[Grant]

in reply to: Physics of riding a motor cycle – rider training in Canterbury #10181

Thanks Leigh and Warren, I had a great day and it took a while to get the smile off my face, When can we do that again??      Thanks again, Cheers  Andrew

[Grant]

in reply to: Tank bag #8532

Thanks Tony, I'll call you, Cheers  Andrew

[Grant]

in reply to: Tank bag #8530

Thanks Phil, Cheers Andrew.

[Grant]

in reply to: Tank bag #8528

Thanks Phil, I will give them a call here in CHC, do you have a model number??

[Grant]

in reply to: Gel Battery #7352

Thanks for the tip, I'm not sure if the 1200RT has the same coil but I know all the 1150 2 spark engines are the same as the 1100S 2 spark model, so I will defiantly ask the question, and your probably right about the extra suppresion for radio, but as long as it fits and makes a spark I'll be smiling. And as for the battery, well I'll just have to ride it every day!

[Grant]

in reply to: Gel Battery #7350

Its an R1100S 2 spark 2003 model, I have suspected the battery for some time now and now its OK if you ride it every day but if you leave it for a week it will only just start the engine, Unfortunately my other problem is a dead ignition coil on the right cylinder [ stick coil on the end of the spark plug]. Minimum of 2 weeks ex- Germany, can't order one until Tuesday, I am on holiday for a week and all I can see is blue sky.

[Grant]

in reply to: Gearbox noise #7172

Hi, If you are going to get an oil sample tested, Check first with someone from oil analysis at Gough's, [Catapiller agents] as oil sampling for metal type and content in gear oil is only good if you can trend the results against known data, and Gough's may not have much of a data base for Getrag gearbox's for BMW boxers. They can definitely tell you how much and what type of metal is present in the oil but this begs the question is this normal ?? and from this data can they predict a failure of a gear or a bearing?? My Guess is try oil change first and I use Castrol syntrax synthetic gear oil in my R1100S gearbox and final drive, and remember that Getrag are not known for their “finesse” but they are known for making bullet proof gearboxes.

[Grant]

in reply to: R1100R Steering #7056

Re Steering damper, my R1100S has got one and it also leaked, It leaked due to small marks on the rod due to its position copping any stones coming off the front tyre,[This can be repaired] after extensive research at Air NZ where I work I was able to source some superior seals [better than original] that work with synthetic turbine engine oil which I used after trying 7 different viscosities of oil to get the damping rate correct. Also have perfected a simple fix to stop shrapenal coming off the front tyre and damaging the hydraulic rod. If you need help with overhauling the damper you can call me at work and I could give you the information and the seal details and its an easy fix that you could do yourself. Work Ph 03 3747 439. Cheers Andrew

[Grant]

in reply to: Emergency diagnostic tool for GS (and other) motorcycles ! #6708

Hi Tharon,  Good idea, I think the people who have developed these interface diagnostics have done an excellent job, with all the research and development that has gone into it I believe it is very reasonably priced as well as 1 year free upgrades from their website.If I owned an R1150 or 1200 GS and was going out the back of beyond, I would take this tool with me and a cell phone with the software installed and my trusty "Flukemeter" a can of WD40 and I think I could get home if the worst case scenario unfolded. I don't think I will take the adaptor with me when I venture out on my bike as I will never be too far from help and I don't think "Michelin Pilots work too well off road!  [ R1100S lacks suspension travel] But if you own a Beemer and you are off road this may be the" best thing since sliced bread ". Of course this statement now raises another question, If you have an enquiring mind like me then I asked my dear old Mum one day "what was the best thing just before "sliced bread". She just laughed and said I don't know.I have discussed this question with some fellow engineers were I work Air NZ and we believe the technology for mechanically slicing bread before being sold by the local baker may only have been around for approx 85 years!Can anyone help me with the answer????Hey Tharon you won't regret buying one of these tools.Cheers  Andrew

[Grant]

in reply to: Emergency diagnostic tool for GS (and other) motorcycles ! #6706

Hi Tharon, Have only recently acquired  the tool, currently it is partially configured for R1100S 2 spark as it can interrogate the MA 2.4 Motronic and get all the listed data with model code, type, variant, software currently loaded, and both BMW and Bosch part numbers, then it checks for fault codes active, and stored but not active, [ history of occurrences] any codes listed are followed by description, then if faults are fixed and no longer active they can be erased via next screen on program.When checking for fault codes on the ABS system because the software is not finished being developed for this particular model then it only lists the fault code number and no description. So one has to get a list from BMW or "Hex" as to what the fault code number means. But the system is fully finished for R1150 GS series bikes and R 1200 GS series CAN- Bus, other models are being tested and finished currently so as to cover a wider range of models.Because my bike is very close in spec to the R1150GS 2 spark model, I use this interface software when checking my bike for fault codes, as this model uses the MA 2.4 Motronic ECU but due to very slight software changes when accessing ABS codes I only get the number, If my bike was actually an R1150 GS 2 spark model, then I would also get the description beside the coded number as well.Fortunately all the sensors are within range and all fault codes present were cleared once the engine was running. Bosch think a little differently when configuring their diagnostics when compared to other manufactures of engine management systems, Were as a fault code will be generated for a speed or crank angle sensor that is not giving a signal due to the fact that the engine is not running, but there is nothing wrong with the sensor, and as soon as the engine is started and this sensor generates the required signal then the fault code clears.The only reason I got the adaptor is so I could check all the sensors were within range and I wasn't riding the bike with a sensor out of range For example; engine temp sensor, or Air inlet temp sensor,or oxygen sensor, that would allow the engine to run and in some cases very well, but would be a big increase in fuel consumption [ this can sometimes be the case]. But let me say that Bosch engineers are pioneers in the field of engine management systems and many other systems are made under license to Bosch and in my humble opinion Bosch still produce the most reliable systems available today for anything that has pistons. So chances are you won't have a lot of trouble if you look after your bike, most of the troubles come in the form of a "bad earth connection or loose battery terminals or corroded or wet connections between plugs and wiring looms, the sensors are reliable and as they say if the "smoke" remains trapped in the wire and doesn't leak out then the system will probably work OK, When the smoke leaks out of the wires then everything stops [ask any electrician]

[Grant]

in reply to: Emergency diagnostic tool for GS (and other) motorcycles ! #6704

Hi Tharon, I have got one and it works fine on R1100S EVO 2 spark model with MA 2.4 Motronic and servo assist ABS, currently running from home PC with a 5 metre long USB cable running out the window to my bike parked on driveway,{ I couldn't get the bike inside the house I was going to wait until wife went shopping} As I am very reluctant to let anyone sevice my bike I do all the maintenance myself with the OEM manual, However about the only thing that would stop a Beemer from running would be a hall effect sensor  used for Crankangle sensing or a fuel pump failure or something even more basic than this, so the idea of taking one with you on a journey and using bluetooth to give you a fault code in the middle of nowhere, I am not sure in reality this would be needed, because if the bike still has the basics in electronics still working I think it would get you home due to the fact it doesn't need all the sensors operational to run the engine, only a few basic ones. If the basic primary sensors failed [very unlikely] you are going to need a trailer, and at least you would need a fluke meter to confirm diagnosis before attempting to fix the problem

[Author]

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