30,000 Mile Tune Up

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Just thought I'd report on doing most of my 30K tune up today. So here's some particulars:

- Changed oil from Castrol to Rotela T 15/40 and a new KN164 filter.
- Changed Trans oil to Valvolene Durablend 85/140
- Changed rear drive to Mobil 1 synthetic
All of these fluids came out super clear and clean. No visible metal etc. I'm pleased about that.

- Adjusted valves. I bought this bike with 12k miles having just been serviced by MaxBMW. Since then I've looked at the valves twice now. Both times no adjustment really needed. I changed three valves by about 0.0005 inches. So really didn't need to, but while in there, you might as well tweak everything.
- Replaced main spark plugs with NGK DCPR8EKC. My turned down socket won't fit the secondary plug hole, so those plugs will have to wait.
- Blew out air filter, but I need to get a new one.
- After reading Don E's post about the stepper motors, I went ahead and removed them for inspection. Both had a light grease, nice and soft. I wiped out as best I could and put new lithium grease in there.

This bike continues to be super reliable and a good runner. Has original brake pads with plenty of life left. No problems to report.

Thanks to this forum for good info and suggestions. I'm following the madstad threads. Had one on my F800ST but it didn't really make a difference on that bike. My R has the tiny shield, and I'm thinking about the Madstad for trips etc.

Stand by in Mid September for my ride report. Going north to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador. Gonna do the TransLab if the weather allows. Should be fun.

[BigEasy]

Ooooh! Translab, sounds fun. Please take your camera so we can live through your eyes

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

The plan is many pictures and also a ride report posted right here and also on the YB web site.

I'm looking for assurance from Lost Rider that my PR3 tires are ok for this. They are new now and will have approx 3500 miles on them when I hit the dirt road. Any advise on this point?

[Lost Rider]

The plan is many pictures and also a ride report posted right here and also on the YB web site.

I'm looking for assurance from Lost Rider that my PR3 tires are ok for this. They are new now and will have approx 3500 miles on them when I hit the dirt road. Any advise on this point?

Street tires or even 90/10 DS tires like tourance's are all the same on gravel.

At least that's the tagline that comes to mind from my experience on gravel with the R and now with many miles on a dual sport bike. Keeping the bike lightly packed with the weight down low in the panniers instead of a pile of crap on the seat or full top case will make a huge difference in handling on the gravel. Pack smart, pack light.
Compared to knobbys all street tires suck, but airing down to say 25 PSI will help greatly, the only thing is you're going into the long dirt section with mostly worn out tires (I know it's subjective, for me at least 3500 miles is 70% done no matter what brand) so you're increasing your chances of getting a flat while decreasing your chances of crashing...
A fresh rear tire for the dirt would be best but that would have to get changed in ST. Johns or in NS unless you can do it yourself. (I would probably carry a TKC-80 and change it when I hit labrador, not a huge fan of the TKC really, never ran one on the R though so can't comment... if it's wet it would be better than a street tire for sure)
Either way a tire is cheaper than any hospital bill, or remote towing service...
If you're the type to get 9000 miles out of a tire then it might not matter with having a fresh tire for the translab.
Bring a plug AND patch kit with tire irons, and electric air pump. Forget the CO2 thingys. Even on the trans lab there should be someone to help you even if you don't know how to use the irons to get a patch on. Plugs are not full proof, especially if the hole is a cut from a rock and not a nail.

A fresh air filter would be wise considering how dusty the translab can be with the truck traffic, but if it's wet then it won't matter.
A headlight guard might also be a good investment also due to the truck traffic that doesn't slow down.



Either way have a great ride and be safe! Looking forward to your photos!

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Lost, Thanks for the comments:
-Got the electric air pump that I've carried for several years
-Got the plug kit and will get a fresh patch kit and pack irons and my Pro Lev'r (no longer made?) along with a couple of mini irons.
-This is my first set of PR3 tires, but yeah, I'm hoping to get 9k miles out of them. So they will be just under half worn when I hit Labrador.
-I'll be checking the weather report before I start this leg. If it's bad, I'm gonna bail on the dirt ride. Street tires and wet dirt don't work well at all. Unfortunately, once I get to Labrador (Blanc Sablon) there is no alternative. You'd think you could just turn left and ride west along to coast to Quebec, but there is no road. So you have to go east/north/west on the TransLab. So here goes
-Like the idea about a headlight lens guard.

[deilenberger]

Might see you up there.. I've got a Nova Scotia, CBI trip planned for early September..

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Don, Watch for the July bike from the calendar. Except that it will have luggage mounted.

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Just a follow up on my tune up.

This weekend I went for the first ride after the work. My valve adjustment was a totally anal thing. As I posted, I changed three valves by about .0005 inch. That's half a thousandth. I' just amazed at the change that made. Vibration is considerably reduced, and I had no complaint prior.

So when you do your next adjustment, it's really worth the effort to do that last tweek to get the feeler drag identical on all the tappets. I'm very pleased, and now about ready for my trip. Just need a new air cleaner, and to install the lower plugs when I find a thin wall socket.

[GBag]

[quote="Bob Ain't Stoppin'"]Lost, Thanks for the comments:
-Got the plug kit and will get a fresh patch kit and pack irons and my Pro Lev'r (no longer made?) along with a couple of mini irons.
-This is my first set of PR3 tires, but yeah, I'm hoping to get 9k miles out of them. So they will be just under half worn when I hit Labrador.

Bob if you have PR3 you will get over 10k out of them. They last very well.
Iron's and Pro Lev'r? I assume this is for dealing with a flat. If so I can tell you that the back tire will give you the fight of your life. Because its so wide and has fairly low profile side walls it is very difficult to get back on the rim. you have to get both beads to the center of the rim (deepest point) in order to get the final bead edge to clear the rim. It took my friend and I an hour with a no mar tire changer and every c clamp in his wood shop to get the final bead to clear. I hope you don't ever have to try and do this alone on the road.
Good luck with your ride. I have wanted to do a Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador run for a few years now. Please post your experience when you get back.

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

GBag, I mounted these tires with my machine in about 5 minutes. Went on great. But, yes. If I have a flat in the boonies I expect to break a sweat if a patch is needed. Will try all alternatives before demounting the tire.

For easy tire mounting, lube is the answer.

[towerworker]

I'm curious as to why you switched from Castrol to Rotella?

Have you had better experience with the Rotella oil?

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Tower, This is the first time I've ever used Rotella, so no experience at all with it. But a number of inmates here recommend it, and I was interested to try. My bike, at 30,000 miles still uses a bit of oil, so I'm hoping that the Rotella will not burn out as much. The Rotella is diesel rated, so might have more protection built in. But all said, it's just oil.

On a side note, I also switched from Mobil 1 to Valvoline synth in the tranny. At Auto Zone, the Mobil 1 was about $20 while the Valvloine was $12. I didn't see any reason for that, so bought the less expensive. Tranny seems to like the new stuff.