is my mechanic good enough

[Flagman]

Hello all more knowledgeable than I:

 

It seems this subject must be in the archieves but I have been unable to get the answer Im looking for. Is it true that the R1150RT is pretty easy to work on with the exception of the brakes servo system? If this is the case, is it important to have a qualified BMW tech to the serve or can a "European motorcycle" shop who works on all kinds of bikes do the work? The mechanic in question has a good reputation but not sure how hard the servo job is.

 

thanks

 

Mark

[Danny caddyshack Noonan]

Mark

I can't speak for how hard the servo system is to work on.

However, this may help you see whether or not you can do it yourself. The third and fourth links on this page... advrider.com wisdom

 

best wishes. BTW, the writing is not always politically correct.

[philbytx]

Yes! And the EVO brakes are not difficult to service, if you mean doing the annual/two year service to R&R the fluids .

 

Quite a few of us "laymen" do it ourselves

[AndyS]

The basic servicing of these bikes is a piece of cake, however there are certain area's where theare is a real dearth of knowledge and so you then need to be really selective.

The 3 area's which are dodgy is a relaible rebuild of FD's,

Gearbox spline wear problems - where you really need to have someone who can actually re align the gearbox to the engine (generally by iuse of eccentric dowels). And finally the Servo system if it has a fault.

If the ABS/Servo just needs routine maintenance, then your dealer is fine, but once you have a problem, then, well, you have a problem, Most of them start quite rightly by sticking a dignostics box on. This will tell them about pressure problems, but unfortunately the diagnosis isn't that clear after that and the prices start to escalate as they try one thing after another.

I hope this answers your question.

My final observation is this. Because you are on this forum, there is a real wealth of knowledge and experience available to you here, so why not do the work yourself?

 

Andy

[JoeR]

I realize how intimidating doing your own maintenance could be; I originally took my r1100rt to a local mechanic when it wouldn't run. After $750 and no solution in sight, I had a member of this forum help me; I've been doing my own maintenance and never looked back. It saves money and it lets you know the job is done right. A trained mechanic can do the job MUCH faster than you, but not usually better; they are in a rush to get people in and out as quickly as possible.

[dan cata]

I realize how intimidating doing your own maintenance could be; I originally took my r1100rt to a local mechanic when it wouldn't run. After $750 and no solution in sight, I had a member of this forum help me; I've been doing my own maintenance and never looked back. It saves money and it lets you know the job is done right. A trained mechanic can do the job MUCH faster than you, but not usually better; they are in a rush to get people in and out as quickly as possible.

 

+1

 

I only go to a mechanic when I don't have the right tools for the job. But recently, I have bought all the tools needed, for my bike at least I can pay the mechanic, or I cand by the tool and do the work myself, and keep the tool after this

 

Dan

[Selden]

I only go to a mechanic when I don't have the right tools for the job. But recently, I have bought all the tools needed, for my bike at least I can pay the mechanic, or I can buy the tool and do the work myself, and keep the tool after this

And, you get to keep the knowledge gained, as well.

[Paul Mihalka]

"Gearbox spline wear problems - where you really need to have someone who can actually re align the gearbox to the engine (generally by use of eccentric dowels)"

 

Andy, are shops in your part of the World who do this as a paid job? Here in USA I know some, very few, have done this as a project, but not commercially. '02 R1150 bikes ('01/'02 in Europe) were the most affected. My '02 R1150R suffered this and it got a new gearbox, hoping that one is OK. It was.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

I only go to a mechanic when I don't have the right tools for the job. But recently, I have bought all the tools needed, for my bike at least I can pay the mechanic, or I can buy the tool and do the work myself, and keep the tool after this

And, you get to keep the knowledge gained, as well.

 

And so yet again I trot out my favorite quote from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:

 

“...There’s a school of mechanical thought which says I shouldn’t be getting into a complex assembly I don’t know anything about. I should have training or leave the job to a specialist. That’s a self-serving school of mechanical eliteness I’d like to see wiped out...You’re at a disadvantage the first time around and it may cost you a little more because of parts you accidentally damage, and it will almost undoubtedly take a lot more time, but the next time around you’re way ahead of the specialist. You, with gumption, have learned the assembly the hard way and you’ve a whole set of good feelings about it that he’s unlikely to have.”

 

 

Yes, standard maintenance on an 1150RT is pretty easy to do at home. If you're willing to learn, the servo-brake bleed job isnt't too bad either:

 

1150RT wheel circuit bleed

 

1150RT control circuit bleed

[NonComp]

The best advice that I can offer is, talk to the man. Ask him if he has worked on boxers before. Ask him if he has shop manuals and training. You might be surprised.

 

I once bought a boxer from a Honda dealer. They took it in trade and it need some work. I was surprised to learn that the reason that they took the bike in trade knowing that it need work, was that one of their mechanics was a certified BMW wrench who was a recent hire from another shop.

[kmac]

My friend Mr. Cata has a great plan for service here. If you spent even a portion of the money you would spend on a shop doing your work on tools, you would end up very well equiped to do your own service.

 

I already have an air compressor, a nice set of hand and power tools, and alot of odd tools to do MOST stuff. I want a motorcycle lift next. My bike needs a clutch, and the shops want 11-1300 bucks to do a clutch job. The parts are about 600 bucks. If I spend the other 5-700 clams on a lift and do the job myself, It will take a bit of time, but I will be very well set up for any future projects since I will have a lift.

 

If a job requires a special puller, or installing tool, it usually will not cost more than paying a shop to do the job one time. So if you buy the tool the first time and do the job your self, any future needs for the tool will be free (other than parts of course).

 

I am trying to do this myself nowdays. It has always been a concept for me on home projects. My deal with my wife is, for every home project or remodel I get to buy some tool that will help with that job. Then I have that tool for future jobs. Bit by bit I have a pretty well stocked garage. I am in construction so tools make me my living, so those tools are much more easily justified than a bike lift, but the principle applies non the less.

[Flagman]

thank you so much for all of your input. I agree and would like to learn and do the work myself. My issues lies in the time factor. I don't have or make enough time and the little time I do have, i would rather be riding. The local euro shop says the servos are no problem so I guess Ill give him a try.

 

thanks again

Mark

[kmac]

Morning Flagman,

 

Time is always a concern. Unfortunately we cannot create time. We can only manage what time we do have.

 

I used to like to do all of the service on my cars. As I have gotten older it has just gotten so much easier to drop my cars/trucks off at the dealer and throw them some cash to change the oil and do the service stuff.

 

On my bikes I still prefer to do it myself. But I get the time thing. I feel that because of a bikers vulnerability in the event of a break down and the poor towing methods of tow trucks and MC it is good to know how to tinker on your bike yourself. Doing your own service is a good way to get familiar enough to do a road side repair in a pinch. Just a thought.

[Clive Liddell]

Hi Mark,

 

Just my 2c worth:

 

I have no idea of the competence of your euro mechanic on this particular electronic servo system. As mentioned by some it is not "difficult" but it is rather exacting requiring some unique (and relatively easily made) tools as well as knowledge of fill levels on the wheel circuits master cylinders (after shimming the callipers) and more.

 

If I were not able to do the job I would be happier taking it to a BMW Tech or better still to a BMWST Tech Day where there will be assistance.

 

[AndyS]

Hi Clive, in principle I agree with you, but in practice when talking about the 1150 Servo, if there is a problem, unless you have the kit, one is really at a loss for diagnosis.

 

So if it is for a fluid change, then it's easy and not a problem, but if it is for fault rectification, we are talking a whole new ball game. It is then that I have concerns about just any bike shop sorting it out.

[dan cata]

About the filling adaptor and the funnel thinhy... Does anyone know the diameter of the part on the bike where it fits? I have been told that I can make my own out of a cone-shaped rubber piece and would like to know the diameter.

 

I would buy the damn thing but it's only available in USA and shipping to me is another 35$ .

 

Dan.

[terryofperry]

I bled mine once a year for six (6) years, never used a funnel thingy. Opened the cap, wife watched the fluid go down as I bled, closed the bleeder, refilled the abs, went again. Unless you were not paying attention you would not empty the controller, it holds plenty. The funnel might make it easier but not a have to have item. Also you do not need to bleed all six (6) controller bleeders, there is a BMW Bulletin stating only two (2) are necessary.

 

Ride safely

 

Terry

[Bullett]

I only go to a mechanic when I don't have the right tools for the job. But recently, I have bought all the tools needed, for my bike at least I can pay the mechanic, or I can buy the tool and do the work myself, and keep the tool after this

And, you get to keep the knowledge gained, as well.

 

And so yet again I trot out my favorite quote from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:

 

“...There’s a school of mechanical thought which says I shouldn’t be getting into a complex assembly I don’t know anything about. I should have training or leave the job to a specialist. That’s a self-serving school of mechanical eliteness I’d like to see wiped out...You’re at a disadvantage the first time around and it may cost you a little more because of parts you accidentally damage, and it will almost undoubtedly take a lot more time, but the next time around you’re way ahead of the specialist. You, with gumption, have learned the assembly the hard way and you’ve a whole set of good feelings about it that he’s unlikely to have.”

 

 

Yes, standard maintenance on an 1150RT is pretty easy to do at home. If you're willing to learn, the servo-brake bleed job isnt't too bad either:

 

1150RT wheel circuit bleed

 

1150RT control circuit bleed

 

Mitch,

 

Makes me feel much better about my adjustment of the rear brake pedal on my F650GS that caused an overheated and warped disc.

I guess if it doesn't kill you it makes you wiser.

[Tommie]

I have a 96RT with 65K on the speedo. The dealer touch my my bike twice in the last 2 years. First for a cylinder oil leak, and second to rebuild the final drive. Both times I had to take it back, and evently clean up behind them. I performed all maintenance on the bike other than that, and find that my bike still rides better than most newer bikes on the road. Its easy but time consuming at first, but you will get faster and more efficent.

[otis]

Man....O.....Man

 

Do it!!! I waited.... and I must say; that next to getting a heated vest; this is the BEST Investment I have ever made!

 

You already stated that you need to do the work yourself. Meaning...you do not trust anyone else. We are all getting older....treat yourself to a lift and you'll NEVER look back. IN FACT....you'll ask yourself why you waited so long....

 

Think of adjusting the valves at waist height....

 

 

[otis]

Although not my BMW...you can see how he lift MORE than pays for itself.....

 

Patrick

[otis]

Maybe the attachment will work this time....

[AndyS]

Although not my BMW...you can see how he lift MORE than pays for itself.....

 

Patrick

 

Especially if you have a Harley ;-}

[NonComp]

Especially if you have a Harley ;-}

...that has no center stand...