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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



 
 
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  #4  
Old 5 Jun 2009
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Stockholm - Sweden
Posts: 317
I do see your point after having to call road-assistance three (3) times this january due to a broken ITU (see my thread).

A ICU is so small that you should have one spare with you. As for the ITU it is a bit larger and the cable/wire is quite "fragile"... perhaps the tip to install a second hall-sensor inside the ITU isn't such a bad idea...

Last for ever?...
I thought so... that's why I called road assistance two extra times... Friend of mine installed Accell high-voltage coils and burt two hall-sensors before switching back to the original coils...
So... they do tend to brake too...

However - it is not possible to prepare for all problems that may arise on the trip; prepare by establishing contacts that are able to with short notice supply you with what ever part you may need. Put in service stops on your route - and stick to them.

A guy called me back in 1991-92. He wanted to buy my generator to my Suzuki GS850GN. He wanted to have it as spare as he was about to drive to India, from Sweden via the middle east. I refused to sell the generator and told him to install a car alternator. He came over and checked my bike:
http://www.webstruktur.com/svea/board/artik/bilgen.html
http://www.webstruktur.com/svea/board/artik/mont_bilgen.html
His installation is still running - some 40 000 or more km later -
As for BMW - I tossed the beemer alternator back in 1992, i.e. over 200 000km ago. See, point being - car parts are available just about everywhere -

What can brake on your trip?
A R80 shaft (yes - the shaft; not the U-joint or splines!) broke in Jönköping (350km south of Sthlm) on a German bike going to the Ice-Hotel last(?) winter... how likely is that?!...
My 32/10 finaldrive sort of broke (needs a dentist...) last summer...
Friend of mine had a HT-lead brake...
Startermotors tends to brake if they are Valeo they say (mine work fine)...
Batteries die out of the blue...
Pottholes crack rims...
I lost an exhaust valve at 5200rpm or so on the freeway...
The gearbox bearings may go bad... just ask Oak, Snowbum, Dr. Curv, etc... I suffered that once... it happens really quickly and progressed even faster - it goes so fast that when you hear the sound you need to turn off the ignition and call the road assistance at once...
The frame may give...
etc

Prepare for reasonable possible brake-downs as plugs, HT-leads, a coil and the ICU. Small parts. Fuses, bulbs, punctures.

Since you will be driving a lot on dirt roads - original paper air filter is better than K&N... but... when clogged?... You can hardly bring a few with you since they are rather bulky...
Is there foam-filters available that could be used?

Listen to advice from those who have tried - think "KISS" -
You may get some ideas from:
OMEGA Electronic Ignition BMW repair modification restoration
I've just "chatted", a week or two ago, with Stephen about his solutions, especially HID conversion and LED-lights.
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