BMW OWNERS NEWS – A PUBLICATION OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE OWNERS OF AMERICA
DECEMBER 2017
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DECEMBER 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS www.bmwmoa.org
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Inside features
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rebuilding a first year r 100 rs, part 2 By Brook Reams #114474 In part two of his series, Reams details the work done to finish his restoration in time for the rapidly approaching R 100 RS rally celebrating the 40th anniversary of this iconic motorcycle.
chasing the gs trophy By Shawn Thomas #91122 More than 100 men and women competed in three grueling qualifying events for the honor of representing Team USA for the 2018 BMW Motorrad GS Trophy..
the biography of a bmw motorcycle By Marcia McGuire #206242 As I ride and explore the world, I am assured that there are organizations working to keep the places I ride and communities I encounter viable for future generations.
when life gets in the way By Ken Frick #199204 Two brothers, once young, vibrant and filled with life, are now old men facing the reality of unfulfilled dreams. There is still time. But, is it enough.
owners news holiday gift guide Struggling to find a gift for the BMW rider in your family? Peruse the pages of the BMW Owners News Holiday Gift Guide for perfect solutions.
ON THE COVER: M ark Janda #198513 shares this image of his K 1600 GTL at Sandy Creek Bridge near Myrtle Point, Oregon.
The BMW MOA and MOATM are trademarks of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.
the club 4 Owners News Contributors 8 Headlight Here We are Again, by Bill Wiegand 10 President's Column Tis the Season, by Wes Fitzer 12 Postcards from the Road 14 Rider to Rider Letters from our Members 16 Shiny Side Up Life in the Big City, by Ron Davis
discovery 38 Long Distance Style Coast-to-Coast Crusader, by Deb Gasque
skills 84 Foundation News Contemplating the Obsession of Riding, by Bex Becker
86 Ask a Pro The Most (and least) Dangerous States for Riding, by Lee Parks
Member tested/ product news 18 Adaptiv Technologies TPX Pro Motorcycle Radar and Laser Detection
System, Rox Speed FX anti-vibration risers for R 1200 GS and GS Adventure
24 Update your Anonymous Book information by January 1, Be
prepared with Ready Pack, Sena 30K, GearLok, Time is running out to save on your MOA membership renewal, BMW MOA Board of Directors call for candidates, Support the MOA Foundation through the Legacy Giving program.
tech 30 Keep ‘em Flying Back to Working Indoors,
lifestyle 90 Mileage Slaves The Illusion of Control, by Dave Cwi 92 Jack the Riepe The Gift of the Motorcycle Magi, by Jack Riepe
96 Final Journeys events 102 When and Where Places to Ride and Things to See 103 Advertiser Index 104 Talelight
by Matthew Parkhouse
34 Winter is Coming, Are you Ready? 36 The Torque Wrench; the Most Important Tool by Wes Fleming
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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CONTRIBUTORS 1. Marcia McGuire learned to ride a few years ago, and since then her mode of adventure has become the two wheels of her BMW G650GS. She loves how motorcycles expand engagement with the world, and her GS often accompianies her in her projects investigating and documenting social and environmental issues.
the 2009 MOA rally in Johnson City, Tennessee and recently completed six years of service on the MOA Board of Directors. He currently serves as Director on the MOA Foundation board. Vance operates an Alabama-based specialty construction company serving industrial and manufacturing industries nationwide.
2. Mark Janda has been riding motorcycles for 30 years, ever since he “borrowed" his brother’s moped to race the neighborhood kids. He has ridden all over North America as well as Central and Southern Europe. He earned an Iron Butt award in 2009 for riding from Albuquerque to St. Louis. As much fun as he had over the years, it wasn't until he rented a BMW in Europe that he found out what he’d been missing. When he returned to the states, he bought his K 1600 GTL and his love affair with BMW began. 3. Shawn Thomas has worked for many years in the motorcycle industry and is currently a trainer for BMW Motorrad. He’s also one half of the Adventure Brothers and works with his brother Lance as a rider coach and guide. While Thomas lives in California with his wife, daughter and son, his work takes him across the globe and stories he brings back with him are priceless.
5. Dancin’ Dave Cwi is a Life Member of the MOA as well as a Premier Member of the Iron Butt Association. He's owned every series of BMW motorcycle from the /2 to the modern RT, and has burned out his wife, who once loved motorcycling but sold her bikes after two trips with Dave. He pays for his riding addiction via marketing stints, including work in Power Sports. You will see him down the road.
4. Vance Harrelson, #100402, has been an MOA member since 2001 and enjoys both long distance touring and off-road adventure aboard his GS Adventure. Vance was the chair for
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6. A writer of limited ability, Jack Riepe is confined by the absolute truth. Hobbled by arthritis, he types his stories by pounding a shot glass on a keyboard—with his foot, and rumors that he is in the Brazilian Witness Protection Program are only partially true. If you like his column, you’ll love his book, “Conversations With A Motorcycle,” an autobiographical account of his early years on a motorcycle, when women unleashed their passion—on everyone but him. Email jack.riepe@gmail.com for more information.
www.michelinmotorcycle.com www.michelinmotorcycle.com
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
Ablaze in Color
Tobin Bennett #195411 rides through Lake Ahquabi State Park south of Des Moines, Iowa, surrounded by the color of fall. Photo by Bill Wiegand #180584
headlight Magazine of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America MANAGING EDITOR
Bill Wiegand bill@bmwmoa.org
Here we are again By Bill Wiegand #180584
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Ron Davis • Wes Fleming • Joe Tatulli ART DIRECTOR
Karin Halker karin@bmwmoa.org CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
David Cwi • Marven Ewen • Deb Gasque Lee Parks • Matthew Parkhouse Jack Riepe • Shawn Thomas ADVERTISING
Advertising materials, including chartered club rally display advertising, should be sent to our Advertising Office. Please contact Chris Hughes for display rates, sizes and terms. Chris Hughes chris@bmwmoa.org 509-921-2713 (p) 509-921-2713 (f ) BMW MOTORCYCLE OWNERS OF AMERICA
640 S. Main Street, Ste. 201 Greenville, SC 29601 864-438-0962 (p) 864-250-0038 (f )
Submissions should be sent to the BMW MOA office or editor@bmwmoa.org. Submissions accepted only from current members of the BMW MOA and assume granting of first serial publication rights within and on the BMW MOA website and use in any future compendium of articles. No payments will be made and submissions will not be returned. The BMW MOA reserves the right to refuse, edit or modify submissions. Opinions and positions stated in materials/articles herein are those of the authors and not by the fact of publication necessarily those of BMW MOA; publication of advertising material is not an endorsement by BMW MOA of the advertised product or service. The material is presented as information for the reader. BMW MOA does not perform independent research on submitted articles or advertising. Change of address notification and membership inquiries should be made to the BMW MOA office or membership@bmwmoa.org. BMW MOA membership is $40/yr. and includes the BMW Owners News, which is not available separately. Each additional family member is $10 without a subscription. Canadian members add $12 for postal surcharge. The BMW MOA and MOA™ are trademarks of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.
OUR MISSION To foster communication and a sense of family among BMW motorcycle enthusiasts
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
IT’S DECEMBER AND FOR THOSE OF US NOT LUCKY ENOUGH TO
live where the riding season never ends, our bikes have been put into winter hibernation. Washed and waxed with fluids changed, fuel stabilized and battery tended, my bike stands quietly in the garage under its cover awaiting some long overdue service and a new chain and sprockets. Sadly, I’m in no rush because it’s going to be awhile before the warmth and clear roads of spring return – hopefully much sooner rather than later. In the meantime, the bikes rest tucked into their garage beds, leaving me with visions of twisty roads dancing in my heads. A few weeks ago, Thanksgiving offered us the opportunity to reflect on the blessings of the past year. It was a time to realize just how fortunate I am to share each day with family I love and friends that laugh with me. How lucky I am to have the job I do and that, even in the epicenter of the nation’s corn belt, I am still able to find ethanol-free gas for my motorcycles. With Thanksgiving now fading fast in our rearview mirrors and Christmas and Hanukkah quickly approaching, a rush of memories of the past year play back in my mind. Like watching the wheels of a cassette tape spinning backwards, pressing the play button takes me back to a childhood long ago when worries, though much simpler by comparison, occupied my mind just as much as worries of retirement funds, family and health do today. To August and a teary-eyed walk down an aisle with my daughter with friends and family looking on. To July and the joy of riding Utah’s beautiful Wasatch Mountains and heading to Salt Lake City for our Rally. Then, to June when my wife was able to retire, opening our lives to new possibilities. The reality is that our memories cut both ways by not only reminding us what we’ve done and where we’ve been, but also of what we’ve yet to do. Ken Frick, in one of the features in this issue, describes his relationship with his younger brother and how it’s evolved over the years. Long ago, as they left the family home in Ohio, their lives took them in different directions. Though they’ve always shared the bond brothers have, the responsibilities of their lives kept them apart. Be it work or family, they saw little of each other. Yet as different as they were, they’ve always shared a common love of riding motorcycles. Then, as Ken describes, a few years back things began to change and the communication between the brothers returned. Ken said that regardless of the distance between them, reading his brother’s emails became the highlight of his day. They began planning a ride together, a ride to “a show that nature puts on every few years somewhere around the globe,” Ken said. The best part was that it was only 300 miles away. Ken and Chuck planned to ride to the path of the recent eclipse. Then, as is often the case, life got in the way. Ken’s story begins on page 68 of this issue of BMW Owners News and presents a strong argument against procrastination. Another reason to pick up a phone, send an email or better yet, visit those you care about is to create a positive, long-lasting memory which never fades with time. While it’s much too early to begin thinking about resolutions for the new year, it’s never too early to make a positive change in your life.
www.ayresadventures.com
PRESIDENTSCOLUMN
Tis the Season BMW MOA OFFICERS
Wes Fitzer, President 918-441-2114; wes.fitzer@bmwmoa.org Jean Excell, Vice President 719-650-6215; jean.excell@bmwmoa.org Reece Mullins, Secretary 334-470-7770; reece.mullins@bmwmoa.org Sam Garst, Treasurer 414-704-7767; sam.garst@bmwmoa.org BMW MOA DIRECTORS
Deb Lower 719-510-9452; deb.lower@bmwmoa.org Tracy McCarty 913-238-3182; tracy.mccarty@bmwmoa.org Marc Souliere 613-828-1798; marc.souliere@bmwmoa.org Roger Trendowski 732-671-0514; roger.trendowski@bmwmoa.org Chad Warner 614-735-8558; chad.warner@bmwmoa.org BMW MOA VOLUNTEER STAFF
Steve Brunner, Mileage Contest Coordinator 910-822-4369; steveb@bmwmoa.org Jim Heberling, High Mileage Coordinator 309-530-1951; jheberling@bmwmoa.org Sue Rihn, Ambassador Liaison 262-424-2617; sue@beemerhill.com Lee Woodring, Consumer Liaison 770-331-2419; lee.woodring@bmwmoa.org Joe Leung, Consumer Liaison 403-689-9939; joe.leung@bmwmoa.org Brian Hinton, 2018 BMW MOA Rally Chair 2018rallychair@bmwmoa.org BMW MOTORCYCLE OWNERS OF AMERICA
640 640 S. Main Street, Ste. 201 Greenville, SC 29601
Robert C. Aldridge, Executive Director bob@bmwmoa.org Ted Moyer, Associate Executive Director tedm@bmwmoa.org Bill Wiegand, BMW Owners News Managing Editor bill@bmwmoa.org Karin Halker, Art Director karin@bmwmoa.org Ray Tubbs, Digital Marketing Manager ray@bmwmoa.org Wes Fleming, Associate Editor Digital wfleming@bmwmoa.org Lesa Howard, Membership Services lesa@bmwmoa.org Noelle Leopard, Membership Services noelle@bmwmoa.org
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By Wes Fitzer #170126 IT SEEMS THAT AS I GET OLDER, THERE ARE FEWER AND FEWER
days between each Christmas. I could swear we just celebrated the holidays. Compare this to when I was a kid, when it seemed like an eternity would pass before Christmas rolled around again each year. Those last 30 or so days between Thanksgiving and Christmas would just go on forever as I counted them down while dreaming of what Santa Clause might put under the tree for me. One of the earliest toys I remember Santa bringing me was an Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. I vividly remember laying on the floor in front of our old black and white console TV watching the pre-Christmas ads showing all the cool and crazy things that stunt cycle could do. I just couldn’t wait for Santa to bring mine. Unable to sleep, I think I must have gotten up at 3 a.m. that year knowing Evel Knievel was waiting for me under the tree. When I found him, I just knew that he had to be freed from his wrapping paper bondage so he could begin performing the stunts he did on TV. I must have played with that thing non-stop from 3 a.m. until my parents got up. Sadly, during that time I never got him to go more than about 10 feet before he fell on his side. For months, my buddies and I played with Evel, though we did get much better at getting him to go more than 10 feet and was never anything like what I saw on TV. Looking back, I think that was my first lesson in sales puffing. Sometime later the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle found its way to the garage sale box, never to be seen again. While poking around the internet recently, I was surprised to find the same toy going for $734. Boy, it looks like I got screwed twice by that silly thing! A year or so later I asked Santa for a Bell helmet in Evel Knievel Stars and Stripes. Santa came through once again and delivered the helmet complete with the convex face shield. I rode a million miles wearing that helmet and when I wore it I even thought I could jump school busses on my little Yamaha 125. I could actually see myself launching through the air and flying over buses or even the fountains at Caesar’s Palace. OK, after watching that jump live on TV I don’t know that I ever wanted to jump the fountains at Caesar’s, but you get my point. I sure wish I knew what happened that helmet, I’m sure it also found its way into the garage sale box. Those memories of my own childhood Christmases come rushing back each year at 3 a.m. with my own kids as they wake my wife and I up after we had only been in bed a couple of hours. As a parent, watching the excitement in their faces and in their eyes as they find their gifts from Santa are the things that make Christmas morning so special for us now. With two teenagers nearing the end of their time in our house, a big part of me wants to go back to those days, the days when they were young and Christmas was filled with awe and wonder and we woke up to screams of joy and excitement. I wish each and every one of you a joyous holiday season surrounded by family and friends building wonderful, lifelong memories. Merry Christmas.
Wes
Fitzer
www.weisertechnik.com
Postcardsfromtheroad
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1. M y 2016 K 1600 GTL photographed near High Point State Park in Sussex County, New Jersey. Dan Bailey #213615 Breinigsville, Pennsylvania
2. S moke from nearby forest fires envelopes El Capitan at Yosemite National Park. Dominique Rambie #101141 Mississauga, Ontario
3. C owboy Camp on Highway 16 in northern California. Dave Hagan #212098 Sacramento, California
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4. A photograph captured during an October club ride in Ovando, Montana. Kim Lemke #15230 Missoula, Montana
5. A vintage garage in Cove Creek, North Carolina. John Cochrane #175091 Valle Crucis, North Carolina
6. A bove the clouds on Mount Greylock in western Massachusetts. Phil Loud #127146 Northport, Michigan 7 7. T rackday at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Michigan. This bike is magic for me. Greg Koning #100426 Lawton, Michigan
8. A grist mill along Route 103 in Rockingham, Vermont. Greg Pregent #197737 Lebanon, New Hampshire
Each month we publish great images sent in by BMW MOA members captured as they tour the globe. Send us your best images and you could have your work published in our Postcards from the Road pages as well. Email your high resolution images, image description and contact information to editor@bmwmoa.org.
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RIDERTORIDER Send your letters and comments to: editor@bmwmoa.org
Time to read
As a non-BMW owner, I want to say thank you for your BMW Owners News magazine. In September I suffered multiple and complex fractures of my leg while riding my Honda Africa Twin off-road. My wife, who is an R 1200 GS owner, had a few BMW Owners News issues lying around which I have had plenty of time to read cover to cover. The stories were great, not Long Way Round over the top, and I especially liked that they were written by actual members which made the stories more authentic. I also get a strong sense of "family" from stories written about the Anonymous Book experiences. So, as I continue my recovery and anxiously await an issue of Honda Owners News magazine (there is no such thing) perhaps I will consider the greater value of owning a BMW motorcycle and join the family in the very near future. Charlie Humphrey, husband of Amberly Humphrey #212992 San Diego, California
Thank you MOA
I had just flown into Sarasota, Florida, to pick up my recent eBay purchase of a 1994 K 75 from a fellow MOA member and was headed to Vero Beach to visit my folks before making the journey home to Virginia. Eighty miles outside of Sarasota the bike died. I got the bike to the shoulder and called George Mangicaro, Owners News Nicht Uber Max columnist and my mechanic, who quickly determined that in all likelihood the fuel pump had given up the ghost. I had none of my MOA info with me, so I called MOA headquarters and spoke to Noelle who emailed me my info for the Platinium Roadside Plan. A quick call to them got Jason Behrman from Jason's Automotive and Towing to me in about 45
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minutes. He even called ahead to update me on his whereabouts and asked if I needed water as it was 95 degrees. I used every bit of my free 100 mile towing plus some to get to Power BMW in Palm Bay, Florida. Oddly enough, I had just read about them in the BMW Owners News. Calling ahead, I spoke to Max who told me the bike could be left under cover in front of the store and he would get right on it the next morning. Jason dropped me off near Vero Beach so my folks could meet me and he then took the bike the rest of the way to Power BMW and even texted pictures to me so I could see that the bike was in a safe place. The problem was indeed the fuel pump. Max had the new pump sent next day air and bent over backwards to make sure I was on the road so that I could be back at work Monday morning. On the near Iron Butt ride home on the backroads once out of Florida my “new” bike never skipped a beat. Hey Riepe, let’s go riding! Thank you Noelle, George, Jason, Max, Power BMW and BMW MOA Platinium Roadside Assistance. From now on I won't leave home without all of my BMW MOA info with me. Doug Schirmer #98949 Warrenton, Virginia
Stupid deer
Just received the latest Owners News and immediately flipped to Jack Reipe's contribution to see what was offensive this month. I read and reread it and could find nothing. However, on a third perusal it jumped out at me: "at the mercy of stupid deer." How can anybody measure the intellect of these beautiful animals strictly on the basis of their proclivity to jump out in front of motorcycles in the dark? As a young boy and man, I found myself doing the same not only at the
approaching sound, but at night when seeing the blazing illumination. The only stupidity I can find in the deer species, and please excuse any similarity of the use of the word stupid as I have no intention of insulting stupid people, is the fact that they are all born near the Ford factory in Michigan. However, just in case that I am missing something, I keep my copies of Owners News on a high shelf beside my copies of Maxim, Cosmopolitan and People in case my susceptible grandchildren should get ahold of them. John Gerrard #131197 Gilbert, Arizona
Friends indeed
On the Saturday of the recent MOA Getaway in Tomah, Wisconsin, we had a rider who found that his front tire was showing cords. Though he'd checked around Tomah for a new tire, trailer or truck in the area, he didn’t find any. Eventually, he did find a new tire just over two hours away in Madison, Wisconsin, but he didn’t have a way to get there. Hearing this, two Getaway attendees, Katy Heyning and Judi Trampf, who had driven to the Getaway, offered to take Roland and his front wheel down to Madison and then bring him back to Tomah once his new tire was mounted. These types of actions are not unusual in our BMW community and should be recognized when it happens. Thank You, Katy and Judi! Tom Van Horn #51550 and Sue Rihn #43753 Madison, Wisconsin
That's Gooseneck!
I had the July issue of Owners News on my desk, determined to write in about the great pictures and writing in it. Matthew
Parkhouse almost got me to understand those carburetors, and Jack Riepe had me giggling to myself. I was going to tell both of them that I was so busy fixing tenant’s toilets when I bought my first BMW, a 1959 /2 that I was looking for a riding escape, not another job. Then came the August issue. One glance, and I thought, “That’s Gooseneck on the Isle of Man!” Although it’s been two decades since I was there, I remember positioning myself right where the head sticks up in the picture, watching rider after rider blow the end of that chicane. My initiation to Gooseneck came before race day when my beautiful, smoke red R 100 C quit running there. Of course, I was on the other side of the road, because the course was fitted with signs, “Bitte immer links fahren!” Not in English, not in French, but only in German. “Please drive always on the left!” What followed was a typical Isle of Man experience. A woman in a VW stopped beside my dead BMW and asked if I needed help, saying, “There’s a bike shop in Ramsey, and I think you can coast all the way. But mind the radar trap at the bottom of the hill!” I did coast all the way, and I escaped the radar trap. The bike shop did get my BMW running. John Hermann #13 Coronado, Californa
Toad is still a nerd
I sit on the sidelines most of the time and say nothing. Sometimes it’s too much to bear. As for Mr. Bill and his “From Gas to Electricity” piece in the October 2017 Owners News, seriously? Am I to believe that “The Toad” and his Vespa scooter from American Graffiti are the new cool? Let’s be real, “The Toad” was a nerd then and he’s still a nerd. BMW may go down the path of the electric bike, which, to me at least, is a modernized version of the Vespa, but that path ends in an excrement hole. Newsflash to all EnviroNazi wackos: The Eternal Combustion Engine will be around for the rest of your wretched lives! Get used to it. Don Phelps #204739 New Palestine, Indiana
Touring on an RR
I enjoyed reading the article on the S 1000 RR in the October issue of Owners News. The first BMW I purchased in 1976 was a new Silver Smoke R 90 S, and I took many trips on it. Since then I have had six more additional BMWs including three K-bikes, an R 1100 RS and an R 1200 S. My current bike is an S 1000 RR that I bought in 2015. I tour on the RR and have added a Ventura rack, Hepco and Becker hard bags, Remus exhaust and a heated seat. The RR makes a nice touring bike, and I have made several trips over Tioga Pass to Mariposa and Fresno, several trips to the Sawtooth's and to Southern Utah and Monument Valley via the Moki Dugway. The only thing I would change about the bike would include a slightly larger gas tank and a center stand to allow me to adjust the chain on a trip. So far I have not run into another touring S 1000 RR at either the Stanley Stomp or the 49er. R. Christopher Swaner #203448 Salt Lake City, Utah
Uneasy on two wheels
In response to Jeff Mohl's letter in the October issue of BMW Owners News, at 82 years old, I too was getting uncomfortable on a two-wheeler. But, there is an alternative in a Can-Am Spyder. While not as much fun as a solo bike, it will prolong your riding years, and I'm sure a trike will do the same. I hate to hear of someone quitting riding. Hugh Blackstock #33874 Gainesville, Georgia
Denial vs. Reality
In the January BMW ON the Lee Parks article, “Knowing When To Hang It Up,” hit home. As I read the article the second time, reality was making some serious dents in my denial. My right leg was not getting any better, but I was not ready to admit that fact. Slowed reflexes and physical challenges due to age or impairment become safety factors that as riders we often ignore through denial. “I’m just as good as I once was.” In May I had an appointment at the VA
for a check up on my leg. The doctor verbally hit me upside my head with a dose of reality. This doctor was not going to be in contention for Miss Congeniality, and it didn’t help that he was also a rider. He made it clear that I had three choices: Stay in denial and keep riding two wheels, then fall over some time when stopped, breaking the motorcycle and me; Quit riding-NOT a real choice; or switch to a three-wheeled ride, so I could stop without having to put my right leg down. I had a sidecar for a couple of years and am familiar with their pros and cons; I have ridden HD and Honda conventional trikes and was not impressed with their handling. There is a reason no one makes three wheeled ATVs in that configuration anymore. Then I test rode a Spyder, and I was impressed. At this point I know a few of you are thinking, “I’ll never ride one of those things. When your choice is to quit riding, or to ride a Spyder, your perspective may change. As I write this, my F 650 GS has been sold, and someone is coming tomorrow to look at my R 1150 R. After 100,000+ miles on an F 650, I will miss it the most. I found a deeply discounted 2015 F3S Can-am Spyder that had not been sold and have now had it set it up for me. I plan on keeping my MOA membership. It is a good group, with good people, friends I have met, and friends I have yet to meet. Be nice to the guy that shows up at a BMW event on a Spyder. Someday it might be you. Gary Pederson #100196 Forth Worth, Texas
Walk it up
I truly enjoyed the October issue of Owners News as it was both entertaining and informative. A quick suggestion to add to Marven Ewen's article on transporting a bike in a pickup truck: Don't ride the bike up the ramp. Simply walk along side as you use partial throttle to ease the bike up the ramp. This eliminates the awkwardness of the transition from ground to ramp and ramp to truck. Ride and transport safe! Mike Morrill #213124 Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Life in the big city By Ron Davis #111820 AS
FAITHFUL
readers of my humble excuse for a column may recall, my last installment was about the prospect of moving, selling our house in the sticks and moving to a house in a city. Where we used to live was so isolated, not only could I usually identify the owner of the infrequent vehicle coming down the road by its sound, but I could often predict where the driver was probably going. Eight a.m., the high school kid from the farmhouse to the west going to his summer job on his moped. Five-thirty? The snowbirds from next door headed into town for their take-out. As I said, it was the sticks. Well, now most of the boxes have been unpacked, the furniture has been arranged, I’ve met the neighbors, and we’re almost adjusted to urban life. Almost. I still have to remember to check the blinds before changing clothes, my wife has to remind me to close the garage door at night, and my daughter still asks, “Now, are we taking our keys out of our cars?” I’m doing pretty well on resisting the urge to pee in the backyard though. Basically it’s been a bit overwhelming, and my adjustments on two wheels have played no small part. Take traffic lights. Months ago, there were few to deal with, and I could count stop signs on my way to the grocery or work on one hand. Now, I seem to have a knack for arriving at red lights as the first in line, and guess what? The lights sometimes never change. Apparently the street sensors in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, don’t
BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
recognize my majestic GS as a living, breathing entity. As in many states, in Wisconsin it is legal for a motorcyclist to run a red light after waiting at least 45 seconds for a change if it can be done safely, but this still feels like something I might have trouble explaining to a traffic officer. Other riders have suggested revving the engine or leaning the bike back and forth, and one made the dubious suggestion of putting the sidestand down, dismounting, and pressing the pedestrian button. My technique so far is to look for a tell-tale groove in the pavement where a sensor may be buried and try to stop on top of it. (On left turn lanes it may be one car length back.) Barring that, I try motioning for a vehicle in back of me to pull up tight on my rear. I’ve found there is not a hand signal for this request that is not open to misinterpretation. Accustomed to scanning for deer, turkeys, and the occasional opossum, navigating through a university town there are a lot more gorgeous—um—distractions. Even more dangerous, a steady parade of drivers plow toward me with zombie-like stares and cell phones plastered to the sides of their heads. Noise is another new dimension. Living within a mile of the area’s biggest hospital, sirens and helicopters add to mix. Being a newcomer, whenever I hear honking, I figure I must be the reason. The system here for marking intersections as two-way stops, four-ways or unmarked could best be described as “whimsical.” Incidentally, some readers may have heard the phrase, “The Wisconsin Four-Way.” For those uninitiated, it’s not what you might think. The phrase describes that frustrating stand-off that takes place at four-way stops when two painfully courteous Midwestern drivers arrive at an intersection at the same time: “Go ahead,” “Thank you, but no, you go” “No, please, go ahead,” “Really, I don’t mind
if you want to go…” etc. etc. This often ends with both drivers finally deciding to go at the same time, then stomping on the brakes to avoid an accident, which of course leads to another profuse exchange of heartfelt apologies: “My fault,” “No really, my fault,” etc. Roundabouts are popping up here and there; however, judging from my experience with them so far, many drivers around here are still on the upslope of their learning curve. Probably the biggest change in my riding habits since moving into the city is the fact that I ride less. There are more than six bigbox stores, a gargantuan grocery, three convenience stores, a movie theater, and a motorcycle dealership within 15 minutes of me now, and a cute par-3 golf course beckons from less than a half-mile away. This new realm of convenience ironically makes riding a bike in full gear less convenient. A romp from my old place for the Sunday paper offered a half hour of fresh country smells, ever-changing scenery and twisting, empty roads. Now, an errand for a gallon of milk means stop-and-go traffic, treacherous motorists seemingly bent on killing me, and a nagging concern about my bike’s security in the parking lot. Though I’ve recently received my universal license to complain about practically everything, now that I’m 65, I must say the transition to city life hasn’t been all that bad. Less (riding) may be more. Deserted, serpentine roads through the northern reaches of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area wander through breathtaking scenery just ten clicks out, and city life has given me a new appreciation for gearing up, getting out and exploring them.
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December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
17
member teste 18
PRoductreviews
TPX Pro Motorcycle Radar and Laser Detection By John Wetli #195304 MY RELATIONSHIP WITH RADAR
detectors began long ago while I was a poor college student supporting myself by driving a school bus. Two hundred miles separated my hometown from the small liberal arts college I attended. Two hundred miles of 55 mile-anhour, two-lane highway punctuated by dozens of small towns whose only commonality was their 35 mile-an-hour speed limit. For four and a half years I drove those roads in beat-up cars and despite the fact that these vehicles were either unsafe at any speed or unrecalled fire hazards, over one nine-month period I still accumulated two speeding tickets. I wasn’t ticketed because I was flying down the highway at ridiculous speeds in my Ford Pinto or VW Super Beetle. I was ticketed because I rolled into those small, unnamed towns and wasn’t slowing quickly enough as I crossed the threshold of the city limit. I’ll admit I was speeding, though unintentionally. For me, driving a school bus was the perfect job. I could work a couple hours early in the morning, go to classes and then work a few more hours in the afternoon. I couldn’t afford to lose the job, but if I received another speeding ticket my days in the big yellow buses would be over. After a bit of research, I bought a Fuzzbuster and happily
BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
drove ticket-free for the rest of my days in college and beyond. In the 30 years since, radar detectors have become somewhat of a crutch, and I’ve driven with one in nearly every car I’ve
owned. Early radar detectors were large black boxes with a switch or two and a couple flashing lights and, except for the occasional false signal they detected and magically alerted you to an upcoming encounter with a law enforcement officer. Radar detectors have become smarter and more sophisticated over the years and I
began riding with a radar detector in 2011. I was apprehensive about mounting an expensive Escort Redline on my bike and exposing it to the elements; any threat of rain meant it needed to come off the bike. Another difficulty was being alerted to the detector's alarm. For this, I placed speakers in my helmet and connected them to the audio port on the Escort. Though it worked, it was a cumbersome setup with a wire running from the detector, down my handlebars, under the tank and then up between the seat and tank beneath my jacket and into my helmet. I used this cumbersome setup for years until recently discovering the AdaptivTech TPX Pro Motorcycle Radar and Laser Detection system. Designed specifically for motorcycles, the AdaptivTech Pro offers weather protection, a quick mounting system, and the ability to customize the police bands it detects. It uses a bright, three-LED alert, making the spider web of wires running to my helmet unnecessary. To mount the detector, I used one of AdaptivTech’s clean and easy to use mounts on the left side of my handlebar. Onto the vibrationreducing top plate of the mount I bolted the quick-release plate of the detector. From there, I routed the wiring harness down along my clutch cable and under my tank, connecting the wires to my Denali Powerhub2 to prevent power drain when the bike was turned off. Additional ports attached to the wiring harness offer Visual, Laser and Auxiliary Out options. The Laser plug allows for the use of a Laser jammer and the Aux Out
plug provides audible alert options and works with comm systems. I used the Visual plug to connect the TPX Visual Alert, which I mounted atop my Navigator V. Planning to only use the detector on the highway, I programmed it to ignore X and K bands and only alert me to incoming Ka and Laser bands, the most commonly used police detection bands. I also maxed out the brightness of the visual alert. In the six months I’ve been using the TPX Pro detector on my GS, I’ve been pleased with its performance on the twolane roads I travel. Though I still find myself rolling into the small cities and towns a bit faster than I should, the detector has alerted me to upcoming law enforcement officers when needed and I’ve
not received any unwanted speeding awards. On the open interstate, I find the range of the TPX Pro almost as good as my classleading Escort Redline. Even though it can’t match the Redline’s range, the TPX Pro still provides more than enough time to relax your throttle hand and slow down. What the TPX Pro gives up in range, it makes up for in weather protection and ease of use. With the proliferation of autonomous driving technology and electronic road signs and other electronics emitting Ka signals, both my Escort and new TPX Pro detector are going off too often. Though the TPX Pro allows for firmware updates and the Escort can be programmed to
ignore many false alerts, when an alert comes in, it’s difficult to determine if that Ka signal is a distant officer or an oncoming semi. On the interstate, I’ve found that it’s usually the approaching semi triggering the alert, which essentially takes away any reason for using a radar detector in the first place. Over the years, I’ve grown accustomed to using radar detection and feel somewhat naked without them. I’ll continue using them but only on less congested two-lane highways. I guess that’s where I’d rather ride anyway – and another reason to avoid the superslabs. MSRP of the TPX Pro system is $399.99. Add $45 for the Visual Alert. Both are available at www.adaptivtech.com.
www.cardosystems.com
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
19
member teste 20
PRoductreviews
Rox Speed FX anti-vibration risers for 2013+ R 1200 GS and GSA By Vance Harrelson #100402 IN THE NEVER-ENDING QUEST
for farkles that make my ride more comfortable, I installed these ROX Risers to enhance the riding position and bar height on my 2016 R 1200 GSA. I have used other risers on other models in the past; however, I was intrigued by the good looks, craftsmanship and adjustability of the Rox risers design. Rox risers have been available for long time, but this new version addresses bar vibration with the addition of a rubber mount shock attachment of the upper clamp. The instructions included in the package are few in number, concise and to the point. The installation took
BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
a total of about an hour to complete. One thing to note that was not detailed in the instructions was that I found out that the riser base must be kept flush with the inside plane of the original mounts (affixed to the triple tree). This flush alignment is needed to allow the final tightening of the base clamps. Indeed the toughest part was the final tightening of the clamps once the bars were adjusted to my desired height. This job would have been much easier with the use of a set of extended length Torx bits (which now are included in my toolbox). The risers bolted right up with no need for rerouting of cables on either side. Once the installation was completed I checked to make sure there was still plenty of slack in
the cables with no interference or binding with the bars turned full lock in both directions. With the installation complete, of course I was anxious to head out on a test ride to check out the new bar position. Immediately I noticed the increased height, which quite dramatically changed the feel of how I was positioned on the bike. The new bar height made it feel like I was planted down in the seat further, and I found it to be much more comfortable than the previous height, leaving me feeling more relaxed. I immediately noticed a difference in how my shoulder muscles felt in the new position, something I was really hoping for. Next, I tried standing up, something I will do while venturing off road or when I need an occasional stretch during long days in the saddle. As I expected, the new and taller bar position made it much easier to reach the bars while standing and gave me a greater feeling of control. I am very pleased with the quality, performance and fit of this new product. The Anti-Vibe Handlebar Risers are available for $169.95 through the Rox website, roxspeedfx.com.
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December 2017  BMW OWNERS NEWS
21
member teste 22
PRoductreviews
Arai’s DT-X: Much more than an entry level helmet By Jerry Riederer #135671 THERE
ARE
CERTAIN
TERMS
which spark an immediate, almost visceral first impression of a product. “Light,” “Exclusive” and “Deluxe” all provide a foundation upon which our expectations may be built. When I was asked to review Arai’s DT-X helmet, which was described by one of our editors as Arai’s “entry level” helmet, I was skeptical as to what I would find. I think my first response was, “Do you really think the BMW riding community would be interested in an entry level product?” Having been a gear-addicted rider for years, I should have known that a so-called entry level Arai helmet would outclass most other helmets on the market at any price. Right out of the box, the clean lines and impeccable fit and finish loudly announce that there is nothing entry level about the DT-X. The helmet has a noticeably solid feel, yet weighs 3.5 ounces less than my Shoei RF 1200 in the same size. My first ride happened to be on a beautiful October afternoon. Fall colors were near peak in Central Wisconsin, so I used my need to test the DT-X as an excuse to take the afternoon off and tour through some of my favorite twisty roads to visit Rib Mountain State Park near Wausau. To my delight, the ride was enhanced by the overall comfort of the DT-X. The plush, antimicrobial lining and well balanced venting (10 ventilation ports) kept me cool and comfortable without making me want to open my shield to let in the wind. The shield is noticeably wider than any of the other helmets on my shelf. This translated to an expanded
BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
view of the periphery, which I found surprising. It was as though someone turned on a light switch. I had no idea what I was missing. Wind noise seemed comparable to other full-face helmets, certainly not worse and nothing of concern. With my get-acquainted ride behind me, it was time to actually do some testing. The following day it was 42 degrees with scattered areas of light drizzle, which is more typical autumn weather in this area. I suited up and hit the road. Again, the DT-X offered no surprises. The venting proved very effective, providing nice airflow without any of the cold spots that are present in some other helmets. The brow vents, located at the top of the shield, are a really nice feature. The mouth vent, along with the breath deflector and Arai’s de-mist system, ensured a fog-free view of the road. The de-mist system is incorporated into the shield latch. It allows the rider to push the shield latch lever up and create a slight increase in airflow inside the shield. This prevents fog or quickly clears it. I could not detect any increase in wind noise with the operation of this feature. All of the vents are easily operable with a gloved hand (I tested this with both summer and winter weight gloves). I conducted sideby-side comparisons with two top-of-theline, full face helmets that cost more than the DT-X. Visibility, especially peripheral vision, was noticeably superior
with the DT-X. Wind noise was comparable in all three, but admittedly this was a subjective test. I did go a bit further in testing wind noise and stability with the DT-X, so I can honestly say that it handles tripledigit speeds admirably. Arai also won the prize for venting. Both airflow and ease of operation were superior on the DT-X. “Arai entry level” is clearly an oxymoron. If there were compromises made to bring this helmet in at such an attractive pricepoint, they were not apparent during my testing. This is a top-of-the-line helmet packed with innovations and features not found on most higher priced helmets. MSRP is $589. Color options and more details can be found at araiamericas.com/ helmets/dt-x.
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(914) 772‐2091 c, kk (239) 293‐7893 e (630) 564‐8669 d, kk, m, ws FORT MYERS BEACH (239) 463‐0672 b, c, ss, ws FORT PIERCE (772) 461‐6521 kk, m, ws, wt (772) 538‐4400 d, b, e, kk, r, ss, t, ws, wt FORT WALTON BEACH (850) 240‐7068 d, b, c, kk, m, t, wt GAINESVILLE (352) 336‐8587 d, b, c, m, p, r, ss, t, ws, wt (352) 339‐2106 kk (352) 339‐5021 d, kk, m, t, ws, wt (352) 378‐1878 b, ss, ws (352) 495‐9355 c, ws (352) 514‐3661 e, m, wt (802) 459‐2459 d, b, c, kk, r, ss, ws GENEVA (407) 948‐0500 ws GLEN ST MARY (904) 337‐4149 d, c, kk, m, r, ss, t, ws, wt GRANT (321) 368‐3003 e GREEN COVE SPRINGS (269) 986‐9700 d, c, kk, m, p, ss, t, ws, wt (808) 753‐4702 kk, m GREENVILLE (850) 948‐3374 d, ss, t, ws GULF BREEZE (850) 203‐1188 d, e, kk, ss, t, ws (850) 516‐0710 kk, wt HALLANDALE BEACH (305) 934‐8588 ss HAMPTON (352) 258‐2476 d, m, ss, t, ws, wt HAVANA
(850) 539‐5741 d, c, p, ss, ws, wt HERNANDO (609) 280‐2516 e, kk HIALEAH (305) 824‐5800 d, e, ws, wt HIGH SPRINGS (859) 468‐4353 kk, r (919) 612‐7555 d, kk HILLIARD (904) 591‐0033 d, e, kk, t, ws, wt (904) 879‐2927 d, c HOLLYWOOD (954) 894‐6408 kk (954) 929‐1333 kk, m, p, r, ws, wt HOMESTEAD (305) 395‐9577 d, b, c, kk, m, r, ss, t, ws, wt (610) 704‐7611 d, b, kk, r HOMOSASSA (352) 628‐4636 d, b, c, kk, m, p, ss, t, ws, wt (352) 628‐6209 kk, ws, wt HUTCHINSON ISLAND (772) 801‐5760 kk INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH (703) 801‐8729 d, e, kk, ws
INVERNESS (352) 860‐1631 d, kk, m, ss, t, ws, wt JACKSONVILLE (620) 290‐8209 d, r, ws, wt (678) 296‐2243 d, r, ws, wt (703) 626‐2195 e, kk, m, ws, wt (734) 358‐8375 d, e, m, r, ws, wt (904) 237‐1020 d, b, c, e, kk, m, p, ss, t, ws, wt (904) 257 6223 d, e, ws, wt (904) 260‐9988 b, r, ws, wt (904) 260‐9988 c, r, ws, wt (904) 288‐0623 d, b, kk, wt (904) 294‐7739 d, e, kk (904) 381‐0003 e (904) 384‐6773 m, ws, wt (904) 388‐0158 kk (904) 389‐6470 kk, m, r, ss, ws, wt (904) 443‐6331 d, b, c, kk, m, t, ws, wt (904) 524‐9717 b, c, m, r, ws, wt (904) 535‐7131 d, b, c, kk, m (904) 625‐2090 d, m, p, ss, t, ws, wt (904) 655‐4618 d, e, kk, m, ss, t, ws, wt (904) 655‐7872 m
(904) 716‐8771 d, kk, m, p, ws, wt (904) 728‐1407 e (904) 730‐9719 d, e, wt (904) 731‐1062 d, b, c, e, kk, m, wt (904) 860‐4881 d, t (904) 874‐8103 kk JENSEN BEACH (772) 349‐8020 d, kk, m (772) 631‐2871 d, kk, m, ss, t, ws, wt (843) 229‐0191 d, kk, m, r, ss, t, ws, wt JUNO BEACH (561) 371‐6911 e, kk, m, r, ss, ws, wt JUPITER (561) 346‐1009 d, kk (561) 441‐3413 d, e, ss, ws, wt (561) 722‐1610 kk, m, ws, wt (561) 746‐5723 d, e, m, t, wt (609) 226‐2050 kk, t, ws, wt (772) 285‐2344 d, e, kk, m, ss, t, ws, wt KEY LARGO (305) 451‐9554 d, kk, t, ws, wt
BMW Owne rs
KEY WEST (305) 294‐0309 kk (305) 394‐1874 d, b, c, e, kk, r, ss (305) 509‐2961 d, t, wt LABELLE (419) 239‐5389 kk LADY LAKE (352) 259‐9627 e, kk, ws (352) 350‐0006 kk, r, ws (703) 437‐4227 d, e, ss, ws, wt (845) 876‐8441 kk LAKE CITY (337) 244‐2525 kk (386) 719‐2411 d, b, c, e, kk, m, r, ss, t, ws, wt (386) 867‐1017 d, m, ss, t, ws LAKE HELEN (386) 228‐3653 d, kk, ss, ws, wt LAKE MARY (407) 474‐6022 d, ws, wt LAKE PARK (561) 863‐3415 d, m, t, ws, wt LAKE PLACID (863) 465‐0712 d, kk, t, ws, wt (863) 465‐5700 d, ss, t, ws
Update your Anonymous Book listing before January 1
U.S.
m, ws, wt FERNANDINA BEACH (210) 930‐8197 e, kk, p, r, ws FLAGLER BEACH (608) 455‐1620 d, b, c, kk, r, ss, t, ws, wt (724) 378‐4524 d, b, c, kk, m, ws, wt FLEMING ISLAND (321) 591‐2965 d (904) 465‐2534 d, e, r, ss, t, ws, wt (904) 612‐6683 b, c, kk, m, r, ss, ws, wt FLORAL CITY (352) 560‐0033 d, e, kk, m, ss, ws, wt FOREST CITY (917) 282‐9823 kk FORT LAUDERDALE (305) 219‐0823 d, e, kk, m, p, ss, ws, wt (312) 218‐4346 d, b, kk, r (954) 321‐0077 r, ws, wt (954) 525‐8489 b, kk, r, ss, ws, wt (954) 648‐0169 d, m, t, wt (954) 648‐1797 d, kk, m, wt (954) 684‐8586 d, c, kk (954) 764‐7121 d (964) 684‐4443 kk, ss, ws (949) 690‐2322 d, kk, m, wt (954) 815‐7245 ws FORT MYERS (239) 201‐2052 d, c, e, kk, t (239) 267‐8229 d, m, wt (239) 482‐5073 kk (239) 565‐2609 d, b, kk, m, ws (239) 633‐4310 ss, t, ws, wt (239) 633‐8093 d, b, c, m, t, ws, wt (239) 823‐4896 wt (239) 898‐2134 e, kk, t, ws (239) 898‐7478 ss, ws, wt (239) 910‐5686 wt (301) 524‐5048 b, c, r, ws, wt
2017 BMW OWNERS ANONYM OUS
(386) 216‐1829 kk, t, ws, wt m, ws, wt (386) 314‐3321 d, kk, CORAL GABLES m, t, wt (305) 922‐7358 d, kk (386) 624‐6806 e, kk CORAL SPRINGS (386) 738‐1068 d, e, kk, m (754) 235‐2854 d, b, c, (386) 943‐4207 d, kk, m, kk, ss, ws, wt ss, t, ws, wt (954) 646‐4894 d, b, c, e, (386) 956‐8119 kk kk, m, p, r, ss, t, ws, wt (386) 956‐8664 c, e, m, (954) 729‐7127 t, wt ws, wt (954) 899‐5814 kk (904) 736‐3978 d, kk, t CORTEZ DELEON SPRINGS (540) 290‐9196 kk (386) 734‐5046 d, b, c, kk, m, r, ss, t, ws, wt CRAWFORDVILLE (425) 449‐1343 d, c, ss, ws DELRAY BEACH (608) 354‐7612 + (716) 247‐4972 d, m, ss, BMW (850) 421‐6395 Motdorcycle t, ws, wt ers of Ame 640 (850) 879‐2653 ss, Own (954) 605‐7430 b,rica ws, wt S. Maind, kk, Stre et, Ste. 201 t, ws, wt nville Gree DELTONA , SC (904) 421‐2617 d, c, m,29601 (386) 789‐3110 c, kk t, ws, wt (407) 324‐7266 kk CRESTVIEW DORAL (240) 298‐6732 d, c, kk, (617) 650‐7529 d, kk, m, m, t, ws, wt p, t, ws, wt (518) 522‐5263 d (786) 200‐7577 d, b, kk, (850) 398‐6799 kk m, ss, ws, wt (850) 423‐0036 d, ss, ws (786) 304‐0119 d, e, kk (786) 663‐7998 d, kk, ss CRYSTAL RIVER (786) 800‐8337 d, kk (352) 422‐2965 c, kk, m, (954) 354‐9812 d, kk, m, ss, t, ws, wt p, ss, ws, wt (617) 513‐1182 d, b, c, kk, r, ss, ws DOVER (813) 681‐5275 m, ws, wt CUTLER BAY (786) 218‐2369 kk DUNNELLON (352) 465‐6993 d DADE CITY (352) 843‐7021 d, kk, m, (410) 852‐6663 d, b, c, p, t, ws, wt kk, m, r, ss, t, ws, wt EDGEWATER DAVENPORT (231) 392‐4911 kk, m (508) 386‐5812 d, kk, m, (386) 314‐1055 kk, ws, wt t, ws, wt (386) 428‐8583 e (863) 420‐5714 c ENGLEWOOD DAYTONA BEACH (941) 697‐2167 d, kk, (386) 767‐9305 d, kk, t ws, wt (904) 248‐1482 d, e, m, ss, t, ws, wt ESTERO (239) 537‐9592 d, kk DELAND (239) 992‐8344 kk (314) 932‐8013 d, b, e, m, r, ss, t, ws, wt EUSTIS (386) 216‐8578 d, kk, (352) 326‐5210 kk
FLORIDA
new
PRoductnews
ANONYMO USBOOK
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24
BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
The 2018 Anonymous Book will be mailed to MOA members in early spring 2018 with production of the Anonymous Book beginning in January. BMW MOA members should include or update their listings prior to January 1 for the most accurate information to be published. To update the member profile information and the Anonymous Book listing, MOA members should log in at bmwmoa.org and choose “My Profile” from the top of the webpage. Members who need a helping hand to update their profile information can contact the membership team at (864) 438-0962 or send an email to membership@ bmwmoa.org. Members who would like to be listed in the 2018 Anonymous Book must select “Yes” to “List me in the Book” and select “Yes” to at least one service in their member profile. Members will be listed under the city and state in their current mailing address along with their primary phone number.
Seamlessly connect with Sena
With one click of a button, Sena’s 30K with Mesh intercom Technology can seamlessly connect to virtually an unlimited number of riders within a mile range using the 30K’s “Public Mode” feature. When a rider from the group falls out of range, the rest of the group remains connected thanks to the self-healing aspect of Sena’s mesh technology. In “Private Mode” a rider can create a group with up to 16 riders, and an endless amount of guests can listen in. The 30K bridges the gap between Bluetooth and Mesh Technology devices so that all riders can communicate with one another. The 30K is Bluetooth 4.1 compatible and able to connect to up to three other Sena devices and even one non-Sena Bluetooth device. In addition to the technological advance of mesh technology, the 30K packs the same feature set as previous Sena devices such as audio multitasking, taking and making phone calls, listening to music, hearing turn-byturn GPS directions, and much more. The 30K retails for $329 single or $579 for the dual pack. For more information, visit sena.com.
Renew your MOA membership and save
Current BMW MOA members can renew their existing membership and save $9 on the renewal price. Renew online before January 1, 2018 and use the coupon code BMWMOA9 at checkout for an automatic $9 savings. Members can also call the BMW MOA membership office at (864) 438-0962 to renew with the savings.
Protect your gear with GearLok
Don’t feel like lugging your riding jacket and helmet around when you park your bike? Without locking hard bags, what do you do? The GearLok utilizes a 60 inch cable of plastic coated, braided galvanized steel to lock your helmet, jacket, backpack or any other accessory to your bike. Simply pass the loop end of the cable through a convenient part of your bike like the frame, handlebar or grab rail, then thread the other end through the loop and then through the objects you want to secure. Insert the end of the cable into the lock slot and slide the lock up or down the cable to adjust the length. Your items are now secured to your bike and you have two free hands! When you return to your bike, enter your personal four-digit combination code and press the release button to unlock your gear. MSRP for the Gearlok is $38.95, and for more information, visit rockycreekdesigns.com December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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news
news
BMW MOA Board of Directors call for candidates By Reece Mullins BMW MOA Secretary AS REQUIRED BY THE BMW MOA
bylaws Article IV SECTION 1. GENERAL (Revised November 20, 2012) “The Secretary shall cause to be printed in BMW Owners News and placed on the BMW MOA web site in December preceding the election, a notice of the upcoming election. Such notice shall contain an explanation of the election and nomination process, the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Board of Directors, the election timetable, and the names and mailing addresses of the members of the Candidate Search Committee appointed by the President.” The bylaws are available for review online at bmwmoa.org. A member can request a current paper copy of the bylaws by contacting the MOA office at: BMW Motorcycle Owners of America 640 S. Main St. Suite 201 Greenville, South Carolina, 29601 (864) 438-0962 This year we have three Director positions open. If you possess the motivation, time and dedication necessary to be a BMW MOA director and would like to run for office, we strongly encourage you do so. Your typical meeting obligation would be twelve full board conference calls, and four in-person, quarterly weekend board meetings annually. Additionally, you would serve on two board committees. Board Officers are elected by the Directors at the first executive session board meeting
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
following the election at the international rally. Members typically arrive at the meeting location on either a Thursday (when there are Friday meetings scheduled) or Friday in time for late afternoon committee meetings. Board meetings generally conclude Saturday night to accommodate Sunday travel. Board members are compensated for travel, lodging, and meals in accordance with the current BMW MOA policy and procedures manual.
Procedure
Under the guidance of the Secretary, through the BMW MOA Executive Director and Staff, we are requesting that all BMW MOA members who are interested in becoming a candidate for the 2018 election inform the BMW MOA office; however, this is not required to be eligible for nomination. A nomination packet will be sent to each interested candidate from the BMW MOA office. Included in the nomination packet is a nomination petition that can be used to obtain at least five other individual members’ names, including their BMW MOA member numbers, addresses and signatures that support the candidate’s nomination. Obtaining the five signatures is required, but the provided nomination petition is only an example. Along with the nomination petition, the Candidate Search Committee must receive a biography/position statement no more than 500 words in length. The Candidate Search Committee will count the words and cut off the election materials after the 500th word of any biography/position statement exceeding this length. A photograph is not required, but it is highly recommended. The nomination petition may be submitted at a different time than the biography/position statement and optional
photograph, but all required election documents must be received by the Candidate Search Committee no later than February 1, 2018, for the member’s name to appear on the ballot as a candidate. February 1, 2018, is also the last day to withdraw candidacy, change candidacy or revise the biography/ position statement. The Candidate Search Committee shall, at any time, advise any individual member of the BMW MOA who so requests which members have been nominated or have submitted nominations for any or all positions. Except for members of the Candidate Search Committee, and prior to the submittal of the required materials to the Secretary, no person shall read or listen to the biography or position statement of any other candidate without such candidate’s prior permission. Members of the Candidate Search Committee who are also candidates may read such biographies and position statements prior to the submittal to the Secretary provided they have previously submitted their biographies and position statements and do not later alter them. The required forms can be submitted to any member of the Candidate Search Committee, but they must be received no later than February 1, 2018. The Chairman of the Candidate Search Committee is: Tom Buttars 2701 S 13th St. Lincoln, NE 68502 The other committee members will be announced in the January issue of the Owners News. All members of the committee will have served on or worked closely with the BMW MOA Board of Directors and will be able to address candidate’s
www.epmwilbers.com questions about serving on the Board from their personal experiences. The April issue of the BMW Owners News will contain the election materials, including each candidate’s biography and position statement, optional photograph and the election ballot. The last day to submit ballots is April 30, 2018. The Election Committee will look at the postmark for all ballots received after that date. The Election Committee will not count ballots received on or after May 11, 2018, even if the postmark is April 30, 2018. To foster communication between members and the candidates we will provide a special section (sub-forum) in the “Clubhouse” for candidates to use for campaigning, discussing the issues and answering questions from the membership. The Election Forum will go live on April 1st and shall be removed on April 30 of each election year. This end date coincides with the last day to submit a ballot. The election forum will not be archived and participation by candidates in this forum is optional. The Election Committee is nominated by the President and will be announced after the January Board Meeting. The Election Committee will certify the results of the BMW MOA 2018 Election and report the results to the President and Secretary who will notify all candidates. The Secretary will cause the election results to be printed in the Owners News no later than the July 2018 issue. Successful candidates will assume office at the Board of Director’s Meeting to be held at the 2018 BMW MOA International Rally in Des Moines, Iowa.
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
27
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news
NEWS
MOA Foundation Legacy Giving THE MOA FOUNDATION BOARD
of Directors recently approved launching a new program called the MOA Foundation Legacy Giving Program. This program provides a way for members of the MOA community to designate the MOA Foundation Legacy Giving Fund as a beneficiary of their estate through their will or living trust. The Legacy Giving Fund will be used to build and maintain national motorcycle safety awareness designed to save motorcyclists lives through education and training, to expand the GEARS program which benefits new riders with the important skills and confidence needed to be a successful motorcyclist, to grow the Paul B scholarship to encourage continued rider education and advanced skills development, and to establish and maintain a motorcycle historic museum to preserve the rich heritage for the future. Please consider helping to ensure that the foundation programs, including advancing rider safety, education and training and the preservation of the history of our sport,
will continue to benefit the future of our riding community through the MOA Foundation Legacy Giving Program. To learn more about how you can participate in planned giving to the MOA Foundation Legacy Giving Program, contact Randy Logan at (707) 646-9513 for a personal consultation or visit the MOA Foundation website for details.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
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TECH
keepemflying
Back to working indoors By Matthew Parkhouse #13272 to assure they go back together in the same relationship as they were originally. I here. We’re starting cleaned up the holes with sandpaper most mornings wrapped around a dowel and sanded the with a fire in the shafts to remove the whitish corrosion. I wood stove, and I’m cleaned off accumulated road grime and back to working on brake dust and applied small bits of the bikes indoors in the AMSOIL grease to all the areas of moveshop. The idle ment. The shoes had plenty of meat on thoughts about returning to Europe them, so I sanded them lightly to break the have become a serious reality; I have glaze. With everything cleaned up, all the purchased my long-time associate’s R parts went back into the mount75/5 and have it in pieces on ing plate. the lift right now. I have also After this series of maintepurchased a 1970 R 60/5 off nance items was done, I spent eBay. It is now being about 15 minutes with sandpashipped to me. My friend’s per removing the build-up of R 75/5 has a few miles on it, black rubber from who-knows but it has been looked after how many tires over the years pretty well. As I delve into along the inside of the rim. With wheel bearings, it is nice to the tire mounted, no-one will see the signs that I was there ever see the cleaned-up wheel long ago—I am the only one except people changing the around here who employs front tire (me) or the rider fixing AMSOIL synthetic grease, a possible flat (again, me), but and I’m seeing the familiar when I do see it I’ll smile. It just pink-purple grease in the looks a lot better now. After I bearings, throw-out and I have cleaned up most of the inside of the rim by using sandpaper to remove cleaned and re-greased the hand controls. decades of accumulated rubber left by many, many tires. wheel bearings and replaced I’m going through the them in the hub (the shimming stayed The next day, I pulled the front wheel, bike completely. The first seven hours unchanged) and after the new tire was balREALLY cleaned it, and mounted and balwith it saw me only working forward anced, the front wheel went back on. A anced a new Spitfire S11 tire. I also pulled of the steering neck. The first day, I quick servicing of the hand control (cleanapart the brake mounting plate and cleaned pulled apart the forks to check and ing and greasing) and seven hours of work and lubed all the pivot points. This is a task clean the components. Sure enough, was done. that doesn’t often happen on bikes with the fork bottoms were full of black The bike is now on my lift, with everyfront drum brakes, and the lack of attention goo. After a few decades, the fork oil thing missing from the engine rearward. I shows up in the form of sticky or even has dissolved the rubber bumpers. took off the swing arm and subframe in immobilized actuating cams. The shafts of After I spun them off, I scraped them preparation for installing long wheel base these can attract corrosion that binds them out and cleaned them up with paper (LWB) parts. BMW, in late 1973, started up. It’s kind of a fiddly job to remove the towels and carb cleaner. The fork making the airheads a bit under two inches circlips, pull off the levers that the cables caps had been cut up to help mount a longer. The extra length is in the parts work on and lever up the two brake shoes fairing at one time, so they got behind the main frame of the bike. I’ve and springs as an assembly. As I removed replaced with a pair of spare ones stretched a few Slash Fives over the years, the two cable levers, I could see the witness from my fork parts box. including Strider, the Mexico Bike, and the marks I punched the last time I did this As I worked around the top of the two Slash Fives we took to Europe back in with this bike, probably sometime in the forks, I added a mounting bracket to 2006. Along with a larger battery, the longer 1990s. You want to mark the parts this way hold a voltmeter. The ONE gauge I FALL IS CLEARLY
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
believe every airhead should have is a voltmeter. If you can’t mount one on the bike, at least carry one in your tool kit. There are tiny digital ones that plug into a car cigarette lighter. You can add some wires to these to allow a quick check of the bike's charging system if you believe the charging system is having trouble. I also forced some new grease into the steering bearings. The front end turned smoothly, so I’m leaving the bearings alone for now.
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December 2017  BMW OWNERS NEWS
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TEC
keepemflying
swingarm allows one to retrofit a 1979 or later cush-drive driveshaft that features a shock absorbing system. The shock absorbing helps with gentler shifting. I’ll be adding one of these to this bike as it goes back together. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve received several boxes from various eBay vendors, bringing me subframes, brake rods, seats and swing arms with the later drive shafts. A pair of digital voltmeters showed up, too. I have cleaned the used parts and repainted them, and am now ready to start rebuilding the bike. I pulled the clutch assembly and found it to have plenty of friction material, so I cleaned it up and put it back in. The gearbox was cleaned of a lot of oily road grime and, with the input splines cleaned and lubricated, returned to the bike. The rear wheel got the same treatment as the front: the bearings removed, cleaned, inspected and re-greased. A new tire was mounted and balanced, after I spent a few minutes cleaning the inner rims of many years of tire rubber. The bike will be getting a new set of low handlebars, along with new control cables and mirrors. The horn mount is broken off; I’ll weld up a new mount and hose-clamp it to a frame cross member. I found a couple of wiring issues, and I’ll be chasing down why the turn signals don’t work, the lack of headlight function and a sticky starter button. There may be new switches in the future for this machine. It’s a good thing I have four months to prepare these bikes for delivery to Stefan Knopf ’s freight forwarder, either in Orlando or Los Angeles, for shipment to Heidelberg. I’m leaning toward taking them to L.A., as it is closer, warmer and we have friends in the area. Right: I should not be able to slide a feeler gauge between the valve cover and the cover gasket with the fasteners tightened up! The heads of this 1981 RT probably got seriously overheated at some point. Pulling the heads, stripping them and having the valve cover surface milled flat is the proper fix. Using these Real Gasket silicone gaskets is the fix for stopping the dripping oil.
In the summer, I put the new tires in the sun to warm them up and soften them. In the winter time, they sit next to the woodstove for a while. Ditto for the old tire on the wheel.
Boosting the charging output of a Slash Five. The alternator from a 1974 or early 1975 Slash Six will bolt right up the front of a Slash Five engine. Along with a later diode board, this will increase the output from 180 watts to 280 watts. I’m planning on adding heated grips and higher output lights on the two Europe bikes.
www.motoelekt.com
The Slash Five, up on my lift, minus all parts behind the engine. Part of the project is “stretching” the bike from the SWB (short wheel base) early Slash Five specs to the two-inches-longer LWB (long wheel base) of the post-1973 bikes. Steadier speed, a larger battery and a better choice of luggage come with the longer wheel base. Parts needed include a swingarm with a drive shaft, the brake rod, a sub-frame and a seat. This all means lots of packages from eBay!
On the repair front, a gentleman dropped off a 1981 RT he brought up from Louisiana. That was the first year for a number of changes BMW made, a few of which proved to be problematic. The center stand is poorly designed, for example. I’ve struggled with those stands on many early 1980s airheads, but this is the first one that required the aid of a floor jack to get it off the center stand! To replace the oil filter, one needs to partially remove the exhaust system. The early '80s bikes had problems getting the no-lead metallurgy right. This bike seems to have warped heads as well, and I’m avoiding putting it on the center stand. I’ve done the oil change and countered the effect of the warped heads with the use of Real Gaskets. These are silicone rubber gaskets made by an aircraft products company that also makes a few motorcycle gaskets as well. The proper fix would be to pull the heads, strip them and have them surfacemilled to get the valve cover area flat again. The rubber gaskets are a make-do repair, but they do seal things up. Once I do the service and repairs, the bike will be shipped
to Ft. Worth to be repainted. Along with the RT, I’ve done a couple of gearbox rebuilds, though I haven’t finished up my four-speed, and I helped my friend Tom with his KLR. The headlights have not worked since he bought it from a friend of a friend. While I usually don’t work on nonBMWs, I figured that electrons are electrons, and had the lights on within an hour. I started by getting out my test light—the most useful electric troubleshooting tool I have—and started the upstream/downstream routine, beginning at the battery. The problem proved to be a corroded metal clip inside the fuse box. A bit of sanding and polishing and everything was working again. I’m making plans to be at an airheadoriented BMWNEF Winter Rally in Northeast Florida, a few miles from Gainesville, in mid-January next year. (details in When & Where) I’ll be doing a couple of seminars and just generally helping Airheads at the rally. It will be a nice break in our Colorado winter! Then, hopefully, we'll head south of the border.
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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www.spieglerusa.com
TEC
Winter is coming, are you ready? NOT ALL OF US ARE LUCKY
enough to ride where the snow never falls and riding isn’t limited by weather. To prepare your bike for a few months of rest and ensure it’s ready to go once the new riding season returns, here are a few suggestions. Fill Your Gas Tank To begin prepping your bike for winter storage, take a ride to the gas station and fill your fuel tank. Leave enough room to allow for an appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer and now add that. The ride home will allow the mixture to flow through your carburetors or injectors, treating the entire fuel system. Once you get home, top off the tank with fuel and rest knowing that your full tank of fuel will help prevent rust or corrosion from forming in your fuel system as your bike awaits spring. If your bike has carbs, drain the float bowls and make a note to shoot a little carb cleaner through them before hitting the road next spring. Change Your Oil The last thing you want inside your precious motor are corrosion-causing contaminants that could lead to premature engine wear. Even if it’s not quite time for an oil change, think of this as cheap insurance that will help your motor last longer. With the motor still warm from your run to the gas station, drain the engine oil, remove and replace the filter and refill the crankcase with your favorite brand. Wash and Detail Your Bike After your last ride of the season, treat your baby to a bath. Products like S100’s Total Cycle Cleaner are great and will quickly and easily remove bugs, dirt and grime from plastic and painted surfaces. Where
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
the more difficult grease and grime accumulate, like around your rear wheel and engine, use a degreaser to loosen and then spray the mess away with lots of water. Be careful using strong degreasers around painted and plastic parts, as the last thing you want to do is allow them to ruin your paint. If you haven’t already, fill a bucket with water and plenty of automotive or motorcycle-specific shampoo, get out a couple of sponges and go to work. Finish the wash with a thorough rinse and wipe away remaining water with a chamois. Painted plastic and metal parts can always use a coat of wax, and it never hurts to polish any chrome that might be on your bike. Even if you subscribe to the “A Clean GS is a Dirty Shame,” mantra, a clean bike might just reveal issues hiding beneath the dirt including unwanted cracks on a frame, motor or plastic surface or other things needing your attention. If you’ve got a chain-driven BMW, the last step in your wash cycle should be cleaning and lubricating your chain. While back there, check the sprockets for wear.
all modern BMW motorcycles have at least a clock on them, which means a tiny parasitic draw that could drain the battery, so it's important to either remove the battery or keep it properly charged. Whether in or out of your bike, long battery life is the reward for proper battery maintenance. A low charge level and freezing temperatures are two of the worst forms of neglect of your motorcycle battery.
Find Shelter If you really love your bike and have an understanding partner, your living room would be the perfect location. The next best place would be a heated garage or storage unit. Many dealers and independent shops offer storage services. Once you bring your bike to where it will endure the winter, inflate the tires to the recommend pressure and put the bike on its center stand to get weight off the tires. If possible, place supports under the motor or use a paddock stand to get the front tire off the ground as well to avoid flat spots. If you can’t get the tires off the ground, remember to rotate the tires every couple of weeks.
Cover Your Bike If your bike is stored outside, this is a nobrainer, as the cover will protect your precious bike from winter’s worst. A breathable cover is recommended over something more tarp-like, as it will allow air to circulate, helping to prevent corrosion or other moisture-related damage. If you're storing indoors, a bedsheet will do the trick to keep the dust off your motorcycle.
Maintain Your Battery If your bike has to be stored outside, remove the battery. If you're storing it inside, either remove the battery or attach leads to which you can connect your battery tender. Nearly
Don't Start the Bike Resist temptation to start your bike while in storage. Running the bike for a few minutes won't get it up to operating temperature, which is when the oil can really work its magic. Idling the engine for a few minutes has no benefit, so it's best to not do it. Keep out the Critters Covering or plugging your exhaust and air intake will ensure that critter parts won’t come shooting out your tailpipe next spring – or worse, get sucked into your engine. Some riders will even go as far as placing mousetraps beneath their bike while it’s in storage.
Wait for Spring Now that your bike has been put into hibernation, get out your Farmers Almanac to see when you’ll likely be able to ride again and start planning next year’s adventures. If your bike is stored inside, it’s also a good idea to place a comfortable chair near it so you can visit it often and to make sure it knows it is loved. Always remember, if you take care of your bike, your bike will take care of you.
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TEC
The torque wrench; possibly the most important tool in your toolbox By Wes Fleming #87301 TORQUE – noun – a force that produces or tends to produce rotation; also, a measure of the effectiveness of such a force that consists of the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation. WRENCH – noun – a hand or power tool for twisting or turning a bolt until its head snaps off.
the S.R. Dresser Manufacturing Company, filed a patent application for their "torque measuring wrench" in 1935. The reasoning behind the torque wrench was, as Bahr wrote in his patent application, to prevent "the application of excessive strain to bolts" and to ensure proper tightening of fasteners because "The physical strength of operators varies, and the leverage at which their force is exerted may frequently vary and generally it has been
NOW THAT WE'VE
gotten that out of the way, let's combine those two words into what is one of the most important tool in any amateur or pro mechanic's kit: the torque wrench. Conrad Bahr, born in 1872, found himself working for the New York City Water Department in 1918. One of the frustrating aspects of his job down in the steam tunnels and sewers under the city was coming across fasteners that were too tight (making it difficult to loosen them) or too loose, which allowed leaks and other problems. To address these issues, Bahr had an idea for a tool that allows anybody, no matter how strong they may be, to tighten a fastener to a specific point and no further, thus ensuring not only consistency across a specific application, but a level of precision that would allow engineers to more carefully design the systems used in everyday life. Bahr and George Pfefferle, an engineer and inventor with
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
found by experiment that it is practically impossible for an operator to judge with any reasonable degree of accuracy to what a degree of strain a bolt is tightened, or to secure any uniformity in the tightening of bolts of a series." Being able to tighten a bolt or a nut to a specific level and do so consistently is a critical part of our lives as motorcyclists, and I think about that every time I tighten the five bolts that hold the rear wheel of my 2005 R 1200 GS to the rear wheel carrier with a force of 60 Newton-meters (44 footpounds). The simple process of accurately tightening those bolts (in a star pattern, of
course) helps to keep my bike upright and handling in a predictable fashion through every mile. Many of us think that we can estimate the proper torque with our hands, eyes and mind, somehow feeling the proper time to stop tightening a fastener. This feeling is so pervasive among motorcyclists that I did a semi-scientific study in 2015, engaging six friends and a professional motorcycle mechanic to test my hypothesis that when it comes to tightening a fastener to a specific torque value, human beings are largely incapable of accurately determining when to stop turning the wrench. In my experiment, the participants were able to hit the proper torque— again, without using a torque wrench—in just 11 percent of the attempts. In 77 percent of the attempts, the fastener was under torqued, which won't result in a stuck or broken fastener, but could result in a fastener that gives way under load,especially on something as critical as the lug bolts for the rear wheel. Based on those results, my conclusion was that using a torque wrench every time on every critical fastener is of paramount importance. Because our motorcycles use the metric system, torque values for them are listed in Newton-meters. A Newton-meter is the force of one Newton applied perpendicularly to the end of an arm one meter long. A Newton measures the force that gives a onekilogram mass an acceleration of one meter per second per second; it's named after Isaac Newton, the father of physics and
calculus, in honor of his Second Law of Motion. The U.S. equivalent is pound-feet, but that seems awkward to say, so we often say foot-pounds. Torque wrenches measure that force, and because it's rare to find a torque wrench with a one-meter-long shaft, they are calibrated to function at whatever length they are. Most of us who already own a torque wrench have a click micrometer wrench. It functions by way of a spring; the handle twists clockwise and counter clockwise to reach the desired torque setting, and when the twisting force reaches that point, it produces and audible and tactile "click" that lets the user know to stop twisting. Click micrometer torque wrenches are generally affordable and easy to manufacture, but they require that the tension be released after use or they could drift out of spec during storage. Many professional mechanics use splitbeam torque wrenches, primarily because they are faster to set and don't require the same tension release as the twist-handled click micrometer wrenches. You just release a small lock lever, turn the dial to the desired setting, close the lock lever and twist away. They produce an audible click, but not a tactile one you can feel through the handle. They are easier to use, but more difficult to manufacture and therefore carry a higher consumer cost. Typical brands like Snap-On can cost several hundreds of dollars, but the upside is you can get them used in pawn shops or on eBay and send them back to the manufacturer to have them recalibrated and therefore save considerably over the cost of buying a new one. No matter the type of torque wrench you buy, commit to using it on every critical fastener you tighten. Look up the torque spec and stick to it; trust me when I say you and I do not know better than the engineers that designed the systems and specified the torque values. There's something both satisfying and comforting knowing you're rolling down the road on wheels that have their lug bolts, axle bolts, fork tube pinch bolts and brake caliper mounting bolts securely fastened and tightened to the proper torque values.
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
37
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Longdistancestyle
Coast-to-Coast Crusader By Deb Gasque #182082 “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” —Sir Edmund Hillary Challenge. That word absolutely fires me up and has been a fairly constant part of my life. Whether it’s facing an unforeseen challenge or creating a big one for my personal growth, I’ve become pretty proficient at meeting those challenges headon with a raging fire in my soul and a willpower that can move mountains. On that note, it should be no surprise that I had an Iron Butt Association “50 CC” (coast-to-coast in 50 hours) on my radar for this year. You may recall my article from January where I publicly shared my 2017 riding goals which my “Inner Moto Beast” was going to tackle. Well, the IBA 50 CC was the most challenging part of that list, by far. An entire year of planning was put in for a late September departure. A ride of this magnitude has many details involved route planning, fuel stops, time changes, weather pattern research, etc. Not to mention, I had two other riders joining the journey - MOA members Bill Gasque and Leslie Gattis. The more, the merrier, but that also means more details to hammer out. As I was in the final two month stretch prior to launch of this coast-to-coast ride, I upped the ante a little more. A challenge upon a challenge, if you will. I was standing in my bathroom mirror, applying the last of my eye makeup when I had an epiphany - instead of
BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
riding for my own personal growth, why not also use the epic-ness of the ride to benefit a charity? That exact day, I put the wheels into motion to ride for my local chapter of the “Look Good, Feel Better” cancer support organization which provides wigs and makeovers for women bat-
tling for their lives through chemotherapy treatments. It was very personal, as several of my friends and family have dealt with the big ugly “C” word. I was determined to meet this challenge with my fiery soul and make a difference in the world. During the two months before departure, I not only prepared for the coast-to-coast ride, but also created my “Blazing the Pink” fundraiser. The details of this endeavor
entailed gathering sponsorships and individual donations, creating publicity materials and press releases, coordinating all of the pink gear to be worn and pink ribbon accoutrements for the bikes, preparing for the “homecoming party” after to continue to raise money for the event, etc. Needless to say, I was one busy lady. The actual ride itself was in the back of my mind, ready to address when the time was pertinent. This dual-level challenge I had created not only kept me extremely busy, but also heaped a load of fatigue on my mind and body, which I powered through. I often joked that I was doing sleep deprivation training prior to the big ride. And then there was the extremely active tropical season this year. Plans were to leave from Jacksonville Beach, Florida and head directly across Interstate 10 to Interstate 8 into San Diego, California. Well apparently, Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma had been heavy flirting out at sea, and as Harvey began to run from Irma, she pursued like any smitten gal would. The result, as most of us know, was extensive damage to Texas and Florida, leaving portions of I-10 questionable. Me and my small crew adjusted our departure to Tybee Island, Georgia which shifted the route to I-16 out of Savannah, I-75 to Atlanta, I-20 across Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and into Texas where it dropped south and connected with I-10 west of any hurricane damage. That route also added several miles and time to the trip, but we were confident that it would work well. In the snap of a finger, the day had finally come to put all the planning into motion. At 3:10 am on September 30, we had our beginning fuel receipts from the Tybee Island BP station tucked into our tank bags for Iron Butt Association documentation, and we throttled out with San Diego in the crosshairs. Blazing the Pink was now a
reality, and the seriousness of the accomplishment in front of me gave me chills. I knew this would be the most challenging journey of my life, but little did I know just how big the challenge would be. Our time on the road for the first segment went fairly smoothly, minus a couple of GPS burps that resulted in skipping an exit or two. We recovered nicely in the time game though. Iron Butt rides are all about good time management and building buffers into your “time bank” for unforeseen circumstances - weather, traffic, fatigue. Additionally, there was a Best Western room waiting in Abilene, Texas for three weary travelers to rest at midpoint in the trip, and the more time we built on the road meant more time for sleep. When the sun set that first day out, the fatigue for me set in. It wasn’t extreme, but enough to get my attention. I failed to remove my sunglasses at the stop before sunset, so squinting in the dark wasn’t too much fun and added to the discomfort of body aches from riding near 1,200 miles that day. At the last stop before Abilene, just outside of Dallas, I had my first meltdown. It wasn’t of nuclear proportion, but I wasn’t too pleasant to my compadres. Admittedly, I was questioning my decision to do this ride. The challenge was feeling overwhelming. I took a few moments to power through it, and with the thoughts of a hot shower and a pillow waiting on me, I was ready to beast out the last 175 miles for the day. After endless miles of “Loose Gravel” signs, orange construction barrels, crappy pavement, and an obnoxious light rain, we threw our bikes onto their center stands and were fast asleep in Abilene. Following around four and a half hours of sleep which revived us fairly well, we set back out on the road to finish this epic ride we were halfway through. It was just after 5:00 am that first day of October, and there was a biting chill in the air accompanied with a thick fog. Once we dropped down onto I-10, we found sunshine and warm temps which put a smile back on my face. The closer we got to the Pacific Ocean, the more determined I got to not only finish this ride, but to also smile through it and actually enjoy the experience and this
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tremendous journey. My soul was soaring that day, and there were fun shenanigans at our stops poking fun at each other. We could all feel the excitement building knowing our arrival in San Diego was nearing. At our last stop in Yuma, Arizona after dark had set in, along with extreme body fatigue and sleepiness, we spent our time at the fuel station hydrating, caffeinating, jumping around and trying to cheer each other on. As I mounted my trusty steed for the final leg, I felt the remaining 170 miles would certainly be difficult physically (my joints from head to toe were completely over the abuse), but would also be extremely rewarding with each mile I put behind me. We crossed over into California around midnight, Pacific time, and at some point I noticed the horizon was full of red flashing lights. I spent a few moments pondering the spectacle we were riding towards. And then it hit me - wind generators. Then the second realization hit me - there was a mountain ahead. Mountain? In all of my almost obsessive detailed planning, I failed to check topography.
Silly me. I certainly wasn’t in the mood to ride over that mountain after the intense fatigue of the past two days. After quickly doing the math of “mountain + wind generators,” the answer hit me just as hard as the first blast of the infamous Santa Ana winds. As we ascended into elevations reaching 6,000 feet, the 45+ mph winds were cold and downright brutal, and I feared they could also be fatal to a two-wheeled machine maneuvering through curves in the dark with a petrified rider piloting through the chaos. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, my fear level peaked to its highest point, and I started feeling defeated. I considered giving up. I kept muttering those two most terrible words - “I can’t.” I felt weak and scared, and that is certainly not my character. As the difficulty of the bucketing winds coming from all directions intensified, I frantically looked for somewhere to pull over and stop. I just wanted to quit. But every time I saw a possibility, which was some random exit to who knows where, I dug deep for my courage and kept
rolling that throttle. Following the ugly Santa Ana experience (also known as the devil winds), came thick pea soup fog which was loads of fun going through mountain curves. The brutality of the final miles of this epic journey was astounding and definitely taking a toll on my soul. But the more I fought with that dark feeling of “I can’t,” the more courage I found in the light of “oh yes I can, and I WILL conquer this mountain.” At 1:20 am on October 2, after that last fuel receipt rolled out of the Shell fuel pump, and with tears rapidly streaming down my face, I rose a mighty fist pump to the sky like never before. Not only did I finish a grueling Iron Butt 50 CC ride, but I also conquered and overcame the overwhelming fear that engulfed my soul that night…and as a result, I discovered the volume of my courageousness. It changed me. I’ve never felt so strong. Fast forward a few weeks, and I was able to celebrate the victory back in South Carolina at a “homecoming party” for Blazing the Pink and give the money I raised to the Look Good, Feel Better charity. My mission was complete. I rode away with a giant smile knowing I had conquered the huge challenge and received the biggest gift of my life while giving to other women out there struggling to keep the gift of life. It was the ultimate “Pay it Forward” moment, and my smile was so big…big enough to move a mountain! From left, Leslie Gattis, me and Bill Gasque.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
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Rebuilding a First Year
R 100 RS Part 2: The Build
This is the second of a three-part series about how I rebuilt a 1977 R 100 RS and rode it 3,400 miles to the RS 40th anniversary rally in Pennsylvania and back to meet the designer, Hans Muth.
By Brook Reams #114474
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IN
PART
1,
I
DESCRIBED
HOW
I
acquired a first year 1977 R 100 RS and then decided to rebuild it so I could ride it from my home in Arvada, Colorado, to the 40th R 100 RS anniversary rally in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, hosted by Todd Trumbore. Yes, that is not a typo, Todd ironically lives in Harleysville. The bike is VIN 6180422, so it is the 422nd imported to the US. It was manufactured in December of 1976 as a CFO version with modifications necessary to meet the pollution requirements in California, Florida and Oregon. My plan was to start work on September 1, 2016, and finish the build sometime in June, 2017. The rally was going to be held on September 14–16, so that would give me time to put 1,000 miles on to find any problems with the bike and make corrections before the five-day ride to Pennsylvania. Past projects have shown me that even with a plan, there are unknowns along the way that take longer than you anticipate to remedy, and often there are corrections and changes needed before a rebuilt bike is stable and reliable. In preparation for the build, I started to learn as much as I could about the R 100 RS. I bought a copy of Bill Stermer’s BMW R100RS that had been republished by Whitehorse Press, and I consulted other books I had on the history of BMW motorcycles. I sent numerous questions to online groups devoted to the care and feeding of BMW airhead motorcycles, (an excellent one is http://lists.micapeak.com/mailman/ listinfo/airheads), and the Airheads Beemer Club (ABC) which is an MOA chartered club I belong to.
Planning a build
This bike would be my fourth rebuild project. I have developed a method to plan a build. I start with the end in mind and work backwards. I ask myself the following questions to develop the plan: • How much restoration to original condition do I want? • Do I add newer, more reliable components? • Do I repaint or leave the finish as is? • What work am I going to do myself and what will I send out? • What do I want to learn how to do on this project?
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My bike is a CFO version and the 422nd imported by Butler and Smith into the U.S.
The first question was the hardest on this project. It would be nice to put this bike back in the same condition it was in when it left the showroom floor. But the changes other owners made influenced my decision. At the start, I knew the original wire wheels with blue pinstripe rims were replaced with the later, cast “snowflake” rims, and the heads had been modified for dual spark plugs to overcome pinging with the no-lead fuel mandated by the EPA. As I worked on the project, I unexpectedly found that the cylinders, pistons and rings had been replaced. The original ALFIN cylinders used in 1977 weren’t on the bike; instead the later Nikasil cylinders introduced in the 1981 model year with lower compression 8.2:1 pistons and rings were installed. With one exception, I decided to keep what I had and focus on improvements for reliability. The exception was to replace the lower compression 8.2:1 pistons and rings with new 9.5:1 components available in Germany, as that was the original compression of the CFO and the standard engine in 1977. I’m an amateur painter and had painted two bikes. However, the fairing on the RS has a shape that is a challenge to paint, so it would go to a local painter I was familiar with. The instruments and clock needed rebuilding so I sent them to Terry Vrla. The Nikasil plated cylinders are aluminum, and so are the pistons; therefore, the gap between the pistons and cylinder is
small, since they expand just about the same rate when heated. The typical gap with steel cylinder liners is much larger, as the aluminum piston expands about twice as much as the steel does, so a larger gap is necessary to keep the piston from seizing. For the best engine life and low oil consumption, Tom Cutter at Rubber Chicken Racing Garage recommended replating and honing the Nikasil cylinders to achieve the proper clearance matching the new pistons. He also recommended refurbishing the connecting rods as they stretch and the holes can become oval. The mileage on the bike was a bit over 37,000 miles. I suspected the exhaust valve seats were original. The original seats wear faster since there is no longer any lead in the gasoline to cushion the valve face as it slams into the seat. That’s precision work that I always send out to an expert. So I packed up the cylinders, new pistons, rings, wrist pins and heads and sent them to Tom. Work I wanted to learn how to do included rebuilding the starter motor, replacing the transmission bearings and seals, replacing the wheel bearings and setting the wheel bearing preload. Based on my initial assessment of the condition of the bike and what I want to end up with when I finished, I created a high level work plan for the build. This is organized by projects for the major subsystems like body work, engine, clutch,
transmission, carburetors, etc. I outlined what I need to do in the approximate order of the work. As I took the bike apart I adjusted the work plan as necessary to cover what I didn’t anticipate. An example is when I removed the cylinders from the bike to discover they were Nikasil and the tops of the pistons had corrosion. Instead of installing new 8.2:1 pistons and rings, I updated the work plan to include boxing and shipping the whole top end to Tom Cutter for him to work on. If at all possible, I try and send out all the work I need others to do as soon as I can, which was important on this project, based on getting the bike ready to ride to the rally. As I did the work I checked off the activities as I went so I could look at the work plan and know how much work was left to do. As I took parts off the bike, I bagged them and cataloged the parts to create a master parts order list with estimated prices using any of the available on-line parts sources, e.g. MAX BMW or RealOEM. That way I had a running estimate of the parts cost as I disassembled the bike. I color coded the parts entries to indicate the status of each part: A Potential Option, To Be Ordered, Ordered, and Received. When I order parts, I extract them from the master sheet and add them to a separate sheet for each vendor. This little bit of organization really pays off when you are ordering a hundred or more parts from multiple sources over a year-long project. When I received the parts, I tried to keep them organized by major subsystem; engine, transmission, electrical, etc. I find this reduces the time I spend trying to find a new part when I’m putting the bike back together again. Often I’m mixing refinished and new parts, so I lay them out on a workbench before I start work so I use the correct parts.
this. I organize my documents using the BMW parts numbering system which uses a two digit number to identify major subsystems. 01 -Literature 11 - Engine 12 -Engine Electrics 13 -Fuel Preparation 16 - Fuel Supply 18 - Exhaust System 21 - Clutch 23 - Transmission
31 - Front Suspension 32 - Steering 33 - Rear Axle & Suspension 34 - Brakes 36 - Wheels 46 - Frame, Fairing, Cases 51 - Vehicle Trim 52 - Seat 61 - Electrical System 62 - Instruments Dash 63 - Lighting 71 - Equipment Parts 77 - Accessories
Below: High level work plan projects list and vendor part orders list.
Writing and publishing my work
Ever since my first rebuild in 2009, I’ve taken the time to photograph my work, document how I did it (including my mistakes and corrections) and publish this on my web site (brook.reams.me). I have developed a systematic way to do
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All my documents start with a two digit number in the title followed by the bike year and model and a short description of the work; for example, “11 BMW 1977 R100RS Install Connecting Rods and Assemble Top End.” This organizes the documents on my web site so folks can find what they want. I take a lot of pictures for each build because pictures are free and make complex assemblies much easier to understand than only using words. On this build, I have taken almost 2,900 pictures and have almost 11,000 in total from the four projects I’ve worked on. I’ve also been adding short videos of a couple minutes where the procedure to assemble something is best shown by video rather than pictures. As I do the work, I think about how to describe it in pictures. I’ve gotten good at shooting with one hand so I can hold parts and tools while I take pictures. I upload the pictures to my Flickr account and add a caption to each one and rearrange them as needed so they form the outline that will guide me when I write the document. I try to upload each day’s pictures after I do the work. Then, when I have a lull in the work I write up the procedure and post it to my site and post notes on the availability of new publications on the various sites I participate in, such as the MOA forum,. Yes, documenting what I do takes a lot of time. I estimate it takes me two to three times as long to photograph and publish the work as it does to do it. But, I enjoy the process, and it’s my way of giving back to those devoted airhead owners who want to keep these classic motorcycles on the road, many of whom have unselfishly helped me over the years.
Taking it all apart
I have learned that motorcycle paint work always seems to take a long time before you get the work back. The fairing had a lot of damage so I started by removing all the body work and repairing the fairing to get them to the painter who was going to be moving to Phoenix in a few months. Due to extensive damage to the front headlight panel, I replaced it with a used panel I found on e-Bay. When I take a bike apart, I usually start at one end and work to the other. As I remove parts, I inspect them and add them to a handwritten list that classifies what I plan to do with the part— refinish, repair or replace. I bag all the parts in zip-lock plastic bags marked with what they are, and I put similar parts in larger bags and then in plastic bins. When I get down to the frame, all the parts are in several large plastic bins stacked
46
Parts are bagged and labeled as I remove them.
The “painter’s pile” ready to deliver.
Ready to pull the engine block out of the frame. BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
up in the shop. It’s interesting to see how small a space is necessary to hold all the parts of a bike when they aren’t connected to each other. By mid-October the bike was a pile of bagged parts in several tubs and all the body work was at the painter.
Projects I did
Here is a summary of the projects I did. Some took a day or less, and some took weeks to complete. Along the way, all the parts I reused were degreased, cleaned, and often refinished and/or polished to remover 40 years of neglect.
Naked frame ready for powder coating.
Front End – Rebuild the front forks – Rebuild the front brake calipers and master cylinder – Replace steering head bearings – Replace top fork clamp with Toaster Tan machined aluminum billet Engine – Remove, Install cylinders, pistons, rings, wrist pin, main bearings, connecting rods, rod bearings – Remove, rebuild heads with new valves, exhaust seats, springs and keepers – Replace rocker arm bearings – Replace front and rear crankshaft seals, oil pump cover gasket, cam shaft seal, tachometer seal – Replace timing chain, crankshaft sprocket, nose bearing – Remove, Install push rod tubes and seals Carburetors – Remove, rebuild
Engine block ready to go on the work bench.
Refinish and Paint – Repair cracks in fairing panels – Refinish all aluminum engine cases and covers – Clean, refinish, polish all reused hardware – Refinish transmission cases – Refinish rear drive housing – Refinish carburetors – Paint handlebar levers & controls, battery box, starter motor, valve covers, engine badge, choke housing, rear brake rod, side stand, fairing brackets, tail light housing, horns & brackets, and seat hinges – Install new decals and safety stickers Transmission – Open and remove all bearings, seals and gaskets – Shim transmission bearings and reassemble
One plastic tub holds the engine covers, rear drive, transmission, cylinders and heads. December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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Frame and Wheels – Remove, clean install fork lock and seat lock – Remove and replace wheel bearings – Remove and replace front brake pads and rear brake shoes – Install new tires and tubes Electrical – Rebuild starter motor with new brushes and bearings – Remove wire harness, clean all connections, and repair damaged connectors and insulation – Install new alternator (rotor and stator), brushes, diode board, voltage regulator, starter and horn relays – Install new battery and cables
Work specialists did for me
A broken rocker arm needle bearing cage let the needle bearings escape.
Surprises found along the way
Several rocker arm needle bearings ended up in the oil pan.
As noted earlier, key work I was not able to do I sent to various experts so they can perform their magic. – Replate Nikasil cylinders – Remachine connecting rods, install and ream new small end bushings – Rebuild heads with new exhaust valve seats, valves, springs and keepers – Refurbish the clutch and install new friction pad material – Paint and pinstripe the fairing, gas tank, fenders, side covers – Repair and refinish instruments and clock – Powder coat frame, wheels, lower forks, center stand, fairing brackets, head light bracket, tail light bracket – Repair transmission output shaft and 5th gear As you would expect, I encountered some surprises along the way. The first was discovering the rocker arm needle bearing cages had cracked and I had needle bearings in the heads and in the oil pain. No damage done to the engine, but it was unexpected. So I learned how to replace the needle bearings in the rocker arms. I found some corrosion on the rocker arms and also found one of the cam followers was pitted from corrosion. I got a good, used follower and cleaned up the rocker arm to remove the rust. I also found corrosion inside the front engine cover which was extensive in the points housing. As the old saying goes, at one point this bike had been “ridden hard and put away wet.” Next was discovering the bike had the later Nikasil cylinders and low compression pistons. This raised a number of questions. Can I find Corrosion pits on cam lifter.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
Fly wheel bolt hole leaking from crack at bottom of hole near and oil passage.
Output shaft and 5th gear were worn and had to be repaired with hard chrome plating.
pistons that achieve the original 9.5:1 compression (Yes). Should I have the exhaust ports on the head bored out to 40 mm as was the case with the non-CFO engines (No). When I removed the clutch I found an oil leak from one of the flywheel bolt holes in the crankshaft. This failure I had run into before, as some of the oil passages in the crankshaft are close to the flywheel bolt holes and sometimes crack. I sealed the crack with RTV in the bottom of the hole. I had not opened a transmission before, but due to the corrosion I found elsewhere, I added it to my work plan. I spent several months getting as much education as I could about the procedures for disassembling and assembling the transmission. I contacted several well know airhead mechanics with questions and one of them, who is local, inspected the parts after I removed them from the transmission. Fifth, the output shaft was wobbling, and I had to have this repaired with hard chrome plating then honing the shaft and gear to the proper clearance. I had to wait six weeks for that work to be completed. It took me days to finish assembling the transmission, as it is precision work that I was unfamiliar with and I did not want to make a mistake. I did make a mistake, and it surfaced a day before I got to the rally. You can read about that adventure in the third part of this series. A frustrating surprise was discovering that a previous owner who installed heated grips drilled the holes to attach the left grip in the wrong place, so the grip stuck out too far. I discovered that only after I had installed the faring and couldn’t get the handlebars to clear the inside of the fairing after an hour or two of trying all the adjustments I could think of. Oh well, it’s all part of the fun of rebuilding a 40-year-old bike where you get to discover the mistakes of the previous owners and correct them.
Putting it all back together
There is a point in a project when you look around at all the parts and pieces and you think, “I sure hope I can put it back together again. And it runs.” For months, I had been working on numerous projects to disassemble, repair, and refinish sub-assemblies. The painter completed the paint work in midFebruary of 2017, about four months after I delivered the parts to him. The powder-coated parts were back, and I had rebuilt the starter motor, and replaced the timing chain, front engine seal, crankshaft nose bearing, and rear engine seal. I had also rebuilt the clutch and oil pump cover O-ring, along with replacing the Newly painted parts back from the painter. December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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alternator and brushes. The frame was back from powder coating, and one day in early April the cylinders, pistons, connecting rods and heads were on my door step. It was time to start the long road back to a running motorcycle. I always begin with putting the engine block back in the frame. This helps anchor the bike on the lift with the heaviest component in the middle. It’s the first step on the return trip to a running motorcycle, and it’s always a day for a little celebration.
Turning the corner
I moved to the front and assembled the steering head and forks. Since the wiring harness has to connect to various areas of the bike, I installed any electrical components on the frame and then installed the wiring harness so I could route all the branches easily. I tested the electrical system at this point and corrected any problems. I didn’t have any. I worked backwards toward the rear of the bike adding additional parts and pieces. I installed the transmission, drive shaft, rear drive, rear brakes and the rear wheel, and it was starting to look like a motorcycle again instead of a pile of parts in plastic bins. Next came the exhaust, fenders and controls. At this point I could do a first engine start by temporarily putting the gas tank on the bike. I ran the engine at 3500 – 4000 RPM for 60 seconds to help seat the rings. That’s always an exciting, but tense, step in the project. The bike started on a little choke and ran but was a bit rougher than I expected. I found one of the choke cables was loose in the choke lever housing and didn’t retract, which is why it was a bit rough. That was an easy fix. The good news was nothing broke, shorted out or went up in flames. Next, I installed the fairing and other cosmetic parts, including the gas tank, battery side covers, and I applied all the decals and safety stickers. Putting the fairing together was very fiddly as it’s built up from nine panels and the clearance between it and the handlebars is very tight. It took me over a week to sort everything out. On July 21, 2017, the bike was back together, and I was ready for my first ride around the block. The bike was looking very nice, but since I had replaced and repaired so many parts, there were plenty of opportunities to have made mistakes. The first ride around the block was the beginning of incrementally correcting my mistakes and making the bike reliable enough to ride 3,600 miles to the east coast and back.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
Protecting the newly powder coated frame.
Turning the corner, the engine block is back in the frame with sub-frame attached.
A lot of progress, but still a couple weeks of work left to do.
I tested the brakes in the driveway, and both the front disks and rear drum were working. It’s good to know you can stop before you take the bike on the first ride. I started the engine, warmed it up and then eased out of the driveway, listening to the motor and transmission and feeling how well the brakes worked. I shifted the transmission up and down, worked my speed up to 40 MPH and then did a hard stop. If nothing goes “BANG” nor any parts fall off, it’s a successful first ride. This one was successful. I started to grin inside my helmet. That said, there were already some things I needed to attend to before taking the bike on a longer ride. Next up was a 30-mile ride before I drained the engine oil. I wanted to remove assembly lube from the lubrication system and check for unexpected debris by cutting open the oil filter and looking at what was in it. I drained the transmission, drive shaft and rear drive to get rid of any debris that may have been there after having them off
the bike for almost a year. In the case of the transmission, I paid particular attention to the transmission magnetic drain plug to be sure I didn’t see signs of failing bearings or chunks from gear teeth. All I found on the plug was the very fine paste of parts wearing in and no chucks of metal or sharp shards to indicate gears or bearings being damaged. And then there were more things I needed to correct and adjust. The next milestones were 200, 600 and 1,000 miles. At each of these, I wrote up a list of things that needed some attention, some of which took minutes and some over a week as I needed to order parts. I also ended up disassembling most of the faring and reassembling it again. I was nervously aware of the ticking clock as I needed to leave on September 10 to ride to Pennsylvania by the 14th. I had plenty to keep me busy during the seven weeks after my first ride around the block. I completed the last change two days before starting my ride to Pennsylvania. Here are a few of the things I
had to do to address ergonomics and reliability and to correct errors I made putting the bike together. First Ride Tasks: Front engine mounts were loose; the front brake pads were not touching the rotors evenly; the clock face rotates; The front brake felt soft. First 30 Miles Tasks: The left fork was leaking fluid at the bottom; the swing arm boot was leaking gear oil; raised the handlebars one inch for better ergonomics; changed oil, filter and gear lube and cut the filter open to inspect it; torqued the head bolts and reset the valves; replaced several fairing screws that came loose. 200 Mile Tasks: Used wrong hardware to assemble top fairing panels to fairing bracket and repair I made to the right lower fairing panel threaded insert failed. I removed the panel and built up a new boss with a new brass insert using Plast-aid and replaced incorrect hardware; adjusted the valves; adjusted the foot shift linkage; oil leaking at the bottom of the front engine
Finished project – ready for the first ride around the block. December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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cover, fixed crack in bottom engine cover bolt hole resulting from previous owner attempt to install helicoil; left mirror rattles against the faring; the alternator “Y� terminal was loose; still have a leak on the left fork at that bottom; the centerstand foot tab repair was too low and dragged in the corners; torqued the pan bolts; added an air deflector to the Clear View wind screen to smooth air flow; installed GPS wiring and mount; rubber gasket at bottom of windscreen broke. 750 Mile Tasks: Changed engine oil, filter and gear lube and checked filter element for debris; added protective film to tank to eliminate scuffing from my knees and tank bag; install new windscreen gasket; check timing; check tire pressure; install pannier bracket and panniers; adjust foot shift lever; oil still leaking from bottom of engine cover, I damaged the front crankshaft seal installing it, ordered another one. 960 Mile Tasks: Install new front crankshaft seal, no leak inside front engine cover after 10 miles; add sunshade to GPS; test pack tools, parts and clothing and load the luggage, it all fits. Wash and wax the bike and then top off the gas tank. I have a habit of naming my bikes after Muppet characters. I decided to name this
Gonzo ready to start our trip to Pennsylvania.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
What the bugs will see at 65 mph.
A handmade gift from Bill Lambert, a fellow RS owner, in thanks for publishing my projects.
one “Gonzo.” Each bike I have seems to have its own personality; the unpredictable, non-conformist, but confident Gonzo, who always lands on his feet, seems to fit this bike. At 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, September 10, 2017, a bit more than a year after I started the rebuild, Gonzo and I headed down the driveway to the 40th R 100 RS anniversary rally 1,800 miles away in Pennsylvania.
In the next, and final installment, I’ll cover the adventures I had on my 3,400-mile ride to the rally and back, how Todd Trumbore came to put the 40th anniversary rally together, and what Hans Muth said about his vision for the design of his “Silver Daughter,” as he thinks of his R 100 RS design, and how he kept BMW management from disrupting and corrupting his vision for this innovative motorcycle.
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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www.edelweissbike.com
Rebuilding a First Year
Part 2: The Build This is the second of a three part series about how I rebuilt a 1977 R 100 RS and rode 3,400 miles to a 40th aniversary rally in Pennsylvania and back to meet the designer, Hans Muth.
By Brook Reams #114474
Day one of the GS Trophy competition at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
CHASING THE GS TROPHY By Shawn Thomas #91122
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sovereign state of Mongolia. In other countries the finalists were chosen via a single, multi-day event. Not so in the USA, where the large landmass made it She looked up at me, eyes wide against difficult to congregate GS riders into a sinthe large, encroaching video camera. She gle location. Instead, the U.S. qualifier had took on a formal posture, back and shoulbeen broken into three separate events: ders stiff, her words equally proper. “I am East, Central, and West. At each event, a very happy to be here, representing the single rider would be chosen to represent sport…” Then she relaxed, formality leavTeam USA. ing her body and voice. “I just…I want to The three-event series do well. And I want to show drew about 100 men and people the world over that women intent on competing they can do this. We can do for the win. In addition to this!” choosing the team repre“You’re gonna be great! senting the USA, a second Good luck and have fun!” competition was being held We high-fived and I stepped to help build an internaaway, hustling with the camtional women’s team. The eraman to get in position for best female rider from each her run. event would vie for their Jocelin Snow was competchance to attend a second ing in the BMW GS Trophy semi-final event in South Qualifier, a worldwide bienAfrica, where three winners nial competition put on by would be chosen to repreBMW Motorrad. Sixteen sent women riders in countries invited enthusiasts to test their GS skills via a Above, A rider score sheet. Below, Roberto Rodriquez, an instructor at the BMW Mongolia. “So for posterity, tell me…How ya feeling??”
multitude of obstacles, all designed to push the limits of rider and machine. Through the qualifiers each country would choose three contestants to represent them at a final event in a faraway land. Historically these events had been held at locations throughout the globe, including Tunisia, Argentina and Thailand. This time the competition would take place in a mysterious backcountry region deep within the
Performance Center, explains the next challenge.
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A trail official points the way.
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Above, A team of riders pull their R 1200 GS from a stream during the eastern qualifier at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina. Below, Exhausted riders catch their breath before moving on.
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As the newly minted official GS Ambassador, I had been chosen to attend each U.S. event on behalf of BMW. Sterling Noren— an award-winning videographer and architect of the Backcountry Discovery Route video series—was hired to document each qualifier. Through commentary, interviews and event highlights, we hoped to paint a picture that would raise awareness and appeal for this little-known competition. The California heat hit like a hammer. At nearly 100 degrees, this was the hottest of the three events, but not by much. South Carolina had been cooler, but far more humid. The same could be said of the roasting we endured in Missouri. Why do BMW events always seem to bring the heat? While the temperatures had been similar, the challenges at each qualifier could not have been more different. The BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina, had tested riders with a series of mostly man-made obstacles, including artificial water crossings, sand pits and concrete stairs. In contrast, the Midwest Trail Riders Association in Bixby, Missouri, had utilized the natural terrain, running riders through an imposing gauntlet of river beds, pine trees and rocky hill climbs. RawHyde
Adventures in Castaic, California, had built a course using both difficult and some fun tongue-in-cheek elements like the Starbucks Challenge—where riders navigated a series of swinging obstacles made to look like frothy caffeinated beverages—a crowd favorite. While each venue was free to build their own competition elements, they were also tasked with constructing a specific, BMWdesigned final course. This layout was used worldwide as the concluding event of each qualifier, specifically engineered to be just shy of impossible to complete with perfection. It featured balance beams, rock gardens, sand washes and a diabolical course known as the “Garage,” an enclosed area lined with fluffy terrain and dotted with a series of impossibly tight turns. In addition to supplying specifications for the final course, BMW also provided a pair of 2017 R 1200 GS Rallye motorcycles to be ridden on said course by the finalists. Jocelin rode well throughout the event and had earned a spot in the qualifier finals. At 5’ 1” and 105 lbs., she stood in stark contrast to the tall brawny men, many of whom she had already bested in competition. Her success—and the attention it had earned,
both from competitors and an influx of social media—was beginning to wear on her. Positive as the support had been, she was beginning to fear failure in a whole new way. “I feel like if I lose, I’m not just letting myself down…I’m letting everyone who supports me down,” she had confided the previous evening after the first day of competition. “The fear of failure has me all twisted up.” “You told me that you entered this competition wanting to show the world that if you can do this, everyone can,” I reminded her. “You have already done that. And whether you win or lose this competition, you can still do that. Nothing can take that away from you. In this way, you’ve already won!” Jocelin started the bike and lined up for her run at the final course. She tested the throttle and the GS Rallye roared in response, power begging to be unleashed. She eased the clutch and at once was moving. The first obstacles were dedicated to balance. She rode a series of narrow beams, some rounded and others with turns midway. Highlights of applause and encouragement followed as the GS Rallye nimbly maneuvered each obstacle. She then entered
A rider navigates the teeter-totter challenge at the western qualifier held at RawHyde Adventures in Castaic, California. Photo by Alfonse Palaima #188896
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Eventual western qualifier female winner Jocelin Snow busts through the gravel challenge at the western qualifier at RawHyde Adventures. Photo by Alfonse Palaima #188896 December 2017  BMW OWNERS NEWS
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Navigating The Garage at the western qualifier at RawHyde Adventures. Photo by Alfonse Palaima #188896
The Garage, choosing tight lines and maneuvering around the turns. The GS went wide and she hesitated, dropping the bike and tumbling to her side. She bounced back, forcing the bike upright and continuing on. She hesitated again, this time dabbing a foot to save the bike from a tip-over. A third fumble found her on the ground a second time. Spectators looked on, speaking words of encouragement through a fog of empathy. Jocelin would later describe that moment
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as the turning point in her run. “I was so nervous and stiff that I could barely turn the bike. Everyone was there watching, and they all expected so much of me, and I was letting them down,” she said. “But then it hit me: I am here to have fun. And I know how to do this. I can do this!” Springing up from her latest fall, Jocelin physically shook the stiffness from her body and raised her fists high. Spectators went wild, then cheered louder still as she lifted the bike and broke the rear tire loose
in a fit of acceleration. She planted a foot and burned rubber around a turn, then another, and another still until she cleared The Garage. Effortlessly she rode on, tackling the hill climbs, sand pits, and rock and gravel gardens with ease. She finished in spectacular form, traversing a 15’ teetertotter and through a deep water crossing to the finish line. Sterling and I ran to her, threading through photographers and well-wishers. “Wow Jocelin,” I said, “What a run! How do
Above from left, Men's GS Trophy winners Matt Kelley, Tom Thompson and David Vaughan will represent Team BMW USA at the final event to be held in Mongolia next year. Below, Jocelin Snow and Bettina Nedel will represent Team BMW USA in South Africa. Congratulations and good luck to all! Photos by Lance Thomas.
you feel you did?” She smiled back, a look of serenity playing in her eyes. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. I came here to have fun, and I did. I wanted to show the world that anyone can ride a GS, even someone as small as me, and I did. I’m just happy to be here!” Indeed, the spirit of the GS was well represented at all qualifier events. Despite immense pressure and stiff competition, riders were quick to offer kindness and
encouragement to their peers at every opportunity. It was an inspiring reminder of why we love the sport. David Vaughan, Tom Thompson and Matt Kelley proved their worth and will move on to represent Team BMW USA at the final event in Mongolia in the spring or summer of 2018. Jocelin Snow earned her chance to represent the USA on the international Women’s team. Soon, she and Bettina Nedel—winner of the GS Trophy Central Women’s Qualifier—will head to
South Africa, where they will compete against other female semifinalists the world over for their chance to join the women’s team. Good luck to all competitors! You can follow along and check progress on BMWs website, bmwmotorcycles.com/ gstrophy.
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Biography of a BMW Motorcycle By Marcia McGuire #206242
WE ARE A PRODUCT OF OUR CONTEXT:
the social and political landscape we are born into, the resources available and the values held and practiced, both by our immediate world and by our parents. We are shaped by the acceptance (or not), the expectations (or not), of others. They have designs for us with intentions in mind before we come to be; the better ones also give space to let our unique selves and qualities emerge. All of those things together are part of our biography, as well as the biography of our motorcycles and the stories of places we ride and explore on them.
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Me and my motorcycle are most at home out in nature. Taking photos of my BMW G 650 GS, amongst natural formations and foliage little touched yet not too far down from the visible, large-scale natural resource extraction—I think about my place in all of it, my motorcycle’s place—how we are part of both processes. I have a sense of my own place in all of this, but was less sure of my motorcycle’s. So I sought to examine my motorcycle’s biography, through the lens of BMW Motorrad’s and BMW Group’s operations and sustainability practices, by tracing as much as I could of the life cycle of a BMW motorcy-
cle. This is what I found. The environment in which BMW Group currently exists very much influences its design of vehicles, materials used, and the supply chain. There’s the motorcycle market in general, laws and regulations that need to be complied with, as well as consumer interests, demands and expectations. The company views its stakeholders as everyone, even the research community, employees, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local stakeholders, and the larger civil society. Increasingly, there is pressure on all sides for environmentally and holistically sustainable business and
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production practices and products. The BMW Group states that, “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing society today” and “we comply both with stricter legislation worldwide and our customers’ increasing awareness of environmental issues.” The BMW Group sees customers’ expectations of sustainability as especially important to meet because of industry competition. Integral in its core values is sustainability and responsibility, which BMW Group sees as good business sense. I had the opportunity to interview Kai Zöbelein of BMW’s Sustainability Communications, who said, “Sustainability is part of our strategy and part of our corporate identity. We are convinced that acting sustainable is important to generate profitability.” BMW Group does not see these changes as a cost, but as a value, and as being ahead and even leading the industry. These values, then, are what my motorcycle came out of when it was “born” in 2011. The values influence design, materials and the supply chain, production, and end of life considerations. The most critical point for this long-term view is the “Life Cycle Engineering,” the front-end development phase, to ensure “sustainability throughout the entire life cycle.” For urbanoriented vehicles, such as the BMW C evolution, electromobility with zero emissions is an emphasis of BMW Motorrad and BMW Group, though it is acknowledged that important to this equation is that the vehicles are charged on a green electricity infrastructure, and so BMW Group is invested in different ways towards spurring innovation and helping places throughout the world move toward such an infrastructure. Integrated into all of this is a “Design for Recycling,” which allows parts to be recycled throughout a motorcycle’s life and end-of-life, which reduces CO2 emissions in the larger picture. Another large part is where our motorcycles have come from. It’s always fascinating to trace our own roots across the world; what about the materials that make up my motorcycle—from their extraction, processing, and the suppliers? While it would be a bit too complex to wade through BMW Group’s 13,000 suppliers across 70 countries to those specific to BMW Motorrad operations and my motorcycle in particular, what I did find out about is more on the standards BMW Group holds itself to and in
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turn, holds its suppliers to, and its expectations that suppliers hold their suppliers to the same. In effect, BMW Group is using its powerful position to influence the progress, sustainability and responsibility of the supply network it is connected to across the globe. Impressively, BMW Group looks at itself critically and measures and publishes publicly the numbers of its own environmental impact, whether trending toward and meeting its goals or not. The breadth and specificity of what is measured really reflects the seriousness and holistic way in which the company is defining sustainability and its responsibility, with indicators such as water consumption, waste water, waste (recovered/recycled versus disposed), energy consumption (production plants, corporate functions, fuel types), CO2 emissions (direct from production, company vehicles and company-owned planes, to indirect such as from business trips and employees’ commutes). That’s just a short list that gives a sense of the thoroughness with which BMW Group examines itself. Emissions from the supply chain are often greater than BMW Group’s own, and so companies that want to be suppliers to BMW Group must comply with environmental and also social, labor and human rights responsibility standards drawn from international standards such as those from the UN. BMW Group examines and wants its suppliers to examine, raw materials’ and especially potential conflict minerals’ full supply chain to ensure that at no point are human rights being violated or conflicts funded by those raw materials used in BMW vehicles. BMW Group expects suppliers to report on certain environmental indicators (CO2 emissions, energy consumption, waste water, etc.) to increase transparency and ensure compliance and is itself even part of raw material sustainability organizations, such as the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative, of which BMW Group was a founding member. If suppliers are found to not be meeting BMW’s standards, BMW will work with them, share its own best practices and outline corrective measures with dates by which the supplier must meet them. Termination of the business contract is seen as a last resort, as BMW prefers to build relationships and work with suppliers to meet the standards. To provide transparency, BMW Group publishes the aggregate information of gaps
and successful corrective action publicly, as well as notes situations in which the Supply Chain Response Team investigates potential human rights violations. For me at least, being conscientious in my own daily life to live as ethically and responsibly toward others and in my impact on the environment as possible, I find it reassuring to know my companion, my G 650 GS, is doing the same. And that includes the materials that make its parts and through its production, where BMW not only reports on environmental impact measures of production, but is also transforming the energy sources of its plants to be cleaner with renewable energy, whether wind turbines, solar, or even biogas. After living a hopefully nice, long, fulfilling experience, we, humans and our motorcycles, come to the end-of-life conversation, to varying degrees. Unless we as humans donate our organs to the living or our body to science, our physical self does not carry on or contribute much to the tactile world thereafter. Our BMW motorcycles though, they (especially the newer ones) will. I asked Kai Zöbelein about the post-life of BMW motorcycles and parts. He said that “all BMW Group vehicles brought onto the market since 2008 meet the strictest global requirements set for the recycling of endof-life vehicles, components and materials (95 percent total recycling, 85 percent reuse and material recycling).” That number is remarkable and shows what really is possible with thoughtful and strategic engineering. But then there is the question of whether systems are in place for collecting, recycling and reusing the materials and components, which is in some ways the more difficult part as it is out of BMW Group’s control. At this point there is not required training on the recycle or recovery protocol for used parts and end-of-life vehicles for BMW motorcycle dealerships and service department employees. Also, most recycling is done by privately owned companies and not BMW. BMW does have online information and instructions on vehicle recycling, however. The family one grows up in and its dynamics also influence one’s character and outcome. The BMW Group gives attention to the performance and health of employees through different company initiatives. Diversity—age, gender, culture—is valued and seen as a source of the company’s
innovation and competitive edge. BMW examines salaries annually to ensure gender-neutral compensation and invests in training and education for employees for the value such investments bring to the company. There is also flexibility where possible for different work-life balance arrangements. As I examined the environment and “family” my motorcycle came from and delved more into its biography, I came to better understand its place in the world, the complexities that are part of its existence. I appreciate even more the detailed attention and values of BMW Group and the work done behind the scenes. I know change, for people and for organizations, can be daunting. Interestingly, however, as I read how BMW Group describes itself and listened to Kai Zöbelein’s account, I do not sense that BMW Group saw this focus on sustainability as a change or a cost, but rather as progress, value and the journey to becoming the identity it saw itself as and wanted to be seen as. I asked Kai Zöbelein about this and how other companies may be hesitant to move toward a more sustainable business environmentally and socially, with consideration for employee development and health. He said, “From our point of view, every company needs to decide this itself.” BMW has certainly shown it is possible. Now as I ride and explore the world, I am both assured that there are groups and organizations working to keep these places, communities and relationships viable for future generations of riders, and know that I am doing my part, too. Much appreciation and thanks to Kai Zöbelein with BMW Group in Munich and Eric Valtos with BMW North America, for their help in the research and information of this article. Further information and citations from: • w ww.bmwgroup.com/en/responsibility. html • www.bmwgroup.com/en/responsibility/ sustainable-value-report.html • www.bmwgroup.com/en/responsibility/ supply-chain-management.html • www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/bmwg r o u p - w e b s i t e s / b mw g r o u p _ c o m / company/downloads/en/2009/2009_ Vehicle_Recycling_Focusing_on_Sustainability.pdf www.heidenautires.com December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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When
Life
Gets in the Way By Ken Frick #199204
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S
tanding side by side you'd be hard pressed to guess that Chuck and I are brothers. First impressions being what they are, our physical differences just scratch the surface. The truth is we couldn't be more different. For decades, blue collar Chuck earned his living surrounded by massive machines in a huge Fortune 500 factory, while I ran my small photography business out of my home. Chuck and his wife raised their two girls in a double-wide, their address on a quiet rural county road, scant miles from where we grew up. Sitting on his half acre there's a backyard pool and every summer he does his best to grow the tastiest tomatoes in eastern Ohio. I long ago moved to the big city, my wife and I raising our son in a house we restored that's on the National Register of Historic Places. For nearly two decades it was the showplace where we returned after all our adventures. A few years ago we downsized to a downtown condo, 14 floors up, overlooking our capital city. Although Chuck's mellowed a bit, for most of his years he's been a gregarious fellow. Although I'm not quite what you would call a wallflower, I still easily get lost in his shadow. I dare guess there have been many occasions when Chuck's evening beer consumption was far more than my annual sixpack indulgence. I think you get the idea. There were times in years long past when the hours distance between our homes seemed more like decades. Back when we were raising our kids we saw little of each other. There was never a feud of any sort, maybe simply the recognition that we were so different. Better stated, and I think Chuck would agree, our very different lives got in the way. A few years back things began to change. It may have been a monthly lunch we began to share, or maybe the exchange of e-mails about what we were doing. Whatever distance there was between us dissolved. Receiving one of his letters became the highlight of my day. Ask anyone who knows us and they'll agree that we do have one thing in common: our love for motorcycling. My motorcycles have taken me to places I could never have imagined. The past four years alone I've ridden from my central Ohio home central Ohio home to the west coast, last
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year riding to Alaska. And although I'm getting close to a half million miles on two wheels, my motorcycle sits in our garage for long stretches at a time. As important as it is to me, I've made other choices. My bike's only a part of who I am. That's not the case with Chuck. Add up all of the miles he's ridden over the decades and he's well beyond a million miles. He and his Can-Am Spyder are inseparable. His bike defines him. It gives him life. The past two years on his Spyder he's tallied just
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short of 100,000 miles, last year, at age 62, riding the most he's ever ridden in a single year. You could say that Chuck rides for the same reasons we all do, and that's true. But with Chuck there's a purpose, a reason to keep his tires rolling forward. All things considered Chuck has everything he needs in life, with one exception: good health. He suffers with muscular dystrophy. If Chuck's muscles are his fuel tank he's running out of gas. Sadly, to be honest,
he's probably already on reserve. MD plays a mean game. You can be going along for quite some time before it takes another whack at you, chipping away at what strength you have left. Neither Chuck, nor any adult with MD, knows how many more whacks they can absorb. Chuck knows there's a wheelchair in his not too distant future. So maybe, in desperation, although he would never call it that, he rides on, spinning his odometer higher and even higher.
never been one to dwell on the negative. In hurrah on his motorcycle, now vanishing, He knows there are some dreams beyond Terry, he has a great wife, and in Maren and leaving behind his dream unfulfilled. From his reach. Back in the 1970s, he'd slipped on Lindsey. two marvelous daughters. his backyard he'd get an 83 percent look at his trusty Honda 750, the bike I would purHe lives life to the fullest. There's a lesson what he'd dreamed of witnessing. But he chase from him months later, and rode in how he's moved forward for all of us who knew, in the matter of an eclipse it was all or from his Zanesville, Ohio, home to Goodare able-bodied. In each of us there's the nothing. There is the grand spectacle, and land, Colorado, a distance of over a thouphysical, the mental and the spiritual there are bits and pieces. Yes, nice bits and sand miles—in one day. aspects of how we live our lives. While pieces, but in truth still a consolation of He'd thought about going that distance Chuck may be limping along in one, he sorts. again, but with the MD he's let that dream more than makes up for it in the others. I I understood, if our positions were slip by. He's also chosen not to pursue that know that for Chuck there are more miles reversed I would have stayed home as well. one last trip to his favorite old haunt, a to be ridden. I know he wants to see his For Chuck, that was where he was needed. shanty of a lean-to somewhere up the westodometer reach 150,000, maybe even this He wished me well, and maybe trying to ern Michigan coastline, simply to taste their fall. Who can guess what his numbers will disguise his disappointment, asked me to special smoked trout. He's become very be in a year or two? Or seven! come back with some nice pictures. aware of his limitations, choosing to be I recently learned that in April, seven For years this was to be a team effort, we home and to sleep on his own bed every years from now, there night. He's not been be a similar out of Ohio for a long HIS BIG BROTHER AND MY LITTLE BROTHER, SIDE BY will eclipse, that one rolltime. SIDE, WATCHING THE SUN SLOWLY DISAPPEAR, THEN ing within miles of Those of us who I live. Chuck know him are in awe. RETURN, DAY BECOMING TWILIGHT, THEN DAY AGAIN. where will be only an hour He shouldn't be able to away. I can't begin to do what he does. Yet imagine his strength lasting that long, but I two seeing something, no, sharing someevery day, off he goes, mile after glorious would never bet against him. thing so special in nature. His big brother mile. Riding puts a smile on his face. It takes But my heart gets heavy; seven years is a and my little brother, side by side, watching him somewhere else, somewhere beyond long time. What is it that will keep those the sun slowly disappear, then return, day his limitations. In a matter of speaking it's wheels moving? Maybe, with this opportubecoming twilight, then day again. During become his magic carpet. nity gone, he'll want something else special the winter, when both of our bikes were But for years there's been a dream, somefor down the road, maybe heading up north parked, this was what we wrote back and thing far away on Chuck's calendar. We'd for some of his favorite trout. Even if the forth about. Now the trip was to be mine talked about it often, and it was coming our ride to Michigan slips into his mind, will he, alone. way. It would be a show that nature puts on can he? Will he want to, and with the eclipse Riding into Kentucky I thought of my every few years somewhere around the now passed has the disease robbed him of brother. He never said as much and maybe globe, and it would be only 300 miles away. his dreaming as well? it hadn't been something he'd considered, The show Chuck wanted to witness, needed So many years behind us, so many miles. but was this to be his last long ride? Had the to see first-hand, was the total eclipse of All those opportunities missed. All our lives eclipse, still years away, kept him going? the sun. we've barely shared more than a hundred When this day had passed, what was there Over the months leading up to the event miles together. Two men, once so young next? Where is his next dream? Or is there we'd written back and forth often, discussand vibrant, filled with life, now old men. one? Had he given it any thought at all? ing that day. In our minds the only thing we So Chuck, where are you now? Is there How couldn't he? Staring up at his 83 perneeded for certain was clear weather. It still one special place that calls to you? Is cent, where was his heart? Was there sadnever occurred to us that something else there room for a brother to tag along? ness, uncertainty? would pop up, that being a family matter, Wherever it is, you won't be able to go it I need to believe that for Chuck tomorsomething so important it would sadly keep alone. You're going to need a bit of help. row will be just another day to saddle-up Chuck close to home. Isn't that what big brothers are for? and to head out, and the next day and the All that time I thought, the years, the next. I need to remember that Chuck has dreaming, for what might be Chuck's last
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BMW Owners News
HOLIDAY
GIFT GUIDE 2017
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
Olympia Hudson Mesh Tech jacket
The Olympia Hudson Mesh Tech jacket combines sport-inspired, cutting-edge design with key technical features to deliver multiseason, multi-weather riding adaptability. Equipped with an exclusive three-layer system design, the jacket’s overall function can be modified by simply adding or removing appropriate layers. Available in sizes from Small to 4 XL, the jacket carries an MSRP of $229.99. For more information, visit olympiamotosports.com.
Cyclenutz
Anyone who’s added any electrical accessory to a bike knows it can get crowded around the battery fast. To reduce the mess, fuse panels are a must have for riders who add accessories. Cyclenutz has a wide variety of blocks available at cyclenutz. com/fusepanel.
Touratech Adjustable Folding Mirrors
Perfect for adventure touring, Touratech Adjustable Folding Mirrors are super tough, adjustable, and easily fold away for off-road use or transport. With 180 degrees of adjustability, on-the-fly tightening of screws will never be necessary. The large mirror gives excellent clarity and rear-view visibility compared to other universal folding mirrors. MSRP of the Touratech Adjustable Folding Mirrors is $44.95 each, and for more information, visit touratech-usa.com.
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Kermit Chair
A timeless classic, the Kermit Chair is handcrafted using the finest and most durable materials using a design that has been untouched for nearly 30 years. The chair disassembles quickly and easily and will even fit in most saddlebags. Each Kermit Chair is proudly made in Tennessee and includes a five-year warranty. MSRP $159. For more information, visit kermitchair.com.
Sidi Adventure 2 GORE-TEX™ Boots
Combining motocross level protection with a boot that’s comfortable on or off the bike, the Sidi Adventure 2 GORE-TEX™ is an evolution of the ultimate adventure boot, combining Sidi’s best touring and offroad features into an effective adventure boot design! MSRP $495. For more information, visit motonation. com.
Morton’s BMW Spring Fling 2018
Instead of giving a thing this season, why not give an experience? Give your significant other a registration for Morton’s BMW eighth annual Spring Fling Rally. The rally is held at the historic Natural Bridge Hotel in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley where riders can enjoy good food and great roads. For more information, visit mortonsbmw.com/ springfling_2018.
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Aeroflow
Sport AeroScreens create smooth, turbulence-free airflow and are excellent for commuting and hot weather riding. Touring AeroScreens provide a broader envelope of protection for hands, arms and torso. Achieve over-the-helmet airflow while looking over the screen. Prices start at $174.95. Visit aeroflowscreens.com for more information.
Sargent Advance Heat Seat Upgrade
Available for motorcycle seats without OEM heat, Sargent’s Advanced Heat Upgrade features an exclusive ten-step controller for full-range variable power to Sargent’s thin Conformable Film and Fine Wire Spiral Glass Wound Technology heat pad. That’s a lot of techno-talk for undeniably warm buns! MSRP for Sargent’s Advanced Heat Upgrade is $195 for the front or $300 for front and rear coverage. For more information, visit sargentcycle. com.
RKA Luggage 49ner bag
RKA’s new 49ner rack bag features a top section incorporating an organizer, aremovable vanity mirror and a zippered mesh pocket. Additionally, the main compartment, completely finished and lined, comes with five adjustable section dividers, allowing riders to make endless configurations. With a MSRP of $325, the RKA 49ner rack bag has a carrying capacity of 49 liters and includes a carry strap and rain cover. For more information, visit www.rka-luggage.com.
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Medjet Membership
An annual MedjetAssist membership is a great holiday gift for any rider. Add the Motorcycle Protection Program for $35 per bike, and you have the ultimate gift. MedjetHorizon is also an option, adding travel security and crisis response protection. Plans begin at $225, and for more information, visit MedjetBMWMOA.com or call 800.527.7478 to enroll or purchase as a gift. When calling, mention BMWMOA for special pricing.
Parabellum Windshields
This Parabellum windshield for 2015 and later BMW R 1200 Rs is for riders who like the convenience and size of a shield that bolts to the OEM windshield mounts andwhich allows riders to easily swap back and forth between the smaller OEM windshield and the Parabellum unit to offer touring protection when needed. The Parabellum BMW R 1200 R windshield is available in three heights, carries an MSRP beginning at $129 and is available in clear and tinted versions. For more information, visit parabellum.com.
Don’t Want a Pickle?
Slip these polar fleece tubes on your wrists to help keep the chill out! Worn under your gloves and jacket to keep the wind from creeping down your sleeves, these wrist warmers are also great when worn alone or while hanging out at the campfire or pumping gas. For more information, visit dwapickle.com.
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Aerostich Helmet and Suit Holder
The Aerostich Helmet and Suit Holder offers the ideal place to hang your helmet and riding gear, whether at home or the office. The Wall Mount Helmet and Suit Holder ($57) attaches directly to any flat surface or with the Office Cube Adapter ($47) will fit over the edge of a cubicle wall or door. Add the Helmet Holder Suit Hook ($27) for maximum versatility. The system is available in either black or clear coated aluminum. For more information, visit aerostich.com.
Motopressor Mini Pump
The Motopressor Mini Pump with digital tire gauge from Rocky Creek Designs offers an easy to use tire inflation solution. Weighing only 18 ounces, the Motopressor Mini Pump will inflate a tire to 36 psi in under four minutes or 40 psi in six. The Mini Pump comes with a five-year warranty at an MSRP of $58.95. For more information, visit rockycreekdesigns.com.
ADVanceGuard Handguards
ADVanceGuard multi-functional hand guards are uniquely designed for Adventure Touring with superior strength aluminum frames, height-adjustable shields, and removable front inserts to control air flow and adapt to multiple temperature and riding conditions. ADVanceGuard handguards fit the BMW R 1200 GS/A, F 800-700-650 GS, S 1000 XR and others. MSRP $249. For more information, visit machineartmoto.com.
December 2017  BMW OWNERS NEWS
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Interactive Jewelry
The Kinekt Gear Ring is made from high quality matte surgical stainless steel. It features micro-precision gears that turn in unison when the outer rims are spun. Each piece includes a lifetime warranty. For more information, kinektdesign.com.
Helmet Sunblocker
Ever wonder why helmets with internal drop down visors are NOT Snell approved? The transferable Helmet Sunblocker fits the bill nicely, and everybody loves the 100 percent UV protection. Many riders use Helmet Sunblockers in conjunction with their drop-down shades for the ultimate in sun glare protection. For more information, visit helmetsunblocker.com
Redverz HAWK II Mountaineering Tent The Redverz Hawk II tent is lightweight, four-season freestanding two person tent. Weighing only six pounds, the Hawk II’s compact design allows it to fit right in your pannier. Through December 25, 2017, MOA members will receive a free footprint with Hawk II tent by applying code R8KH43IDWA8DA at checkout. The Redverz Hawk II tent carries an MSRP of $649. For more information, visit redverz.com.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
Ilium Works K 1600 Engine Protection Bars
The Ilium K 1600 engine guard protection system consists of side bars made of heavy wall tubing running the full length of the engine. A solid steel crossbar ties the two sides together, enclosing the engine in a sturdy cage with six points of attachment. All steel is TIG welded and powder coated with stainless steel hardware. MSRP $375. For more information, visit iliumworks.com.
S100® Bike Care kit
Give that special person the gift of a well-cared for bike with the S100® Cycle Care Gift Set! Five of S100’s most popular products including Total Cycle Cleaner, Corrosion Protectant, Total Cycle Finish Restorer, Detail and Wax, and Drying Towel will help make your valuable bike last longer and look better. Find the S100 Bike Care kit at your local dealer and for more information, visit s100.com.
Bohn Body Armor
Enjoy ultimate protection and comfort all year long with Bohn Body Armor's invisible armored shirts and pants. This armored clothing is designed to be worn under your favorite t-shirts, jackets and jeans and the multi-point protective armor covers shoulders, back, forearms, elbows, tailbone, thighs, hips, knees and shins. Three riding season fabrics are available. For more information, visit bohnarmor.com.
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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Motohansa BMW tool kit
Tested in the Australian Outback and supported by a lifetime warranty, Motohansa BMW tool kits are built to last. With innovative designs such as the folding T-handle driver and extendable locking head 3/8" ratchet with socket-lock extension, the low price defies the quality and performance of the tools. Both the complete Pro kit at $225, or the Compact kit at $125 are incomparable values and great gifts for the holidays. For more information, visit beemershop.com.
Grip Puppy Grip Covers
Made from a special high tech foam that will not break down from outdoor exposure, Grip Puppies are premium grip covers offering increased comfort and throttle control while reducing fatigue created by vibration. Grip Puppies fit over all standard grip sizes and work well with heated grips. Available exclusively in North America at ADVdepot.com.
Hymec Hydraulic Clutch kit
HYMEC – the legendary MAGURA hydraulic clutch conversion which built its reputation in the off-road/MX world is now available for many street and adventure motorcycles. How do you make your bike better? Simply improve the controllability. MAGURA now offers a HYMEC clutch conversion kit for many street and adventure models. The system is compatible with most cable operated clutch systems and is easy to install. MSRP is $299. For more information, visit www.magura.com.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
Never ride alone With Platinum Roadside Assistance and Tire Protection added to your BMW MOA membership, you’ll never ride alone again. BMW MOA’s 24/7 Platinum Roadside Assistance gets you to a repair facility fast and will even replace a punctured tire for free! All that for only $109 a year, which includes the cost of your MOA membership. Join online at bmwmoa.org or convert your current BMW MOA membership by calling 864-438-0962. BMW MOA Platinum Roadside and Tire Protection, available exclusively for BMW MOA members.
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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FOUNDATIONNEWS
FOUNDATION OUR MISSION
The BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Foundation is dedicated to supporting motorcycling and its rich heritage for BMW MOA members and the motorcycling public by funding programs that advance rider safety, education and training.
BMW MOA FOUNDATION OFFICERS
Chuck Manley, President cmanley@bmwmoaf.org Mark Austin, Vice President maustin@bmwmoaf.org Bex Becker, Treasurer bex@bmwmoaf.org Greg Straub, Secretary gstraub@bmwmoaf.org BMW MOA FOUNDATION DIRECTORS
Vance Harrelson vance@bmwmoaf.org Randy Logan rlogan@bmwmoaf.org Will McHardy wmchardy@bmwmoaf.org Peter Perrin pperrin@bmwmoaf.org BMW MOA FOUNDATION HEADQUARTERS
2539 John Hawkins Parkway Suite 101-111 Birmingham, AL 35244 866-865-1055 Ted Moyer, Executive Director tmoyer@bmwmoaf.org
Contemplating the obsession of riding By Bex Becker #192550 MOA Foundation Director companies catering for every kind of riding and skill. It’s a veritable supermarket-sized obsession with riding motorcycles, one can candy store of choice! go down many rabbit holes of reasoning. Many people have never considered A great way to explain to people who learning off-road skills to complement don’t understand motorcycling is to draw their on-road skills and vice versa. Somethe connection we have with a motorcycle times just learning on a bike that’s loaned as a machine to it being a harmonious to you, is set up with all the crash bars and extension of our own body. When we truly plates and is part of a training program can are in tune with our two-wheeled friend, it help to relieve the fear of can more than keep up dropping your own bike with how fast our brain and release all manner of can process a path in A MOTORCYCLE untapped potential. front of us. You can run Trying different weight as fast as you like, but it’s DIFFERS FROM A bikes or bikes that may be highly unlikely you will CAR AT THE MOST taller, lower, and have a difever feel the rush of havferent engine configuraing a vehicle to take you BASIC LEVEL IN tions or geometry can help to that limit. ONE SIMPLE WAY: us to be more adaptable and A motorcycle differs from a car at the most IT LEANS WITH US. always leads to becoming a better rider. basic level in one simple Taking a course on a way: It leans with us. closed track removes the Cars are fun too, but that fear of traffic or unpredictable paths and physical lean with a motorcycle is exactly surfaces, and that allows for a pure indulwhat we’d be doing if we could run as fast as gence in listening to your bike, your gears we could ride. and getting your riding smooth, as well as Of course the downside to using a finding your limits and the limits of your motorcycle as a vehicle to achieving higher bike in a safe environment. speeds—whether on a smooth warm tarIt all leads to a deeper connection with mac road or on a technical mountain pass your ride experience, and that widens the full of baby heads, loose shale, ice pockets smiles and safety margins more with each and wash outs—is that we have to process improvement. our input of control much faster. That’s The BMW MOA Foundation runs prowhen we can get unstuck. We might start grams such as the Paul B. Scholarship Fund off with tight focus, but it’s hard to keep to support those interested in furthering that focus as we progressively and almost their skill sets. As a donor, you are helping always increase our speed. set someone up with potentially life-saving With training and practice comes good skills. You’re also helping to pave the way practice and the best overall experience. for the next generations of riders, and as a Fine motor skills stay well-oiled and familrecipient of the programs’ benefits, you are iar; strength, concentration and endurance arming yourself with the best possible are always topped up and ready to be chance of enjoying your sport to the maxiturned on at a moment’s notice. mum and for the longest time. In today’s world, there are many training UPON
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
ONE’S
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December 2017  BMW OWNERS NEWS
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skills
askapro
The most (and least) dangerous states for riding By Lee Parks #162125
Q:
It seems everywhere I go folks complain or boast about who has the worst or best drivers on the road. Is there any data available to determine who has the best and worst drivers and riders?
A:
The closest thing I know of is from our friends at the National Motorcycle Institute (NMI; motorcycleinstitute.org). They have a created a measuring device called the DangerOmeter that ranks states by relative danger. According to NMI, “By considering Fatalities (Everybody) and Population, we can make scientific comparisons between states. It can rank the states by motorcycle danger weighted with the states’ passenger vehicle danger. In other words, we expect that if a state has a ‘culture of safety’ such as a good road system that reduces collisions between all vehicles, that state should have a lower motorcycle collision rate as well. This can be measured. We call it the NMI DangerOmeter.” The latest version of the DangerOmeter is for 2016, which we have provided here. You’ll notice two data columns. The first one on the left provides a numerical value for “All Fatalities from Motorcycle Crashes per Million Population.” The lower the number, the less motorcycle fatalities. By this individual measure, Massachusetts has the lowest score of 7.0 and South Carolina has the highest score of 32.6 fatalities from motorcycle crashes per million population. The second column provides a numerical value for “All Fatalities from Passenger Vehicle Crashes per Million Population.” Using this metric, Rhode Island has the lowest score of 45.52 and Mississippi has the highest score of 196.17 fatalities from all passenger vehicle crashes per million population. The rate “Crash Fatalities per Population” is used to model “Societal Danger.” Examples of measures that reduce collisions between all vehicles are a well-engineered road system, speed limit enforcement, weather, etc. For the DangerOmeter calculation, crashes of interest are motorcycles, and we use passenger vehicles crashes for weighting. An analogy is when sport teams are ranked by Win/Loss records and the rank is weighted by “Strength of Schedule.” The fatality counts for crash victims include occupants (drivers and passengers) of all crash involved vehicles,
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
2016 DangerOmeter by MotorcycleInstitute.org State
All Fatalities from All Fatalities from motorcycle crashes passenger vehicle per million crashes per million population population
2016
2015
DangerOmeter DangerOmeter Rank Rank
.New Jersey
7.1
56.65
1
2
.Mississippi
14
196.17
2
3
7
45.9
3
1
.Nebraska
10.8
105.72
4
4
.Virginia
10.1
80.3
5
5
.Rhode Island*
8
45.52
6
21
.North Dakota*
14.9
160.02
7
6
8.2
47.84
8
7
.Georgia
14.2
115.95
9
10
.West Virginia
15.5
136.14
10
9
.Oregon
12.4
85.49
11
11
.Minnesota
10.6
60.95
12
8
.Alabama
17.4
165.31
13
12
.Illinois
11.4
66.66
14
16
.Washington
10.9
59.53
15
15
.Alaska*
12.2
73.52
16
27
.Maryland
12.2
71.15
17
18
.Idaho
15.4
110.98
18
20
.Kansas
15.9
115.36
19
17
.Utah
12.7
73.14
20
13
.Missouri
16.4
121.08
21
14
.Michigan
13.9
86.59
22
19
15
100.62
23
23
.California
12.9
71.92
24
22
.Ohio
13.9
81.3
25
24
.Louisiana
18.8
139.5
26
25
.Texas
17.6
113.43
27
29
.Vermont*
15
82.4
28
28
.Pennsylvania
15
82.1
29
30
.Wisconsin
15.5
84.5
30
32
.Iowa
16.5
94.68
31
26
.Oklahoma
21.6
149.75
32
36
.North Carolina
19.4
120.35
33
34
.Tennessee
20.6
133.58
34
33
.Indiana
18.3
104.19
35
37
.Delaware
18.8
109.49
36
41
.Kentucky
21.9
146.72
37
31
.Connecticut
14.8
64.89
38
35
.Montana
25.2
173.5
39
40
.Arkansas
24.2
151.88
40
38
.New Mexico
23.3
140.93
41
43
.New Hampshire
17.5
75.78
42
44
.Colorado
18.6
82.23
43
39
.Arizona
21.1
104.63
44
46
.Wyoming
29.5
177.63
45
42
.Nevada
21.2
89.63
46
45
.South Dakota
27.7
129.9
47
47
.Florida
27.2
117.62
48
49
.South Carolina
32.6
163.26
49
48
.Hawaii
21.2
59.02
50
50
.Massachusetts
.New York
.Maine
American Made Deerskin Gloves Soft as silk, tough as nails. pedestrians, bicyclists, and all others fatally injured in the crash of the vehicle type of interest. Every person who died in a crash was a part of the population. This is why the “All victims in the crash” is divided by population to make a rate useful when comparing the individual states. To smooth out random fluctuations, we average the most recent five years of data. Note that states with low populations are more susceptible to random fluctuations when comparing year to year rankings. States with a single asterisk nest to their name (*) have very low motorcycle crash fatalities that result in a wider random yearto-year fluctuation on the DangerOmeter. When it comes to the states’ ranks, sorting the resulting weighted averages (defined above) from lowest to the highest results in the DangerOmeter Rank. A DangerOmeter ranking of 1 indicates the least relative dangerous motorcycling state in the nation. Currently New Jersey is the statistically safest place to ride a motorcycle. A larger number in rank indicates more relative motorcycle societal danger, with a rank of 50 indicating the state with the most relative motorcycle societal danger. This dubious distinction is currently held by Hawaii. See where your state falls and let’s continue the mission to make all motorcyclists safer in the country. We now have a scientific starting point to have an intelligent discussion on the topic of relative danger by state geography. Lee Parks (#162125) has been riding and racing motorcycles for well over 33 years. He has been the editor of both consumer and trade motorcycle magazines, manufacturers his own line of motorcycle gloves and is a WERA national endurance champion. His riding skills book Total Control has sold over 100,000 copies in five languages around the world. Lee’s Total Control Training company manages—and is the curriculum vendor for—the California Motorcyclist Safety Program as well as several large military contracts. If you have a question you’d like to him to answer in this column, send him an email at lee@totalcontroltraining.net.
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
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lifestyl
mileageslaves
The illusion of control By David Cwi #28490 going to a funeral, and guys are expecting you to arrive 11 hours from now in Vinedead. No joke. Or land, New Jersey. Your GPS tells you that to put it another you can do that, and you’ve run that “arrive way, I’m lucky to be at” time estimate around in your head, around to write this deducting 10 percent by factoring in your column but for a likely average speed and at best one stop for spasm of instincfood and one more for fuel as you are going tual total fright and to burn through your main tank and fuel a panic-free reaction. cell twice to make this work. I’m relating my tale to Raiders Bottom line: You are thinking about showing up for the now annual your dead friend. You are aware that you Octoberfest Raider Ride and Renwant some time with other guys riding and dezvous. Ron and Jerry are there. flying in. So that means you are time conand they are by far the fastest riders scious, and you are “pressing.” And you are in our evolving brotherhood. The in a landscape you know firsthand because newly-christened “Phantom of the it’s your back door route to Mt Comfort Raid,” aka Sir Speedo, has mapped and I-70 whenever you go East. In short, it out a fabulous next day route on the is a prescription for potential area’s great roads that disaster. is sure to challenge What is incredibly cool and excite. We are sit“AS I SAID, THIS IS THE SORT OF about Google Street View in ting around now, just this instance is simply that catching up on each EMBARRASSING INCIDENT THAT GETS YOU can literally see what I other’s life and times. KILLED. MAYBE MY STUPIDITY CAN HELP YOU.” you saw. I am in effect in the same To say Ron and lane as the dirt hauling truck Jerry are fast does not in the picture on line. What is even begin to capture critical here are the overhead hanging turn hard right with no turn marker to warn the performance difference between signal lights. Look at them. Look AHEAD you. The road seemed to continue straight, them and the rest of us. We are quick. of the truck. That’s what I saw. And they but what you saw was a hard pack dirt road They are warp speed. And it goes were green. Trouble is they were not the as the real road immediately took a hard beyond that. As I get older I think I lights for my lane. right downhill. get slower, and part of that is knowAt this location, the roads do not interI hit this at less than warp speed. Ron did ing from personal experience the sect in a T. Instead Pendelton comes in at a not. He was two up at speed on hard pack. consequences from error in the sharp angle so you have to turn your head a No harm, no foul because there was no twisties. Show me a blind corner and hard right and look over your shoulder to panic and a competent rider. Still, it brings a decreasing radius right hander and see on-coming traffic from that direction. home the basic fact of life that you need to DD does not like it. Those two And the lights governing those lanes are be “on your game” all the time even if your couldn’t care less. therefore turned toward you to face that game is a lot more skillful than mine. I’ve seen them come up on two traffic. Cars on Pendelton to my left were Okay, so you want to know what hapcars closely spaced near to a blind not moving, but not because they had a red pened. I’m sort of embarrassed to tell you, corner and watched them pop-pop light. They wanted to turn left to go across but I will. around one and then the other. Pendelton and were waiting for traffic If you visit Google Maps, you can eyeball Yikes. They are skillful and fearless. coming at them to stop flowing. the intersection of 56th street and PendelRon is two-up on a GS. Jerry is riding I see a green light. Cross traffic to my left ton Pike in Indianapolis. Go to street view his RR. It is going to be messy one of is stopped. I move into the intersection. and head East on 56th. You’ve just come these days if there is an oil spill or a Recall that when you are looking straight out of the Speedway gas station. You are car stopped around some corner. I
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BMW OWNERS NEWS November 2017
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But I digress. We were talking about my near death event, and that conversation has now forked in two directions. There are Raiders who back in the day were combat pilots. They talk about how after an “event,” guys get back in the cockpit lest the thought of that event chill out their performance … as it has for me. But the other theme is more basic: No matter how good you are, it only takes one attention lapse or one circumstance requiring a performance requirement outside your skill set to bring it all to an end. Ron almost had that on this latest run. At the annual dinner we were comparing notes, and I remarked about one corner at the top of a low rise. The road appeared to go straight but in fact immediately took a
ahead you cannot see any traffic coming from you right as it is coming in effect from behind you over you right shoulder. But something catches my third eye peripheral vision, and I grab the brakes as a car flashes by the nose of the bike. I sit there. Looking left I see the guys who were planning to make that left turn. They just stare at me. As I said, this is the sort of embarrassing incident that gets you killed. Maybe my stupidity can help you. That situation of my own making was the 3rd time this riding season that I’ve been re-acquainted with my mortality while riding the bike. The other two took place on this year’s “Out West” ride. And if we are comparing notes…just the sort of notes that get some folks to drop out of motorcycling…here for your amusement are the other two events. Maybe you can relate. One particular section of The Million Dollar Highway in Colorado (Rt 550) may be the scariest road I’ve ever ridden, bar none. To put in bluntly, the Raiding Party on this trip had no idea what they were getting into as we hammered our way south out of Montrose. This road keeps going up and takes you over three 11,000 foot high mountain passes. But one section in particular had us on edge, literally. The fall off was 11,000 feet and started instantly at the road’s edge. No guard rails. No shoulder and a road so narrow there was no room for the white line to mark the edge to your right as you head south. The esteemed Raider Clyde put it best: “If you have a choice between running off the road and hitting the car coming at you across the double yellow, take out the car.” The web site, dangerousroads.org, has this to say: “Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles (19 km) south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of
hairpin “S” curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic—many cut directly into the sides of mountains. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. Driving south you’ll be on the ‘outside’ with no guardrails.” We came down out of this mess into a valley and pulled off onto the shoulder, with non-stop yabbering and blathering at each other about being scared silly. But then came the Prevost Bus. Not on this section of road, but later on the way to Kanaab after a stop for the required Four Corners photo op. Let’s make this simple. We are rolling along and come up on a Prevost Tour Bus. Now, unbeknownst to us, it, in turn, had come upon Ma and Pa Kettle driving a late model Caddie at a slow sightseeing pace. And the driver is itching to pass them. There was nobody out here but bikes and Prevost and the car on his bumper that he is hoping for a chance to pass. And then he does. And it is the most amazing move I’ve ever seen by a bus. I had already moved to his left into the oncoming lane to pass. He is on my right maybe two car lengths away. But then in no more than a blink this bus has moved one lane left and is suddenly in front of DD. Clyde was behind me but not on my tail, and at the next gas stop quite matter of factly remarked that he thought I was going to die. “Dave, I saw you tap down a gear and twist the throttle just as this guy makes this incredible move. How close to his bumper were you?” Later that day this tour bus pulled into our motel parking lot, and I chatted up the driver. He thought at first that I was going to bitch at him, but I was just curious how that encounter came off to him. “I looked in my mirror, and there you were. I was scared to death that I had killed you.” It’s been an interesting riding year for sure. You be careful out there. Practice some panic stopping. Get some time in the curves and maybe take a course. Stay in the ride and your skill set. Don’t press. See you down the road.
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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www.ztechnik.com
lifestyl
jacktheriepe
The gift of the motorcycle Magi By Jack Riepe #116117 AUTHOR’S NOTE —
My column this month is a special Christmas bonus to my readers. It is living proof that I can write a holiday story bereft of controversy and still deal with the warm interaction between a man, woman, and a motorcycle. This is my version of O’Henry’s “Gift of the Magi.” This is another partial chapter taken from my new book, Motorcycles Speak Louder Than Words. Merry Christmas to all of you, and to your families. — Jack Riepe
voice that matched the tint in her eyes. This is the rarest attribute of women who are beautiful from the inside out. They are one in a million. To say she was soft though would not describe her character. She was an equestrian, and it was thrilling to watch her take a massive horse over a fence. She owned a painted mare and exercised this horse on a lunge line as easily as others would walk a small dog. She rode pillion on my bike (a 1975 Kawasaki H2) without fear, anticipating the turns and leaning into them by reflex. I was nineteen. She was twenty-one, and I had lucked out, hitting 12 on the Richter scale for perfect girlfriends.
I should have gotten her gift back in November. Now the roads would be jammed. The stores would be picked over. The Christmas help would be eager to leave. I would be late, regardless of what I did. And she would arrive at an empty house while I raced back with an unwrapped gift. Where was magic of the Gift of the Magi in any of this? In truth, I was cutting it close for the supermarket, too. In another few minutes, I would have no options. She would understand. She really would understand. She was that kind of a person.
Yet the more I thought about this, the more I understood the meaning of the word “underThe checks were going to I THOUGHT OF THE MADNESS OF THE stand,” and it’s connotations of be late. They were already a MALLS OUT IN PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY, failure. How can there be failure week late as far as I was conin the celebration of a holiday cerned, considering the AND BRIEFLY CONSIDERED GETTING like Christmas, with someone company had gone to a HER A GIFT ON DECEMBER 26. who makes you feel like Valen“once every two week” payroll schedule. As a young STUFF WOULD CERTAINLY BE CHEAPER. tine’s Day every day? If this woman was not my raison d’être, writer who lived week-tothen she was the reason I had a week loading trucks, I had It was after 2 p.m. on December 24th raison d’être. no contingency plan for an extra when I finally got paid. Christmas was I considered my dwindling options. The seven days without cash. And this turning out to be a total disaster. I barely malls would be a collective madhouse. In was Christmas week…the worst week had time to prepare for our first real Christtraffic, the great malls of Paramus, marvels to be without money. In some regards, mas Eve together, assembling the ingrediof commercialism in the mid-‘70s that I was the wealthiest man I knew. I had ents for a romantic dinner and getting the squatted on the hell that was Route 17, a duplex apartment overlooking stuff together to decorate a Christmas tree. would be an hour to 90 minutes away. The Manhattan, complete with a bar and a I exited the bank in a cold sweat, glad I parking would be worse. And if I got into a terrace. I had a motorcycle. And I had could now pay for a Christmas tree. But mall, the chances of finding the bike a hot girlfriend, who could steam there was the question of her Christmas dumped over on its side by a cager when I clams from 250 yards away. gift. I thought of the madness of the malls got out would be extraordinarily high. “Hot” does not begin to describe out in Paramus, New Jersey, and briefly Then there was the gift itself. To get through this woman. There are plenty of hot considered getting her a gift on December this night alive, I would have to know women around with sharp edges. You 26. Stuff would certainly be cheaper. exactly what I wanted to give her…where it can cut your hand, your heart, and There was a practical decision to make: was located in the store…and how I could your soul just by saying “hello” to focus on the elements of Christmas Eve— beat it back here without ranting and them. She was elegant and soft. Her dinner, dessert, and decorating the tree— raving. deep olive complexion suggested the or get her a present. There couldn’t possibly This drama was playing out in my apartMediterranean, but her smile hinted be time for both. I had really botched this. ment, perched high atop the cliffs of the at Disneyland. She spoke in a gentle
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BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
Palisades, on the most exquisite street in Hudson County, New Jersey—Boulevard East. My terrace view was an uninterrupted slice of Mid-town Manhattan, all the way to the George Washington Bridge. There had to be a solution that I was overlooking. The word here was “overlooking.” As I thought about this, I was looking down from the cliffs at the greatest holiday madhouse in the world: New York City. New York City was 15 minutes away….a little longer if I took the Holland Tunnel. But parking in New York City would be impossible on Christmas Eve, unless one shopped in a peculiar little neighborhood one knew well. I didn’t know New York City that well. Buying stuff in New York City meant spending top dollar, and what truck-loading writer in my circumstances would do that? There is something in giving a woman, a girl really, something unanticipated on Christmas Eve. Something she may have mentioned once, almost in passing, and something extravagant. I didn’t have a lot of cash to waste on empty gestures, like the kind of pre-wrapped gifts the store was trying to get rid of. I couldn’t give her pajamas with bunnies on them, a hastily grabbed book by an author currently making the talk shows, nor sexy underwear. I had to make it count. The gift had to be worthy of her. I remembered something I had seen in a little shop, on a Manhattan street corner, a stone’s throw away from the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. It had been a couple of months prior, when the Equestrian and I had spent an autumn morning at the South Street Seaport. There was a ship’s chandlery that was open to the public. I’d seen something there that I had never quite seen the like of before. She lit up when she’d seen it, and laughed off the price. I had no idea if the store was open. I had no idea if the item was still there. I couldn’t call to ask. I didn’t know the name of the store nor the street it was on. But this is why God made motorcycles. Motorcycles sneer at holiday traffic. They do not sit in endless lines of cars, filled with blank-eyed sheep. They squeeze through places that helium would find tight. And if opportunity or necessity requires it, you can park one in a men’s room stall. I dressed as warmly as I could, straddled
December 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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the bike, and kicked that Kawasaki H2 into life. The engine exploded into the prison riot that passed for an idle on that three-cylinder demon. The cylinders fired randomly, like they had just been introduced at a bad party. I had no time for this and edged out into traffic when I thought I had the cooperation of two. The third kicked in halfway to Hoboken and the bike became the notorious low-flying projectile that earned it the name “The Widowmaker.” The bike knew that I was getting a present for her. There was an explosion under the gas tank as the engine became nuclear and the bike was thinking for both of us. “Twenty minutes into Manhattan and twenty minutes out again,” said the Kawasaki. “Take the Holland Tunnel to Canal Street, and lane split all the way to the East River. That gives us an hour to deal with dinner.” “So it’s dinner and the gift?” I asked. “You knew it was always so,” said the bike. “Second place is the first loser. What are you going to do? Order a friggin’ pizza?” I shot down Boulevard East through Weehawken, flew up the 14th Street viaduct to skirt the “Miracle Mile” (Hoboken), and arrived in Jersey City before the engine got hot. Traffic was thick, and so was the atmosphere in the Holland Tunnel. The Holland Tunnel was built in 1927, and decorated with two miles of men’s room tile that came in a fine shade of dinge. Fifty-two years after its opening, the tunnel had all the warmth of the Berlin Wall. Traffic alternately surged and stopped, with more stopping than surging as I neared the New York end. The Holland Tunnel dumped a million cars onto New York City streets…streets that already had millions of cars of their own. Nothing compared to the knot of Detroit steel on Canal Street.
BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2017
Nothing was moving. And herein lies the marvel of the motorcycle. I blew around the stalled traffic. I cut through Chinatown like the spirit of Moo Shoo Pork. The pavement was slippery in a few places and I nearly dropped it twice. It was so damn cold that anything damp on the pavement was probably ice. Canal Street is the northern boundary for China Town. Fish and produce deliveries occasionally left a sheen on the road. I passed between two cars at speed though a space so tight I had to pull in my knees. In the true spirit of Christmas, someone flipped me the finger. “And your mother, too,” I shouted, filled with joy. Suddenly, I was on the East River. Manhattan is bound by two rivers: the mighty Hudson and the insidious East River. There are two river crossings above the water on the Hudson. These are the spindly Verrazano Bridge, and the stately George Washington Bridge. Neither one holds a candle to the Brooklyn Bridge on the East River. Then, as now, the sight of the Brooklyn Bridge took my breath away. But you should have seen it that day. The South Street Seaport was a maritime museum, with the four-masted, steel-hulled barque Peking, the Coast Guard ’s retired lightship Ambrose, and schooner Clearwater at dock. They all had Christmas lights in the rigging. It was a breathtaking foreground to the massive dignity of the bridge. I found the little street. I found the chandlery. It was open. And I found exactly what I wanted, in her size, on a rack with three others—none of which were her size. It was that close. It was a French sailing sweater of the densest wool weave. It was navy blue with subdued red stripes, with three buttons on the left shoulder. It was $100, or one-fourteenth of what I paid for this motorcycle earlier that year. I bought it. The guy who sold it to me looked like a harpooner off page 36 in Moby Dick. “Can I get this gift wrapped?” I asked. “Does this look like the kind of place that gift wraps anything?” the harpooner asked back. I glanced around. They were running a sale on mushroom anchors. A bin of
spinnaker shackle pins was placed for impulse purchase. “I guess not,” I smiled. In true New York fashion, I became invisible to him once he had my money. But I had the sweater, and nothing else mattered. He was kind enough to put it in a bag, I had a plastic bag under the seat. I bungeed the sweater to the back of the bike like I was carrying the crown jewels. The ride home was no less frenetic, as I was running out of time. But it was okay now. First stop, the house, to unload the sweater. Next stop, the supermarket. I wanted to get a goose. They were out of goose, but they had a duck. I took it. I bought wrapping paper there too. I grabbed a few bottles of wine at the liquor store. And I beat it back to the house just in time for twilight. I wrapped the sweater while the oven preheated. She was late, but came in with a wrapped gift for me. The house smelled like roast duck, wild rice, and fancy vegetables. The sweat was plastered to my forehead. I’d already had three cocktails. “Were you out on your bike today?” she asked. “It’s making that ticking noise like it’s cooling.” “Nope. You wouldn’t catch me out in that holiday traffic,” I shrugged. “Really?” she said. “I figured you’d be out shopping when I got here.” And she gave me the kind of smile that made wish I had been Saint Francis, or someone equally altruistic, instead of the Marquis DeSade. We had our Christmas dinner. It was just like every other dinner, except she glowed. “I’ve never had duck,” she said. Neither had I… Not one that I roasted myself. Dinner was roast duck, wild rice, and steamed vegetables, like baby squash and tiny pumpkins. Desert was a minced meat pie, which she had never had before either. The Christmas decorations looked resplendent, still in the two large cardboard boxes in which they had been stored. (What followed next was the Christmas Tree Acquisition Adventure, not detailed here, where our two heroes ventured out into the street, and acquired the traditional holiday focal piece, three times too large
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for the apartment. The details are in the book.) The Equestrian opened her Christmas gift in careful stages, saving the paper, the bows and the ribbon. “I want to keep all of this,” she said, looking at the sweater. “I can’t believe you remembered this.” She took the sweater into the bedroom and put it on. I was ready to take French lessons when she came out. The sweater fit her like a second skin. The muted red offset the blue, highlighting her black hair. “When did you get this?” “November,” I said. Her gift to me was wrapped like a museum piece. The paper was perfect. The ribbon was velvet. The bow was hand-tied. It was a familiar rectangular box with a solid feel to it. I knew what it was… but that didn’t make it any less spectacular. It was the three book collection of the Lord Of The Rings, by J.R. Tolkien. It was one of the early editions, three hardbound books, done in black, with metallic representations of the “The Ring,” surrounded by runes. These books had a fold-out map of Middle Earth glued to the inside back cover. They were exquisite. Opening the first of these released an aroma of “new book” expensive paper smell. I opened all of them. I’d read these books already, but I had never owned a set like these. “When did you get these?” I asked. “November,” she said. The two of us busted out laughing.
Did you like this story? Then you are going to love Riepe’s second moto book, Motorcycles Speak Louder Than Words. More than a sequel to the first, this book details the humanizing effect a motorcycle has on a man and how it changes the way he interacts with a woman, several women actually. Book fact: when read aloud on a New York City street corner, Motorcycles Speak Louder Than Words brought tears to the eyes of a statue. These books make great Christmas gifts…order both for the riders in yo your life. Order from jackriepe.com.
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Suzanne Irene Weston #21714 By Gray Buckley #27846 WHILE RIDING HER BMW ON A
recent sunny October day, Suzanne was killed by a drunk driver in Sedalia, Colorado. A native of Denver, Colorado, Suzanne attended Sweet Briar College before earning her B.S. in Mathematics at the University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara and a Masters at Cal State-Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, Suzanne met Stephen Weston, whom she married in 1971. Her career in computer science began as a civilian for the U.S. Navy in California, continued in Denver, Anchorage, Alaska, and then back to Denver. Suzanne had a taste for adventure. Suzanne’s first ride was a Honda 175
purchased in 1971, and the family took riding vacations with that bike and Stephen’s Honda 350. In 1977 Suzanne acquired a BMW and rode BMWs thereafter. When the Westons moved to Alaska, Suzanne rode her motorcycle from Denver to El Paso, Texas, then to San Diego, California, and up the west coast to Seattle, Washington, where she caught a ferry to Skagway, Alaska. From there, she rode a train to White Horse and then to Anchorage. On her final day, Suzanne and Stephen had spent a wonderful day riding with friends. She was doing what she loved. Outside of motorcycling, Suzanne was very active with the Association of Information Technology Professionals and
Paul G. Helm, Jr. #75570 By Lee Hetrick #8501 PAUL HELM, A LIFELONG RESI-
dent of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly at home in Manheim on September 21, 2017. Paul was born in Columbia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pennsylvania, in 1962. Paul was the loving husband of Jeanette M. (Sawadsky) Helm for 48 years and is survived by Jeanette, three children, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, three sisters and three brothers. After 30 years, Paul retired as a customer service manager at Canteen Vending Services, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was an active and faithful member of St. Richard Catholic Church in Manheim where he was involved with social outreach services. Paul also volunteered for the
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developed a scholarship program for college students in memory of the group’s first president. Suzanne also encouraged young people to enter the tech fields. As a rider, she rode with the Bolder Boulder motorcycle escorts, participated in events to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Diabetes Association and Ride for Kids. She was also involved in local and national groups that promote motorcycle riding and safety and participated in several rallies and club events every year. Suzanne was always cheerful, enthusiastic, thoughtful and a friend to all she met. Contributions in her memory may be made to Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, 720 Vine Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80524, www. rmrp.org
Manheim Food Pantry and Farm Show and was a valued member of the BMW Dutch Country Riders, MOA #56. One can state without fear of exaggeration that Paul was well-traveled, throughout both Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. He also made many trips across the USA, always searching out new places and experiences by motorcycle with his co-pilot and soulmate, Jeanette. After illness restricted Jeanette’s participation, Paul continued his motorcycling ways with many other friends and members of the Dutch Country Riders. Paul was expert with a wrench, having cut his teeth on British motorcycles, but his mechanical interests continued after he started riding BMWs. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may send contributions in Paul”s memory to the Manheim Food Pantry, c/o Salem United Methodist Church, 140 North Penn St., Manheim, PA 17545.
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Geoffrey Chilton #1095 By Don Denny #899 GEOFFREY
PIERCE
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OF
Philo, Illinois, died following his fight with cancer on September 26t at his home. Born February 7, 1949, in Bethesda, Maryland, he married Athan Yugao Holland on June 19, 1985. Geoff was a longtime metal fabricator and sculptor and served in the U.S. Navy as a parachute rigger. Geoff loved to ride motorcycles, especially BMWs, loved the outdoors and was an avid camper. He was also a master Meade Brewer. I first meet Geoff in the 1970’s at James Underwood’s BMW shop in St. Joseph, Illinois. Geoff was riding a BMW with a sidecar at that time. Geoff was the go-to man in this area for metal or aluminum welding. He was a master fabricator who, when handed a rough looking piece of paper with a half legible drawing, was able to create what was needed. He will be missed by his family and his BMW friends.
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Location: Nelsonville, Ohio Contact: Sam Booth samrbooth@yahoo.com Join us in the Hocking Hills of southeastern Ohio for some of the best riding roads in the Midwest. Two nights camping, Friday and Saturday dinners, guided rides of the Earthworks/effigy mounds, self-guided rides, endless coffee, movies, awards and door prizes.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
advertiserindex Action Stations/Bohn Armor................. 99 Adriatic Moto Tours................................... 41 ADV Depot.................................................... 88 Adventure Designs.................................... 23 Adventure New Zealand Tours............. 27 AeroFlow....................................................... 37 Aerostich-RiderWearHouse.................... 98 Alaska Leather............................................. 88 Alaska Motorcycle Adventures............. 35 Ayres Adventures..........................................9 Beemer Boneyard...................................... 93 Beemer Shop, The...................................... 35 Best Rest Products..................................... 99 Bike Log......................................................... 35 Bing Agency................................................. 87 BMW Motorcycle Magazine................... 99 BMW Performance Center....................101 Blue Rim Tours............................................. 95 Bob’s BMW.................................................... 29 Boxer Works Service.................................. 35 British Motorcycle Gear........................... 39 BullRack......................................................... 23 Capital Cycle................................................ 97 Cardo Systems............................................. 19 Clearwater Lights....................................... 98 Colorado Tourbike Rentals..................... 95 Corbin Pacific.............................................101 CruzTools....................................................... 99 Cyclenutz....................................................... 85 DMC Sidecars............................................... 17
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BMW ON (ISSN:1080-5729) (USPS: 735-590) (BMW Owners News) is published monthly by BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Inc., 640 S. Main Street, Suite 201, Greenville, SC 29601. Periodicals postage paid at Pewaukee, Wisconsin and additional mailing offices. Opinions and positions stated in materials/articles herein are those of the authors and not by the fact of publication necessarily those of BMW MOA; publication of advertising material is not an endorsement by BMW MOA of the advertised product or service. The material is presented as information for the reader. BMW MOA does not perform independent research on submitted articles or advertising. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO BMW ON, 640 S. Main Street, Suite 201, Greenville, SC 29601 © 2017 by BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Inc. All information furnished herein is provided by and for the members of BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, Inc. Unless otherwise stated, none of the information (including technical material) printed herein necessarily bears endorsement or approval by BMW MOA, BMW NA, the factory or the editors. The editors and publisher cannot be held liable for its accuracy. Printed in the USA. Volume 47, Number 12.
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talelight
Motorcycle fan
According to Dave Sorkow #57525, everyone wants to stop him to talk about his new motorcycle.
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BMW OWNERS NEWS  December 2017
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