Seconds out, Round Two (K1 fettling):

[MikeP]

Mike - it usually seeps past the threaded ring in the rear axle pinion. They used to apply Hylomar to the threads on assembly but in 90% of the cases they didn't. If its only that amount you've found don't worry.
Recalls aren't an issue to get done if they're outstanding. They're still honouring the old 2valve wheel recall albeit the wheel finish isn't the same. The stone guard recall's a must as the rear tyre flicks stones onto the exhaust under neath the clutch operating arm and can jam it up or down. The fix was a rather hastily bodged piece of mesh.
If you need any advice PM me.

Ta. I was aware of that particular issue (it happened to my 2004GSA) but there was far too much for it to be just a the usual weep (given the amount clagged on the FD housing behind the disc). I'd also have expected there to be oil in the pinion side but that was dry.

I've stuck the spare, brand new FD on and done nearly a thousand miles, no new oily leaks so far.

The mudguard extension: Yes, the stone flicking explanation was what accompanied the part when I had my first '89 K1. When I stripped the swing-arm off this one there were quite a few stones in there. I was tempted to post them back to Ireland as I was concerned that to keep them might lead to a charge that we were trying a stealthy repossession of Ireland bit by bit.

 

[MikeP]

Started today by cleaning (properly) the fairing panels. Some had the clay block treatment to get any ingrained dirt out, then they were treated to a quality polish before I used the Autoglym Deep Shine protection stuff.

It's a clear liquid that you apply with a cloth, leave for an hour and then buff-up. It isn't a polish. It has no cleaning qualities, instead it has to be applied over clean paint work, preferably polished, then allowed up to an hour to dry. Once it is dry, it leaves the above dull finish, it's the work of a few moments to buff it up.

I tried it on one section of a panel before Sunday's 300 mile ride. When I got home I was interested to see that virtually no dirt had stuck to the test area.

Oh and I added the strip of helicopter tape to the centre of the panel.

The cleaned and treated panels starting to fill up a spare room:

Next job was to whip this off:

I foresee some happy polishing ahead.

It looks as though number one exhaust header wasn't sealing fully:

Junk:

With the silencer off, I'll be able to get at the parts of the underside that still need cleaning:

The stands can come off soon. See what I mean about someone slapping Copperslip about with gay abandon?

 

[Micky]

Looking great Mike

 

[MikeP]

Looking great Mike

Cheers Mick.

I have no reason to believe that the oil is old but to be on the safe side, I dumped it and the filter anyway:

While it was draining, I took the radiator grille sealing rubber, cleaned it and treated it to some Gummi-Pflege (rubber care gloop):

The fork-brace-mudguard-shroud had the same treatment:

You just apply it and leave it to be absorbed by the rubber. It keeps it supple and I'll also use a dab to ease the mudguard halves back into the rubber when the time comes.

The exhaust heat-shield and the nearside lower fairing mount share the same fixing so they came off together:

They also got the same clean and polish:

I've begun cleaning the engine casings. For those who thought that Coolcarbon's black K1 polished up so well was because it had done so little mileage, I hope to prove that it's more to do with the original quality of BMW's then "flagship" bike.

 

[MikeP]

I might have to charge my video cameras and see if I can do better than this (at least in terms of the condition of the featured bike ):

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/96fE-4Py7r0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Owners of Black ones take note of the comment at the end regarding desirability and consequent values.

 

[Coolcarbon]

Owners of Black ones take note of the comment at the end regarding desirability and consequent values.

Less is more....

 

[MikeP]

Cleaned and polished engine casings:

Not finished yet, still a few nooks that need polish squirted into and then I'll give it all a coat of the Deep Shine protection stuff. That should help keep the finish in reasonable condition with just a squirt through the fairing with a hose until the panels come off next time.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Started today by cleaning (properly) the fairing panels. Some had the clay block treatment to get any ingrained dirt out, then they were treated to a quality polish before I used the Autoglym Deep Shine protection stuff.

It's a clear liquid that you apply with a cloth, leave for an hour and then buff-up. It isn't a polish. It has no cleaning qualities, instead it has to be applied over clean paint work, preferably polished, then allowed up to an hour to dry. Once it is dry, it leaves the above dull finish, it's the work of a few moments to buff it up.

I've used that stuff on cars for years now. Autoglym do a microfibre polishing cloth.

Basically, polish it with Autoglym super resin polish. Then buff over with the Autoglym Deep Shine protection stuff. Then buff once again with the microfibre rag.

PS. Has anyone ever mention that you might have OCD???

 

[Clive]

PS. Has anyone ever mention that you might have OCD???

Tried to sit down to talk to him about it, once.

He kept kneeling down in front of me. Put me right off my train of thought having my boots polished like that.

I gave up the 5th time he tossed liquid all over them, just so he could show me the moisture absorbing qualities of a new type of rag.

 

[chad]

Tried to sit down to talk to him about it, once.

He kept kneeling down in front of me. Put me right off my train of thought having my boots polished like that.

I gave up the 5th time he tossed liquid all over them, just so he could show me the moisture absorbing qualities of a new type of rag.

 

[Micky]

Mike, you're a cheat and a charlatan

You take some ancient metal, plastic and rust, wave a magic wand, take some photographs and present a new something or other ... my flabbers well gasted

Do you teach Photoshop at night school

Looking good

 

[MikeP]

PS. Has anyone ever mention that you might have OCD???

Yes. They're wrong. I have another condition altogether.

Today, I received a can of paint in the post. It's almost a match:

Some might think that the source is appropriate, it's John Deere tractor paint.

Good spot Ryan.

It's not quite perfect but if I used a dark primer it might be closer.

The tank is off to let me clean the frame and possibly for a respray. I'm not certain whether I'll get it painted or not. There are some scratches in the paint, now the tank is off, I'll try cutting it back first but some of the scratches are a bit deep.

The tank gasket thing:

is on the BMW fiche, my old one had it but it was missing from Coolcarbon's Black K1.

As well as having the two heat deflector panels in the lower sections of the side fairing panels, this one also has two upper sections that are linked under the frame tubes:

All three meshes (radiator and side vents) have been prep'd and give a first coat:

As have all the fairing panel screws:

There's a fair bit of over spray on the inside of the upper fairing from a respray:

So I masked off and gave a it a whoosh of satin:

It isn't particularly visible when it's all together unless you're the one riding the bike.

I'll put the new engine oil in later.

 

[MikeP]

Tried to sit down to talk to him about it, once.

He kept kneeling down in front of me. Put me right off my train of thought having my boots polished like that.

I gave up the 5th time he tossed liquid all over them, just so he could show me the moisture absorbing qualities of a new type of rag.

Liar!

You were asleep:

and you didn't have boots on. Unless you mean the time you went to sleep in the Channel Tunnel:

Mike, you're a cheat and a charlatan

You take some ancient metal, plastic and rust, wave a magic wand, take some photographs and present a new something or other ... my flabbers well gasted

Do you teach Photoshop at night school

Looking good

I wish I could work Photoshop Mick. I might be able to render the lovely Marrakech Red in something like it's lustrous reality.

 

[Micky]

I wish I could work Photoshop Mick. I might be able to render the lovely Marrakech Red in something like it's lustrous reality.

Marrakech Red .... one of the bestest of reds ever produced

 

[ecnirpr]

Today, I received a can of paint in the post. It's almost a match:

Some might think that the source is appropriate, it's John Deere tractor paint.

Good spot Ryan.

It's not quite perfect but if I used a dark primer it might be closer.

Just one other possibility........http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-S54_3.2l/Exterior/Body/Paint/ES131369/

 

[MikeP]

Just one other possibility........http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-S54_3.2l/Exterior/Body/Paint/ES131369/

I know that Dakar Yellow is more muted Ryan. It's much creamier. I'm going to re-spray the rear wheel stud cover as it's chipped and doesn't match anyway. That'll be a good test for the John Deere paint.

 

[Fanum]

I wish I could work Photoshop Mick. I might be able to render the lovely Marrakech Red in something like it's lustrous reality.

Mike.......have you considered that the reason you aren't seeing the M-Red in all it's full glory isn't because of the camera settings, but your MONITOR settings?

It looks lovely on mine....in fact, where you've deliberately changed the camera settings, the colour saturation is TOO much on my monitors.


You're doing a lovely job, as usual, but I would like to say STOP!!!

THIS IS GOING TOO FAR!!!

Tucking the cleaned bits up all nice and cosy in their own bed at night is, well frankly, WAAAAY beyone OCD , verging on loopyness

 

[luke scott]

I'm now having feelings of guilt. I feel that I sold Mike's mate a heap of shit, then he sold it on to Mike who has now spent weeks in his garage striping and cleaning the bike. But then I realise that there are others with worse OCD than me .

 

[MikeP]

Mike.......have you considered that the reason you aren't seeing the M-Red in all it's full glory isn't because of the camera settings, but your MONITOR settings?

Bill, I hadn't but then that's because it looks quite pink or orange on my camera displays (both cameras) too.

 

[MikeP]

Well it's been treated to 3.75 litres of decent oil.

The re-sprayed fairing screws have their plastic washers back on and the spare ones tucked away for when they're required:

The mesh screens repainted and the edge strips replaced:

Then re-fitted:

The Motometer and mounting removed for cleaning:

Bit grubby underneath (look away Luke ):

Cleaned up the area:

Cable-ties snipped, loom pulled away for cleaning along with the frame:

Cleaned and polish applied:

New cable-ties, loom back in place, tank shroud re-fitted:

Managed to buff-up the very dull Motometer case:

While I was at this stage I piggybacked the Nav II power lead onto the Aux socket:

Then checked it powered-up okay: