Passing of Bob Fleischer aka Snowbum

[20774]

As I was transferring from one flight the next, I read where Bob has passed. As near as I can tell, he passed two days ago. A shining light in the Airhead world is gone. His wealth of knowledge will surely live on...in each of us. RIP Bob.

He was very verbose! Raise your hands who all agree! In that vain, here is his self description for "Who the Hell is Snowbum".

Robert Fleischer, snowbum, snobum, biography

Snobum, Snowbum, Bob Fleischer bio, biography

bmwmotorcycletech.info

 

[rangerreece]

As I was transferring from one flight the next, I read where Bob has passed. As near as I can tell, he passed two days ago. A shining light in the Airhead world is gone. His wealth of knowledge will surely live on. RIP Bob.

Thank you for posting this Kurt. Snowbum will be missed by a lot of folks.

 

[stevenrankin]

Very sad news. St.

 

[6322]

Godspeed Snowbum!

 

[dduelin]

I liked mining his website for knowledge back in my airhead days. It was like peeling wallpaper one layer after the other. RIP fellow rider.

 

[olironrider]

“Snowbum” was such a great contributor to the Airhead Community !
Fortunately, Bob will live on through the volumes of work he left to us both online, as well as what we each have learned from him !
Ride on Mr. Fleischer, you’ll be with me every ride…
Don

 

[skibum69]

Godspeed!

 

[m_stock10506]

A loss for all of the BMW Airhead community, the MOA and all of us.

 

[KnockKnock]

As I was transferring from one flight the next, I read where Bob has passed. As near as I can tell, he passed two days ago. A shining light in the Airhead world is gone. His wealth of knowledge will surely live on...in each of us. RIP Bob.

He was very verbose! Raise your hands who all agree! In that vain, here is his self description for "Who the Hell is Snowbum".

Robert Fleischer, snowbum, snobum, biography

Snobum, Snowbum, Bob Fleischer bio, biography

bmwmotorcycletech.info

Snowbum lived a good life. A brilliant engineer. Anyone brave enough to wade deeply into his writings realized that all of his assertions were based upon and backed up with serious research. There was a movement to digest his work into more accessible form, but it fizzled. Example:

Snowbum Digest – Coil, ICU, Bean Can

Contents

Canister points:............................................................................................................... 1

Testing bean can and ICU.............................................................................................. 1

Ignition modules:........................................................................................................... 1

Coils............................................................................................................................... 2


Canister points: 12-11-1-243-969. This item can be differentiated from the softer spring model by the color of the wire insulation, which should not be black, but black with white rings, or white with black rings.

If the lubrication on these or earlier points cams dries out, the rubbing block & the cam can make loud chirping or squeaking noises. This indicates that the rubbing block is wearing fast; soon the points will have no opening, & the bike will stumble and eventually quit running or be difficult to start. Remove the outer lid (1 or 2 screws) & lubricate the cam sides very sparingly ....with a high temperature grease ...or, real ATU grease from Bosch. Put one drop of a decent oil on the outrigger bearing if the canister model.

Points: Use 3 Ohm dual or pair of 1.5 Ohm coils

Testing bean can and ICU​

If there was no spark at the plugs (should be at both, during kill switch rotation back and forth), then, ignition off, disconnect the two (HES) connector halves again. Use a bent metal paper clip (or whatever) & insert it into the center connection on the engine side connector. Turn on the ignition, again be sure KILL switch is centered to 'run' position. Repeatedly touch the paper clip to the engine case, which repeatedly grounds the center connection. You should see sparks at the spark plug (darkened room may help). If none, you have problems in the module or power to it, or an open coil primary. If you do get sparks, you have a bad canister Hall device. Don't lose the bale wire clip; reinstall it after you treat the connections with Caig DeOxit and push the connectors back together, before you button up the front cover.

Abstract:
Stick a paper clip into the center female HES connector.
Ignition on, ground it. Should produce a spark.
If no spark, then ICU or coil is bad.

Ignition modules:​

Bosch 0227-100-116.
GP Sorensen 11-5064.
NAPA (Echlin) TP100 (supposedly from Globe Motorist, but will not sell small quantities; Napa prices were considerably higher, but worth a look/check).
Standard Motor LX501.
Wells Mfg RB100.
Transpo BM-300 Rocky Point cycle.com Also has #9604, Ignition Module, made in the USA.
VAG (VW and Audi) ignition module part nr. 191 905 351b is a drop-in replacement for the earlier Airhead modules.

Cars that you may find modules on:
VW Golf and Passat 1979-1989.
VW T2 Transporter and Jetta 1979-1992.
VW Scirocco 1979-1995.
VW Corrado 1979-1995.
Audi 100 1980-1993.
Audi 80 1979-1993.
Audi Coupe 1981-1994.

If your bike is difficult to start you may have a problem with the early version of the Ignition Control Module. Versions of these that had the problem are coded by paint markings, of PINK ...or WHITE. The final updated module is the above noted 12-14-2-325-284 ...with turquoise paint mark as noted, but some bikes had the other style of mounting, using module 12-14-2-235-550.

If the module has white or pink lettering, it is only to be used with ignition coil 12-13-1-243-910. This applied to all engines BEFORE 1991. If the number on the COIL is 12-13-1-244-426, then you need the latest upgraded module. Early & later modules use the same part number! The last of these two modules have turquoise lettering, and that module is usable with all the coils, including the last coil, 12-13-1-244-426.

Pink or white pre 1991 coil 12-13-1-243-910

Turquoise 1991 on coil 12-13-1-244-426 (check yr old coil) useable with all coils

Latest modules work best with 0.7 (actual 0.5) Ohm coil – less resistance = more spark

Points: 3 Ohm dual or pair of 1.5 Ohm coils

Coils​

Dual tower: 15 power in (blue/green), 1 signal to ICU/tack (black)

2 coils ign switch --- 15 (coil 1) 1 ------ 15 (coil 2) ---- points/tach

 

[kbasa]

Someone needs to drop an AI tool onto his site so it makes sense.

It’s great, but it’s often impenetrable.

RIP Snowbum.

 

[viejo]

I doubt we'll ever see another like him again...... irreplaceable.

 

[RANBUSH]

Snowbum gave the Vintage BMW club permission to host his website.

Snowbum BMW Motorcycle articles, maintenance, snobum, Airheads, K, Oilhead, sidecars,

BMW motorcycle repair and technical advice,sidecars information,

tinyurl.com