Jump to content

What did YOU do on your bike today?


Recommended Posts

Dimitri here, the great thread starter :) It's a little bit chilly here in Colorado with high 20's during the day so we're spending a reasonable time in our garages fixing the bikes and getting ready for the riding season which should be starting in about... *looks at the calendar* 2 months...  :cry: 
 
Until we're on the road, we want to see some fixes, mods, goodies installations, time spent washing the bike, services, tire changes, anything. Here, I'll start:
 
It all started with a post on the GSGiants FB page and this horrific picture:
10422225_346097992261667_165647122866257
 
I decided it was time to replace my stock skid plate. So I went on the internetz, googled (when did that become a verb?) black dog cycle works and within a few days, I had a package!
 
zzK01FK.png
 
Let me start by telling you, the folks at Black Dog Cycle Works have made an EXCEPTIONAL product. But they could have spent a little bit more time writing the instructions... In their defense, I should have spent a little bit more time reading them before I started  :roll:
 
So since my space in the garage is limited to non existing (you try to fit 4 bikes and a trailer in a one car garage), I decided the easiest way to work on the bike is to put it on the trailer so it is standing up and I can work under it. So I did. I was actually quite proud of myself!
HxK6UCn.jpg?1
FJlqnem.jpg?1
 
Then I started reading the manual:

1. Place bike on center stand (even if using a bike lift). This eases installation greatly.

 
77c.jpg
 
I guess I should have read the manual first, right? Oh well, off the trailer and back into the garage.
 
Step 1a: Remove the stock skid plate. Easy enough, take 5 bolts out (I have a '14 GSA).
2h8MOM8.jpg?1
 
Step 1b: Remove all related hardware as well but keep the 4 (four) stock M8x25 bolts.
iySyoCJ.jpg?1
yyYN26K.jpg?1
 
This is what you need to see before starting installing the BDCW hardware:
rDDeobw.jpg?1
 
Let's put the two skid plates side by side for comparison...
mVAisAL.jpg?1
hswwsdu.jpg?1
 
So as I mentioned earlier, I should have spent more time reading the instructions before I started. Therefore, there were several steps I missed. Such as the part that says "move the U-nuts into place AFTER you install the the front mount... This is what I did:
qz2cSwm.jpg?1
uvzH32Y.jpg?1
 
Well, the problem is that the tool that the BDCW people were kind enough to provide, will go through the hole but not through the nut...
S6aPiFC.jpg?1
nYWqqJK.jpg?1
 
After fixing my mistake, I easily installed the front mount and secured it using the stock M8x25 bolts:
L8ZetU8.jpg?1
JpwtoKH.jpg?1
WEp7rZN.jpg?1
yFJzTUJ.jpg?1
Edited by DimitriT
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So just when I thought this was the most challenging part of the installation, I then moved to installing the following... First step is to install the plastic wire loop around the two cables by the exhaust flapper:

DiEsLXi.jpg?1

VwVQcZC.jpg?1

 

Then, I took a break to clean up my mess and change my gloves because mild OCD that's why!

jlkdiCi.jpg?1

 

This is how it is supposed to look like:

onOZEC9.jpg?1

 

Then I spent a good 10 minutes trying to figure out where the "round frame tube" is... Apparently they good people at BDCW meant this doohickey: 

vRMavVC.jpg?1

CLJ5nSc.jpg?1

 

And just when I thought that installing the plastic wire loop was the hardest step, here comes the rear stand and the hose clamps :cry: God, I hate these things! This is the one part of the instructions you HAVE to follow methodically. Once you put them, it should look like this:

ogM4IHy.jpg?1

CCRMkFe.jpg?1

 

And now for the fun... Following the instructions given, you need to slide the rear mount so that the top part goes under the hose clamps. No, not a joke. Here's what it should look like (took me a good 20 minutes):

zXgWVjp.jpg?1

zI4UkM3.jpg?1

c9kY6Kh.jpg?1

 

Remember I said earlier that the guys at BDCW did a exceptional job creating the product? Look at this detail:

pXY1FVS.jpg?1
Edited by DimitriT
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So here we have it, ready for the last 4 screws:

ZVQbZyq.jpg?1

wn8M9Cc.jpg?1

bm9rojr.jpg?1

PKXXUH6.jpg?1

 

TIP OF THE DAY: Clean the bike before installing the new skid plate, otherwise chunks of whatever like this will probably fall on your face. Just like it happened with me...

mOvkolZ.jpg?1

 

Final product:

M3Duuiv.jpg?1

oxz2GBK.jpg?1

5HltGkw.jpg?1

 

It took me a bit less that 3 hours. But remember that:

a. I don't like manuals

b. I don't have maintenance experience

So if a newb like me was able to install it, you'll be fine too. 

 

Generally, the product feels and looks superior. I'm very happy with my purchase. Now I just have to wait to try it!

 

LET US SEE WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR BIKE!!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Replaced the Uni pre-filters on my GSA. Bike has about 8K miles on it with a fair amount of off pavement. I also looked inside the air box for the first time. It was as new clean inside the box. Cleaner than some of the street only GSs I've seen. You can pick those up from Touratech USA. this is the one for the new GS:

 

http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/3491/PN-045-0870/UNI-Air-Filter-Kit-BMW-R1200GS-ADV-2013-on-Water-Cooled 

 

I only use the pre-filters

 

They used to sell them for the previous 1200s as well but I don't see them listed at their site anymore.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Dude, you have a problem! A cool & expensive one too.  Your bike is turning out awesome!

 

 

Thank you! I appreciate the positive reenforcement and encouragement. It's only gonna get better until theres nothing left. I love this thing, hence her name being the Mistress... However my biggest problem is my wife's support of the mistress. She's very encouraging/supportive of my insane addiction. Next up, forks customized by Konflict Motorsports... Let the waiting list begin...

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

I'm getting ready to remove the charcoal can & piping from my Tiger. Not b/c it's in the way... Mostly b/c it's not required for any state but Cal and it's just extra weight. And, I need to tinker.  That 3lbs. loss is going to make my bike handle like a 250 2-stroke, so....

100057400-1-2.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I replaced my BDCW with an AltRider skid plate on my R1200GSA

 

So let me start by saying that I have no major issues with the BDCW skid plate. It served me well a few months 

 

back when I rode AltRider's Taste of Dakar. In 

 

fact, I really enjoyed the challenge of installing it myself. I even made a guide about it!

 

However there were a few things I found weird and due to mild... who am I kidding, severe OCD, I had my mind on 

 

'em all the time. Such is the fact it was using hose-clamps to secure the bracket where the skid plate would 

 

be...

 

zXgWVjp.jpg?1

 

See what I mean?

 

Regardless, even with the hose-clamps, I had no issues like losing it while riding etc. However, while at the 

 

Taste of Dakar event, I had the chance to see the AltRider skid plate mounted on a GSA and what can I say... I 

 

liked it!

 

So I violated 2098's toy budget and ordered me one! A few days later...

 

9Oa3OaB.png

 

IwexC3M.jpg

 

So here's everything that was shipped. Of course, the instructions were there as well. Yes, this time I did read 

 

them. And yes, I was sure I followed them step by step. And let me tell you what: 1 hour and 9 minutes. That's 

 

how long it took me. My only complain... 

 

PxcpIIO.png

 

But AltRider was kind enough to have their instructions on their website so I got my iPad with me to the garage 

 

and started the installation! :clap Not to mention that I was able to get someone on the phone right away and 

 

answered a stupid question I had...

 

QWbwQQy.jpg

 

Here's a comparison next to the BDCW one. Nothing much different, right? Well... From this picture you can tell 

 

that the BDCW has a little bit taller profile. REGARDLESS, this is NOT a comparison. Not yet, this will come 

 

after I test the AltRider one!

 

zm2Fpnc.jpg

 

So the good folks at AltRider, were kind enough to include a note with what tools I need before I start. Let me 

 

tell you: that, was, AWESOME! Having to stop in order to buy those pliers, would have sucked!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So let's start with the first step (that was NOT in the guide)!

 

tbicuSR.jpg

 

Let's loosen up all the lower crash bars of the GSA! Because my friends, the skid plate, is attached on the frame 

 

(among other places)...

 

WueiV3v.jpg

 

All of them...

 

4LDytX7.jpg

 

Now we REMOVE this one completely!

 

ilMCGS3.jpg

W3tWTdQ.jpg

 

We also remove these two!

 

54FjmRH.jpg

 

Thin spacer between the bracket and the frame, using the screw provided.

 

4uwOrUi.jpg

 

Thick spacer on the rear one and using the BMW screws.

 

3K6dXMw.jpg

0sRhLSl.jpg

 

This is how it will look (LEFT SIDE).

 

IMPORTANT: DO NOT TIGHTEN THE SCREWS!!! Thank you Kurt!

 

Now, let's repeat the same steps on the RIGHT side. Yes, I'll show you pictures because OCD that's why! :wink:

 

OBKSav0.jpg

 

Remove these two...

 

VWct7lN.jpg

 

Remove this one...

 

UxVWclh.jpg

6EC6D49.jpg

 

And loosen up these ones.

 

3jlBSDJ.jpg

 

Right bracket, front side, thin spacer and screw provided by AltRider.

 

IKKBkJP.jpg

 

Thick spacer and OEM screws on the rear right side.

 

zCXy87V.jpg

cb4NArE.jpg

rBerFSZ.jpg

EXWq1e4.jpg

 

Better view of what you should look at.
Edited by DimitriT
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alright, are you ready for this? Because I sure as heck was not...
 
Let's put the bike on the side stand. Good... Now... Let's remove the center stand! :eek1:eek1:eek1:huh:huh
 
Well, yes... the skid plates goes there!
 
tyPrCzg.jpg
jSKNwy9.jpg
OebsEGP.jpg
 
Using this doohickey, I removed the safety pin (woohoo!!)
 
Then, I tried to remove the tube, cylinder, mini barrel, whatever...
 
S75br2x.jpg
 
Yeah, ain't happening.
 
yteLzYT.jpg
 
Did I mention that AltRider made sure I have all the tools required? Well, I'm not sure this is what I was 
 
supposed to do with the extension, but it worked! :D
 
t6lGgdb.jpg
APt6gTd.jpg
 
Rinse and repeat (on the other side). And...
 
jhCDj21.png
 
This is why we wear protection people! Let me tell you my goggles saved me!
 

APt6gTd.jpg
VlAVG4B.jpg
 
LOOK MA! NO CENTER STAND! Did I mention the bike needed to be in the side stand? :lol3
 
So now, using the screws also provided...
 
8vzoWWK.jpg
 
We secure the front side of the skid plate.
 
h2OeOEf.jpg
 
Then we put the barrel thingie back through the plate first.
 
dZodINo.jpg
 
Then we put the safety pin back.
 
pltdIxl.jpg
 
We repeat the same process on the other side. Now, you'll see that in this picture, I... forgot... to put the 
 
skid plate before putting the barrel thingie in. So, sue me!
 
HhVybRR.jpg
 
Then we secure the barrel thing with the screws provided. Make sure the thread and head type matches!
 
AuhMObD.jpg
3i9sP0C.jpg
 
Tighten everything back and you're good go! 
 
NOTES:
1. Make sure you tighten back EVERYTHING!!!
2. Use Loctite thread lock where instructed! (not shown in pictures)
 

Here's the final product!
 
ofNmHqh.jpg
 
HEY!!! I want to see YOU trying fitting 4 bikes and a trailer in a one-car garage! Don't look at my mess :shog
 
MVBq7BK.jpg
 
tzYMWk3.jpg
 
So.... people will ask me: "WHY THE HECK DID YOU REMOVE THE BDCW??!"
 
Well, among other things because I think the AltRider looks more... stylish. Yes, I'm that guy. Maybe, I'll 
 
regret it, maybe not. It is a matter of taste people. Both products are superior. Well, I don't know yet about 
 
the AltRider one. I'm going to ride the same terrain in 2 weeks. I'll let you know!
 
Dimitri, out!
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Well this weekend i installed a front and rear touratech shock on my gsa. Front was a nightmare. also installed a bottle opener and the panniers along with a few other little goodies. 

oh yeah , can't forget all new brakes

11061193_10152783283253202_1373717666080208705_n.jpg11077562_10152783283148202_2659391251844272308_n.jpg

Edited by Mero
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Reply with:

XL Adventure Motorcycle Community

Register a new account Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...