Bike Maintenance - A Log

[kmisterk]

Hey all!


I made this list at the end of my "Cold Start" post, and figured I'd migrate it here, tracking progress, as well.

My next few goals on the bike include, in no particular order:

• Cleaning of major parts
• Headlight assy swap
• Sidebags and Trunk/sissy bar addition (of some kind, the existing "trunk" wasn't suited for my needs and de-fastened itself the other day)
• Front Shocks rebuild/re-gaitering
• Return Spring replacement on the center stand
• Handlebar Grip replacements
• Better long-term mirror solution
• Possible removal of fairing (unsure on this one yet) - DONE = LINK
• Better highway pegs (these ones are useless, as they're "tightened" all the way but still don't stay put)
• Dent removal in the tank, or replacement if decently costed
• Valve Clearance/Rocker Arm adjustment (if needed)
• overall assessment of various greasing needs (drive shaft, mainly)
• assessment of the state of brakes (front and rear) and replacement as needed
• Brake MC rebuild and front-brake bleeds (probably at the same time as calipers/pads/rotors check/replacement(s)

Minimizing the original content of this post for "archival" purposes, and making the focus my "Active To-Do" list.

Sit tight, this may be a bit of a long one.

Loose Caliper

First off, I recently started noticing a clunk every time I applied front brakes for the first time after starting to move. Turns out, one of the calipers is loose. Here's a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzMuToy4_6o

And a quick album showing left/right calipers and differences. The left side (as if sitting on it) is loose, the right side is solid/doesn't move.

https://imgur.com/a/GxpPJGX

Is there a missing o-ring or spacer here? I can't imagine it's supposed to move like this by design.

Mirror Snapped Off

Unfortunately, when attempting to adjust the left-side mirror, it snapped at the threading, and hasn't been mounted since (about a week ago).

https://imgur.com/a/IEF3vae

This is more of a complaint than a request for help, but am I correct to think that the mirror mounting holes themselves have no threading? As you can see from the mirror that is still attached, the threaded part goes through the mounting hole and has a nut underneath.

Also, very interested to hear opinions on Mirror color and size. I really want to go to Matte Black with some rather wide mirrors. Something like These guys, but want to make sure I don't make any mistakes in ordering them when it comes to size/fitment/function.

Under-Side Hole

I just didn't know what term to use when searching the forums, so I apologize if this is over-asked/over-answered, but what are these holes (one per cylinder) on the underside of each cylinder?

https://imgur.com/a/2eeDi72

Fairing Mounting Hardware

Being that the fairing is clearly not BMW OEM, but instead what I believe to be a windjammer aftermarket addon, I noticed that one of the points of contact where the fairing mounting hardware meets with the frame of the bike is missing a clamp. See the image below to understand what I mean. Is this a huge deal? I didn't even notice before, except when I saw the non-symmetrical nature of the two points of contact against the frame of the bike.

https://i.imgur.com/Qr4OKuY.jpg

Anyway, all this to say, I appreciate the help I've received here so far, and I am happy to have such knowledgeable people available and willing to provide insight, even if with a touch of snark (as deserved, in most cases).

[Rob Frankham]

Hi Kyle,
Can't answer the questions about the brake or the fairing but here's my take on the others...

Hey all!

Unfortunately, when attempting to adjust the left-side mirror, it snapped at the threading, and hasn't been mounted since (about a week ago).

This is more of a complaint than a request for help, but am I correct to think that the mirror mounting holes themselves have no threading? As you can see from the mirror that is still attached, the threaded part goes through the mounting hole and has a nut underneath. The hole is 8mm.

The mirror mounting holes aren't threaded. You're 'undersized hole' appears to have been reduced in size by pressure deformation, probably caused by mounting a mirror with insufficient bearing surface between the shaft and the mount. With the mounting holes showing signs of wear, I would fit a plain steel (preferably stainless) washer on the threaded shaft either side of the mount to spread the load. and avoid further deformation.

Also, very interested to hear opinions on Mirror color and size. I really want to go to Matte Black with some rather wide mirrors. Something like These guys, but want to make sure I don't make any mistakes in ordering them when it comes to size/fitment/function.

As you have an aftermarket fairing fitted, it's difficult to recommend any particular model... colour is very much up to you. Chrome, black or colour matched would be fine to fit in with the rest of the bike.

I just didn't know what term to use when searching the forums, so I apologize if this is over-asked/over-answered, but what are these holes (one per cylinder) on the underside of each cylinder?

The large hole in the head under the rocker cover (there is also one above the rocker cover behind the spark plug) gives access to one of the head nuts.

There are six studs that hold the head in place arranged in a hexagon. Four also secure the barrel in place and thread into the engine block. These four also hold the rocker gear in place .

The other two studs, one at the top and the other at the bottom, thread into the cylinder barrel and don't have any other role but to secure the head to the barrel. The hole in question provides access to the nut on the lower of these studs.

If you can't see a nut in the hole, then it's an issue that needs to be resolved immediately or else there is a risk of a warped head.

Anyway, all this to say, I appreciate the help I've received here so far, and I am happy to have such knowledgeable people available and willing to provide insight, even if with a touch of snark (as deserved, in most cases).

Rob

[kmisterk]

The mirror mounting holes aren't threaded. You're 'undersized hole' appears to have been reduced in size by pressure deformation, probably caused by mounting a mirror with insufficient bearing surface between the shaft and the mount. With the mounting holes showing signs of wear, I would fit a plain steel (preferably stainless) washer on the threaded shaft either side of the mount to spread the load. and avoid further deformation.

Ahh, yeah, this actually makes sense. I’m pretty sure the previous mirror has broken once before and the threaded bit was welded into place, possibly leaving more of a gap than intended. A washer will definitely be utilized when I mount replacement mirrors.

The large hole in the head under the rocker cover (there is also one above the rocker cover behind the spark plug) gives access to one of the head nuts.

There are six studs that hold the head in place arranged in a hexagon. Four also secure the barrel in place and thread into the engine block. These four also hold the rocker gear in place .

The other two studs, one at the top and the other at the bottom, thread into the cylinder barrel and don't have any other role but to secure the head to the barrel. The hole in question provides access to the nut on the lower of these studs.

If you can't see a nut in the hole, then it's an issue that needs to be resolved immediately or else there is a risk of a warped head.

Ahh! That makes so much more sense! Of course, there is very likely a bolt hiding down in that hole. I didn’t have a light on it and simply took a picture of the hole, not knowing what it was. Thanks for the clarification!

[Kurt in S.A.]

You do seem to be missing the top hose clamp for the fairing mount. I think you should buy another clamp and put it on...that keeps the fairing more stable and doesn't vibrate the mount against the frame over time.

As for the brakes, you might be missing the "buttons" that are installed on the underside of the caliper. They are there to help the caliper slide along the lower ear of the fork sliders. I've attached a picture I robbed from fleabay. The button is not available from BMW as a part. It is some kind of hard phenolic. If yours are missing, try finding some Delrin. The button is around 12mm in diameter...not sure what type of hole it fits into.

Kurt in S.A.

[kmisterk]

You do seem to be missing the top hose clamp for the fairing mount. I think you should buy another clamp and put it on...that keeps the fairing more stable and doesn't vibrate the mount against the frame over time.

I had thought so, good to have that confirmed.

As for the brakes, you might be missing the "buttons" that are installed on the underside of the caliper. They are there to help the caliper slide along the lower ear of the fork sliders. I've attached a picture I robbed from fleabay. The button is not available from BMW as a part. It is some kind of hard phenolic. If yours are missing, try finding some Delrin. The button is around 12mm in diameter...not sure what type of hole it fits into.

Kurt in S.A.

Good find! I’ll investigate this when the suns up. It’s probably exactly what is wrong.