Re: No Longer Exactly a Newbie

[Robert Silas <robert.silas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To add a couple of words to Tom's suggestions:
I have a '94 RS, Canadian import, no surging.  Out of three different screens I like the Aeroflow the best, about 2-3 inches below my line of sight, I am 5'-7" and I whish I had your height problem.
Once you are doing all that jazz to your bike two others are useful, in my experience in 170,000 km, is to remove the fuel filter from the tank and make a direct connection to the positive battery terminal.  I located this in the fuse box.
I don't know about RTs but in my case if I needed a boost or I would have to give one, I'd have to remove the tank to get to the positive side of the battery. Not an ideal situation while far from home.
Bob Silas
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tom Brown 
  To: BMW Oilhead List 
  Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2005 6:49 PM
  Subject: No Longer Exactly a Newbie


  Cees:

  Windscreens:
  >I'll shop around - biggest problem is deciding on screen size, given my
  6'5"...

  Well, I can tell you a couple things.   First, the "BMW Tall" windscreen is
  useless.  Don't waste your money.   Second, you will not go wrong with
  Aeroflow.   They have the design I like best.   I've tried several from
  www.ceebaileys.com  .  They make many sizes and types.   The best type is not
  the "Euro" style or "Type II".   That is shaped the same as the stock BMW
  screen, just higher and wider.   The style to get is the "Type III" which is
  modeled after the Aeroflow.   This type has a sort of flip out along the top
  lip of the screen and an opening at the bottom of the screen to let air in
  back of the screen "Laminar Flow"  The flip up and the wind coming up the back
  of the screen cause a fairly huge rush of air straight up the screen and then
  away from the rider at the top.  The result is a very quiet screen with a
  still air pocket right where your head is.   You can have the screen 3 or 4
  inches below your helmet and still be in still air.   If you put these up too
  high, they push you in the back just like the stock screen, but put them up
  just a little above where the noise decreases in a major way and you're going
  to love the thing.

  The CeeBailey's site shows you a front view of your bike with a guy on it
  who's 6' 2" tall, I think.   You can go by that.   Because of the
  adjustability of the screen, it's not as critical as it would be with most
  other bikes.    I'd get one that will be just at or below your line of site
  fully extended.  When it's in the correct position, it'll be several inches
  lower.

  I've ridden at night where there were major bug storms.  If you put a screen
  of this design up a little higher, about an inch below your line of site,
  it'll stop the bugs from hitting your helmet visor too, not just the wind.
  In the normal position, you'll get the odd bug now and then, but it's not a
  serious problem.

  I didn't hear if you had a factory radio installed in your bike.  If not, get
  an extra key blank cut for your bike so you can access the pocket while the
  bike is running.  I actually had 6 of these little things cut for my bike when
  I bought it.  Good to attach one to a secret location in case you loose your
  key on a tour.

  There are loads of great uses for that locking compartment on the left.   One
  of the best is to keep a bottle of water and a terry rag in it.   You can put
  the rag in your lap, then soak a corner of it with the water and clean your
  helmet screen while riding....an "advanced technique" for sure, but very handy
  for touring on the motorway in light or no traffic.

  I really miss that pocket on the 1200 RT....They put it on the right side.
  It's buried  far forward on the bike and it's much narrower.   I have to be a
  lot more careful getting things in and out of it while riding.  very difficult
  to access it without activating the right turn signal.   Doh!

  Other than dumping those CO2 cannisters and making yourself a good portable
  compressor out of one of those cheap discount store items by removing the case
  and putting a BMW plug adapter on, (I put the whole thing in a pouch I got
  from an airline travel kit.) I have very few other tricks to tell you about.

  Sounds like your dealer is a good one and is going to keep your bike in good
  working order.   Since your bike is a European model, it's probably not
  plagued with the catalytic converter and on-the-edge lean fuel curves of the
  USA bikes of that vintage.   A lot of technical stuff is aimed at getting rid
  of side effects from Bosch's cheezy attempts at emission controls.  Feel lucky
  that you don't have to deal with any of it.   I agree that, if you've got a
  bike that has no surge, it's entirely fine to have the dealer do your tune up
  work for you.   They're not nearly as fussy when they're getting enough fuel.
  (Long story...Don't worry about it.)

  Take care,

  -TB

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