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What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 4:02 am
by ME 109
Don't say beans, that's something Me would say. :roll:

I don't believe that I've seen a post on servicing an electronic beancan.
At nearly 31 years old, surely there must be something in there that I can mess with?
Advance weights?

I could go and just open mine up, but asking first seems a better idea.

Anyone got any photos?

Thanks.

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 4:53 am
by Airbear
Ah now Jeff, be careful. There's a special BMW tool involved -

Image

ps: I know you'd be disappointed if somebody didn't take a shot.

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:21 am
by Deleted User 287
Lubricating the advance weights is always a good idea.
You can replace the weight springs - Motobins has them: Part No.72620.

Rob Frankham used to have an article on his website for a Hall Effect beancan overhaul, but his site seems to be suffering some sort of (probably Olympic-related) illness. http://robfrankham.co.uk/bike/replacing ... sensor.htm

Here is a good thread on doing a points beancan: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=394966

There is an inspection port on the side of the can at weights-level, but it is impossible to do anything really important through there.

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:22 am
by ME 109
Airbear wrote:ps: I know you'd be disappointed if somebody didn't take a shot.
:P

Thanks Charlie.
After all I've given, it's nice to get a little back.

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:26 am
by Deleted User 287
Here is another article you might enjoy (no photos).

http://bmwscotter.org/topics/common_mod ... update.htm

Embedded in that article was this one by David Braun: http://maniac.deathstar.org/~flash/ig_trig.html

BTW - buy a copy of David's book Gathering Speed, it is a great collection of short (mostly true, I assume) stories:
http://www.deathstar.org/~flash/

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:37 am
by ME 109
Thanks Rob, that thread gives an indication of what's in there.
I have a spare that I can swap to see if there is any difference..
The one presently on my bike is giving no trouble that I'm aware of, but it would be nice to know that I'm getting every ounce outa the ol' gal.

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:06 am
by dougie
I replaced the springs (Motobins) in both of mine (bike + spare) and cleaned and lubed the advance weights.
It can be done either by disassembly or through the little window. I have done both.

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 12:36 pm
by Deleted User 72
I made this tool from a strip of aluminum to pull the points plate out of the can. I put a 1" pipe through the loop and suspended it from a vice, then just tapped the edge of the can with a leather mallet. Its much easier to get the inside of the can nice and clean with the points plate out of the way.

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 12:47 pm
by dougie
Native /5 wrote:I made this tool from a strip of aluminum to pull the points plate out of the can. I put a 1" pipe through the loop and suspended it from a vice, then just tapped the edge of the can with a leather mallet. Its much easier to get the inside of the can nice and clean with the points plate out of the way.
NICE!Image

Re: What's inside my 81 beancan?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:46 am
by ME 109
Thanks chaps, I might start by pulling the spare unit apart and having a looky see.