Re: Any thing but linked brakes (you asked for it)

["Frank" <frank001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Makohin" <wateredg@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Oilheads list server" <oilheads@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 7:55 AM
Subject: Re: Any thing but linked brakes (you asked for it)


> 
> Speaking of which, I was at a buddy's place who rides a new-to-him 
> mono-plug BMW oilhead. He just moved up from air Airhead, which he says 
> is the only *real* BMW, and did so only reluctantly. The Airhead was his 
> first bike, so you can understand why it was his favorite bike of all 
> time, too. He's now down on BMW because his new bike surges. I told him 
> to get a Fuel Nanny, or to pull out the CCP, but he'd rather complain 
> about how it would reduced the gas mileage, which would give him an even 
> shorter riding range because of the too-small gas tank. At least the 
> tires are good on this used (new to him) bike, a new set of Michelin 
> Streets, but he says they're crap (his previous Dunlops were the best 
> under all conditions -- so good that they were balanced correctly, right 
> from the factory, and did not require manual balancing after installation 
> on the bike). The new bike is running synthetic oil and it's hardly even 
> broken in. My pal is bitching about the vibrations, but I told him the 
> bike will smooth out nicely over the next 20,000 km, or so, not to worry 
> about it, and that he should switch to dino in the mean time to let all 
> the parts get thoroughly run in. For cryin' out loud, the thing is still 
> burning a quart of oil every 600 miles. I know BMW calls that "within 
> spec", but it's likely due to not being broken in yet. After the bike is 
> broken in and is vibrating less, my buddy will be able to take off the 
> handle bar weight and that gummy stuff he put on to stop the mirrors from 
> vibrating.
> 
> This pal of mine is a real tinkerer. He bought after-market pipes and a 
> K&N air filter because the guy who original owned the bike already had 
> these parts available for a song: they had very little use on them, and 
> they add about 10% more horsepower, so my buddy bought those too, extra. 
> The catalytic converter and charcoal canister were removed by the 
> previous owner to save weight. Evidently, he didn't care about saving the 
> planet he was riding on.
> 
> As a winter project, my friend is installing an intercom system with a 
> radar detector, GPS, MP3 player (iPod), CD player, FRS radio, CB radio, 
> HAM radio, and a cell phone. Sure, he needed a mixer for all this stuff, 
> and wiring it was a bitch, but he figures he'll never miss a call, or get 
> nailed by a Leo (man, has this guy had a few run-ins with Leos. They sure 
> have attitude, eh?). I'm glad he took my advice and got an Autocom 
> intercom. They're the best, even though they cost an arm and a leg. And 
> the new ones have an attenuator that lets you hear them when you're 
> riding with ear plugs. It kills me that this guy is so concerned about 
> protecting his hearing when he doesn't even use a full-face helmet. His 
> idea of riding gear is wearing a denim jacked. He should be wearing 
> leather (even the synthetic stuff does not provide the protection of 
> leather, and synthetics are not natural, either). I told him that one 
> day, he's going to drop his bike while doing a one-leg-on-seat wheelie, 
> and get some ugly road rash, but that doesn't seem to phase him. You can 
> tell he's not a real rider: His cage cranks up more miles than his bike 
> does. He should have got a Harley rather than a BMW. He'd *really* be 
> "cool" then, right along with the rest of those posers instead of trying 
> to impress people with those stupid squid tricks. He's be in good company 
> with the Harley folks, because he sure won't win any mileage contest, 
> that's for sure. It's no wonder he doesn't go to any BMW rallies where 
> all us friendly, *real* riders meet. You can tell *riding* means a lot 
> more to us than it does to them. And to think he claims to be an MSF 
> instructor! I'll bet he doesn't even know what counter-steering is.
> 
> So back to his winter project! He's doing the intercom and other stuff, 
> as well as replacing all the brake lines with braided ones. He hates that 
> spongy feel that's inherent with BMW's brakes, especially the ABS ones. 
> While he was replacing the OEM battery, which only lasted a bit under two 
> years, with a gel battery, he took out the ABS brain and plumbing to 
> shave off some weight. He's a really good rider, so it's just a waste of 
> weight and a loss of brake modulation control to have ABS, if you're 
> already great at braking. By the way, you'd think that BMW thought you'd 
> never have to service the battery with how inaccessible they make it! My 
> buddy already has the Ohlins on order to replace the horrid OEM shocks (I 
> wouldn't touch anything less than Ohlins; they're worth the few extra 
> bucks you pay for the best), and the new Oilhead is resting peacefully 
> beside a Battery Tender, the special gel version, thanks to my advice.
> 
> It's a sad sight to see the bike stored for the winter. I told him it's 
> warm enough to ride: 26'F, and the roads are clear of snow. It's like he 
> has never heard of heated vests, socks, or BMW's standard heated grips. 
> He never thought of that. Add a taller windshield, BMW's big old system 
> cases, and you're ready to ride anywhere (assuming you put some good 
> lights on for night riding). Put on the right clothing, and add a 
> one-piece rain suit to cut the wind entirely, and you're set for the 
> coldest of weather. It's a shame Corbin doesn't make heated seats, but 
> you can understand why they don't when you consider BMW's small market 
> share. My buddy wouldn't hear of winter riding. He said his arthritis 
> bothers his throttle hand in cold or damp weather. I told him to get a 
> Throttlemeister, or to build his own cruise control, but he's not 
> interested. So the bike just sits there. He'll have a hell of a time in 
> the spring when his does his spring tune-up. I can just imagine him, 
> Hayes in lap, gapping his plugs, setting the valves, balancing the 
> throttle bodies, and then being seriously ticked because he decided he 
> didn't need fuel stabilizer before storing the bike. Knowing him, he'll 
> probably have mouse problems because he didn't even tape up the exhaust. 
> He should just get a good mechanic and have the work done right rather 
> than doing this stuff himself. Especially when it comes to bleeding the 
> brakes.
> 
> What do you think?
> 
> -Steve
> 
>  Oakville, Ontario, Canada
>  2000 R1100S/ABS, Mandarin
> 
> 
> --------------
> The story above is communicated strictly for entertainment purposes. The 
> characters and the scenario are both fictional. Sentiments expressed do 
> not reflect those of the author.
> 

Priceless . . . . . . . . . . . .

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