Re: Beta Bikes

["John Van Deren" <r11rider@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gary,

When you installed your RID, was the pigtail in the rear of the bike
prewired?  I have the front connector but don't have the rear connection.
Do you know anything about this?

I've replaced the bottom end of my engine (an engine running for a couple of
minutes while the bike is horizontal will burn up a big end bearing...I'm
sure my WristRest contributed to that expensive misadventure) and am
planning on doing the top end this winter.  I will be sure to let whoever
does the job know about the possibility of larger valves.  Thanks

John Van Deren
Montpelier, VT
RS, ser. # 80

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Bechtold" <tyrohustler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "oilheads-digest" <oilheads-digest@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 6:47 PM
Subject: Beta Bikes


> Robert, John & Bob -
>
> I've been told by BMW America that the first 150 R11RS's were beta bikes
> and that about 70 of those bikes were exported to the U.S.  Of the 70 that
> came to the
> states 14 had the German spec valve train/cams, cam timing.  I didn't know
> my bike was "different" until BOB's BMW did a leakdown test and one head
> was a bit "leaky", so they pulled the head and did a valve job-  when the
> tech went to grind the valve seat the regular tool he used was too small,
> which didn't make any sense until he measured the valves and found they
> were a bit larger than other oilheads he'd worked on.  So when I got back
> home I talked with a BMW tech in New Jersey and he clued me in on the
> original bikes, and he later authorized the tranny replacements.
>
> Running changes were made on this first production run.  Although the
first
> production run didn't have the RID as an installed option from the
factory,
> the displays and fairing panels were available to make it a dealer
> installed option on the very first bikes. In the case of my bike, the
> complete harness for the RID was taped to the main harness under the right
> inner fairing panel, as was part of the wiring for the heated grips under
> the left inner panel.  I was told the harness was there for the BMW
> security system, and that's where they were wrong - very little of that
> harness was there, so a lot of cutting and splicing (using the very nasty
> German pins and connectors) was necessary.  But even then, a good,
accurate
> wiring harness diagram was available in the microfiche, which we printed
to
> an 11" x 14" hardcopy. It took about 3 ten hour days to install the
> security system, which deactivates the fuel pump, flashes the lights,
> signals, sounds the horn and disables the Motronic computer.  I kept all
of
> the original receipts/records for the bike setup.  The color matched
> saddlebags were $725,  the heated grips were $175, theft alarm system was
> $385, the RID (the display itself) was $380, and the right inner fairing
> panel (with the RID surround) was $52.50.  There were no hourly charges
> because I did all the work myself at the dealership, but I spent about 6
> full days adding the accessories, swapping out the brake master cylinder,
> re-doing the wiring for the alarm, etc. This was in February in western
New
> York, and the snow was a couple feet deep, so I got to know my new bike
> inside out before I ever put a mile on it.
>
> So Bob - when you were told $500 for the RID installed, that's about right
> as the parts in 1994 were $432.50 + 1-2 hours to install it.
>
> Gary Bechtold
> '94 Beta RS
> tyrohustler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > I bought a 1995 R1100RSL in late 2000.  As I prepared to ride it home
> > from the dealership at nightfall, I activated the ignition and
discovered
> > that there was no RID, a fact I had overlooked before purchase.  The
next
> > week I ordered the RID and fairing panel and installed it myself.  The
> > RID unit plugged into existing wiring.
> >
> > If RID was not available from the factory when you acquired your Beta
> > bike, was the wiring loom in place from the factory?
> >
> > Robert Munday...   Montgomery, AL    `98 R11CHP    `95 R1100RSL
> > ABC #3783    Village Idiot    Rolling Broccoli Rider    BOOF #131
> > Oilhead #1561    Nebraska Nightrider    Big Sioux Rider
> > Trustee, BMWMOA Foundation    Keeper Of The List    *Iron Bunny*
> >
>
> Subject: Re: '94 R11RSs
> >
> > Robert and Gary,
> >
> > I, too, purchased a beta '94 (Mar '93, # 80) RS in turquoise...no RID.
> > Evidently the wiring harness was only partly there.  The rear section
was
> > not included, and, I understand, the RID cannot be retrofitted to those
> > bikes.  Please let me know if I'm wrong.
> >
> > John Van Deren
> > Montpelier, VT
> >
> > Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2004 18:59:13 -0400
> > From: Robert Silas <robert.silas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: '94 R11RSs
> >
> > Hi John,
> >
> > > I understand, the RID cannot be retrofitted to those
> > >bikes.  Please let me know if I'm wrong.
> >
> > Yes, this is what I was told by the dealer in Montreal, then in Essex
> Junction BMW told me that they can do it for US$500.-.  I still do not
have
> it, I found the price too expensive, especially in Ca.$.
> >
> > BTW this Wednesday I'll be riding North on I-89 from N.H. to Montreal,
so
> I'll be passing by Montpelier.  If you'd like to sit down for a coffee
> break in the "Le Brioche" please let me know a convenient time.
> > Bob Silas
> > '94 R1100RS pearl white.

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