Motorcycle Journeys Trip Logs

Tag: Motorcycle maintenance

  • Guardian Angels… and tires

    I know I have great guardian angels — anyone who knows me knows who they are.

    I have always thought Jean-Francois may have even better guardian angels than I do, as was proved once again today. This afternoon he walked back to his motorcycle after taking a break to stretch his legs and a trucker pointed out his rear tire. About an inch down from the rim of the rear tire the steel belts were showing. And no — the tire was not under inflated. Jean Francois had no idea why the tire wore on the side.

    This occurred outside Gallup, New Mexico at 4:00 PM on a Friday afternoon. Jean-Francois immediately called me so I could do an internet search for motorcycle dealers. I found Desert Cycle in Gallup not far off I 40 so he took their number.

    They didn’t have a brand new tire that fit his wheel, but they had a practically brand new one with a mushroom plug in it. They sold it to him and mounted it for $40.

    The kindness of people when you’re on the road always warms my heart.

    Jean-Francois called by 6:00 PM ready to get back on the road. He mentioned that he had thought earlier in the day that he had never had a blow out on the road and with all the miles he had ridden he was probably about due. Not a blow out, but close enough. Probably would have been without the thoughtfulness of the trucker who pointed it out.

    A big thank you to the trucker and the folks at Desert Cycle.

  • New Tires – F650 GS is ready to go

    Big thank you to Joel Watson and Randy Simoneau for installing my new tires and showing me how to check my brake pads.

    Joel and Randy are both retired and started doing repair and maintenance for BMWDFW members. They are great guys, incredible mechanics, and fun people to spend an afternoon with. The were also very tolerant of all the questions I ask — which was greatly appreciated.

    Other than packing, setting the suspension,  and checking the chain my motorcycle should be ready to go.

  • Pre-Trip Motorcycle Maintenance

    I got a start on my pre-trip motorcycle today.

    Since an on the road oil change will be required I ordered oil filters. I need to check my brake pad so I ordered replacements for those too.  I ordered a spare turn signal bulb and a couple plastic screws to carry along with me.

    I ordered the BMW OEM parts from webparts.com. I had a couple questions so I called them before placing the order and was lucky enough to get the service manager on the phone. I got some incredibly good information and suggestions from him regarding my F650 GS. Among other things he suggested I load the bike for the trip, get on it, and have a friend check the chain tension to make sure the suspension hasn’t shifted to tighten the chain. He believes this is what wears out chains and sprockets before their time. I would highly recommend ordering parts from them.

    Placed another order after price shopping and new tires are also on their way. I’m lucky enough to have fellow BMWDFW members who are doing service and they are going to let me ride over with the tires and they will put them on while I wait. They are also going to help me check the brake pads and replace them if needed.

    The rest of the motorcycle maintenance is up to date, so unless they have additional ideas my motorcycle should be ready to go after that.

  • On the road maintenance

    I occurred to me that approximately 12,000 miles means an on the road oil change and the possibility one or both of us may need a new tire.

    I needed an oil change so I used the tools I carry on the motorcycle with the exception of the socket wrench to get the drain plug out and a torque wrench to tighten the drain plug to spec.

    I ordered a tire lever with 24mm box wrench from Touratech and a 3/8″ socket adapter to go with it. That should complete what tools I need for an oil change. I plan to stop at a discount store an buy a cheap plastic oil pan that I can discard when we’re done. I’ll take an oil filter with me.

    I did a check for BMW motorcycle dealers in that area and found one near Halifax — Atlantic Metroplex — that will be our only BMW motorcycle option in the part of Canada we’ll be traveling.

    I am a member of the BMW MOA and will be carrying their Anonymous Book so we might be able to find someone with tools that will help us out if the need arises. I also suspect the members of the RidetheRock.com forum would help us out while we’re in Newfoundland.