Preparation - Motorcycles, Accessories, Spare
Parts List
Joe and I both rode BMW R1100's; his a GS
model with about 12,000 miles and mine an
RS model with about 60,000 miles at the start
of the trip.
Joe's GS got a tune-up and new dual-purpose
tires before the trip began. Due to
his bike's
low mileage, little else was needed.
My RS got quite a bit more attention,
simply
due to age and miles. A full tune and
service,
including replacing all fluids, spark
plugs,
fuel filter, cleaned the K&N air
filter,
replaced the control cables and carried
the
original cables as spares, new alternator
belt, and new Dunlop D-205 tires. Also
replaced
were the taillight bulbs, headlight
bulb,
and turn signal / running light bulbs.
One
of my goals was to not have to lay
a wrench
to the bike while on tour, other than
maybe
an oil and filter change, and I figured
by
going through the bike as noted above
I could
avoid doing any mechanical work on
the motorcycle
while on tour.
Both Joe and myself were mechanically skilled,
knowledgeable on our own bikes, and capable
of using the tools and spares that we packed
- up to a point. We could repair flats and
keep the bikes running well, and check fluid
levels. Any more than that and we would have
needed a dealer or other service facility.
Motorcycle modifications / Accessories
R1100GS:
- Large aftermarket windshield
- Aluminum brush guards with plastic hand protectors
- Metal headlight protector / grill
- Removed charcoal canister; ventilated fuel
filler neck to carry more fuel.
- Sheepskin seat cover
- Tank bag (I forget which brand, a special
one-off)
- BMW saddle bags
- Large dry bag across rear seat for luggage
R1100RS:
- Fox Shocks, front and rear
- Aeroflow lexan headlight protector
- RT luggage rack
- GS handguards
- GS air intake tubes
- Bar-backs
- Removed charcoal canister; ventilated fuel
filler neck to carry more fuel.
- High-wattage headlight bulb
- Eclipse tank bag
- BMW saddle bags
- 3 medium-sized dry bags on the rear seat
and rack for luggage.
- Heated grips
Spares packed on bikes:
-
 |
Flat Repair Kit
A hodge-podge of BMW
and automotive plugs and tools |
|
|
 |
Innovations "Ultraflate"
Co2 Adapter
Shown with 16 gram
threaded BMW cartridge |
|
|
 |
Radio Shack
Pocket multi-meter |
|
(2) BMW flat repair kits
- Aftermarket Maruni flat repair kit
- Mini tire-irons
-
Co2 adapter, allowed me to use either
BMW
or Daisey BB gun cartridges in case of flat.
- Oil filter and wrench
- (2) Spark plugs
- Alternator belt
- Fuel filter and o-rings
- Assorted hand tools to supplement the BMW
tool kits, sufficient to check fluid levels,
change spark plugs, oil filter, fuel filter,
or an alternator belts; or to remove and
replace a wheel or make mechanical adjustments
in the field.
-
Assorted hardware, ie, common sized
nuts
and bolts
- Assorted bits of wire, heat-shrink tubing,
fuses
-
Radio Shack pocket size multi-meter
- (1) spare headlight bulb
- (2) spare taillight bulbs
Other Items:
- GS - a spare plastic gas can, 1 gallon capacity
- RS - (4) quart gasoline canisters, intended
for camping stove fuel, carried in
lid of
saddlebag.
- 1 Gallon water, each bike
- Leatherman pocket tool
- Notebook computer, Toshiba Libretto
- Cell phone
- GPS
Doug Grosjean
Pemberville, Ohio
|
