12K service help

[empeg9000]

Hey everyone,
I know this is a long shot and a lot to ask, but I will throw it out there anyway.

It has become obvious to me that if I keep riding a lot, I am not going to be able to continue paying to have my service done. I can do most of the services but the valve adjust and throttle sync scares me to death. I also don't want to buy the twin-max until I try it.

I am wondering if anyone in the Capital Region of NY would be willing to give a tutorial to me? I am mechanically inclined but I would feel better with someone watching over me. You don't need to do the work, just point and tell me what to do. I will gladly purchase you favorite beer, bottle of scotch, or take you and your SO to dinner.

If you feel like helping a fellow member out, name your time and place.

 

[Semper_Fi]

I would suggest that you check out the DIY's in the Hex Head section to get a feel for the various maintanance events, and the complexity and tools required.

http://forums.forums.bmwmoa.orgdisplay.php?f=44

It is easy to work on the RT

Don E - did a great write up on the TSB, very detailed and well documented in a straight forward step by step process.

I have put up the Valve Adj, Tranny, Rear Drive and Oil Changes. These were done from a begining to end format, the only thing skipped was the plastic removal which has its own DIY.

I also sent you a PM.

Luis

 

[empeg9000]

I would suggest theat you check out the DIY's in the Hex Head section to get a feel for the various maintanance events, and the complexity and tools required.

http://forums.forums.bmwmoa.orgdisplay.php?f=44

It is easy to work on the RT

Don E - did a great write up on the TSB, very detailed and well documented in a straight forward step by step process.

I have put up the Valve Adj, Tranny, Rear Drive and Oil Changes. These were done from a begining to end format, the only thing skipped was the plastic removal which has its own DIY.

I also sent you a PM.

Luis

I've read through them all repeatedly the last two nights. I am pretty sure I could do it. I am a bit nervous about it and if I have to I will just go it alone. I jsut done have the twin-max to sync the throttle bodies yet.

I got your pm and replied. Thanks!!

 

[briana]

Buy the Jim Von Baden video. You can do a search for it or find it on advrider. It will make all of your bike maintenece very easy. He actually video taped himself doing the service, it's awesome you actually see the work being done. I was also concerned when i first started but now it's easily done. I think he recently posted a tutorial here on doing the TB sync.

Good Luck,

Brian

 

[briana]

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=17496

 

[visian]

Buy the Jim Von Baden video.

second that.

i've been working on my airheads and oilheads for years, but i still wanted to get jim's video just so i could see what's different on my hexhead. every new bmw has a few little tricks you need to know and aren't really described in the factory service manual. seeing the steps video really helped.

i learned a few tricks and managed not to bust anything, which is good!

worth the money.

ian

 

[empeg9000]

Done!

second that.

i've been working on my airheads and oilheads for years, but i still wanted to get jim's video just so i could see what's different on my hexhead. every new bmw has a few little tricks you need to know and aren't really described in the factory service manual. seeing the steps video really helped.

i learned a few tricks and managed not to bust anything, which is good!

worth the money.

ian

I purchased said item. I was planning on it anyway just to have it as a reference.
Stephen

 

[flars]

Tech help

Go over to bmwrt.com and look at their ride and event planning to see if there is a tech day planned any time soon. If not, post your request for tutoring and you should get pretty good response there.

 

[RCOCKRUM]

Worst Case Scenario

I've done my own basic maintenance on most of my bikes. Learned much of what I needed from web sites like this one. Worst case scenario - you load the bike and what ever left over parts you have on a trailer and take it to the dealer. This ain't rocket surgery and old dogs can learn new tricks. Had to buy a bunch of metric stuff when I switched from HD to BMW, but I enjoy wrenching almost as much as riding. Sense of accomplishment in learning new stuff, and all that. Just swapped my 05 LT on an 09 RT. Bought the maintenance video from JVB. Had a question about the TB synch, emailed my ? and Jim emailed back an answer in a couple of minutes. Well worth the money. Luis (Semper Fi) has a post on this string, has some great pictorials for doing maintenance on the RT. Go for it!

Russ (Sheep Dog)

 

[rglassma]

I would also recommend you picking up the Haynes R1200 manual as well. It is a good back up for additional information..

I knew nothing about the Maintenance of the RT when I bought it in April of last year.

So far a buddy and I have performed the following maintenance procedures for the bike successfully without the dealer with the help of video, forum pdfs and the Haynes manual for my '05 RT:

Plastic removal
Oil Change / Filter Change
Tranny Fluid replacement
Air Filter Replacement
Final Drive Fluid Replacement / spline lubrication
Spark Plug check / replacment
Brake Calliper Removal, Cleaning, Reinstallation
Brake Pad Check and/or Replacement Front and Rear
Valve Check & Adjust
Throttle Body Sync (another buddy has the sync tool)
Starter Removal, Disassembly, Clean / lubricate reinstallation
Removal of both front and rear wheels for new tire installation
Headlight lamp replacement (left / right headlamps - twice)

I would feel comfortable doing this work in the future and I am not by any means an experienced mechanic.. But, this bike is very easy to work on !!!

Working on your bike will save you alot of money !!!

 

[empeg9000]

All set!

Semper_Fi has agreed to give me a hand. He wrote a lot of the maintenance threads and it so happens I will be out his way on vacation next week so it all works out.

I did order JVB's DVD. I do have plenty of tools. I do not have the TwinMax though but Semper_Fi does. I will purchase my own shortly after.

Thanks to everyone that offered the support. This club really does rock. It's great how we all encourage each other on and help out when we can.