Thursday, September 27, 2012

My days are One & a Half hours long

I have been busy and daylight is not on my side. I do not have an indoor place to play with my tools. Everything I do is outside and generally with poor lighting. Except for the weekends, my daylight hours are spent at work. A couple of weeks ago I ordered and received my new sidecase/topcase combo rack from my BMW dealer. You can read about it HERE. I was anxious to install the rack but my bike was barracaded in my garage by construction material. Then we left for Oregon for a mini-vacation but installing my new rack was foremost on my mind when I got home from work last Tuesday.

This time of year, by the time I get home I have about 1-1/2 hours of daylight left so I have to work fast

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I rush home by the fastest route, change into something more comfortable, grab my tools, push my bike from its hiding place and get to work removing the sidecase rails. My "new to me" R1200R came with factory sidecases but NO top case plate. I need a top case so this involved having to purchase a new sidecase rail which has the attachment for the topcase rack.

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Left side

Notice that when the sidecases are removed, you can hardly tell where they attach

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Right side

I was going to take lots of photos to show you how the new rails install but it was so simple that even I could do it. You just had to remove 4 bolts on each side as well as the rear cover

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New combo sidecase rail, left side

The hardest part was holding the torx bits in place as they would slip out of the head. I managed to "round" one off by accident and wouldn't you know, it was the last one and I nearly didn't get it out. The new bolts came with loctite already on the threads

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Right side

these new rails have higher grab bars which help when raising my "new to me" BMW onto its centre stand. Because I am working underneath a carport I am not getting much daylight, so now I am working nearly in the dark with a flashlight

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The top case rack lined up nearly perfectly and 4 bolts later it was installed and the silver top plate cover goes on top to give it a more polished look

When I have something on my mind, or when something needs to be repaired I get impatient and things have to be done right now. So now that I have a top case rack I need to buy a top case

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2nd Gear Motorsports has a great selection of Givi, Kappa, Shad and other makes at reasonable pricing. I also mentioned previously that they are also a Twisted Throttle dealer and if you talk nicely, they will also price match. I have bought many things there so I get the preferred treatment

The last Bike Night BBQ was Wednesday night so I visited 2nd Gear at lunch and bought my GIVI topcase, otherwise I would have had to wait until Thursday. I settled on the 47 litre GIVI Blade series

I like the idea that this topcase locks by just pushing the top lid DOWN until it clicks. Your key doesn't have to be in the lock, or it can be either in the locked or unlocked position. It will also hold two full face helmets with ease.

Since my other two BMW side cases are keyed to the ignition, I thought that having a topcase with a different lock would let me secure valuables without access if I left my "new to me" BMW somewhere for service. Plus I am sure that OEM top cases are more expensive. I can always get BMW decals later to stick on

Since Wednesday night was our last BBQ bike night I rushed home with the intent of installing my new top case before I headed to the BBQ, plus I still had some daylight left. With this topcase now I don't always have to ride around with my wide sidecases attached

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R1200R with GIVI Blade 47L topcase

The topcase looks like it is mounted too high, but that's the way it is. I think it won't look too bad when the sidecases are attached, but now I am in lane-splitting mode, and I have a place to store my camera and helmet when I get to my destination

I now head down to EMS: Essential Motorcycle Services for my BCSB: BCsportbikes.com Hamburger and hotdog

Since this is the Last bike night of this season, they have solicited lots of support from many vendors and there were lots of prizes to be given away

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Here is the prize table. It is a random draw, you write your name on a piece of paper and put it into the box and then names are drawn. I will tell you now that I am not very lucky, but I am always hopeful

There are many prizes and many names are drawn, riders come up to claim their prizes and soon all the smaller items are gone and there are now only the 4 big prizes left.

I keep listening for my name and THEN, IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when I heard my name called out. I am already in front of the crowd as I was recording video

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The crowd cheers and I receive my "envelope" from these beauties. I don't know what to say as I seldom win anything. I am not so sure that this prize went to the right person as I am not a fast rider, and I don't own a sport bike. Maybe I will give it away

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It is a voucher from the West Coast Superbike School at Mission Raceway. I am getting nervous just thinking about this

32 comments:

  1. Pretty nice installation! And congratulations on the trackday! What an opportunity! I'm sure that you will pick up a lot. That must have been the grand prize.

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    1. Richard:

      the BMW rails are SLICK, well designed. When the cases are OFF, you don't even notice the rails, they are nearly invisible. Because the "R" is Naked, there are no body panels to remove. Just a few bolts and everything is easily accessed

      did you buy the Cozy yet ? do you need help moving your Airhead to Corvallis ?

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  2. That sure is a nice looking bike Bob. Good job getting the top case installed.

    And congrats on your prize. Do you think you'll use it? Would get you used to your "new to you" bike.

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    1. Trobairitz:

      I needed the topcase for my helmet & laptop. Now I don't always need my sidecases attached. My "new to me" bike seems narrower. This bike is nice looking, small and weighs a lot less than the "old to me" Strom

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  3. What a prize and what better way to get to know "nu2me" than on the track. I know you're no stranger to speed, you've kept up with me and know my 'tells' to pass.

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    1. Troubadour:

      let me say that following you, passing and going fast was a pleasure. I usually hang back about 6 seconds, but when you move into position I have to "gun it" to maintain position.

      I am not yet used to this "nu2me" "R" but it handles differently. I have not yet taken it on the freeway but I imagine there is a huge power difference for passing. It seems more effortless

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  4. Bob

    Well done on the prize! Don't be scared - I'm sure that they don't mind pink Crocs(tm) in the pit lane...

    N

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    1. Nikos:

      I think this prize is wasted on me. I like to ride in "scenic" mode more than exillarating mode. Imagine my surprise when they called my name. I already have THE VIDEO posted on Youtube, but not yet linked here. If you go to my sidebar you will find my channel

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  5. Congrates Bob. Just remember track days are not just for boys racers. They also cater to people on cruisers and touring bikes. There are several levels to choose from ie slow/medium/fast. Pick a group which you think you will be comfortable in and learn how your nu2u bike handles without the distraction of cars, dogs, truck, stupid pedestrians etc. You will gain some valuable knowledge of both yourself and your bike. Remember you don't need to go as fast as possible, ride your own ride.

    PS. Any tanks slappers with that baby perched back up there?

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    1. Steve/Chillertek:

      The sportbike guys ride too fast for me. Your R1 goes so fast, you scared me a few times, esp on the wrong side on a curve.

      the topcase seems too high, but once I attach the side cases it will look more balanced. I imagine that the BMW engineers designed the rack in that position so it must be okay. I won't have that much weight in there anyway, mostly for helmet security whilst on a trip, and for my laptop and camera

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    2. As chillertek says...it doesn't have to be about speed! It is more about handling and execution of turns. The track gives you a clear, safe environment. You don't have to worry about cars, debris, sand, gravel, broken car parts, oil. It is a controlled environment to practice technique. Especially getting a feel for what the R can do without having to be distracted with real street objects. Go do it!

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  6. So Bob, have you considered work lamps, mounted on a stand for overhead angles?

    Top case is big! Any effects with cross winds?

    dom

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    1. Dom:

      after our construction project is finished, next is destruction and replacement of our carport. So we don't wish to spend anything on it. It has been falling apart for the past year in anticipation.

      Our new carport will be 15-18 ft high to allow for a STACKER. Then I could consider bright lights.

      The topcase on my Strom is 44 ltrs, this new one is 47 ltrs so not much different. It will look more balanced when I attach the side cases. I don't plan on putting much weight in there anyway, it's for helmet security and my camera for easy access

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  7. Bob, I got confused back there so deleted my last 2 and am starting again. I thought you were the gal in the pic collecting the prize! What with you and your pink croc and me and my pink shirts! Doh (my crocs are green). Anyway, back to the R1200R, I can highly recommend the "Mudsling" rather than a much more pricey hugger. Keeps the battery and rear shock clear of crud. As I previously said, the R1200R is a rarer bird in the UK, the favoured style being more GP replica, Ewan McGregor Charley Boorman wannabe or the big cruiser. Personally, I think its the best bike I've either owned or ridden after 44 years in various saddles.

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    1. HDPM:

      I notice you have the Newer R1200R, and I like the white colour. I have the Pink crocs© . I've heard of the Mudsling but never considered buying one. The R12R has a cult following, it is a great bike and I had been looking at them for a couple of years now, and hardly any come up for sale pre-owned

      appreciate your comments

      Delete
  8. Bob, nice top case install. Congratulations on the Track Day School prize. Lucky you! I've always wanted to go to a track based school and learn to improve my skill and confidence level! I bet you'll have a blast!

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    1. I just noticed you set the letter in the dirt to take a picture. I probably would have used my toes to hold it to take the picture. hehehe

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    2. Erik:

      sharp eyes you have. Yes, I was walking in the dirt and decided to put my voucher there to snap the photo.

      I needed the TopCase for my tour next year. I am thinking of going South from Duluth then working around Chicago heading East. I just haven't contacted you yet . . .

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  9. Bob,

    Congratulations my friend!!! You know you're going to have to do the track day, don't you? You can run totally at your own pace but seriously, life and motorcycling in particular isn't about missing opportunities and saying "I wish..." or "What if...." at some time in the future. A trac kday is still on my bucket list as I've never done one, unless you count circulating the Isle of Man course at sunup when I was young and stupid at the 1969 TT practice week!

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    1. Geoff:

      Thank you. I never win anything. I am so unlucky. I don't know what happened, this was a fluke

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  10. Dear Bobskoot:

    Neat job with the installation of the top case. That case looks just fine to me: not too high, not too wide, and not too bulky. I ride with a Beemer crew all the time and they all have top cases like that. Not one has had a problem. If you read the fine print, you might discover the manufacturer does not recommend going over 100 miles per hour with the bag mounted. And maybe not. It depends.

    Bob, you can get a cheap drop light on a 20-foot cord for $12 (USD) just about anyplace. You can get much brighter halogen lights for not much more. Extend the daylight.

    Take the track day. What a great blog story that would make! By the way, how do you like the taste of KoolAid?

    Fondest regards,
    Jack/reep
    Twisted Roads

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    1. Jack:

      Thank you, I took my time and made sure not to scratch anything. The case is a bit higher than my Vstrom, but I notice top cases on other brands are just as high. If the BMW engineers designed the rack then it must be okay. I will never go over 100 mph anyway, nor will I even go 90 mph.

      I have a headband type LED light which swivels to different angles so my hands are free to work and this seems to work very well. I am loving the "R" and I will write about it soon and compare a bit to my Suzuki V-strom. I rode both today

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  11. Bobskoot, I haven't been keeping up lately - what a beautiful new bike!

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    1. El D:

      we should worry more about you. Hope you are well, and enjoy your vacation. snap lots of photos and make us envious.

      thank you, I love my "new to me" "R" too

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  12. Gorgeous new bike Bob! I wish you many miles on your Beemer.

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    1. Dar:

      The "R" is soooo smooth, sooo quiet and you can only hear the wind. It just takes getting used to the different ergonomics and the characteristics of the Big boxer engine, and high compression as you throttle back

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  13. Bob - looks like the new2u is almost ready for a cross country. Congrats on the grand prize - how lucky was that?

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    1. Karen:

      Yes, my "new to me" "R" is nearly ready. Just need some RAM mounts for GPS and GoProHD and a final mechanical check before I am highway ready

      Delete
  14. Bob, the really difficult question, after all the farkles are purchased and installed (ooooh! You need a second GoPro plus the WiFi remote!!! 3D!!), is... are you moving your teeny tiny good luck charm to the new bike? Where is she going to live? She needs her own post!

    Love the fun you're having with this.

    Regards,

    David

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    1. David:

      I just heard about your accident/mishap. Hope you are healing okay and nothing serious has happened to yourself. Take it easy, get better and relax a bit. 12 hour work days are not good either

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  15. Very cool! Be thankful you got the Givi case. They have more room. My OEM case will barely hold my helmet. And then only if the case is almost completely empty.

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    1. Kathy:

      Welcome back ! I noticed that the OEM cases were only 28 ltrs. Mine is 47 ltrs. I can fit two full sized helmets, but I only need to carry one helmet, laptop and camera in it. I like the idea that it needs a different key so I can still keep some security for my stuff, as the other cases are keyed to the ignition (key).

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