Technical Tips and Vince Strang Motorcycles Dr650 Specialists links

"Snowbum's" Tech bits on BMW Airheads - great stuff.

This report presents the results of an ISO 5011 test of several air filters designed for the GM Duramax Diesel...

Comparison of air filter types. Very interesting...

Another Valeo rebuild article, and exhaust thread care and more to come.

Good article on correct adjustment of the R100GS, K75 and some other similar BMW steering head bearings.

Breaking the bead on a tubeless tire is tough, so here's some tools to do it.

You may want to reserve this one for at home use - but it's cheap!

With the Stop n go you have to use anti-sieze on the threads or it will gall the threads. Also it's heavy cast-iron at 5 1/2 pounds.

Tyrepliers - at 700gms a nice weight.

A bike specific dictionary that enables you to translate almost any technical bike term from English into French, German or Italian. Well worth printing out and stashing with your documents for any trip.

"Wondering how often you SHOULD change oil? Wondering if there is an engine problem coming up? Get your oil analyzed and KNOW!"

Troubleshooting, Disassembly and Re-assembly. An oft-maligned starter motor, the Valeo is actually not bad, and not hard to repair. Here's a complete rebuild procedure.

BMW Airheads - loads of information on keeping the old ones running. (1970-94-ish)

Joerg Hau has a very nicely done page on how to overhaul a BMW airhead (R bike) gearbox in your own workshop, including a lot of clear photos, drawings (and links to drawings) of the few necessary tools etc.

Ever wondered exactly when your BMW was built? The parts guys like to know, and sometimes BMW changes things from one month to the next. Give this handy VIN decoder (Vehicle Identification Number) your frame number and it will tell you when it was made!

"In June 2005 I started on my Journey to ride first to Alaska then to Argentina. The site has a daily blog, photos and detailed progress maps." I bought a new BMW R1200GS in Anchorage, and didn't want (nor could really afford) a set of Jessies. I heard horror stories about breaking the standard BMW panniers later, and as I am on the road to Argentina figured I should stop somewhere and relieve myself of the worry. Here's what I came up with, I made them in a muffler shop in Oaxaca . I can email more photos or explanations if required. Email address and other photos are on my website."

Clamp / safety wire anything - any size - any shape - anywhere.

The Online Motorcycle Repair Course starts with basic and general bike repair stuff, and gets into lubrication, fuel, electrical, engine, frame, and more bike-related topics.

Charging systems for motorcycles. Wide range of electrical components, upgraded charging systems etc. Fault finding chart for electrical problems.

American Fastener Journal - everything you ever wanted to know about nuts and bolts - for the real techies

Tips on replacing the idler shaft lever.

BMW R80GS - complete history of one bike, how to do all the repairs it required and more. Well done page.

How A Bolt Works, The Nuts and Bolts of Bolting, and Torque Wrenches- How Good Are They? Excellent articles for the home mechanic by Joseph Dille.

A helpful thread from the HUBB on off-road travel TOOL KIT recommendations

Ohlins and others general suspension setup, especially for race, but also good starter for all. (Click on Products then Suspension setup)

Is That Additive Really A Negative? Expose of all the oil additives nonsense. My opinion, and that of the authors: just use good old motor oil.

4 years, 38 countries, a broken BMW, a 'new' Suzuki and still the ride goes on...

Tips on repair with plastex.