R1200GS Valve clearance adjustment needs to be hooked up to computer

[kevgs]

Hi,

I'm new here. Just wanted to find out if the it's true that I can't adjust the valve clearances myself cos it needs to be hooked up to the computer at the authorised BMW workshops, else the ECU on our bikes will be reading the wrong values and will be screwed.

Also, what about adjusting the throttle cables manually? Does this need to be hooked up to the computer as well to get it done? I notice there is an electronic box at the cables.

I've been riding the older models and prefer to do all these by myself.

Also, does anyone know why the idling for the R1200GS is so rough and is it true that the authorised BMW workshops can't do anything to reset the air intake and all to make it idle much better? I find that the idling on the older models were much better than the R1200GS.

Thanks.



Kevin

 

[birdseye]

Cant see any way in which the ECU would even know what the valve clearances were so I think that one is wrong. But the idle is controlled by stepper motors operated by the ECUwhich makes it difficult to balance the throttle bodies. Some people have simply disconnected the stepper motors, balanced the throttles and then re- connected and claim good results. I dont knowwhether this is correct or not.

The idling on my bike isnt rough though I am not familiar with the older bikes for comparison purposes.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Hi,
I thought my 1200 was rough after last service (10k), checked and could hear the clicks from both sides as the bflys closed out of sync. Read this on ADV site, so decided to adjust since I had no vacuum gauges or whatever. Adjusted only one cable (rhs) carefully to get the two sides to click simultaneously, worked well and bike smoother. will check later with twinmax but expect it to be spot on. Thanks, ADVRider !

 

[Marty Hill]

I have over 40k miles on 2 1200GS's. I have done all service after the first svc...your 1k. Everything is exactly the same as on the 1150. All torque values/all tools are the same. Torx bits for removing the valve covers and 2 10mm spanners for the right hand t-cable. Ignore the idle as the stepper motor does this for us. Sync at 3.5 to 4k as you did on the 1150. After the first dealer service, I usually find the valves are too tight and the valve nuts are over torqued. I usually redo the work as soon as I return home. Only takes an hour at most.

No need to dis-connect the steppers...make believe they are not there.

 

[bmwrich58]

I have over 40k miles on 2 1200GS's. I have done all service after the first svc...your 1k. Everything is exactly the same as on the 1150. All torque values/all tools are the same. Torx bits for removing the valve covers and 2 10mm spanners for the right hand t-cable. Ignore the idle as the stepper motor does this for us. Sync at 3.5 to 4k as you did on the 1150. After the first dealer service, I usually find the valves are too tight and the valve nuts are over torqued. I usually redo the work as soon as I return home. Only takes an hour at most.

No need to dis-connect the steppers...make believe they are not there.

Thanks Marty...all good things to know.

 

[kevgs]

Thanks for all the reassurances. May I know how do you disconnect the stepper motors, just out of curiosity?

Thanks.



Kevin