'97 r1100rt

HI,Whoever is listening. Can anyone tell me how to retrieve posts from members gone by? I'm guessing that I'm looking for an old member since I now own his bike. I've tried various times (and ways) without any luck. The very first time I asked for help .... '97 r1100rt electrical problems, I hit the jackpot. Question from previous owner and answered by a member of BMWmoa talking about the load shed relay. I haven't been able to find that thread again. Earlier today I wrote a big long schpeel about problems I've been having and troubleshooting exercised, but I took a break and when I returned the clock had expired and I couldn't post. Too make things worse, I lost my thread, all gone, scattered about the cosmos. Auto save did not kick in. Rather than putting it all back in print trying to explain everything. I've decided it might be easier finding what questions the previous owner had asked. He was known as "Ohio master plumber" If this doesn't work, I'll be leaving fingerprints on the keys again tomorrow. Til then.........Thank youse.

The support here is dynamic and ranges from the home garage to a revenue shop.

My problem is that you haven't posted a question that can be answered.

What problem do you have?

noobus1100 said:

HI,Whoever is listening. Can anyone tell me how to retrieve posts from members gone by? I'm guessing that I'm looking for an old member since I now own his bike. I've tried various times (and ways) without any luck. The very first time I asked for help .... '97 r1100rt electrical problems, I hit the jackpot. Question from previous owner and answered by a member of BMWmoa talking about the load shed relay. I haven't been able to find that thread again. Earlier today I wrote a big long schpeel about problems I've been having and troubleshooting exercised, but I took a break and when I returned the clock had expired and I couldn't post. Too make things worse, I lost my thread, all gone, scattered about the cosmos. Auto save did not kick in. Rather than putting it all back in print trying to explain everything. I've decided it might be easier finding what questions the previous owner had asked. He was known as "Ohio master plumber" If this doesn't work, I'll be leaving fingerprints on the keys again tomorrow. Til then.........Thank youse.

Click to expand...

You mentioned that you found a thread of his before, what was his bmwmoa user name?

When you compose s long forum post, write it in an email so you don't lose it, then when you're done, copy it here. Or you can simply break it into a few posts.

dieselyoda said:

The support here is dynamic and ranges from the home garage to a revenue shop.

My problem is that you haven't posted a question that can be answered.

What problem do you have?

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Good morning and thank you, You are correct, that was more of a rant than a question. The problem that I have is, I bought this beautiful bike in April and have only ridden it 5.5 miles. It won't start. The fuses are good and the ground is grounded as per your previous advice. I thought if I could find old threads from "Ohio master plumber" (former owner) that would be a good starting point. I have a feeling issues were omitted in our negotiation.There were a lot of items included with the purchase of this bike. Maybe to "sweeten the pot" but that is beside the point. The bike won't start. If it's electrical it may be because GPS, Sirius and a cigarette lighter were all added. There is also an outlet for a battery tender. I don't know if that is a stock feature on all beemers or not. I did find two plugs duct taped closed on the left side and zip tied to the frame. One has a wire lock,like the injectors, and three wires...green,brown black/white. The other has a black pinch clip with two tubes inside.It has two wires, brown and red/white running to this. I can't follow them back very far as they get lost under the seat near the fuse box. I hope this gives a little more insight or next time ask a question, I will.

roger 04 rt said:

You mentioned that you found a thread of his before, what was his bmwmoa user name?

When you compose s long forum post, write it in an email so you don't lose it, then when you're done, copy it here. Or you can simply break it into a few posts.

Click to expand...

Good morning and thank you, Roger. I'm pretty sure it was "Ohio master plumber". I am a dinosaur,but learning, when it comes to the 'puter.

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?47341-98-R1100RT-Electric-issues&highlight=

I found this on advanced search.

Bike won't start is a pretty broad statement.

Let's start with the basics, does it crank over?

dieselyoda said:

Bike won't start is a pretty broad statement.

Let's start with the basics, does it crank over?

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Yes, It cranks. I replaced the battery. The old one seemed kind of weak.

Got spark? Fuel pump activates? Fuel delivery to injectors?

So the bike cranks over............You have something on the upper left called the RID or Rider Information Display. With the key on, side stand up, do you see fuel level?

dieselyoda said:

So the bike cranks over............You have something on the upper left called the RID or Rider Information Display. With the key on, side stand up, do you see fuel level?

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Well, sort of....I'm sitting on the bike and on the right side is a window with oil gauge, fuel level,clock and VDO (?) when sidestand is up..key is on...the window is dark. Although I just went out and looked at it (I wanted to be sure info passed on to you was correct) and flipped the on/off switch back and forth a few times and the readings were illuminated. Fuel level was about 2/3, VDO was 0. I didn't try to start it. I found some of the previous owners threads (with some help, Thanks Roger) and that is why I flipped the on/off switch. In his earlier threads, the Ohio master plumber stated that he would do this and it would sometimes aid in starting. His posts are somewhat confusing to me and that is why I believe he withheld information. I question how much he really rode this bike. In his post "electrical problems" from 2010, he states the bike has 98k, that could have been just a guesstimate, the bike has 96 and small change. But it was from 7 years ago! I think his brother (the original purchaser) put most of the miles on it. I don't mean to ramble on but possibly this could be relevant.

Search youtube for Chris Harris. He has a r1150 no start video that might help. Be forewarned-he uses "salty" language.

noobus1100 said:

Well, sort of....I'm sitting on the bike and on the right side is a window with oil gauge, fuel level,clock and VDO (?) when sidestand is up..key is on...the window is dark. Although I just went out and looked at it (I wanted to be sure info passed on to you was correct) and flipped the on/off switch back and forth a few times and the readings were illuminated. Fuel level was about 2/3, VDO was 0. I didn't try to start it. I found some of the previous owners threads (with some help, Thanks Roger) and that is why I flipped the on/off switch. In his earlier threads, the Ohio master plumber stated that he would do this and it would sometimes aid in starting. His posts are somewhat confusing to me and that is why I believe he withheld information. I question how much he really rode this bike. In his post "electrical problems" from 2010, he states the bike has 98k, that could have been just a guesstimate, the bike has 96 and small change. But it was from 7 years ago! I think his brother (the original purchaser) put most of the miles on it. I don't mean to ramble on but possibly this could be relevant.

Click to expand...

Uhhmmm, why didn't you try to start it?

If you did and didn't start, we could go to the next step??

dieselyoda said:

Uhhmmm, why didn't you try to start it?

If you did and didn't start, we could go to the next step??

Click to expand...

I went back out to the bike after I finished that thread. I had trickle charger on the battery. I wanted it to be at full capacity. I tried to start it, cranked over strong....didn't start. Is it normal to hear the relay for ABS clicking on/off?

noobus1100 said:

I went back out to the bike after I finished that thread. I had trickle charger on the battery. I wanted it to be at full capacity. I tried to start it, cranked over strong....didn't start. Is it normal to hear the relay for ABS clicking on/off?

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Ok, ignore clicking solenoids and such for the time being.

If the bike cranks over, the RID lights up, "0" is neutral, looks you have gas in the tank, can you hear the fuel pump? After cranking, the pump may stay on for a second or two.

roncooper said:

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?47341-98-R1100RT-Electric-issues&highlight=

I found this on advanced search.

Click to expand...

In addition to that thread, I found:

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?47781-97-1100-RT-Relay-or-Kill-switch

In the above threads it sounds like he is chasing your problem but never reported that he had it solved.

Yoda's suggestion that you go at this systematically, one step at a time, is the right way to debug this problem.

Just so it's clear, if you sit on the bike, kickstand up, gear selector in neutral, do you hear the fuel pump whir for 1-2 seconds? The pump comes on immediately when you turn the ignition switch (just go to the ON position, not so far that you engage the starter), and is a distinctive whir coming from the right front side of the fuel tank.

dieselyoda said:

Ok, ignore clicking solenoids and such for the time being.

If the bike cranks over, the RID lights up, "0" is neutral, looks you have gas in the tank, can you hear the fuel pump? After cranking, the pump may stay on for a second or two.

Click to expand...

It's quiet as a grave. What should I hear?

roger 04 rt said:

In addition to that thread, I found:

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?47781-97-1100-RT-Relay-or-Kill-switch

In the above threads it sounds like he is chasing your problem but never reported that he had it solved.

Yoda's suggestion that you go at this systematically, one step at a time, is the right way to debug this problem.

Just so it's clear, if you sit on the bike, kickstand up, gear selector in neutral, do you hear the fuel pump whir for 1-2 seconds? The pump comes on immediately when you turn the ignition switch (just go to the ON position, not so far that you engage the starter), and is a distinctive whir coming from the right front side of the fuel tank.

Click to expand...

Nothin'. When I bought this "DICK" H. told me, I could fly in and ride her home. It was very tempting being only a 4 hr. drive. He also told me it shouldn't need anything until next year. I guess that's what you get for buying on-line (ebay).

dieselyoda said:

Ok, ignore clicking solenoids and such for the time being.

If the bike cranks over, the RID lights up, "0" is neutral, looks you have gas in the tank, can you hear the fuel pump? After cranking, the pump may stay on for a second or two.

Click to expand...

Quiet as a grave.

noobus1100 said:

It's quiet as a grave. What should I hear?

Click to expand...

Put the bike up on the center stand, and raise the side stand. Make sure the "kill switch" is centered in the run position. Get your head near the gas tank and turn the key to the ON position. You should hear a whirring or soft rumbling sound coming from the gas tank. It should last for about a second, then stops. With the key in the ON position your RID (rider info display) on the right side of the dash should be displaying the time, gear indicator and fuel level. If you have gear indicator and fuel on the RID, you should be able to turn the ignition key off and on and each time you turn it on the fuel pump should cycle for a second. If you don't hear anything from the tank, that' s a problem. Report back.