This is My Bike, There are Many Like it, But This One is Mine
I've had my 2000 BMW R1150GS for almost two months and I love it. I think the story behind how I came to own this bike is pretty interesting.
After riding the 2006 Kawasaki KLX250 from Memphis, to Olympia, WA with stops in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Oregon; I decided in order for Bravo and I to continue we'd need something bigger. A larger bike would provide more room for Bravo on long days of riding and I'd be able to store more of our gear on the bike instead of in a backpack that was weighing heavily on me. It took about three weeks to get a replacement title from Shelby county but I sold that bike within three days of receiving it. Then within two hours of selling the 250 my friend James and I were on our way to Idaho to buy a BMW that I knew didn't run.
The seller had listed a 2000 BMW R1150GS in non-running condition for $1500 and was looking for a quick sale. The only things wrong with it was that the previous owner had taken a spill causing mostly asthetic damage to the left side. The left handlebar was bent, the left valve cover was scraped, as well as the left side luggage. It also wasn't running due to being stored for the winter. Spoiler alert: Everything worked out great!! Obviously I was concerned about whether the seller was being honest, as anyone who's dealt with Craigslist can understand. But JW was a straight shooter.
Once back at Casa de Gingerich I removed the enormous fuel tank and drained it, charged the battery, cleaned the fuel injectors, changed the spark plugs, ran some Mechanic in a Bottle through the fuel system, and did a rain dance the first two days I had it. But no luck, it would crank but wouldn't start and it drained the battery very quickly. I went on charging the battery and even replaced it with two different batteries, but still no good. Then I remembered that I had similar problems from the electrical system on my semi about six months earlier. I ordered a new starter on Amazon for around $56.00, installed it, and Dolph Lundgren sprung to life.
We weren't out of the water yet though, he was running very rough. I figured it could be bad compression, or at best the throttle bodies weren't synced properly; if that's a thing. James and Desiree' called a friend who came over and tested the compression for me; everything checked out fine. After scratching our heads for over an hour I discovered the throttle cable on the right throttle body wasn't seated properly. Once I put it in the proper position everything lined up and the bike started to purr.
Since then I've installed the updated push rods in the left side, adjusted the valve clearances on both sides, replaced the cam tensioner piston on the left, replaced the rear brake pads, put a new rear tire on, two oil changes, new reusable oil filter, K&N washable air filter, installed a custom USB power jack, and a dash cam.
In the next couple thousand miles I expect to replace the front tire and brakes.
At the end of the day, I got a really sound bike that will always need a little TLC for less than two grand. If you're excited to see where Dolph Lungren takes Bravo and I, consider subscribing to this blog and check us out on YouTube as well.
The seller had listed a 2000 BMW R1150GS in non-running condition for $1500 and was looking for a quick sale. The only things wrong with it was that the previous owner had taken a spill causing mostly asthetic damage to the left side. The left handlebar was bent, the left valve cover was scraped, as well as the left side luggage. It also wasn't running due to being stored for the winter. Spoiler alert: Everything worked out great!! Obviously I was concerned about whether the seller was being honest, as anyone who's dealt with Craigslist can understand. But JW was a straight shooter.
Once back at Casa de Gingerich I removed the enormous fuel tank and drained it, charged the battery, cleaned the fuel injectors, changed the spark plugs, ran some Mechanic in a Bottle through the fuel system, and did a rain dance the first two days I had it. But no luck, it would crank but wouldn't start and it drained the battery very quickly. I went on charging the battery and even replaced it with two different batteries, but still no good. Then I remembered that I had similar problems from the electrical system on my semi about six months earlier. I ordered a new starter on Amazon for around $56.00, installed it, and Dolph Lundgren sprung to life.
We weren't out of the water yet though, he was running very rough. I figured it could be bad compression, or at best the throttle bodies weren't synced properly; if that's a thing. James and Desiree' called a friend who came over and tested the compression for me; everything checked out fine. After scratching our heads for over an hour I discovered the throttle cable on the right throttle body wasn't seated properly. Once I put it in the proper position everything lined up and the bike started to purr.
Since then I've installed the updated push rods in the left side, adjusted the valve clearances on both sides, replaced the cam tensioner piston on the left, replaced the rear brake pads, put a new rear tire on, two oil changes, new reusable oil filter, K&N washable air filter, installed a custom USB power jack, and a dash cam.
In the next couple thousand miles I expect to replace the front tire and brakes.
At the end of the day, I got a really sound bike that will always need a little TLC for less than two grand. If you're excited to see where Dolph Lungren takes Bravo and I, consider subscribing to this blog and check us out on YouTube as well.
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