old-timer

just to change the subject i have just been looking on the f650 forum and a guy has been struggling with his indicators staying on so he looked behind the dashboard and there is two relays just for the hazard lights, have any of you guys had any electrical problems with your 650 beemers

So you really consider seriously to get yourself an F650 to play with...

Then allow me to give you some background info regarding the various 'generations' of F650's.

I may be a technical nitwit in a practical sense, but I know one or two things about the F650's you need to know...

First, there are 3 'generations' of BMW F650's.

The original single cilinders F650 with the Rotax engine (roughly produced from 1990 up until 1999.

These are refered to as F650 'classic' or 'Funduro' or 'ST(rada)'.

Then, in the year 2000 BMW launched it's successor, the F650 GS.

Still fitted with the 650 single cilinder Rotax engine, but significantly improved/updated .

Produced up until 2007, when the 3-rd generation came out, but production was resumed in 2008.

Both generations above were real all-road bikes and in spite of the differences, they clearly were 'related'...

The third generation was a different bike altogether. A 100 % street bike.

BMW gave it a 2 cilinder 'tuned down' inline 800 cc engine and a very different frame and everything.

It was called F650 GS still, but it had nothing in common with generation 1 and 2.

It shared the 800 cc twin engine with the F800, which was a real All-road again.

Differences between the 1-st and 2-nd generation.

The classics were still fitted with twin carburettors, where the GS's had fuel injection (and a motor management computer).

The engine oil in the classic was kept in the frame, where the GS had a separate oil tank.

The classic had the petrol tank in the traditional place, the GS had the fuel tank under the seat, roughly positioned beneath the pillion.

As a result, the GS had a fuel pump (not needed in the classic) and both the oil-tank and the battery were situated in the 'dummy fuel tank'.

The frames of both bikes were similar, but with different dimensions.

The look of the GS was somewhat different from the classic; most significant feature being the 'beak' which is the identifying mark of the big boxer-twin GS's.

There must/would be some more technical differences, but I'd better not talk about those.

And... since the original F650 were designed in cooperation with Aprilia - it shares the Rotax engine with Aprilia's Pegaso 650 - the classics were produced at the Aprilia plant in Italy.

As of 2000, production of the GS came back to Berlin Germany. Where it belonged...

Now, one more tip, do not get nervous if you read in some Forum about a 'problem' that some individual owner might have had with the bike of your interest.

Forums tend to expose bad things, and hardly ever make a list of what's good about a product.

There are a few flaws in F650's, both in Classics and GS's. But there are not many general 'weak points', though of course Murphy never sleeps !

Electrically I give away 1... In Classics the regulator is situated below the seat, and may overheat sometimes.

When it does, it breaks down and you'll need new one...

Or... some very smart classic riders found places/ways to keep the regulator cool...

Regards.

P.S. Maybe we should open a new topic on this subject.

Before people get 'bored' with this talk about one particular bike...

After all, this should be for Corona Projects...

thanks old timer for the info, how easy is it to service them (change the oil) i have heard it is a bit tricky as you need a pump to get the oil out

Frankly I don't know...

I'm not capable of servicing the bikes myself; no space/workshop, no tools/equipment and no clue...

So maintenance is done by some local bike shop.

Not an official BMW dealer, they only want to do maintenance 'by the book' and they're very expensive.

From what I understood, the engine doesn't seem to be very accessible...

So it is not easy to, for instance, adjust the valves or remove the carburettors.

But I don't know if that's any different from other modern bikes.

They all look pretty complicated to me...

Last bike I did any maintenance on myself was a 2-stroke single-cilinder...

But I never heard of needing a pump to change the oil on a F650 though.

I hope that my little plea above can be a stimulant for you to take it up again, [mention]Stu[/mention]

My suggestion would be to start at the last pic of your post, and work towards the previous pic, and the one before that... and so on, until your bike looks like the first pic again...

Easy peasy... !

You can do it !

those beemer singles look a nice bike i might try one sometime

Brilliant idea !

I can recommend a BMW F650 single cilinder; they are really 'multi functional allrounders'.

I used them for my daily commute (before I retired), ride outs with the Mrs, holidays, biker weekends and occasionally a 'dirt road'.

They are not too heavy and not too light. And the 650 single is still strong and fast enough to carry heavy loads and score speed tickets...

My first one was a 2002 F650 GS Dakar. My current bike is a 1999 F650 'classic', nicknamed 'Funduro'.

Though they are both 'allroads' in the true sense of the word, the Dakar had a bit better off-road qualities than the Funduro or the standard F650 GS.

It has a longer front and rear suspension, and a larger front wheel (21 inch) than the standard F650 GS and the Funduro (both 19 inch).

They are very durable, I sold my Dakar with 100.000 kms on the clock... No problem.

And... and this is not unimportant... they are FUN to ride.

On the road and offroad, with or without luggage, with or without pillion...

Thank you.

Fair play to you for proceeding with caution and getting it right.

If we need to go to the next stage I believe places like Halfrauds sell an edge trim for screens that is basically a bendable slotted soft metallic trim and I would be tempted to investigate whether that could be fitted then flatted with pliers (it`s bendable so I hope that will be easy) then fix exactly as you have done so far.

The thinking is that the trim will help prevent any cracking spreading.

Stop the front page !! Don't screw it using a self tapper drill it and use a bolt, 2 washers and a nut to allow you to keep an eye on tenson.

Cheers

Ian

So it didn't stop there...

Well... being anxious and in fear that the connection would be too rigid and could cause a crack or tear in the screen , I decided to modify the attachment a bit still, yesterday.

So I carefully enlarged the hole in the screen with a fine grinding cone.

I then sanded a rubber washer (like for water taps), using a drill and sandpaper, down to size and put it in the hole in the screen.

The washer I picked was just a bit thicker than the screen so it stuck out a bit on both sides.

I attached my support rod by putting a bolt through the washer in the screen and using 2 additional rubber washers as 'buffers', so the metal bolt or nut made no contact at all with the screen.

I knocked on wood and with fingers crossed, set out for a 260 kms round-trip to fetch a bike-seat from a mate up north .

(We still are allowed to ride bikes for recreation in NL).

It was a bit awkward to, after a trip of about 130 kms, just say 'hi', pick up the seat, strap it to the bike, say 'solong' and take off again...

But that's Corona days I guess...

There was a very strong wind blowing from the east, so the trip was a real test for my 'construction'.

I must say that it fully passed the test; the screen did not shake, rattle or roll at all in the nasty wind.

Nor did I notice any tension in the screen, so I think that I'll leave it like this for now.

The seat I had strapped to the top case worried me more in the treacherous wind than my screen !

It was your remark about the metal trim slid that made me think about a modification.

And preferably before the trip, but I did not have anything I could use for your solution (and besides, I already made a hole in the screen).

So I decided to use stuff I did have at home.

After all, it is nice to 'find solutions' within the limited options one has, and to use your imagination .

So, the project wasn't really finished when I thought it was, but I'd say that the end product has benefited from the doubts I got...

So thanks for your input Mr. Frog.

I do appreciate it...

@old-timer This reminds me!

I really must get my F650 finished!

So... what's keeping you ?

If ever there was a right time...

F650-Screen Support (7).jpg

 

 

My first thought when I saw a couple of these photos was the old joke about some on steering wheels...

Really

Nah... I would never....

I would ! Good point !

That was my original plan, but I did not know exactly how I should go about it or what to use for a strip.

I'm not a metal worker, so it would have to be a 'ready to use' type of thing.

I'm not great at cutting and shaping metal beyond the simlple things I did today...

And... to be frank, my fear is that there will be cracking.

I put the thing together with as little stress or tension as possible.

But I'm sure of 1 thing, I'm gaining experience...

Thanks for your reply !

Another 'corona project', but something I've been thinking about for some time now...

The windscreen on my BMW F650 Funduro is quite high, and I noticed that the top bends inwards and 'shakes' in the wind.

So I was thinking of making some kind of support, but did not know where and how.

Handle bar is no option, for the screen is attached to the fairing.

So it should be a point that does not move when the handle bar is turned.

The frame is no option either, because it is too complicated to have it attached there.

Now the steering head happens to have some kind of plug with a round hole in it with a diameter of ± 1 cm.

And that hole is not moving when the handle bar is turned.

That would be the perfect base for the support...

So the plan could be:

Put an aluminium tube with the right diameter in the hole,

Bend it a bit forward, in a way that it does not touch the handle bar when turned.

It should be high enough though to be able to put the key in the ignition.

And it should go high enough to support the top of the screen.

1 meter of aluminium tube, diameter 1 cm, only € 2.50 in our local hardware store.

Measuring the bending point was complicated, also because the handle bar had to be removed in order to put the tube in the hole.

Bending it was a bit of a challenge too, we don't have this special tool (is it 'pipe bender' in English ?).

But when you fill the tube with - for instance sand - it won't flatten when bend.

And so I did, closing both ends with duct tape after...

I then cut the tube to size, and flattened the windscreen end.

Drilled a hole in the flattened end and the screen, and... voila, a screen support.

Nice, pretty ? Mwah... That doesn't matter much to me...

Functional ?

I'm gonna find out tomorrow.

I have to make a long trip, and forecast promises a strong breeze.

So... me happy !

My Corona project for today was: re positioning my shift pedal.

Though it is not a complicated thing to do, for BMW F650 Funduro owners it involves a bit of grinding...

Nice !

When shifting gear on my '99 Funduro, I needed to lift my whole leg, instead of just moving my toes up.

The shifter lever (or is is shift pedal, I'm not sure) appeared to be too high to just turn my foot when shifing gear.

Sometimes it got so uncomfortable that I got a cramp in my hip.

Older - and not so flexible - people have that sometimes...

Anyway, I tried to adjust the shifter to one position lower, but I found a metal 'ring' in the way when trying to shift down...

It looked to me like a kind of protection for the attachment of the side stand.

So I left it and tried to get used to this little discomfort...

But the other day I heard someone say that this 'ring' was merely to secure the bike to a fence or lamp post or so, by means of a cable + lock.

He had removed the ring altogether since it was no use to him at all.

So I took my angle grinder and got to work.

After removing the 'ring' I lowered the shifter 1 position.

And it was perfect !

Shifting up and down without taking my foot off the footpeg at all...

Such a delight...

From now on I'll surely enjoy my Funduro rides even more!

Me happy !

Bla bla bla....

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay sane.

And best wishes for Boris.

 

Now, I don't want to brag but...

It worked ! Boris is home !

No need to thank me, my pleasure.

Right now in the UK you can't do motorbikes.

Sorry, I did not realize.

Has anyone actually got some current statistics on the number of cyclists who end up in A&E as a percentage of total admissions? It surely can't be much, and with the huge reduction in motor vehicles on the road at the moment there is probably no safer time to get out there.

I'd be interested to see if castigating cyclists for burdening the NHS is actually supported by any hard evidence. Not interested enough to bother finding out for myself, obviously: I've got a mug of tea and a packet of ginger biscuits that require my attention...

 

no better time to get on a motorbike ...

Why choose ? You can do both. I do. Only not at the same time...

Fortunately we are allowed recreational bicycle- as well as motorbike ride outs.

On an individual basis...

Fresh air and exercise are crucial for seniors in order to stay fit, healthy and sane, and to keep us out of the doctors office...

So the Mrs. and I occasionally go for a little tour on our bicycles, taking sandwiches and coffee (in a thermos) with us after our 'morning walk'.

Since the place where we normally have lunch or just a coffee is closed now, we sit ouselves down at the 'picknick table' outside, and picknick.

Like in the 'old days', very oldskool !

And maybe it is not really as beneficial as cycling, but since it is allowed, and it is good for our mental biker-health, we go for little bike rides as well.

Not very often, and NOT in weekends, but on quiet week days only.

And a tour along the river dykes makes us feel biker again...

We happy !

Now, I know that cycling in NL is quite a different story than in the UK (or any other European country).

And though there are these maladjusted 'lycra gangs' overhere as well, 99 % of the cyclists are just civilians who use the bicycle for (daily) transport.

Plus, overhere there is no 'us' and 'them'.

Almost every car owner has a bicycle (and sometimes a few) and uses it regularly to get around locally, for recreation and exercise, or to commute.

Now a Brit called Chris Boardman (who doesn't know him ?), made a Video - not even 5 minutes -, comparing cycling in Holland and Britain.

I dare you, UK citizens, to shove your prejudice aside, and watch the Video (all the way to the end) and LEARN !

A while ago, my webhosting provider 'upgraded' the website-creation function (well, that's what they called it).

Leaving my website in a somewhat messed up state after they 'converted' it .

For me the most significant change was the limitation of tables/galleries.

Forcing me to split my 'sidecar scale model collection' into two galleries before I could add my latest purchases.

I resented the thought of having to rework a product that I was totally happy with, so I kept postponing the project.

But now Corona offered me the opportunity to get accustomed to the new way of working.

And to finally rearrange and 'unmess' the site, and add the latest purchases to the 'sidecar scale model collection'.

(In Dutch this is one word, scoring massively when laid out right in Scrabble, by the way).

The latest addition consist of: a scale model by OXFORD, scale 1:76.

And two somewhat 'peculiar', detached sidecars (so no motorbikes), made of some soft but very heavy metal.

Could be lead even, for all I know... By an Italian company but made in China.

"Quite unique in NL", the shopkeeper told me. He obtained just the two from some British distributer...

If you're curious about the whole collection (± 100 models), below is a link to the web page in question (in English).

Do have a peek... After all, it's not as if we have so many pressing activities now. Or is it ?

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay sane.

And best wishes for Boris.

Sidecar Scale Model Collection

From the Low Contries; Happy Birthday RENNIE !

Crikey @old-timer late 19th c. !! you really are knocking on a bit

Seaman Staines and Roger the cabin boy come to mind with this joke.

Yeah... It must have been around 1870...

When sailing was still done with proper sails.

Though they started experimenting with steam boats at the time.

I'm not called Old-timer for nothing, you know...

(Apparently they made a TV-series in the 1970's about the Charlotte Rhodes, called '1-din line' or 'onedin line' orso...)

After spending 10 years on a Trawler, preparing the lobster pots, i am now proud to say, i have achieved the status of a Master Baiter

 

I used to work with a guy who surname was bates and his 1st name was Andy. So you say

then his.wife shat out a boy and being bit chav decided to call his son Andy so when he came in to work one day not long after the birth to.show off his son he stood there in front of around 40.ppl and proudly said here is Master A Bates

and stood there with stupid look on his face as we all just pi$$ed oer ourselves

 

I heard tale of a deck officer at sea with the surname Bates, he eventually made the rank of Master. He was rarely referred to as Captian Bates...

That reminds me of the time that I was a deckhand on the 'Charlotte Rhodes' in the late 19-th century.

Our first mate was called Baines.

He became a master, but the stingy greedy owner would hardlly ever hire him as a captain.

He would remain the captain in name, and let the good man Baines do the work...

Those were the days though...

Aha. Happy birthday Stu !

I would have come over for a beer, only Mrs. Old-timer has her birthday too today...

Oh well, I can always have a beer here.

Or rather 2 beers. One for the Mrs. and one for Stu...

Have a nice day !

She was on about wanting a new car .....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133080679474

 

I bought Mrs Smithers one of these for her birthday once. She didn't see the funny side of it http://

Next time try this

Many years ago, a friend of mine told me that, for his new job, he was going from door to door.

He said that, if a man answered the door he pretended to be selling encyclopaedia.

But if it was a woman, he would offer her sexual favours... For free.

"Oh well...", I said, "I'd expect you to find the door slammed in your face many many times then".

He smirked and said: "Oh yah, many times... But I am occasionally invited in...".

And I thought the que for Snowden last weekend was weekend was bad enough:

The Nepali attempt to take the Alpine horn players set mountaintop world record of 500 from the Swis failed when 4 musicians lost their footing..

Six30 is at the top lets unmask him and see who she really is

Careful what you wish for...