BMW-Digest          Tuesday, July 6 1999          Volume 1999 : Number 1207
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Re: BMW: valve adjustment tools for older K-bikes BMW: Re: Valve Adjustment Tips BMW: Re: re: glue to hold velcro BMW: re: glue to hold velcro BMW: Re: Older Rider's Research BMW: Accident stats Re: BMW: Re: Valve Adjustment Tips BMW: Re: BMW-Question from global travellers BMW: Entering into Canada Re: BMW: Air Pump Re: BMW: Re: BMW-Question from global travellers BMW: Re: CLASS school and boots BMW: Re: BMW - Map light bulb replacement BMW: Re: BMW-Dual disc question BMW: Re: BMW-Valve Adjustment Tips Needed BMW: canadian imports BMW: Valve story revealed in beheaded Rubber Cow! BMW: valve adjust help needed BMW: lynn's 50th Birthday Directions BMW: repair manual k75s Re: BMW: System 4 Helmet Question BMW: Final Texas Blueberry Blast Report
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 12:19:14 -0600 From: drbob27@ibm.net Subject: Re: BMW: valve adjustment tools for older K-bikes > Does anyone know of a good substitute for BMW's valve spring depressor > lever for the older K's? From the Clymer manual: "As is typical with all Clymer books, we try to suggest substitute tools wherever possible - this is NOT the procedure for substitute tools. Use only the BMW special tools." My philosophy is to measure them myself and have the dealer adjust when necessary. In 36,000 miles it's been necessary once. bob ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 14:23:07 -0400 From: Manny Puerta <73101.65@compuserve.com> Subject: BMW: Re: Valve Adjustment Tips John Morganfield <jmorganfield@cfi-hollywood.com> wrote: >>What is the TECHNIQUE the experienced wrenches use for making this adjustment? Do you guys/gals insert feeler, then adjust down onto it?<< Yes. >> How much drag am I looking for?<< Just enough drag to feel SOME friction while sliding the feeler back and forth without bending the feeler gage. After you tighten the screw, try sliding the feeler in again to check if the clearance has changed any. If it feels the same, try the next size LARGER feeler (.001" larger). If it doesn't slide in, the clearance is correct. If it does, repeat the process until it is right. Initially it can take a few tries until you get the "feel" of it. For an oilhead with two intake and exhaust valves, use TWO feelers simultaneously, one on each intake or exhaust valve to eliminate "rocking" during the procedure. Manny R11GS/KLX650/DR125 Nevada/Alaska, USA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 14:39:09 -0400 From: "Bruno Valeri" <bvaleri@sprint.ca> Subject: BMW: Re: re: glue to hold velcro Aaron Bockelie (Volt Computer) <a-aarob@microsoft.com wrote: > A good glue to use would be a cyanoacrylite (sp?) type glue. > Basically, super-glue. Aaron, Over the years, the only uses I found it excelled at was gluing skin ie fingers hands etc; also plastic ie used in model planes etc. I understand that the cyanoacrylite glue sold in model shops has higher concentration than the regular SuperGlue brand. But still, from my experience, I have found it effective in narrow range of materials. Have you ever had good results with this glue on wood? cheers! Bruno bvaleri@sprint.ca Montreal, Canada ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 12:02:56 -0700 From: John Otsuki <john@capcolor.com> Subject: BMW: re: glue to hold velcro Aaron has sticky problem: >I need to glue Velcro to wood. >Every glue I have tried has failed, especially once the temperature rises. Aaron, At work, we do this quite often. We use a product called "Liquid Nails." I use this stuff like some use Duct Tape. Works on just about anything. I don't know wabout it's thermal characteristics, but it's one of the few products out there that does a good job of sticking to glue. You can find it at any hardware store for about $2.00 for a chaulking tube. - -john- - -john otsuki- www.bmwcruiser.com santa clara, ca The Unofficial R1200C Cruiser Home Page "CHP" '98 R1200C "Elfenbein" SOB#15 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 14:11:34 -0500 From: Frank Glamser <fglamser@earthlink.net> Subject: BMW: Re: Older Rider's Research Hi Miles, Thanks for your interest. The wheels of academe grind slowly, so I have little to report. I'll make the initial paper available online for everyone this fall. For now let me say that most of us started on scooters or motorbikes for transportation or fun and low cost was a factor. Quite a few folks started riding in middle age after raising children or working too hard. It should be an interesting read. I've got about 100 respondents, but could use more. Frank Glamser <fglamser@earthlink.net> ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 12:18:58 +0000 From: "Conary" <fercon@reno.rmci.net> Subject: BMW: Accident stats I'm posting this request again in hopes of scaring up some more responses. Thanks, Scott Conary -'91 K75s - Reno, NV home.reno.rmci.net/fercon/ - ----- This isn't a fun topic, but it came up when I was telling my wife about James's passing. - ----- In the *last year*, how many prezzes have been in accidents? How many were seriously injured? I don't know either. The solution? A simple poll. A poll of the list related to how many accidents, their cause, and damage in the past *year*. So if you've been in an accident in the past year, tell me about it using the simple questions below to describe the incident. I will tally the results and post them.(maintaining a semblance of privacy of course ;) #1. Pick category of cause.( most hazards are of our own making.) a.Rider failure( ran off road - I did that) b.Road Hazard( might fall under rider failure ;) c. Vehicular failure ( again falls under Rider, but this separation could be informative) c.Animal( rider.....) d.Hit by other vehicle.( they didn't yield) f.other - please describe briefly.(e.g. Lowflying aircraft;) If you could rate the damage on a scale of 1 to 10. (10 being the worst. e.g. totaled bike) #2.Bike damage - 1 to 10 #3.Bodily injuries -1 to 10 Not fun, but something to think about.( I know I did as I barreled around a bend in the Mountains with several hundred feet of air below me to the right) This might seem like a topic best left alone, but as a fellow prez put it,"... the more we examine our mishaps, the more we're likely to avoid them next time." What I did. #1. a #2. 3 #3. 2 Thank you, Scott Conary -'91 K75s - Reno, NV home.reno.rmci.net/fercon/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 15:14:37 -0400 From: "Philip E. Rose" <prose@draper.com> Subject: Re: BMW: Re: Valve Adjustment Tips John and Manny, It is also good practice to roll the rocker arm in towards the cam with your hand, while checking the adjustment. This removes all of the slack, and is amazing how much of a difference it makes. Cheers, Phil Rose > >Just enough drag to feel SOME friction while sliding the feeler back and >forth without bending the feeler gage. After you tighten the screw, try >sliding the feeler in again to check if the clearance has changed any. If >it feels the same, try the next size LARGER feeler (.001" larger). If it >doesn't slide in, the clearance is correct. If it does, repeat the process >until it is right. Initially it can take a few tries until you get the >"feel" of it. > >For an oilhead with two intake and exhaust valves, use TWO feelers >simultaneously, one on each intake or exhaust valve to eliminate "rocking" >during the procedure. > >Manny >R11GS/KLX650/DR125 >Nevada/Alaska, USA > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 15:43:00 EDT From: MMatti1400@aol.com Subject: BMW: Re: BMW-Question from global travellers Fellow Prezzes: Most of you know about Erin and Chris Ratay who are currently touring the world on a GS and a 650. (See their web site at www.ultimatejourney.com\) Erin poses the following question which I pass on to the far wiser and more experienced denizens of the list: "I have also developed a rear "wiggle/waggle" when I hit about 75mph. It started in Italy, just after I replaced my rear tire. I hope the new shock will correct the problem. Chris also has a bad wiggle at high speeds and also at low speeds. We thought that replacing his tires would do it but it is still a problem. So far no one can diagnose it except for saying that we have too much weight on the bikes. Rudi (Belgian BMW wrench) doesn't think this is the reason as we are still not at the maximum weights for both bikes. Any thoughts?" Your comments would be most appreciated by this intrepid duo riding their dream trip. Regards and TIA Mark Mattison New Canaan, Conn. "97 F650 "Meistersinger" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 15:47:11 -0400 From: "Allan Potvin" <apotvin@rmiinspectorate.com> Subject: BMW: Entering into Canada Had the pleasure of crossing US/Can borders often lately. One thing I've noticed recently. Beware, student customs officers in training on Canadian side, enter at your own risk. Al Pte-Claire K100RS ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 12:56:30 PDT From: "Howard " <bfbiker@excite.com> Subject: Re: BMW: Air Pump On Tue, 6 Jul 1999 09:02:56 -0400, James Colburn wrote: > I picked up a little bycle pump from REI that... works, > although filling up a whole tire would probably take days.... Ditto all the similar BMW pumps I've owned. Haven't been following this thread so forgive if Im repeating another prez. I bought a 12v pump. Box was a foot square and mostly MT. The pump itself fits in a coffee cup. Regards. HowardJ _______________________________________________________ Get your free, private email at mail.excite.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 16:13:37 -0400 From: howard.etkind@ohio.doe.gov Subject: Re: BMW: Re: BMW-Question from global travellers Lots of thoughts... Rear tire tread design, Too high a center of gravity Worn swing arm pivots Out of balance wheel, tire Bent rear rim wind buffeting on bike and load But without examining the bike, can't really tell. Howard ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: BMW: Re: BMW-Question from global travellers Author: MMatti1400@aol.com at internet Date: 7/6/99 3:43 PM Fellow Prezzes: Most of you know about Erin and Chris Ratay who are currently touring the world on a GS and a 650. (See their web site at www.ultimatejourney.com\) Erin poses the following question which I pass on to the far wiser and more experienced denizens of the list: "I have also developed a rear "wiggle/waggle" when I hit about 75mph. It started in Italy, just after I replaced my rear tire. I hope the new shock will correct the problem. Chris also has a bad wiggle at high speeds and also at low speeds. We thought that replacing his tires would do it but it is still a problem. So far no one can diagnose it except for saying that we have too much weight on the bikes. Rudi (Belgian BMW wrench) doesn't think this is the reason as we are still not at the maximum weights for both bikes. Any thoughts?" Your comments would be most appreciated by this intrepid duo riding their dream trip. Regards and TIA Mark Mattison New Canaan, Conn. "97 F650 "Meistersinger" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 14:37:19 -0700 From: "Anne &/or Peter Lizdas" <aplizdas@elite.net> Subject: BMW: Re: CLASS school and boots President McCulley, I've had a session with Reg Pridmore's CLASS. Very worthwhile. Don't worry about maybe not being the swiftest rider out there, & don't be shy to ask for help - after all, you paid for it. Take a ride around the track on the back of Reg's or Jason's bike if you get the chance - its quite an eye-opener. You'll find yourself going by "average" riders (like me) at what seems twice the speed, yet in the smoothest, most unhurried way you can imagine. As for the boots, I believe the only requirement is that they go higher than your ankle. Have otherwise adequate sport-riding gear (Aerostitch or similar suits OK), new, or close to new, tires, bike in good working order with no fluid leaks, & you're all set. Get a good night's rest, & when you get tired toward the end of the day, as you will, take a break. You can't learn much when you're exhausted anyway, & you will have more than enough time on the track. Learn a lot & have fun. Pete Lizdas, in Merced, CA "Gateway to Yosemite" '94 R1100RS, '95 R1100GS - -----Original Message----- From: Thomas C. McCulley <Thomas_McCulley@compuserve.com> To: INTERNET:bmwmc@lists.ibmwr.org <bmwmc@lists.ibmwr.org> Date: Tuesday, July 06, 1999 7:25 AM Subject: BMW: CLASS school and boots I'm signed up for Reg Pridmore's CLASS school at Road Atlanta next week and I'm wondering if any Prezzes have experiences with his program. I'm also wondering if my Magnum boots will pass the equipment rules. Anybody with input? Thomas Marco Island, FL '94 Honda CB1000 '97 BMW R1100rt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 14:25:50 -0700 From: "P.H. Marvin" <valcyr@flash.net> Subject: BMW: Re: BMW - Map light bulb replacement BOB shaffer wrote... <<Hello to all, need advice on how to get to the map light bulb to <<tighten or replace it on a 96 KLT. Bob, when you find out, please let me know. I just looked in my micrifiche shop manual (worthless, by the way) and could find NO reference to the map light. Ride Safe, Phil '96 K1100LT ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 15:28:30 -0700 From: "P.H. Marvin" <valcyr@flash.net> Subject: BMW: Re: BMW-Dual disc question Alfie asked.... let me rephrase my questions a little: 1: What bikes/earliest years have a handle bar mounted master cylinder? 2: What bikes can I pull parts off to do the conversion? 3: becides the obvious (extra disk, extra caliper) what are the major changes that have to happen. Do I need new forks? wheels? I'll answer what i can: 1. The 1981 model year was the change from master cylinder under tank to cylinder on handlebar. They are NOT all the same! BMW has used pistons from 12mm through 16mm. My early '81 R100RT had 16mm; both my '84 RS's had 15mm. 2. '81 through '84 R80 and R100 models. R65 brake components (Brembo) are compatible, but I think the forks and sliders are specific to the R65. 3. Wheels are the same. Forks are different, starting in 1981. They are the same '70-'80, all models, and, again, the same '81-'84 for all R100 models and R80 and R80RT. I'm not sure about R80G/S nor R80ST. I really think you will need complete forks (damper rods, etc.), sliders, calipers, brake lines, brake light switch and a 15mm master cylinder (the number is stamped underneath). Good Luck! If I can help, let me know. I'm in El Paso. Ride Safe, Phil '96 K1100LT ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 17:41:13 -0400 From: "Bob Hancock" <bhancock@email.msn.com> Subject: BMW: Re: BMW-Valve Adjustment Tips Needed >> From: John Morganfield <jmorganfield@cfi-hollywood.com> >Subject: BMW: Valve Adjustment Tips Needed! > >Between tennis and stuffing my face with bbq all weekend, I did manage to >get some things done. While adjusting valve clearances, a moment of >indecision arose. The manual says to adjust until there is a drag on the >feeler. As I was performing this, that description seemed insufficient, and >I feared I was not measuring clearance properly. What is the TECHNIQUE the >experienced wrenches use for making this adjustment? Do you guys/gals insert >feeler, then adjust down onto it? How much drag am I looking for? >Thanks! > >John Morganfield >Titles & Optical X260 >jmorganfield@cfi-hollywood.com John, The key to understanding the "feel" of the "drag" was explained thusly to me many moons ago.....if you have a round lost screw retrieval magnet, lightly oil it and lay the feeler gauge across it. Drag it back and forth. That's about what it oughta feel like as you turn the adjuster down. Be careful to check after you've tightened it as it quite often changes.....just gotta mess with it some. Hope this helps, Bob '98R11RT ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 15:33:17 -0700 (PDT) From: Clifford Scridlow <scridlow@yahoo.com> Subject: BMW: canadian imports importing from canada is easy. u must find a licensed importer (there are about a hundred in the country and they generally live in border areas). they handle all paperwork and the process takes well under 30 days. i can't think of the guys name that we have used but he lives in constable ny and is listed as such in the phone book. (i am traveling or i would look it up). Fees are US$400 to the importer and 4% to US Customs. Vehicles sold in Canada are generally US compliant if they are of recent vintage and there is no requirement to change the speedometer. if anyone really wants to do this please reply off list and i will get you a name and telephone number. regards. -cliff _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 18:12:21 -0500 From: "SNYDER, LARRY [FND/1005]" <LARRY.SNYDER@stl.Monsanto.com> Subject: BMW: Valve story revealed in beheaded Rubber Cow! Tonight I checked the valve adjustment on the old '79 R100/7, and there wasn't enough adjustment to even get a gap on the left side exhaust valve. I pulled both heads, and the left side exhaust valve has receded way into the seat. Looks ugly. All three other valves look quite good. I'm going to get a new valve and seat and have my machine shop put them in. That should last me a while! I might even get new guides and have those put in, too. But for now I want a minimal (read: cheap) solution. And why are BMW valves so expensive? For my Triumph (you know, exotic British cars) an exhaust valve is $7 or so. Thanks for all the advice on this - I'll post a tally of how much it will cost to fix one bad exhaust valve and seat. Larry - --------------------------------------------------------------------- Larry E. Snyder Data Architecture & Integration Life Sciences Informatics Monsanto Company larry.snyder@monsanto.com - ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 17:19:13 MDT From: Karl Fittinger <karlfitt@hotmail.com> Subject: BMW: valve adjust help needed They way i do it is to put the feeler gauge in and adjust it until I feel the correct drag. And that is what you should feel for.. drag. If it moves with no resistance it is too loose, if you can't pull and PUSH the feeler through the gap feeling a slight drag, I.E. it is hard to pull through and pushing it bends the feeler gauge, it is too tight. One other thing you need to watch for is the gap always changes 9At least for me) when you tighten the locknut. It depends on your technique but you will notice that it either gets tighter or looser when you tighten the locknut. Adjust the valves accordingly and don't take a final reading until after you have tightened the locknuts ('cause that's what the gap will be when you button it all up). Some people suggest you set the valves a little loose to aid in cooling and extend seat life. I don't have enough experience to enter that debate but I do know that if you want to be close and also want the most power without setting the gaps too tight, If you set a loose .004 (or .008 EX) that the next bigger gauge will not fit. At least the way I set 'em. Karl Colorado _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit www.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 19:39:54 -0400 From: "Ted Hall" <hfrmystr@vermontel.com> Subject: BMW: lynn's 50th Birthday Directions July 24 and 25. Find Mount Holly or Belmont, VT, near Rutland and Ludlow Map says Route 155(N-S) Map says Route 103(E-W) Get to tha stores, either The Belmont Store or the Mount Holly Store and look for the BMW Roundels. I'm at the end of Frost-Hill Road, which is a dead end(that'll tell you what kind of guy I am) lynn still doesn't know, so I'm still safe from a lynching, or something worse:-( See you in Rhinebeck, then see you here. If you must 802/259-2427. If a woman answers, its your ass! Cheers ted hall ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 20:44:38 -0400 From: Tim Haas-Operations <timh@citytv.com> Subject: BMW: repair manual k75s I have found that you require a phd to understand some of the manuals I have used in the past. I plan to tinker on a 1988 k75s it will be my first time playing with a BMW Could someone please recommend an idiot proof repair manual Thank you Tim ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 09:56:22 +0900 From: Satoru Manita <satoru@manita.com> Subject: Re: BMW: System 4 Helmet Question In a message dated Tue, 6 Jul 1999 10:08:20 -0400, James Colburn wrote: > The System 4 comes with a mesh "thing" underneath the chin guard that is > supposed to cut down on wind noise (I guess) but it digs into my thick > neck. Does anyone know how to get this thing off without cutting? Jim, I remember that the chin flap is secured with 2 Torx screws at the both end (nearby the locking latches) and Velcro at the center (nearby the release lever). Thus the flap can be removed without cutting. You may have to remove the styrofoam pad from the chin guard to gain access to the screws and Velcro, though. I will double-check my System 4 tonight and get back to you on that. ________________________________________________________ Satoru "Sam" MANITA - Saitama JAPAN - BMWRA #21114 aka <satoru@manita.com> '99 K1200RSA | '91 R100R | '94 F650 | '97 Honda FES250 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 20:02:19 -0500 From: "Robert W. Munday" <rwmunday@juno.com> Subject: BMW: Final Texas Blueberry Blast Report Presidents, Idiots and RATS, The First Annual Texas Blueberry Blast is over. The blueberries have been picked. The participants have moved on. The blueberry trees have been watered from the pond with the Avinger Geyser. All will be quiet until next year. To keep track of those whom you met at the Blast, the participants this year were: Geoff Adams Arlington, TX Marcia Adams Arlington, TX Jim Balzrette Shreveport, LA Martha Black Tyler, TX Richard Blackwood Shreveport, LA John Brown Kalamazoo, MI Linda Brown Commerce, TX Tom Brown Commerce, TX Brian Burdette Kansas City, MO Tom "Bullit" Buttars Vermillion, SD Kellye Culberth Plano, TX Gene Dalton Shelbyville, TN Leonard Davis Richardson, TX Julie Fox Platte City, MO Frank Glamser Hattiesburg, MS Paul Glaves Lawrence, KS Linda Hedden Ann Arbor, MI Gil Jones Horseshoe Bay, TX Alan Leitch San Antonio, TX Sam Lepore San Francisco, CA William B. Lewis Everman, TX Keri Liedtke Carthage TX Randy Liedtke Carthage TX Jim Marsh Avinger, TX LaFuchia Avinger, TX Jonathan Munday Montgomery, AL Robert Munday Montgomery, AL Cissie Myrick Brownwood, TX Tom Parker Ore City, TX Kelli Rayburn Dallas, TX Greg Robinson Plano, TX Mark Rooney Tyler, TX Jim Scott Head Of Island, LA Gary Sibley Dallas, TX Joe Simkins Richardson, TX Evelyn Smiles Everman, TX Bob Smith Tyler, TX Karen Smith Springfield, MO Gerald Stark Avinger, TX Herb Stark Avinger, TX Wilma Stark Avinger, TX Keith Stowers Pampa, TX Michael Tetzlaff Austin, TX Jack Tollett Fort Worth, TX Bobby Watson Carthage, TX Darla Watson Carthage, TX Bart Welter Shreveport, LA Becky Welter Shreveport, LA Tom Willis Sulphur Springs, TX Jonathan and I had a great time. I can reflect upon sitting by the pond with Paul Glaves and Tom "Bullit" Buttars watching the Avinger Geyser. Cissie Myrick now knows the joy of attending a motorcycle rally by car (Cissie, Frank Glamser never once said he was too cold or asked me to turn the A/C down). It was great to see the Texas gang, including Jack Tollett (of the "Waltz Across Texas" event). Wilma and Herb were great hosts and Herb can cook a mean pot of grits. I was delighted to see that Keith Stowers is a BMW owner once more with a model more suited for long distance riding (as in Savannah). Linda "Helen2Wheels" Hedden and Tom Buttars were polite camping neighbors (my fan drowned out the double snoring from my tent). Sam Lepore is doing what each of us would like to do sometime... take a break from life and tour the country on our BMWs at a leisurely pace. I will keep the list for next year's Texas Blueberry Blast. The 1999 list is sure to be a good place to build upon. Robert Munday... Montgomery, Alabama `89 K100LTA `74 R90/6 K-Whiner #47 Village Idiot Rolling Broccoli Rider BOOF#131 BAGman#19 Airhead #3783 ... at Rhinebeck, catch the Branson Bunny on FRS Channel 6 ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj. ------------------------------ End of BMW-Digest V1999 #1207 ***************************** Back to the top of this digest | To the next digestwls