EWS and FPC

[Dave Ford]

1200 GSA and I will be setting off on our first major trip in a few weeks' time. Bike was first registered in May and has only covered 3,000 miles. My last GSA had two EWS failures. Now, I don't know the Bulgarian for "I think it's the Fuel Pump Controller", nor the Romanian for "This is my third feckin EWS failure". Have these problems been sorted in later bikes? I'd imagine it's fairly easy to take a spare FPC and to change it by the side of the "road", but is a diy fix to an EWS fault possible?

 

[Pukmeister]

Whassup, too lazy to do a site search or something???

Yes, carry a spare EWS ring antenna, some tape and your spare plastic 'wallet key' plus a small torx tool to undo the guard covering the ignition switch assembly.

Undo guard and remove. Disconnect wiring plug from failed EWS antenna, plug in new item and tape to handlebars with plastic key inside. Start bike with proper metal key in the ignition switch and ride on.

 

[motorbaker]

Whassup, too lazy to do a site search or something???

Yes, carry a spare EWS ring antenna, some tape and your spare plastic 'wallet key' plus a small torx tool to undo the guard covering the ignition switch assembly.

Undo guard and remove. Disconnect wiring plug from failed EWS antenna, plug in new item and tape to handlebars with plastic key inside. Start bike with proper metal key in the ignition switch and ride on.

Even better - ditch the GS and get a Japanese bike. There's only one snag - you'll have nothing to whinge about when you get back.

Btw, pls do report on biking in Bulgaria and Romania - hope to cover those soon..

 

[jogo]

Dave,
I had trouble myselv with the ring antenna twice and learned the newest p/n (that most likely is already fitted to your bike) is considered to be reliable. May be others can confirm that. I, at least have not had problems since.
Details about p/n's can be found here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185396

As for the FPC, you don't need to buy and carry a spare FPC as there is a pre-manufatured cable available that you can order. It allows you to do the road side "work arround" of the failed FPC as discribed several place in this forum.
Info about this cable can be found here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184713

Regards
Joerg

 

[Andy B]

I think it is highly unlikely you have the old antenna on a bike of this age. Check the last three digits of the part number. If they are 247 its the most recent and my understanding is there have been no issues with this one. If it doesn't end 247 phone your dealer and enquire. There was a 'technical upgrade' or warranty recall to you and me to cover this part. Check if you are entitled to it.

On the FPC I dont have the part number info but my understanding is that the duff ones were aluminium in colour and the new ones black. Whip the side panel off and see. If its black I'd not worry. If its silver/aluminium I'd go armed with a solution!

Good luck!

 

[Dave Ford]

Thanks for the tips jogo and Andy B.

Motobaker - I hope the trip turns out to be worthy of some form of write-up. However the standard on here is so high that a collection of "here's another road along which I rode" pics just don't make the grade.