FIRST TIME TO SERVICE MY BIKE...ADVICE PLEASE

[djembe22]

I would like to do my own service on my 02 R1150R ABS ,3 things i would like to do besides fluids.
1. change brake fluid
2.valve adjustment
3.throttle body syncing
BMW wanted to charge $580, mechanic $375.. without the fluids changed. i would like to save some money and perform the service myself...I would like to know if i'm capable of pulling this
off being that is the first time i've ever done such work or should i just pay the $375,the mechanic stated that the price didn't include parts if i was to need them...parts????
i would appreciated if someone guide me on the right direction on this..links,photos etc thanks
yes i have the manual but is useless.

[zeke]

Check the FAQ section on the forum. There are a few topics addressing each of the areas you mention. The R is pretty easy to work with, and you do not have to a super mechanic. You will need to get some specific tools, if you do not have them or know of someone that has items such as: feeler gauges, twin max (or the home made version there are directions for this in the maintenance section also), spark plug removal tool, and other basics like sockets, allens/hexs etc. Go for it!

[Trout]

...I would like to know if i'm capable of pulling this off

That's the million dollar question, now isn't it? Unfortunately, nobody can answer it but you. If you have some technical aptitude, then none of these procedures are all that complicated. If you are cutting your "mechanical" teeth on this bike, then you may experience some frustration. All of us that have any significant amount of experience as a mechanic have stripped some threads, broken some bolts, spilled some brake fluid on the paint, cut some knuckles, and dropped some fasteners into some hard to reach places Am I right?

Start with an easy task, like the valve adjustment, and see how you do with it. There are plenty of resources on-line to step you through it. If it goes well, then try the next task. Good luck.

[towerworker]

Check this site out..........http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/

There is a wealth of information and I think the very thing you're looking for. I have used the included instructions to do my first valve adjust some years ago and it went very well. There is also some good instructions on how to build a cheap manometer for TB syncing.

The R is very easy to work on and there is much help available on this board! Welcome!

If I can help in any way send a pm or drop an email. [email protected]


Wayne

[Buckster]

Good advice already. I also have been learning as I go. I try something new from time to time until I will do it all eventually. Most all information that I gathered is from here or the links that towerworker has shown you. I have yet to do the valve adj. or the TB balance or the clutch bleed. Clutch bleed was in this months ON and cleared some things up for me. That is the next new job for me. I did the brakes last year after the purchase of a http://mityvac.com/ which made the job a lot easier. I bought this one... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPFB3A . It was around 35.00.
You may want to contribute to the site or become a lifer because this board is worth more than you can imagine!

[chasestudio]

Go for it.

I bought a new socket set, torx & hex T-bars, Mityvac, Twinmax carb-balancer and 6K service kit - and still had change left from the dealer's quote, so the next service is 'free'.

I did a lot of research first, aquiring Haynes, Clymer and BMW workshop manuals (eBay), but the most useful guidance came from towerworker's link - the "oilhead" manual, in particular.

It can be a bit daunting, pulling your pride & joy apart, but you soon get over that. Be methodical & clean; make sure you have plenty of light, something to kneel on and clean tray to put your current tools in - it saves getting dirt on them, as well as the bike parts.

I don't profess to to be an expert - I had a couple of goes at the valves & carb. balancing - but you soon get a feel for it, and there is that sense that you now know what is going on 'under the hood'.

Good luck.

[lionlady]

Where are you located? Someone may be nearby and willing to ride over and offer some assistance/guidance (always nice to know you've got access to knowledgable help if needed).

P

[challey]

As others have already said, the R is an easy bike to work on.

After 2 consecutive unpleasant experiences with my dealer relative to service, I decided to do my own servicing whenever possible. This board has been a great resource and you should consult the archives where you will find some excellent information.

With respect to adjusting the valves and TB synch, I have found the OVAD and the TBS4D to be great resources. Oilhead Valve Adjusting for Dummies can be found here: http://www.advrider.com/Wisdom/OVADv2.2.pdf and it's TB evil twin here: http://www.advrider.com/Wisdom/TBS4Dv1.0.pdf

The suggestion by Buckster for a Mtiyvac is a good one. It will make renewing both the brake & clutch fluid a much easier job. There are some good tips in the archives for both jobs and as someone already pointed out, there is an article in this month's BMWON about changing the clutch fluid. You will need to get a clutch bleed nipple (P/N 34 21 2 330 310) from the dealer - it replaces the grub screw that the factory leaves on the bleed tube.

You can also check out the oilhead tech section of the IBMWR for some other good advice.http://www.ibmwr.org/r-tech/oilheads/index.shtml

As you've found out, the board is a great resource. You may want to consider sending Doug your $60 right now to become a life member . . .

Charlie
"My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating. " -- Ashleigh Brilliant

[philbytx]

Been doing my own maintenance for years on my 2003 R1150RT and, lately, my latest addition, a 2000 R1100R.

Get a good set of TWO EACH of Wurth (or similar) 15mm and 30mm feeler gauges...this will enable you to do a pretty exact valve job.

For TBS balancing, IMHO, don't get a Twinmax (damned Frog electrickery contraption that is voltage dependent!!), use a Morgan Carbtune or similar Manometer type instrument. I use the Morgan and love it......

Good iABS brake bleeding procedures available for download at www.bmwrt.com. I installed SpeedBleeders on my brakes and it makes it an easy one man operation.

Clutch is a piece of cake using a stock BMW bleeder valve or, even, a SpeedBleeder.

IBMWR, BMWMOA, BMWRT are three very good sites for maintenance info and also on-line help.