The Big Red Bus

[KungFooBob]

That's about it for now. The wife is gonna start noticing if I start spending more dosh on it this month.

The brake parts are ordered so you might get an update when they arrive.

My list of things to do currently stands at...

Change engine oil/filter
Change air filter
change fuel filter
Change FD oil
Change Gearbox oil
New sparkplugs

Things that might need doing...

New brakes hoses
New coolant pipes

Things that would be nice to have...

Heated grips
Stainless filler plugs for the gearbox/FD
Some lower footpegs
Shiny new fairing fasteners

[Supermofo]

Top work. Just goes to show, that bike looked pretty minty in the first pics. Definitely a case of 'What lies beneath'! All cleaned up well considering it looks like it's not been off since new/nearly new.

Keep the posts coming, the more bike content the better.

[KungFooBob]

You have to take it all to bits to change the air filter. Seems silly that someone would change the filter and not clean all that kak.

[Mr. Dazzle]

In fairness having an airbox etc. that's a bit skanky on the otisde has very little effect anyway. In fact there's quite a lot of evidence to show that, so long as seals etc. are still good, leaving things dirty is better than disturbing stuff

[KungFooBob]

There's dirt and there's... biohazard!

[KungFooBob]

I was surprised to see standard pipe joiners for the fuel pipe connectors.

These bikes are supposed to have plastic quick release ones that are known for failing, BMW will sell you a set of metal ones for £75. Obviously they've either already failed, or been proactively replaced... just not with the nice metal QRs.

[Rockburner]

K rear wheel removal used to a doddle, just four bolts.



And, yes, just noticed that's an R

Just realised it's an R1100S and all.

[G.P]

Late to this thread. Top bombing!
A mate bought an across the frame IL4 K1200s a couple of years back. Its got electronic suspension, and all sorts of nonsense on it. Fortunately nothings gone wrong but I'd go for the older version like yours. Enjoy!

[Rockburner]

I was surprised to see standard pipe joiners for the fuel pipe connectors.

These bikes are supposed to have plastic quick release ones that are known for failing, BMW will sell you a set of metal ones for £75. Obviously they've either already failed, or been proactively replaced... just not with the nice metal QRs.

I have this conversation regularly with the US BMW R forum I'm on. I've had 4 Rocksters since 2004 and done nigh on 200,000 miles in total on them: I've NEVER replaced the plastic QDs for metal ones, because I've never had issues with them. They 'just work'. I've had the clamps go a tad loose (where the rubber hose is clamped to the QD), but a quick squeeze and they're fine again.

I can only assume that the high-ethanol content in the US petrol (or other additives?) combined with the greater temperature ranges tends to affect the plastic more than it does here. Either that or they're all cack-handed gorillas when it comes to servicing.....

[Beancounter]

Ah - I see - it's a higher profile caliper than the later brembo on mine. (but same wheel. )



(best photo I could find)

Is that your bike? It looks a bit too clean.

After each snip I started the bike, just to be sure. I think a previous owner must have had it deactivated, just not fully removed.

I've got an alarm on my MT-09 which I've got some concern about removing - I never thought to try starting the bike after each snip, thanks.

[Rockburner]

Ah - I see - it's a higher profile caliper than the later brembo on mine. (but same wheel. )



(best photo I could find)

Is that your bike? It looks a bit too clean.

I'd only had it a week iirc

[KungFooBob]

I called Motorworks today, they hadn't despatched my brakes parts, so I've added a fuel and air filter to the order. Which means I'll be able to refit the tank and fairings when they arrive... hopefully SWMBO won't notice the additional thirty notes.

Everything else can wait.

The Bullet and Guzzi insurance is due on the 19th of December so I'll probably source some multibike insurance, no rush to ride it until then.

[KungFooBob]

I wasn't going to do anything today (unless some parts turn up), but then I remembered I might have some paint in the garage.

So the rear caliper halves got a good scrub, soaked in a hot sink along with a random rattle can of black paint. Paint doesn't like it when it's cold.

Then dried off and given four coats (if the wife finds out I did it in the conservatory I'm a dead man).

It was originally a kind of matt/silk, but I only has gloss paint so it's all shiny now.

In real life it looks a bit better than the picture (they're still drying), but anything is better than how it did look.

[KungFooBob]

I knows you've been waiting for some more BRB action!

Well this afternoon the postie came with the bits from Motorworks, yay!

Put the new air filter in, I thought the old one looked ok, until I compared it to the new one.



Goes in this nice little slot...



I also swapped out the fuel filter. Getting it all back in the tank was fun, I've left a bit of card under the pump housing to see if it leaks overnight.



With those two out of the way I could put the tank back on and run the bike!

I also rebuilt the rear caliper, again it seems to be holding fluid ok, which is a nice result. Bled it up, started the motor decided to take it for a ride on the centre stand... at around 2 mins at 80mph (yeah really fucking dangerous I know) I could feel the power dropping. So shut it down and the rear wheel locked, the disc was very hot!

Bugger!

The disc doesn't look or feel warped, so it's either a blocked return valve in the MC or the pedal is badly adjusted and causing some drag (I probably should have checked that first.

Still, the caliper looks nice now.

[KungFooBob]

Just been out and had the right hand footpeg assembly off. I've slackened off the brake lever limit adjuster. There's now a good 20mm of travel at the lever. I'll give it another try tomorrow.

[the_priest]

Looking good. I'm going to start up doing my final drive oil change project this winter, just need to get the parts and oil in.

[KungFooBob]

Looking good. I'm going to start up doing my final drive oil change project this winter, just need to get the parts and oil in.

Easy job on the KRS, remove drain plug, refit drainplug, remove filler, fill to the top of the filler threads, refit filler plug.

Exactly the same with the gearbox, it just takes a bit more oil.

[Bigyin]

started the motor decided to take it for a ride on the centre stand... at around 2 mins at 80mph (yeah really fucking dangerous I know) I could feel the power dropping. So shut it down and the rear wheel locked, the disc was very hot!

If you ever decide to do this again please ensure its recorded ....... has the makings of a world wide viral clip should it go wrong

[Yorick]

Looking good. I'm going to start up doing my final drive oil change project this winter, just need to get the parts and oil in.

Easy job on the KRS, remove drain plug, refit drainplug, remove filler, fill to the top of the filler threads, refit filler plug.

Then wipe up 3 litres of oil on the floor

[KungFooBob]

Just to upset Weeksy...

I think I've used every tool I have... and not put any of them away.

Working in 'confined' conditions is interesting too.