Preping an F650
 

I am currently in the process of planning a an overland trip from the UK to Oz leaving April/May 2007

Some months ago I purchased a 95 F650 on which to do the trip on. Aside from some general riding and commutting the bike so far has proven to be reliable.

I would been instrested in hearing if anyone who knows the bike's weak points and what I should be looking out for. Any information on what set up/mods I should be making would equally be helpful.

The bike itself is a 95 model with 40000 miles. I will be changing the usual things like bearing, brakes, sprockets, chain cables etc etc. Everyone I mention it to who knows about bikes insist they are bulletproof and will run 100000 before serious work is needed?

Any suggestions, information would be helpfull.

Thanks

Just finished prepping mine - here is the link to all the details with photos. The bike has already done 75,000 kms through North, Central South America. These mods were done to prepare for the next 3 years through Africa - India -Russia - etc. www.renedian.com/Gear.html

Complete fuel log and maitenence records for the South America part of the trip can be found here www.renedian.com/FuelLog.doc

Cheers,
Rene

Just an observation from browsing this site is that several people seem to have had problems with the stock rear shock usually failing in some country with no BMW motorbike dealers network. It may be an idea to look over the hub to see the examples. So a quality rebuildable shock would be the answer.

Cheers

This might help.

How I prepared my F650 :- http://www.smellybiker.com/preparation/

Things that broke :- http://www.smellybiker.com/maintenance/

Rene and Happy, I've enjoyed both your sites - easy to follow and offer good info.

I'd also like to add water pump problems to the F650 list. My girlfriend had her's go out at around 25k miles, an '05 model, and I've heard of others.

Best to y'all on future travels.

Hey LR, Thanks. I travelled with HH for awhile in SA, some of my web skills must have rubbed off on him. :)

I agree with the water pump shaft kit. Amys took a dump in the middle of Peru, and we changed out the Happy Hackers in Buenos Aires, and it didn't look to happy.

I keep one in my "on the bike spares" list. Change it out before you go when you change the coolant. Should last at least as long as your trip...

Rene

Cheers Guys

Thanks for the advise. Much appreciated

Tyres
 

Any advise on long distance tyres ?

Metzler Tourance and others of that type.

Since you have an older classic F650 check www.ultimatejourney.com/motorcycles.html for decent maintenance log. One of their bikes needed a new piston at 60,000 miles.

Have you replaced you 2nd gear shifter fork? I have a '97 F650 and mine went out at 38,000 miles. It is a 50 dollar part that requires a complete dismantling of the engine to replace. It won't strand you but it sure is nice to use 2nd gear. It seems to be a problem on some of the classics, check www.f650.com for more details.

Get a decent rear shock properly sprung for the weight you'll be carrying.

Check your linkage bearings (underneath the shock), the BMW dealer does not grease them during regular maintenance so its likely they'll be a rusty pile of needles when you check.

Voltage regulator, mine went out at 50,000 miles after eating 3 batteries. Replaced it with a VR from an Africa twin. you can ride with out it but you'll need some way to charge the battery every night.

kyle

Funduro weaks
 

I found the following:

Rear shock. Pap after 40 - 50000 km.

Steering head bearing. Made from chocolate somewhere in Eastern Europe. Maybe better original spares available by now or try to get specialist aftermarket bearings. As far as I remember one of the tapered roller bearings is industrial standard and one needs remachining of the inner ring.

The twin carbs sometimes go out of sync which is annoying and bike does not idle when this is bad. Difficult to adjust as you can't connect sync tester. It is possible to modify the second carb to allow to adjust with sync tester. But it also works with try & error.

Drive chain gearbox sprocket: It is secured with a flimsy circlip only (early models only). Make sure to clean the groove thoroughly when replacing the sprocket. Get proper circlip pliers and replace the circlip together with the sprocket where possible. BMW later changed the shaft (think it was in 1998) to a central locking nut.

145,000km on mine
 

I would back up the waterpump suggestions, watch the drove sprocket groove (and put the sprocket on the right way around! Otherwise it throws the chain.... don't ask me how I know). Steering head bearings are a Niachi bearing. Read the number off the outside race and order direct at about 1/3 BMW price. Check voltage regulator as suggested. Often you will find one or more of the three large yellow feed cables from the alternator are hot or have melted if the regulator is faulty. Mine has done 145,000km with one cam-chain, and recently a waterpump. It still has the original shock (quite usless now) and clutch, and uses no oil.
The later model one I also have (2000GS) is a much nicer bike to ride, much much more fuel efficient but a little boring.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

Thanks
 

Cheers, Thanks for the suggestions. Very helpful to at least be able to tackle the weak points. :thumbup1: