Huggers, oil and bits n' bobs

[Gunboat Willy]

Well...I'm glad I found all this info...just done a search on 'hugger' 'cos that's what I was planning on fitting. Has anyone got a good word for them??! Strange really, if ever a bit of kit looked like it should do what it's supposed to...

Also spotted a recommendation that an oil change every 3000 is advisable....is that the general view? Makes sense but now I'm worried that leaving it until the 6k service may be a VERY bad thing.

And finally....spotted an 'Allen key' oil filler stopper in one thread. Anyone know where I can get such a thing? I've seen 'lockable' ones but that seems more than is really necessary. Just enough to stop the odd 'urchin' twiddling off souvenirs should do the trick! On that subject - any views on other vulnerable bits? Had a bike with a screw off brake fluid reservoir cap on the bars once...which I was always a bit twitchy about. It's not that someones going to swipe the top every day...just the amount of aggro related to it going missing.

All info gratefully received.

 

[Finbarr]

Yup, huggers are good. It helps keep a large amount of gunk off the shock and from underneath the rear generally.


They certainly don't add anything visually or for performance.

Also, just get the plain old black plastic one, there is no advantage in getting the carbon fiber one - total waste of time.

Cheers,
Finbarr

 

[Gecko]

Hi GW
Don't know about the hugger but changing the oil every 3000k is a bit quick in my book especially if you are using a high quality synthetic oil like Castrol Superbike or similar. If you are using a cheap oil then change it more frequently otherwise stick with what the B*W boys say and do and you shouldn't go far wrong.

The oil filler cap is available from lots of places. www.wunderlich.de or www.touratech.de are a couple of places to start damaging your credit card
I have one with a key from wunderlich it's cheap and very effective.
Good luck - ride safe
Gecko

 

[Gunboat Willy]

Ta! I'll go for the keyed version then. I did find To*ratech...but then p*lled the '*' key off the keyboard in the interests of financial sanity.

The oil is what the dealer put in it at the 500 service + about 100ml of quite expensive stuff that they sold me to top up with.

I was looking at a plain black hugger...it doesn't look particularly exciting...more sort of disappears/blends in.

(You're in Belgium Gecko? Lucky ol' you... I got back from a 1 year stint in Brussels at the end of last year. I still miss it some days. )

 

[andy white]

Skidmarx do a Hugger for the GS made by Pyramid plastics it is £90 ish, you can get them from http://www.skidmarx.co.uk If you do get one keep an eye on the bolts holding it on periodically as they come loose Ride safe

 

[Gecko]

Hey GW - you aren't THE G.W. are you ....?

How many miles have you got on the bike cause the first 6000 will probably be different oil to what you put in thereafter....

 

[GSAde]

Huggers

I got a "slight second" from Pyramid in Gainsborough but you need to call in to check them out - you don't say where you are so that may not be feasible. Only fault was a small bubble in the c/fibre right down where the o/e rubber shock protecter is - invisible once on the bike. Half price plus 10% discount for picking it up from factory, total cost 54 quid - almost a bargain!

Ade

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

Yeh but Adrian, why do you need a hugger to keep the crap off if you don't like riding them narrow, muddy lanes?

 

[Gunboat Willy]

Hey GW - you aren't THE G.W. are you ....?

How many miles have you got on the bike cause the first 6000 will probably be different oil to what you put in thereafter....

As in Crazy Captain Gunboat Willy? Stole the name from a band hopefully, haven't stolen it from anyone else. It's amazing how difficult it is to pick a name that isn't in use. Hope there's not a GW in Woluwe or near the Cinquantenaire!

Miles on the bike...about 3000. When I asked for top up oil they took this into consideration.

Adrian...I'm in Surrey...but prepared to travel for a bargain! 54 quid for carbon fibre sounds good to me.

Andy...the bolts come loose - even with something like Loctite on? Are they the sort of thing that could be swapped for nylon bushed nuts?

Looking at the older posts on the topic it sounded like huggers just succeeded in splashing water and crud in different directions.
Just the opposite of what I'm hoping for.

Just got home from work - on the bike...in this temperature the temptation to say 'stuff the armour...where's my shorts!' gets a bit strong...but I resist.

If I ever work out how to sensibly pack B*Ws inner pannier bags...I'll share the secret with you all as my contribution to the pool of knowledge

Cheers,

GW

 

[Gecko]

As in Crazy Captain Gunboat Willy? Stole the name from a band hopefully, haven't stolen it from anyone else. It's amazing how difficult it is to pick a name that isn't in use. Hope there's not a GW in Woluwe or near the Cinquantenaire!
GW

That's alright then I was getting worried a certain George W may have slipped amongst us ....

Miles on the bike...about 3000. When I asked for top up oil they took this into consideration.



With just 3000 miles you are probably still on a mineral or at best semi synthetic oil .This is normal to allow the engine to bed in and settle. Keep a good eye on your oil use ! Some people may disagree with me but I put full synthetic oil in after the 6000 mile service and have kept to it ever since and I have over 52000 kms now with almost zero oil useage. This was as recommended by 2 different B*W dealers over here.

 

[Gunboat Willy]

That's alright then I was getting worried a certain George W may have slipped amongst us ....

Miles on the bike...about 3000. When I asked for top up oil they took this into consideration.



With just 3000 miles you are probably still on a mineral or at best semi synthetic oil .This is normal to allow the engine to bed in and settle. Keep a good eye on your oil use ! Some people may disagree with me but I put full synthetic oil in after the 6000 mile service and have kept to it ever since and I have over 52000 kms now with almost zero oil useage. This was as recommended by 2 different B*W dealers over here.

Heheh...not enough weapons on the GS to satisfy George!

I have been keeping an eye on the oil level...up and down like a fiddlers elbow...looked like it needed 200ml at one point, cautiously put 100 in...went for a bimble...parked up, on the flat, left it for 10 minutes.........glad I only put 100 in!

So. After the 6000...my top up bottle may not contain the right thing? Gad! More expense Perhaps I'll do my own oil changes....while trying not to toast the bike (see bblofty's sad tale - seriously bad news).

GW

 

[Gecko]

The rise and fall of your oil level is a well known saga. My solution is come home - park on the side stand and leave it to cool down. Leave it for about 15 minutes minimum then up on to the center stand. This allows all the oil to drain from the cooler and oil channels in the engine to the left of the bike and you will get a consistent reading each an every time.
If you just park up on the center stand you will freak yourself out each time because your sight glass will show something different every time and the risk is you then over fill the oil and cause all kinds of nasty expensive things to happen.....blown gaskets, popped sight glass, leaks and generally nasty stuff wot costs lots

Keep on trawling the threads on the technical forum there is loads of discussion about oil and oil levels.

Good luck - enjoy yourself

PS I used to work in Woluwe - happily now I am near Antwerp - much less traffic going to and from work