I really appreciate this (and the other) videos! I wish all my customers would watch this and appreciate what it REALLY takes to diagnose problems, how easy it is to miss something simple but completely unexpected, etc.. I love it that you showed your oversights, equipment glitches, etc... Very nice. THANKS!
Mr. Harris, brilliant and tenacious sir, YOU are my new Beemer Mechanic, I have a 2004 R1150R and now I know where to go, take a bow sir (P.S. I hope you like Grolsch
Difficult troubleshooting is an art undertaken to completion by only a few technicians; the few who are determined to learn no matter what, (and the best in turn become better so that they may teach). Thank you sir for sharing! You truly are a determined master!
Chris, I've watched a number of your videos over the years and this one is great. What really sealed it for me was all the comments (good and bad) in the chain below. Never took the time to read so many of them before, but man, frickin' people! Stay real, stay human, keep cursing - anyone who freely admits and accepts their mistakes has character period. Really great job. Informative AND ENTERTAINING. Keep 'em coming!
Another great video! Respect for spending effort and time to make these videos, while already spending a lot of time working and diagnosting thoroughly to save the customer a lot of money and headache! Wish we had somebody like you over here in Belgium!
Some very important lessons there, well done sir! As they say, it's always the cheapest component that fails first. Those kind of problems can drive you mad!
Very informative, your process of troubleshooting with it's up & downs provides more insight than if it went smoothly. Many times there seems to be hiccups, and it's how you work through them that demonstrates one's true ability, and character. Thank you Chris, and good luck to you.
Hello Chris. Thank you for the good info. I am a new BWM Rockster owner and immediately after buying the bike it would not start. Felt like a bad battery. It turned out to be the starter. I took it out and apart and it turns out that the plate between planetary reducer and starter windings was lose and shorting on the winding. I re secured the plate and the starter if fine. Next time you have one of these take it apart. I should have taken some pictures. Anyway thanks for the fing videos.
Brilliant, dedicated, skillful - creates a true master professional mechanic. Crap - I wish I had 10% of those attributes. I've had those kind of days wrenching with my RT but never got to the root of the problem the way you did. Not sure where you work, but you can work on anything I trust my life to. Phenomenal.
Thanks for the video sequences - after not riding for 20 years, this is an invaluable resource - found a 1996 K 1100LT I think I'm happy with. Will take as many of your video's for that style bike as possible!
I finally got a BMW bike! A 1997 R1100RS Red in color. it has 85K miles. looks like show room condition. I flew to Fort Smith Arkansas! And drove it all the way home 1,300 miles! These bikes are very reliable with proper servicing. I checked oil after I got home, and I don't believe it used any at all. Anyways the darn thing very reliable so far! Your videos have helped alot of people out including myself. And they greatly helped me with my research in buying a used older, but clean BMW Horizontal twin boxer. thanks! keep up the great work! keep posting videos, no body else does lol.
I never thought to check the pins, im having trouble starting an 88 k75, Im gonna run through all the pin connectors on everything tomorrow, including the coils and injectors, great video.
Thanks i just got a r1150rt and i do all my own work after being a service warranty tech? since 1974 i really like your way of doing things i started with electric motor rebuilds and service so i understand bad connections even though they still bite me on occasion.
Hello Chris, thanks for your videos, I like them. I never had bmw motorcycle but I'm gonna buy soon one for my father. It's r1150rs ond thanks to your videos i already know something about that engines and bmw bikes. Cheers from Poland
Thanks Chris. This helped me fix the same problem on my RT. I was convinced I had a battery problem but it was the starter. I wish you all the best in the New Year.
Thanks for posting the video Chris,i really appreciate your effort towards clarifying the horrible problems these rat traps called BMW give to regular motorcycle mechanics like myself,it came to a point that you are a sole beacon of light in this business,i made the stupid mistake of buying an 02' Rt1150 that was running fine for a good price and i did (thanks to your videos) removed the canister and the ABS and the bike got better,about 1000 miles later the bike stopped running for no apparent reason,i tried to fix it myself replacing the plugs but nothing,then i took to 2 motorcycle shops and they return the bike to me not running,then i took to a BMW dealer and they told me they won't touch that,too old,too expensive,not worth it i believe.... BMW don't care about the customers,they just want to take your money selling you an overpriced piece of crap as new,once the warranty is history they don't give you any backup. Keep up the good work posting the videos.
Hey peter, did you get it running? You are absolutely correct, BMW does not care about anything but your money. Not the future, not the name, not the reputation. It's all about the Benjamin's ($$$)!
Chris Harris Nah,it's abandoned in the garage for now,i have others bikes to fix and jet skis and later when i'll be in a state of grace i'll try to direct my mind towards fixing and selling this crap,thanks anyways
Thank you, thank you. Your video inspired me to look at my dead bike again, one last time, before hauling it to the BMW dealer service. I have the similar 2004 r1150r as in the video. My bike runs great, however, after working on adding aux lights to my bike last month, I put the fuel tank back etc. only to find that bike would not start properly (very bad idle and stall, popping noise, etc.). I even undid my work, thinking I may have tapped into an electrical wire which may be connected to some sensor and causing misreadings due to voltage change; but to no avail. Bike that was running perfectly a few hours ago was behaving like 'shit' now. Could not even hold idle. I had looked at all connectors again; all looked good, but bike would not hold idle. Checked fuses, spark plug ignition, injector connections. I was about to rent a trailer to haul bike to dealer this weekend, after a month of pulling my hair over this, when I came across your video. Very natural and enjoyable video; as I enjoyed its content and also got inspired to look at my bike one last time before making the long trip. (and dreading the $$$ flying away). On close inspection of "everything' ... 'Walla' the intake cable (I think it is) was snagged or pulled slightly out of its boot. This caused intake to not close properly on idle. This sits right next to the Fuel lines disconnect plugs (Yes the plastic ones which broke on me 5 years ago and I too put metal ones). I must have pulled the cable while releasing the fuel plugs. (right side - before : drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dOsrgukYQZcTZ5QnVob25qVjA/view?usp=sharing ) Re-seating the cable into the boot brought the bike back to its normal 'happy' self ( drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dOsrgukYQZZnZuWlg4Z2hJTWc/view?usp=sharing ). Please do keep up the good work. Enjoyable other videos which i'm now watching. Thanks again [ Rajan - Princeton NJ ]
THANK YOU!!!! I had exactly the same thing. When i pulled the full connectors lose the also pulled the trottle cable partly out of its socket. This is really the cable to pull the ButterFly valve for the amount of air taken in and is directly connected to your throttle handle.. This was kept open because the cable was partially pulled open, i popped it back in the socket and was running find again. Cheers guys!
Chris, excellent video. A lot of great information and I was totally entertain while in the process of learning about trouble shooting various issues. Thanks!
I just bought the same make/model/year machine a few months ago. It only had 9,000 miles on it, so I thought it was a good deal. The price was definitely right. I do find that it's something of a . . . finicky machine. Hope it lasts me for a few years!
Having just bought an old but very well looked after R1100RS, I can now see why the older bikes go for more money !!! But good to see someone like Chris trying to be very very helpful....
Even if your shop is closed every time you work on your motorcycle or any other motorcycle put it on utube as you are the most fun mechanic on any channel
Oilhead plugs are never wet even when spark is not present and the engine is repeatedly cranked over. As I said in the video, I have had this injector issue only twice before in my life and both were 100,000+ mile K bikes with a broken injector wire. Being a low mileage Oilhead I had no reason to suspect the injectors as nothing was visibly dislodged. Next time, however... !
Oh Boy, I can feel your pain. hehhehe how many times has something like that happened, you schlep around for for hours and hours and finally you find the problem. Your persistence paid off, hats off to you :) and respect for noting the anomaly in your compression test, most folks would have edited that out. Good man "Charlie Brown" :)
Chris Harris hey Chris tried to remove the filler plug on the final drive to check oil seems to be seized in there or at least extremely tight ! Any tips on removing it
Educational and very entertaining, I,m looking forward to checking out my 94 1100 GS trepidation and fascination! At least I can get my 'head down' and have 'nosh' and a cocktail when I feel like it!
Hopefully he has honesty with his service advisor and not take advantage of the customer,although this guy is one he'll of a mechanic!!!! Kudos to you man
Well, I don't know what is wrong with me, but to me this is one of the best videos I have ever seen on utube. Just what I needed to see in the midst of the political correctness-driven plandemic commie takeover in progress in the USA. I am a diagnostics guy on cars, etc. and totally relate, including the hometown language. Love it. Glad you stayed up and stuck it out.
if there is no compression, try my method, ie by inserting a little oil into the combustion chamber through the spark plug hole or through the intake hole.
Aditio r m in my opinion this only works well on cilinders that are standing vertical. if you apply the oil into cilinders that are lying on their side (like boxer and early K-bikes) the oil will just accumulate at the bottom of each cilinder. It does not help with diagnose.
I don't want to sound like a smart ass but : basic stuff is : ignition,compression, fuel. Did you check fuel till you looked at the injector plug ? the plugs were wet ? Something led you to ignore possible fuel problem ? or you just missed this step ?
hey Chris, you da man! I work with motorcycles repair in Brasil (yes, believe me) and you help me a lot with your knowledge to fix this BIG PEACE OF SHIT called BMW! THANK YOU VERY MUCH, man, ur my master.
That's what we did the next day! :) It is almost done but Sean's foot is causing him incredible pain, he had a home repair emergency to contend with Friday and his 8 y/o has a motocross race this weekend. So we took Friday off as I was supposed to go to New Jersey this weekend to deliver an R100RT. That trip has been postponed.
Hey Chris, thank you for every video you've got up here - you should have gone into stand up comedy. I have a 2002 R1150R that won't start. I went for a ride recently and after a break it wouldn't fire up - I was on a hill, fortunately - so I popped the clutch in 3rd and got it home. I checked the battery and it didn't hold up to the load test, so I replaced it with a new one. The bike sat for three days with the tank off waiting for the replacement battery. I then installed the battery and put the tank on. I reconnected the fuel lines and the pump harness and tried to start it with no success. It's cranking great on the new battery, I have spark on both sides, the fuel pump makes it's key-on sound and there's spray coming out of the injectors. It's on the center stand with the kick-stand up, in Neutral. I feel like it's something simple I just overlooked, but I am at the end of my trouble-shooting knowledge. Any thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks again for your Channel.
+dylzenvision +Chris Harris : I have also now tried resetting the Motronic several times by pulling the #5 fuse and turning the throttle full-stop a couple times...the search continues.
+Chris Harris They are, thanks. I have checked them repeatedly, and unless I'm way off, which is possible of course, they do not seem to be the issue. I think I'm gonna make a little video to throw up here and if you ever have the time or inclination, I'm sure you'll be able to comment, "...see what you did right there? That's why it's not working - fix that and it'll run." Anyway, many thanks for your suggestion.
+Chris Harris When I pulled the fuel pump out I discovered the filter was barely hanging on. Reseated the hose, re-crimped the clamp, replaced old QC's for good measure, and now she's purring away. My bad for not going there sooner I guess. Many thanks again for your videos, attitude, and expertise.
All the videos of yours are exactly how blokes speak especially when there's something that won't work that should. Good onya mate...no complaints here.
Thanks again Chris. This video confirms my 1150 GS Adventure's starter has shit itself. I had that clicking sound too with a fully charged 12V marine battery connected. At least now I know.... :-)
Hi Chris after watching your vid I checked the connectors and the same thing you just found was wrong with mine different connector but same prob. thanks
Fuel/spark/air check should be done before anything else, you don't need a bulb to check the injector, just remove it and watch it spray. Looks like it was a case of overthinking and being tired rather than anything difficult to diagnose.. :)
Could you plz do a video for replacing the stater motor on a R1150R....I am a paraplegic, and have a TRIKE based on the R 1150 R and my starter motor needs replacing ! Love your vids...VERY Informative and helpful. Regards from the UK..
do you know that you are a fucking geneous?! Since April I wasn't able to ride my 1150GSA. Dumped a shitload of injector cleaner, replaced stick coils, than diagnosed with GS911 that my o2 sensor was failing. All that didn't help. Then I saw this video and even just one of the two pins not being connected will cause that. Now runs better than ever. Thank you so much Chris!
I'm no genius- Chris Harris is a fucking genius. Just my tip, (because I am a former electrician?) As I do maintenance and during my early ownership of new-to-me cycles; I closely inspect and dielectric grease all electrical connections I can touch. It takes just seconds, but gives me peace of mind. Going from home/electronic service, to automotive/moto service parts it is bloody amazing that they survive in their environment and perform so many cycles. A little TLC can save you hours (check vid) of frustration with mysteriously non-functioning systems.
I love your videos, that said, can I offer some "help" ? the leak down tester should be adjusted to zero compression leakage before connecting to the hose on the cylinder, then observe the percent of leakage. In aviation we do indeed call this a "compression" test, as a trained auto mechanic that used to drive me crazy.. and on your actual compression gauge the schrader valves always crap out right in the middle of the job, and those buggers are not cheap....Murphy's law!
Good work I know what your are going thru while trying to fix stuff I have a small repair shop we work on European car and I have two motorcycle a 1150 GS adv and a 2010 GS 650 parallel twin one thing I have seen is why after replacing the starter and notice the bike was not running right why did you not put a Scan tool to retrieve any code that might help you diagnosis but it would've made a fault like injector circuit open or something similar I don't have a GS911 yet are they good ?
From NH Attorney General web site: "Under New Hampshire law, mechanics have an automatic lien (a right to keep possession of a consumer's car when they have done work on it) until they are paid for their work." Make sure you comply with the NH consumer auto protection statute (required sign etc.), and write estimates requiring diagnosis at $200 minimum. You can always charge the customer less than your estimate, but not more than 10% more.
What do you think about the so-called circlips problems in the gearboxes of the 1980's airheads? Is it a seldom occurence, or is it something which will happen to all of them sooner or later ?
put Redex in the left cylinder and leave for 24 hrs, when you restart the bike drip redex on to the carbs with the bike running, lots of white smoke and fragments of carbon, then do a compression test.
I really appreciate this (and the other) videos! I wish all my customers would watch this and appreciate what it REALLY takes to diagnose problems, how easy it is to miss something simple but completely unexpected, etc.. I love it that you showed your oversights, equipment glitches, etc... Very nice. THANKS!
Mr. Harris, brilliant and tenacious sir, YOU are my new Beemer Mechanic, I have a 2004 R1150R and now I know where to go, take a bow sir (P.S. I hope you like Grolsch
Difficult troubleshooting is an art undertaken to completion by only a few technicians; the few who are determined to learn no matter what, (and the best in turn become better so that they may teach). Thank you sir for sharing! You truly are a determined master!
Chris, I've watched a number of your videos over the years and this one is great. What really sealed it for me was all the comments (good and bad) in the chain below. Never took the time to read so many of them before, but man, frickin' people! Stay real, stay human, keep cursing - anyone who freely admits and accepts their mistakes has character period. Really great job. Informative AND ENTERTAINING. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks, Scott!
Just got my first motorcycle-‘03 R1150R with 29K miles. Your videos are extremely informative and I thank you for sharing the knowledge! Great stuff!
Great vid. Glad to see that it happens to mechanics too. Kudos to you for actually admitting to your mistakes!!! Keep up the great work.
I must say, AMAZING... You are the BEST BMW bike mechanic and troubleshooting expert online.. Great vids..
I just stumbled on this channel and I have to admit I love this guy!!!!!!!
Another great video!
Respect for spending effort and time to make these videos, while already spending a lot of time working and diagnosting thoroughly to save the customer a lot of money and headache!
Wish we had somebody like you over here in Belgium!
Chris, great diagnostic video. I appreciate that you show the details and the occasional mistake. You are the best!
Brilliant work, funny and educative. Love your style. Thanks for the video.
Chris, love your hardcore personality and mostly your vast experience in the motorcycle industry.
Love this Guy. Straight dealer on how it goes.
You are at your best. Love those videos. F-ing around the shop. I'm missing those moments on your newer videos.
Ok.
Thank you for your answers.
You solved the problem it's a good thing.
Some very important lessons there, well done sir! As they say, it's always the cheapest component that fails first. Those kind of problems can drive you mad!
I wish I lived closer to you! You would be my mechanic! Thank you for all the informative videos. You help me service and keep my o3 1150 rt humming!
Hi Mike: www.patreon.com/user?u=25101320
Very informative, your process of troubleshooting with it's up & downs provides more insight than if it went smoothly. Many times there seems to be hiccups, and it's how you work through them that demonstrates one's true ability, and character. Thank you Chris, and good luck to you.
Thank you Richard.
Hello Chris. Thank you for the good info. I am a new BWM Rockster owner and immediately after buying the bike it would not start. Felt like a bad battery. It turned out to be the starter. I took it out and apart and it turns out that the plate between planetary reducer and starter windings was lose and shorting on the winding. I re secured the plate and the starter if fine. Next time you have one of these take it apart. I should have taken some pictures. Anyway thanks for the fing videos.
Brilliant, dedicated, skillful - creates a true master professional mechanic. Crap - I wish I had 10% of those attributes. I've had those kind of days wrenching with my RT but never got to the root of the problem the way you did. Not sure where you work, but you can work on anything I trust my life to. Phenomenal.
Hey, thanks!
Thanks for the video sequences - after not riding for 20 years, this is an invaluable resource - found a 1996 K 1100LT I think I'm happy with. Will take as many of your video's for that style bike as possible!
I finally got a BMW bike! A 1997 R1100RS Red in color. it has 85K miles. looks like show room condition. I flew to Fort Smith Arkansas! And drove it all the way home 1,300 miles! These bikes are very reliable with proper servicing. I checked oil after I got home, and I don't believe it used any at all. Anyways the darn thing very reliable so far! Your videos have helped alot of people out including myself. And they greatly helped me with my research in buying a used older, but clean BMW Horizontal twin boxer. thanks! keep up the great work! keep posting videos, no body else does lol.
Enjoy your new ride and thanks for writing, Chris
A standard 1194 bulb as used in old Chevy marker & dash lights. Also used to illuminate K75-K1100 instruments/speedometer face :)
Kudos to you Chris - Your videos are always enlightening!..
I never thought to check the pins, im having trouble starting an 88 k75, Im gonna run through all the pin connectors on everything tomorrow, including the coils and injectors, great video.
Thanks i just got a r1150rt and i do all my own work after being a service warranty tech? since 1974 i really like your way of doing things i started with electric motor rebuilds and service so i understand bad connections even though they still bite me on occasion.
Hello Chris, thanks for your videos, I like them. I never had bmw motorcycle but I'm gonna buy soon one for my father. It's r1150rs ond thanks to your videos i already know something about that engines and bmw bikes. Cheers from Poland
Chris your one hell of a Erfahrener Motorradtechniker learned allot watching your video post on BMW Motorbike repair.
Thanks Chris. This helped me fix the same problem on my RT. I was convinced I had a battery problem but it was the starter. I wish you all the best in the New Year.
Thanks for the thorough vid Chris. I know what its like to be doing all that work AND THEN edit and produce the video itself. Much appreciated!
Thanks for posting the video Chris,i really appreciate your effort towards clarifying the horrible problems these rat traps called BMW give to regular motorcycle mechanics like myself,it came to a point that you are a sole beacon of light in this business,i made the stupid mistake of buying an 02' Rt1150 that was running fine for a good price and i did (thanks to your videos) removed the canister and the ABS and the bike got better,about 1000 miles later the bike stopped running for no apparent reason,i tried to fix it myself replacing the plugs but nothing,then i took to 2 motorcycle shops and they return the bike to me not running,then i took to a BMW dealer and they told me they won't touch that,too old,too expensive,not worth it i believe....
BMW don't care about the customers,they just want to take your money selling you an overpriced piece of crap as new,once the warranty is history they don't give you any backup.
Keep up the good work posting the videos.
Hey peter, did you get it running? You are absolutely correct, BMW does not care about anything but your money. Not the future, not the name, not the reputation. It's all about the Benjamin's ($$$)!
Chris Harris Nah,it's abandoned in the garage for now,i have others bikes to fix and jet skis and later when i'll be in a state of grace i'll try to direct my mind towards fixing and selling this crap,thanks anyways
@@peter455sd how this story ended?
@@Vjekoslav-vf3hr I sold it not running for 700,lost a lot of money in the process
@@peter455sd good price for buyer
Yeah Chris. I so wish you were in the UK. Amazing stuff dude. Massive thanx.
All I have is respect for you, Chris!
Thank you, thank you. Your video inspired me to look at my dead bike again, one last time, before hauling it to the BMW dealer service.
I have the similar 2004 r1150r as in the video. My bike runs great, however, after working on adding aux lights to my bike last month, I put the fuel tank back etc. only to find that bike would not start properly (very bad idle and stall, popping noise, etc.). I even undid my work, thinking I may have tapped into an electrical wire which may be connected to some sensor and causing misreadings due to voltage change; but to no avail.
Bike that was running perfectly a few hours ago was behaving like 'shit' now. Could not even hold idle. I had looked at all connectors again; all looked good, but bike would not hold idle. Checked fuses, spark plug ignition, injector connections.
I was about to rent a trailer to haul bike to dealer this weekend, after a month of pulling my hair over this, when I came across your video. Very natural and enjoyable video; as I enjoyed its content and also got inspired to look at my bike one last time before making the long trip. (and dreading the $$$ flying away). On close inspection of "everything' ... 'Walla' the intake cable (I think it is) was snagged or pulled slightly out of its boot. This caused intake to not close properly on idle. This sits right next to the Fuel lines disconnect plugs (Yes the plastic ones which broke on me 5 years ago and I too put metal ones). I must have pulled the cable while releasing the fuel plugs. (right side - before : drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dOsrgukYQZcTZ5QnVob25qVjA/view?usp=sharing )
Re-seating the cable into the boot brought the bike back to its normal 'happy' self ( drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dOsrgukYQZZnZuWlg4Z2hJTWc/view?usp=sharing ).
Please do keep up the good work. Enjoyable other videos which i'm now watching. Thanks again
[ Rajan - Princeton NJ ]
As I was reading your message I said 'throttle cable' but there it was and you found it! Thanks for writing.
THANK YOU!!!! I had exactly the same thing. When i pulled the full connectors lose the also pulled the trottle cable partly out of its socket. This is really the cable to pull the ButterFly valve for the amount of air taken in and is directly connected to your throttle handle.. This was kept open because the cable was partially pulled open, i popped it back in the socket and was running find again. Cheers guys!
Man, I wish I lived closer. I have the same bike and learned a lot. You have the language of a great mechanic. Thanks :)
You do good work, I used to swear like you.. not so much anymore.. however, you do good work and I learned some good things by watching your work..
Chris, excellent video. A lot of great information and I was totally entertain while in the process of learning about trouble shooting various issues. Thanks!
I just bought the same make/model/year machine a few months ago. It only had 9,000 miles on it, so I thought it was a good deal. The price was definitely right. I do find that it's something of a . . . finicky machine. Hope it lasts me for a few years!
Hey great video. Thanks for taking the time to do these videos.
Thank you!
Respect to you sir for finding that problem and making such an interesting and informative film which will help the keen DIY biker such as myself.
Hi Chris,
Hope you get back to the old air heads, when K bikes expire.
You have a wealth of knowledge on the old bikes.
Best wishes..
K bikes never expire... they keep running for hundreds of thousands of miles!
Having just bought an old but very well looked after R1100RS, I can now see why the older bikes go for more money !!! But good to see someone like Chris trying to be very very helpful....
Great video. Thanks for the educational way of showing everything.
You're welcome!
Good work Chris.
Thank you.
Even if your shop is closed every time you work on your motorcycle or any other motorcycle put it on utube as you are the most fun mechanic on any channel
I love this bloke, no bullshit, legend!!!
Oilhead plugs are never wet even when spark is not present and the engine is repeatedly cranked over. As I said in the video, I have had this injector issue only twice before in my life and both were 100,000+ mile K bikes with a broken injector wire. Being a low mileage Oilhead I had no reason to suspect the injectors as nothing was visibly dislodged. Next time, however... !
I feel your pain, I have lived these moments more times than I care to say.
The CPC gasline quickrelease connectors are also in a metal version.
I think your an excellent mechanic. Nice shop and tools too.!!!
Thank you cripnipp!
well done! I ran into this exact issue on a rectifier/regulator cost me a replacement part to figure it out, lesson learned. love your channel
Thanks gizzy!
Thank's Chris, you are the MAN!!!
As an Australian, I understand the swearing, unrefined and offensive as it may be because it's part of the working man's tools of communication ;)
Русские блять тоже немного ругаются в работе
Venting helps clear the mind of anger thus allowing a mechanic a more focus approach to solving the problem without the fucking rage.
Oh Boy, I can feel your pain. hehhehe how many times has something like that happened, you schlep around for for hours and hours and finally you find the problem. Your persistence paid off, hats off to you :) and respect for noting the anomaly in your compression test, most folks would have edited that out. Good man "Charlie Brown" :)
Great job Chris! Just bought one of these and learned a lot and kept me laughing. Way to stick with it.
Thanks Mike. You can see my new material on Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=25101320
Very informative videos I’ve just bought an 1150gsa it’s my first bmw bike and your videos are super informative and clear ! all the best from Ireland
Thanks for taking time to write. Enjoy your 1150 GSA. More videos coming soon.
Chris Harris hey Chris tried to remove the filler plug on the final drive to check oil seems to be seized in there or at least extremely tight ! Any tips on removing it
Insert the proper sized Allen and adequate leverage.
Chris Harris done thanks I was weary of damaging the threads or worse
Educational and very entertaining, I,m looking forward to checking out my 94 1100 GS trepidation and fascination! At least I can get my 'head down' and have 'nosh' and a cocktail when I feel like it!
Hopefully he has honesty with his service advisor and not take advantage of the customer,although this guy is one he'll of a mechanic!!!! Kudos to you man
Well, I don't know what is wrong with me, but to me this is one of the
best videos I have ever seen on utube. Just what I needed to see in the
midst of the political correctness-driven plandemic commie takeover in
progress in the USA. I am a diagnostics guy on cars, etc. and totally
relate, including the hometown language. Love it. Glad you stayed up and
stuck it out.
if there is no compression, try my method, ie by inserting a little oil into the combustion chamber through the spark plug hole or through the intake hole.
Aditio r m in my opinion this only works well on cilinders that are standing vertical. if you apply the oil into cilinders that are lying on their side (like boxer and early K-bikes) the oil will just accumulate at the bottom of each cilinder. It does not help with diagnose.
I don't want to sound like a smart ass but :
basic stuff is : ignition,compression, fuel.
Did you check fuel till you looked at the injector plug ?
the plugs were wet ?
Something led you to ignore possible fuel problem ?
or you just missed this step ?
Brilliant video, thanks for sharing it with us all. Much appreciated 👌🌠
hey Chris, you da man! I work with motorcycles repair in Brasil (yes, believe me) and you help me a lot with your knowledge to fix this BIG PEACE OF SHIT called BMW!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, man, ur my master.
Pay to Patreon
Thank you very much.
Great video Chris... Now cocktail time
That's what we did the next day! :) It is almost done but Sean's foot is causing him incredible pain, he had a home repair emergency to contend with Friday and his 8 y/o has a motocross race this weekend. So we took Friday off as I was supposed to go to New Jersey this weekend to deliver an R100RT. That trip has been postponed.
I recall this from years ago... really miss ya man.. Hope all is good..
All is good, Happy 2018! More videos coming.
Hey Chris, thank you for every video you've got up here - you should have gone into stand up comedy. I have a 2002 R1150R that won't start. I went for a ride recently and after a break it wouldn't fire up - I was on a hill, fortunately - so I popped the clutch in 3rd and got it home. I checked the battery and it didn't hold up to the load test, so I replaced it with a new one. The bike sat for three days with the tank off waiting for the replacement battery. I then installed the battery and put the tank on. I reconnected the fuel lines and the pump harness and tried to start it with no success. It's cranking great on the new battery, I have spark on both sides, the fuel pump makes it's key-on sound and there's spray coming out of the injectors. It's on the center stand with the kick-stand up, in Neutral. I feel like it's something simple I just overlooked, but I am at the end of my trouble-shooting knowledge. Any thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks again for your Channel.
+dylzenvision +Chris Harris : I have also now tried resetting the Motronic several times by pulling the #5 fuse and turning the throttle full-stop a couple times...the search continues.
+dylzenvision Are your throttle cable ends at the throttle bodies seated in their adjusters properly? Look at the right side.
+Chris Harris They are, thanks. I have checked them repeatedly, and unless I'm way off, which is possible of course, they do not seem to be the issue. I think I'm gonna make a little video to throw up here and if you ever have the time or inclination, I'm sure you'll be able to comment, "...see what you did right there? That's why it's not working - fix that and it'll run." Anyway, many thanks for your suggestion.
+Chris Harris When I pulled the fuel pump out I discovered the filter was barely hanging on. Reseated the hose, re-crimped the clamp, replaced old QC's for good measure, and now she's purring away. My bad for not going there sooner I guess. Many thanks again for your videos, attitude, and expertise.
Good info and something a lot of people wouldn't even notice
Chris.. Entertaining for sure. Educating at best. Thanks
also I'm going to remove the abs like you showed in 1 of your vids thanks for all of them they really help a lot
Chris, you are the man!
All the videos of yours are exactly how blokes speak especially when there's something that won't work that should.
Good onya mate...no complaints here.
Thanks Bruce!
You're an international treasure, Chris. I'm glad you've invested in German education!
Great vid Chris, really interesting.
Thanks.
Great video love your post's thanks from Dublin Ireland
Thanks again Chris. This video confirms my 1150 GS Adventure's starter has shit itself. I had that clicking sound too with a fully charged 12V marine battery connected. At least now I know.... :-)
Weldone mate they are temperamental but once running they are sweet
Hi Chris after watching your vid I checked the connectors and the same thing you just found was wrong with mine different connector but same prob. thanks
Fuel/spark/air check should be done before anything else, you don't need a bulb to check the injector, just remove it and watch it spray. Looks like it was a case of overthinking and being tired rather than anything difficult to diagnose.. :)
Love your videos and commentary
You are the one to be thanked! You da man!
Could you plz do a video for replacing the stater motor on a R1150R....I am a paraplegic, and have a TRIKE based on the R 1150 R and my starter motor needs replacing ! Love your vids...VERY Informative and helpful. Regards from the UK..
Hey Chris - fyi you need to turn on "flicker reduction" on your camera, and make sure it's set to 60hz if you're in the US.
Thanks beanedtown, I no longer have this camera but thank you.
You are most entertaining...I feel your pain....hours of work for a bad assembly...well done. U can have my work
Thanks, I think!
do you know that you are a fucking geneous?! Since April I wasn't able to ride my 1150GSA. Dumped a shitload of injector cleaner, replaced stick coils, than diagnosed with GS911 that my o2 sensor was failing. All that didn't help. Then I saw this video and even just one of the two pins not being connected will cause that. Now runs better than ever.
Thank you so much Chris!
Great videos man! They are gold info' for some of us. Keep up the good work!
I'm no genius- Chris Harris is a fucking genius. Just my tip, (because I am a former electrician?) As I do maintenance and during my early ownership of new-to-me cycles; I closely inspect and dielectric grease all electrical connections I can touch. It takes just seconds, but gives me peace of mind. Going from home/electronic service, to automotive/moto service parts it is bloody amazing that they survive in their environment and perform so many cycles. A little TLC can save you hours (check vid) of frustration with mysteriously non-functioning systems.
I love your videos, that said, can I offer some "help" ? the leak down tester should be adjusted to zero compression leakage before connecting to the hose on the cylinder, then observe the percent of leakage. In aviation we do indeed call this a "compression" test, as a trained auto mechanic that used to drive me crazy.. and on your actual compression gauge the schrader valves always crap out right in the middle of the job, and those buggers are not cheap....Murphy's law!
Good work I know what your are going thru while trying to fix stuff I have a small repair shop we work on European car and I have two motorcycle a 1150 GS adv and a 2010 GS 650 parallel twin one thing I have seen is why after replacing the starter and notice the bike was not running right why did you not put a Scan tool to retrieve any code that might help you diagnosis but it would've made a fault like injector circuit open or something similar I don't have a GS911 yet are they good ?
The K1100LT is a great bike. I'll have more K videos soon.
'Holy Fucking Shit!! Fuck You BMW!!' Priceless. I could tell you were frustrated from the beginning of the video, but your persistence paid off.
Indeed! Thank you.
From NH Attorney General web site: "Under New Hampshire law, mechanics have an automatic lien (a right to keep possession of a consumer's car when they have done work on it) until they are paid for their work."
Make sure you comply with the NH consumer auto protection statute (required sign etc.), and write estimates requiring diagnosis at $200 minimum.
You can always charge the customer less than your estimate, but not more than 10% more.
cool to see your process of diagnosis, thanks for the insight!
You rock Chris ;)
Aircraft mechanic here.
My 'helpful words' are similar to yours!
What do you think about the so-called circlips problems in the gearboxes of the 1980's airheads? Is it a seldom occurence, or is it something which will happen to all of them sooner or later ?
put Redex in the left cylinder and leave for 24 hrs, when you restart the bike drip redex on to the carbs with the bike running, lots of white smoke and fragments of carbon, then do a compression test.
Forgot to mention I added a K & N air filter at the same time. I'm sure that had something to do with the feeling of more power.