Trex63 > Trex63's Blog Posts > '07 R1200GS ADVENTURE modification / maintenance history

April 20, 2007 10:14

(See also Photo Gallery ” ‘07 R1200 GS ADVENTURE Mods / Maint”)

What’s a new bike good for, if you can’t put the wrenches to it…

April 14, 2007- 1,369 miles. Purchased a used ‘07 1200 GSA. The bike was located in Maryland. I rode it down to Georgia some 650 miles.

Arpil 16, 2007- 2,089 miles. Similar to my Dakar, I’m having problems with a tight knee bend, i.e. distance between seat and foot pegs too close. For me, it makes for uncomfortable long distance riding. I ordered and installed TT adjustable foot pegs and -folding gear lever. Lowering the pegs will reduces the knee bend. This change made an Instantaneous, noticable difference.

-Next purchase and installation: matching BMW GSA top case. The dealer was so nice and matched the top box locks to the exsisting side cases key.

April 30, 2007 – 2,200 miles. Installed TT-hand guard extensions and TT- throttle body potentiometer cover (left side)

The TT- hand guard extensions are not quite as effective as I had hoped. The wind / rain will hit the inside of your lower arm / gloves. Not really good protection.

- Installed a WUNDERLICH throttle lock. This unit was very easy to install and operates much easier compared to my “Throttle Meister” lock on my DAKAR.

- Installed a TT tank bag. Prior to purchase, I compared it to the BMW GS tank bag. I am very surprised how much better the TT tank bag fits on the GSA.

The BMW GS tank bag does not take into account the cross bar of the handle bar, making it difficult to mount the bag. Also, the bag gets in the way when making tighter turns.

- TT makes a GPS bracked which fits nicely on the tubular windshield frame. This keeps the GPS in clear view, not obstructing other instruments.

May 22, 2007 – 3,251 miles. I caved in and bought the Touratech LDC (Long Distance Comfort) seat. Big disappointment! The intent and hope was that the TT seat would take care of the forward tilt of the stock seat. Well, it did not. On top of it, my butt doesn’t fit the mold (maybe it’s me…) In any case, I’m still sliding forward on the seat, which gets very uncomfortable on longer distance trips 300+ miles.

I placed an order with “Bill Meyer Seats” to have my stock seat converted to a custom-butt-fit. By the time I’m done, I have will have spend as much money on seats, as it would take to buy a 6-seater-leather-pull-out-sofa. The TT-seat was sold to a fellow ADVrider in Wiscosin.

- Next purchase and installation, a Cee Bailey windschield. It is 3” taller and about 3” wider. It kinda takes away from the rugged look, but it is very effective and reduces noise. Also, installation was a breeze.

Aug. 19, 2007. 5,960 miles. Just finished the 6,000 mile service. Engine-, transmission- and final drive oil change. Transmission oil change was not due yet. Also, after the initial 600 mile service, the final drive is supposedly maintenance free…(right!) I did it anyway. I don’t trust my machines unless I have done it myself. I also added ~10% Moly (www.guarddogmoly.com) to the synthetic oil, Mobil1, in the transmission 75W-90 and 75W-140 for the final drive. The guys from Guard-Dog custom blend Moly for synthetic oil applications. It’s just a little extra insurance. Other users claim quieter and easier shifting …well, I don’t hear or feel a difference.

Checked the valve lash and it was spot on, no adjustment needed. Ever asked yourself, how come BMW has not yet developed hydraulic valve adjustments…? Like Harley Davidson has for many years…just wondering.

- I also installed, or relocated two power outlets to the front section of the bike. This required removing the big 8 gal tank. this was quite a project, but glad I did it, so I know what’s underneath…

Interestingly, the Original BMW power-outlet kit has a plug that does not fit the ‘07 Models. I ended up splicing wiring and soldering the new power outlet kit into the electrical system. No problems with the CAN-BUS.

- Next, I installed a Touratech handlebar riser. This made a big difference to me regarding seating position for long distance – very nice!

September 18, 2007 6,260 miles. These days I’m reading a lot in the GSpot in the www.advrider.com forum. The issue of ‘07 model GSA’s just dying caught my eye. It looked like the fuel pump controller, specifically an o-ring was to blame. The controller is mounted on top of the fuel pump. The issue is an o-ring sealing the fuel pump controller to the fuel pump. Some owners had new bikes where this o-ring was not installed correctly at the factory and got pinched during installation. This has caused a leak and allow water to accumulate underneath the controller in a cavity as big as a shot glas. The water can not drain or dry easily and would simply sit there. The bad part, right at the bottom of this cavity is a two wire connector potentially submerged in water causing corrosion and short-out. Even if the fault is identified and a new controller installed, the potential for short-out is still there due to corrosion of the plug installed at the bottom of the cavity. Needless to say, paranoid me went in there to take a look at it. The good news, my o-ring was not pinched and I found no water in the cavity. I took it upon myself to treat the o-ring with silicon grease and reinstalled it to assure it was water proof.

October 13, 2007 – 6,700 miles Installed a LED tail/brake light. One has to know, that depending on software version of the CAN, it may not work.

The test is simple. Take off the lens/cover of the stock tail light and turn the ignition on. If you see only one (1) filament lit up, you’re fine. Tap on the brake and the second filament should light up.

The newer software version causes, upon turning the ignition on, both filaments to light up. When you tap on the brake, they will light up brighter. With this configuration, the LED will not work.

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