interesting

[goo]

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=21719

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seems to weigh about the same an an r1200r...

Engine: Parallel Twin, 4 valves, DOHC
Displacement: 798cc
Bore and Stroke: 82 x 75mm
Cooling: Liquid
Horsepower: 87 horsepower @ 8000rpm
Torque: 63 lb-ft torque @ 6000rpm
Wheelbase: 59.8 in
Seat Height: 31.5 in (30.5 and 32.5 optional)
Front Suspension: 43mm fork
Rear Suspension: Single shock, adjustable adjustable for preload and rebound
Front Brake: Dual 320mm disc, 4-piston Brembo calipers
Rear Brake: Single 265mm disc with single-piston caliper
Claimed Weight: 449.7 lbs (with fuel) 401 lbs dry




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http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1219/Moto ... -Look.aspx

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also interesting,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-R120 ... ccessories

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[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Goo. Very interesting with the last ebay link! If it's true about the undersized wire and cheap cables in the starter circuit, I totally believe what these guys are saying. Plus, if Swider says it works, you can take that to the bank.

Stef - are you reading this?

Link reposted for clarity: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-R120 ... ccessories

I know BMW uses small gauge wire throughout the harness, but this is the first time I've heard about this problem in the starter circuit.

[deilenberger]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-R120 ... ccessories
...

As soon as I see "oxygen free copper" - the term snake-oil pops right into my head. That term has been around in audio circles for years - justifying paying WAY WAY WAY too much for magic cables. This same link was posted either here (before) or on the MOA forums.. and I did take the time to chase down the actual engineering specifications for OFC vs "standard" copper. It improved conductivity by 0.001% (that is one/one-thousands of 1%). In other words - snake oil.

The big improvement demonstrated in the videos was more likely caused by using clean connectors vs dirty/corroded ones. And on a hexhead bike, with the ZFE/BMS-K controlling the starter relay, and pretty damn healthy size wires going to and from the starter relay, you are not going to see anything but a lighter wallet with the snake-oil fix what ain't broken Ebay kit. If your bike is starting slowly - clean the battery connections. Make sure the battery is up to snuff. Make sure you have the right oil in it for the temperature. Pull in the clutch so you're not spinning a stiff transmission. Make sure the bike is tuned correctly.

The video is rather entertaining. Several thoughts immediately come to mind - the bike seems like it was flooded when it first started. The sound of the engine once started was of one that was running way too rich. If they ran it for even 1-2 minutes, it would have cleared enough that if they then went to start it - it would have started within the 1 second the magic-wire part claimed (it sounded just like the other tries to me...) I would question why they did the short bursts with the starter? You can certainly run a BMW starter for 30 seconds or more without any risk of overheating it - and bet'cha the engine would have started within about 3-4 seconds.

Their "test" also meant the engine was still a bit warm when 30 minutes later they tried with the magic wires. Not a valid test. Also not valid because they didn't clean the original wire connections before trying the first time. Oxidized terminals will drop voltage/current. The terminals they brag about are standard electrical terminals - no different from what BMW uses as stock. Tin plated copper terminals. About as basic as you can get. New clean ones vs older oxidized ones? It's awfully easy to clean the terminals.. and way cheaper then the magic cables.

I've never had that sort of starting delay on my hexhead (or K bikes, or even my oilhead.) And I do ride down into the 30's.

FWIW - Dave Swider (and his wife Tina) are good friends of mine. Dave is not an engineer. He's a computer/search consultant for legal firms. I spent 20 years in basic research at Bell Labs and then 10 at Bellcore - physics research. I tend to question magic. It's my background. And that's all I'll say about that.

Back to rubbing green magic markers on the edges of all my CD's to damp out the scattered noise.. (more audio snake oil..)



It's your money - do what'cha want..

[deilenberger]

I know BMW uses small gauge wire throughout the harness, but this is the first time I've heard about this problem in the starter circuit.

The reason being - it's actually NOT a problem. Go look at the size of the wiring they used. It's more then adequate, especially considering the short lengths.

[DeltaDagger]

I was looking for the "monstercable" brand somewhere in that auction