The Post Office...and other stupid things.

OK, so the other day I ordered my mufflers. Same place. Same time. Box separately but mailed same time.  Today I get the left muffler....Post office tracking says I get the right side on Tuesday.  The crash bars will be in Tuesday UPS from Illinois,  the solo seat arrived today from Virginia.  The seat will work, not perfect but it will work.

Here is what the new mufflers will look like vs the old.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I checked my email this morning and everything I ordered has been shipped....with tracking numbers too!  Not a lot of news but GOOD NEWS!  Anyway I'm heading to the shop and do some more prep work.  I still have to get the rest of that silicone off the tank....what a pain.

Where are my parts!

Bike is running well.  I have been waiting for some parts that I have ordered that are not arriving in a timely manner......The muffler order is on back order so I contact another company, waiting for response.  The seat cover...just got an email last night, back ordered, so I made contact with a guy in VA that has a solo seat that might work, he's going to ship it to me today.  I have a slight oil leak at one of the push rod tubes that I was hoping would go away with running the bike since it has not run in a long while.  It's about the same so I will have to change the rubber seal,  I have spares for that in the shop.  Bike starts on first or second kick.  I'm still cleaning up that silicone mess on the tanks, and have the knee pads ready to install.

I have everything ready for a oil change when I'm ready to roll.  I've put together a small spare parts inventory to take with me and the tool kit it also ready to pack.  I have a pair of drape over saddle bags that will work well and I am still planning to add one of the carry racks I have.

That is where I am....Now Where are my parts!

R60 update

Fired up the bike and rode around for about 30 minutes then the rain came in....fast.. so I headed back.  Got the mirrors in...but didn't fit on left side, right side is ok.  Made a template for the solo seat using cardboard then cut out the pattern in 1/16" plate steel.  I'll mount the seat to the plate and the plate to the frame.  Ordered the new seat cover.

Yes I know it's not a Beemer seat but I had it left over from my scooter building days.  Very comfortable and adjustable frame.  These photos are of the seat placement, cardboard template.

What happened?

Well, I was on my way to visit a friend in Mexico but had a passport problem and had to return.  Finally got that straight but now I have to wait for another flight so it's back to work on the bikes.

Yesterday I went to Bob's BMW and picked up some new fuel valve gaskets (I bought a new set of vintage leather too) for the R60.  In the shop today I changed my plans about removing the mufflers from the R80 and put on the 60 so I reinstalled everything.  The new starter relay came in yesterday so I installed that (just plugs in).  I am still trying to remove the last of the silicone that the previous owner used to install the knee pads.  I almost have it all off but those tiny specs are giving me a hard time, plus there is a silicone film on the tank too that will need to be removed for the double stick tape to work.  I use double stick carpet tape to install the pads, thin and strong.

I have been following a blog about traveling route 50.  Riding the Horizon, it's interesting but they seem to be having a lot of delays along the way.  They are driving Urals.   http://ccjon.blogspot.com/ is the blog if you would like to follow.  I think they are now in Utah.

I've been mapping out my route and making a list of spares needed along the way plus a list of BMW dealers for parts too.  I do need to do my Mexico trip before I do the bike trip, it's a commitment I made to my friend.

Lunch is over so I need to get back to the bikes and take the R60 for a run and build up some riding time on it to check everything out.  I'd like to restart the R80 today too, maybe take it for a spin if I have time.  I know I will be riding the R100 this evening down the  lake for some fishing.

Yes, 3 BMW's can be a challenge to maintain but all being Airheads makes it easier.

As thin as a hair.

I don't know what gauge wire it would be but that Bosch starter relay must be assembled by Fairy's.  The coil wire is so thin it's almost invisible.  When I tried to start the R80 again I got nothing.  I traced it down to the starter relay and coming from a manufacturing background any thing that can be built can be disassembled.....and so I did.  If you look very closely where that blob of solder is you will see the end wire of the coil.  Corrosion got to it and with the heat from applying 12 volts the wire broke.  But I found that this relay was upgraded for the Volvo radiator fan to a better and stronger unit so not wanting to give Bob's BMW my hard earned cash for a stock Fairy built relay  ($30) I bought a better unit online delivered (in 5 days) for $14.00.  Hope the Fairy, Goblins and Troll's Local 763 doesn't find out about this!

Saturday.

After a long ride to nowhere on the hack I started up the R60 and just drove locally.  When I returned I went to work on the R80 and concluded that the starter relay is acting up.  I plan to bench test it tomorrow and if necessary replace it on Monday.  I also want stock mufflers on the R60 so I plan to remove the ones on the R80 and use them, putting the R60's onto the R80.  But that's for tomorrow too.  Time to take a break........

Went and got some ice cream on the sidecar rig. When I got back I removed the R60 exhaust and got ready for the swap....but that will be tomorrow.  And it does look like I'll need the new starter relay after all.....