How far should I go?

[ChasF]

On a recent trip the only failure on my 89 R100GS was the speedo cable (although I haven’t checked it out, I can’t see what else it might be). I’m thinking I might fit an Acewell speedo (Siebenrock version) - anyone any experience of these? Leading on from this I’ve been wondering about other modern upgrades. I generally don’t change stuff on bikes for the sake of it but I’ve had the GS for 34 years and some things will have passed their sell by. My aim is to make the bike as reliable as possible whilst retaining or even enhancing it’s character and authenticity. Should I fit a more modern ignition system - are there any benefits in terms of power and smoothness? The alternator rotor failed in Namibia and was rewound in Johannesburg and has never been a problem since but I always think the diode board and regulator look a bit fragile - are there any better alternatives? The bike has had a couple of silencers and rear shocks over the years and a new driveshaft. A new exhaust is on the cards because I doubt the existing will pass the newly introduced ‘controle technique’ here in France. Any opinions on other improvements?

 

[barny]

How deep is your pocket? Just categorise your mods:-

Reliability - Ignition Electronic + new coil, update charging system. Both worthwhile if you are keeping bike.

Maintenance - Speedo, Exhaust complete system or part - "The world your Lobster"

 

[ChasF]

You can spend enormous sums upgrading these old cronks but as I’ve said I prefer to only spend money on stuff that is essential (exhaust for the CT), useful like the electronic speedo which has other useful features or things that offer a proven boost to reliability. Other things I’d like to improve include the side stand and arranging some kind of decent mounting for the gps.

Over the years I’ve had a couple of starter motors and a new improved ignition coil. In regard of the ignition system, I don’t know whether to wait for the bean can to pack in and put up with the inconvenience or fit a wedgetail with a dual sensor. If someone could tell me if the wedgetail offers better performance or smoother running it might help me make my mind up.

 

[Nin]

Wedgetail electronic ignition is tough as old boots and I found it a little smoother - but that was on a race cam.
Nippon starter motor.
Check your wiring for chafing

That should do it - and set you back about £1k.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

How about a Silent Hectic alternator and an upgraded rear shock, with some upgraded front suspension? There's another £1.5k right there. A single seat conversion and some Lonerider luggage should account for another £1.5k. Then you can make the bike smoother and more tractable/efficient with a twin-plug conversion and maybe Sieberock 1000cc conversion, probs another £2k. So I've just spent the thick end of £5k for you and am feeling quite refreshed! Great retail therapy, and you'll notice the difference when you ride the bike, too!

 

[barny]

On the upgrade side, think about replacing the main battery leads with Multi strand cables as over the years the old cables build up resistance, also think about a cam chain replacement. Both relatively inexpensive but worth while especially if you are thinking of upgrading the alternator, you will be half way there.

 

[monoi]

For the sidestand, I highly recommend this: https://www.migsel.com/store/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=114

For the ignition, I bought the wedgetail but have not been able to make it work yet. If I had known, I would have gotten the BMW digital replacement.

 

[timeandtide]

Another vote for Migsel!

 

[Nin]

And a vote against Migsel stands, just for balance.

Massively over engineered on the frame clamp side - and not very well either, and massively under engineered on the prop side - mine bent.

I wouldn’t have another.

 

[mikeyboy]

For me,in this order.
Migsel or surefoot stand.(I’m a shorty and cannot deploy the oem stand)
Oversize disc ,smaller master cylinder,new brake line.
Proper service on the forks ,probably Hyperpro springs.
Rear shock upgrade or service.
Desirable stuff next but improve reliability and upgraded performance.
Wedgetail ignition (not sure why the previous poster is having issues)
High output coil and new ht leads.
High output alternator is nice to have.
Maybe a high 5th gear if the gearbox is getting some tlc anyway.
As regards the acewell/seibenrock speedo ,if the original is working I’d leave it on.
Obv the acewell has more features such as voltmeter,clock,trip meters etc but they can suffer from water ingress and condensation.
If the mechanicals are ok I’d leave well alone,
That said a proper carb clean and service can’t go amiss.
That’s not a bad list for Santa

 

[Bem]

1300GS?

 

[ChasF]

I’m reasonably happy with the engine performance and the handling, bearing in mind that the bike will only be used occasionally and in the better weather. I fitted different (progressive) springs in the forks and fiddled around with the oil which made a significant difference. I’ve had a Technoflex shock fitted for some years which has been brilliant but probably needs a service.

For me,in this order.
Migsel or surefoot stand.(I’m a shorty and cannot deploy the oem stand)
Oversize disc ,smaller master cylinder,new brake line.
Proper service on the forks ,probably Hyperpro springs.
Rear shock upgrade or service.
Desirable stuff next but improve reliability and upgraded performance.
Wedgetail ignition (not sure why the previous poster is having issues)
High output coil and new ht leads.
High output alternator is nice to have.
Maybe a high 5th gear if the gearbox is getting some tlc anyway.
As regards the acewell/seibenrock speedo ,if the original is working I’d leave it on.
Obv the acewell has more features such as voltmeter,clock,trip meters etc but they can suffer from water ingress and condensation.
If the mechanicals are ok I’d leave well alone,
That said a proper carb clean and service can’t go amiss.
That’s not a bad list for Santa

I didn’t realise that there was a Surefoot side stand for the airhead paralever but have heard about problems with the Migsel bending - is it just a problem on the taller bkes?

I do have the 320mm front disc but the modified 4 pot caliper doesn’t fit the adapter and I was having trouble with the original 2 pot caliper so it didn’t get fitted for this trip.

I’ll follow your advice re the Acewell speedo, don’twant anything that’s going to cause problems. I do get a bit of condensation in the speedo but it is working fine. Never been a fan of speedo cables though.

Carbs definitely need a good clean and service (and balancing). The idle can take a while to settle but I’ve been putting this down to sticking AR weights in the bean can.

Thanks everyone for all the recommendations.

 

[Nin]

Reading through that, I’d say get the Technoflex and forks serviced and springs to suit your weight, clean the carbs and leave the rest alone.

 

[SteveHop]

Is the "upgrade" to electronic ignition really worth it ?

 

[ChasF]

Is the "upgrade" to electronic ignition really worth it ?

Good question. My bike has never let me down but the oem electronics are not supposed to be that reliable. I could spend £500 fitting a wedgetail only to find myself sitting at the side of the road in six months time wishing I’d stuck with the original kit - that’s the conundrum with electronics, it never tells you when it’s going to let you down.

 

[SteveHop]

Good question. My bike has never let me down but the oem electronics are not supposed to be that reliable. I could spend £500 fitting a wedgetail only to find myself sitting at the side of the road in six months time wishing I’d stuck with the original kit - that’s the conundrum with electronics, it never tells you when it’s going to let you down.

Yes i somehow think that the new fancy electronic setups are fine but if anything goes wrong then your into some sort of diagnostics . At the other end of the scale with the old points setup , there wasn't much to go wrong and they could be replaced along with the condenser easily. I think that you can buy a been can fitted with two hall sensors , one working and one as a backup , so that you can switch over if one fails . Think this seems a good idea .

 

[Nin]

Wedgetail has built in redundancy. But you can’t fix it by the roadside. But they don’t fail much.

 

[Davey B]

A new exhaust is on the cards because I doubt the existing will pass the newly introduced ‘controle technique’ here in France. Any opinions on other improvements?

I know of a couple of chaps who've put their bikes thru the new CT and after moaning in the run up to its introduction, about it somehow taking away their liberty...they now moan it was far too easy. Quite literally a tyre kick and check the indicators work. May be worth putting yours thru and seeing if the exhaust is mentioned...if it is, you were expecting to put a new pip on....if it passes it may save a few quid. Just a thought

 

[ChasF]

The built in redundancy is something of a double edged sword when it comes to buying the Wedgetail kit - if I go for the basic version I’ll always be wondering if it’s going to leave me stranded.....

The main reason for replacing the oem system would be to get rid of the bob weights and, of course, improved reliability so there really is no other option but to go for the full blown
wedgetail. Dunno, it’s only money!

 

[ChasF]

I know of a couple of chaps who've put their bikes thru the new CT and after moaning in the run up to its introduction, about it somehow taking away their liberty...they now moan it was far too easy. Quite literally a tyre kick and check the indicators work. May be worth putting yours thru and seeing if the exhaust is mentioned...if it is, you were expecting to put a new pip on....if it passes it may save a few quid. Just a thought

The CT is just an inconvenience especially if you have more that one bike. I will patch up a couple of small leaks on the exhaust and see what happens! Still no road tax here which is a big bonus