The Great Dyno Test – in which certain parameters are changed on a 1985 K100RT
Caveats: Lots of them: dyno runs are not a ‘precise science’ – I doubt if DynoJet, the manufacturer of the dyno we used (a new DynoJet Model 150) would claim a “run to run, day to day” accuracy of better than 5%. There are many variables effecting absolute accuracy in the relatively uncontrolled environment that this sort of dyno is used in. Humidity, air temperature, weight of the tester, tire temperature (which changes as the runs are done), tire diameter (which also will change with tire temperature) all can effect the absolute values obtained.
In an attempt to control these variables, each run done was followed by a calibration run – where the normal operating settings of the bike were used. If this calibration run agreed with what came to be called our “Stock Run”, the stock run was used as the standard against which the new run was tested. If it didn’t agree with our “Stock Run”; – we used the best match of 3 (where two runs closely matched) or new calibration runs (as in the section on engine timing).
Conditions and ‘stock settings’: Our test conditions were approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit and approximately 30% humidity. The air temperature did change before doing the Engine Timing runs, so we used a new calibration run for this series of tests.
The settings used for the standard (calibration) runs are not BMW standard settings. The timing on this bike was set to 30 degrees BTDC. Standard (factory setting) is 24 degrees BTDC.
Controls: We only had one bike to work on the evening in question. This bike had 44,444 (exactly!) miles on it when it arrived on the dyno. It is running stock plugs with about 15 k miles on them (had a new set, but did not have time to change them – mebbe next time), using the stock filter with ~15 k miles on it (but we did tests of the filter vs. other and none).
All runs were performed by the shop owner due to insurance regulations, and because he knows how to do them. This does not constitute a classic ‘double-blind’ test – but it was the best we could do and should remove my personal bias from the results.
Run parameters and methodology: The variables being changed were selected specifically to determine numbers for each variable. We purposely did not combine changes, since interactions between them with a fuel-injected bike are unlikely and we were limited in the time we had to do all the runs.
In each case we attempted to make a change and then observe the results. If the results after a change appeared better, we would continue this change until the results stopped improving, or continued change resulted in worse results.
- Intake breathing – specifically – air filters. It has been claimed by K&N Filters that their filter provides additional power. This may be the case in a carbureted engine, or with an engine that has a restrictive factory filter. We wanted to find out if this is the case in a K bike with fuel-injection.
- Engine Timing – it is considered ‘general knowledge’ that BMW tunes their engines for ‘worst case’ conditions, ie – an owner who may put not optimal fuel in the tank (by choice or by necessity). In the case of BMW cars, there are several chip makers who modify the factory timing maps to advance the timing with proven results of more power. The downside of advancing the ignition is that it typically mandates the use of premium fuel. The 1985 K100 engine, as specified by BMW requires premium fuel. Our tests in this case were to determine the optimal timing for the bike with the least advanced timing over the factory spec.
- Mixture – it is ‘common wisdom’ that the BMW K100 L-Jetronic system tends to go towards a rich mixture as the bike ages. It has not been clear if this condition is caused by time aging of the Air-Flow-Meter, or milage induced wear on the injectors.
We wanted to test the bike as it comes from the factory (with 44 k on it, and 13 years of aging), and then induce a leaner mixture and observe the power. This would give us a quick indication with this particular bike if it had aged towards a rich condition. To lean out the mixture – we used the high-altitude plug – which results in a ~10% leaner condition.
An interesting mixture test we did not do was to run the engine with a richer mixture. Thanks to an Email I got, this actually is fairly trivial to try – pressing the starter button while the engine is running will result in a ~10% enrichment of the mixture.
To further qualify the results – the actual mixture was measured with a gas analyzer, and the readings follow the mixture plot.
Conclusions: I’ll add my personal conclusions after I discuss each run and the results of the runs. These are MY conclusions and not to be taken as gospel. I’ve provided the graphs so you can draw your OWN conclusions.
- Calibration Runs
- Intake Breathing, Page 1
- Intake Breathing, Page 2
- Mixture Runs
- Engine Timing – Page 1
- Engine Timing – Page 2
- Conclusions
The Great Dyno Runs Part Deux
By: Don Eilenberger
March 1999
This is the second dyno run report run on my 1985 K100RT (the FINEST year!)
Thanks to Jeff DeCarlo for the loan of his Luftmeister sport exhaust system, and for the sound level measurements.
Thanks to Sun Cycle of Manasquan NJ for the use of their dyno.
Thanks to Brian Curry for the loan of a spare L-Jetronic brain.
Calibration Runs
Chart 1: There are three horsepower runs illustrated in the chart above. Some explanation:
- The run plotted in red (#21) was a base run. No changes or modifications to the engine/bike.
- The run plotted in green (#22)was done with the starter button held in. Holding the starter button in on an L-Jetronic bike results in enriching the mixture by approximately 10% as it activates the start-enrichment circuit. The L-Jetronic brain prevents the starter motor from operating since it knows the engine is already running.
- The run plotted in blue (#23) was done with a different L-Jetronic brain in place (Thanks to Brian Curry). The additional power may also have been a result of a full warmup of the engine at this point (the cooling fan was now cycling). This brain remained in place for the remainder of the runs.
Exhaust comparison: 
Chart 2: Stock System (run 23) vs Luftmeister (run 26) – Horsepower plot.
This chart should be self-explanatory. Over a wide range of RPM the Luftmeister exhaust resulted in less HP. It did produce a small increase in horsepower from 4,200 to 5,500 RPM and above 7,500 RPM, but the loss of HP at other RPM exceeds the gains for a net loss of power.
Chart 3: Stock System (run 23) vs Luftmeister (run 26) – Torque plot.
Once again – self-explanatory. Little gain by the Lufty over a very narrow RPM range.