the left it was good to go.

Done and done. Now I'm just waiting for a new "used" left side case to come along.













Paint:
I was considering having her painted, but couldn't take myself to get rid of these pinstripes.....
A whole lot of buffing with rubbing compound instead, and a couple coats of wax and I'm proud to say, she's looking pretty darn good IMO, considering where this bike has been.





Either way, I'm glad she's back and plan on spending more saddle time on her this winter, and with the fresh Ohlins' shocks she's back to feeling young again too!
I'm really looking forward to the new dampener, and will update when I get it.








Here's to many more enjoyable miles on the best bike on earth!

[angellr]

Joe, wonderful shocks and great pics! Do you recall what torque you used on the bottom bolts? I think I may have over torqued mine at about 85? Need to get mine back together ... dang snow/rain! LOL!

[Lost Rider]

Thanks Bob!


Yes, you over torqued.

[websterize]

An inspiration as usual, Joe. Now where did I put my Gerbing's liner?

[angellr]

Joe,

Thanks for the specs!! I will loosen and retighten with the specs you provided. Should be OK, as I have not ridden the bike with the over torque (should not need to worry about shearing at this point).

[deilenberger]

This corrosion is disheartening..... I really should open this up and see what's going on, which reminds me I'm still on the original alternator belt. I'm doing a test to see how long it will last, and carry a new one always, but so far so good!

Problem is - you still have the foam noise damper behind the plastic cover. The '07's have this - BMW stopped putting it in on later models (not exactly sure when..) when they figured out it was capturing water/crap and keeping it against the painted finish of the cam-chain-cover. Lots of people had the same deal on GS's.

I had heard about the problem on GS's - so when I changed my belt, I took the foam goober off and tossed it on the shelf of never to be used spare parts. Luckily - no real corrosion had started on my bike.

Despite what people may tell you - if you really wiggle it around, the cover can be gotten off and back on without removing the shock.. it just requires turning it in a really odd angle near the exhaust. You may need to remove the charcoal canister if you still have it.. (mine fell of a long time ago and I never got around to putting it back on..) - dunno for sure since I don't have one (it's on the same shelf as the noise damper) on the bike.

[Lost Rider]

Thanks Don, that makes sense and gives me a good reason to finally change my alternator belt.

[bmwk100]

All-Star poster! Thanks for taking the time to educate us.

[Lost Rider]

Thanks!
I don't know about educate as most of you shouldn't do what I do or listen to me very much, but hopefully entertain at the very least.

[Woland]

Lets just be satisfied with being entertained and having a warning example