Phew.

I could check the Clymer I've got here for it, just in case like.

You probably don't adjust it at all and the ECU keeps it at 1000 rpm or
wherever it's sitting at. High idle then would suggest you've got an
airleak somewhere.

 

It's a low idle, not high.

It idles at about 750-800rpm, and in really hot weather that's slow
enough for the oil light to flicker.

 

Sounds a bit low to me. I assume you've checked for obstructions in the
intake etc?

Does the idle change if you turn the lights on or off?

 

Not that I'd noticed.

It's going into Brian for a 12k overhaul soon, anyway, so I'll ask him
to check it. It runs perfectly, and idles like a watch, and the only
reservation I have is the oil light in hot weather.

 

Check the owner's manual - depending on how hot the weather is, the
manual might specify thicker oil. AFAIK 10W40 is only suggested up to
around 20C/25C on the twins. Might be the same on the K and the oil is
simply getting a bit too thin.

God knows why everybody else manages to manufacture cars and bikes that
happily use 10W40 in all weathers but BMW can't.

 

(The Older Gentleman) wrote in

does the bike have a fast idle mechanism with a control on the handlebars,
like the twins?

<googles>

Appears so
http://www.dch.co.za/motorbikes/K1100Man/K1100LT.pdf page 13.6

 

Well... the owners handbook suggests 10W40 is fine for -30 to +15 (or
so.) and, 20W50 is fine for -10 to +50.

Personally I've always used 10W40 year round since I found 20W50 seemed
to encourage problems with the starter clutch.

 

Which would suggest that TOG probably needs to put thicker oil in his K
for the summer.

I wouldn't use it in winter, but if I venture south in summer, I tend to
use 20W50...

 

Yes, it does, but that's not really what it's supposed to be used for.
Good idea, mind - why didn't I think of that?

 

Erm.....Erm

Indeed! on the 1100 it may be that you bring it up across the 4 balancing
adjusters rather than from a single screw. It's been a while now!

 

There are a few unmarked Saab 9-5 Aeros kicking around Wales.

 

I couldn't quite believe it myself, but was _very_ close to overtaking
it at NSL+*cough* mph.

I spotted the LED matrix in the rear window and several aerials on the
roof before it was too late, though.

Sneaky fecker in the car was in plain clothes, too.

I've seen a few more since - suspect they're possibly part of the
Swansea force dealing with the massive joyriding issues down there.
(Manchester plod. also have some oddities for the same reason)

 

The 9-5s are enough of a worry - with 260bhp (or 280bhp if they've had
the Hirsch treatment) - they're rather rapid.

 

They use unmarked BMW 5 Series down my neck of the woods: saw some poor
sod assuming the Position of Contrition the other day.

No idea what spec of 5, though. M5 would be a bit of a worry.

 

Unmarked 3 series in Wiltshire. Dunno exactly what spec, but it was
quick enough to cost me 60 quid.

 

this amused me at the time:

http://tinyurl.com/3p6ffl

 

Probably freebie loan cars from the manufacturer, on assessment. S Wales
had 4 FJR1300s for 2 years before they decided to buy a load more to
replace the wonky Pans.

They've been trying to get into S Wales police for yonks.

I know the ex-owner of a Saab dealership. A while back[1] he was given a
white 9000 to prepare for loan to the local plod. His workshop had to stick
the decals on the side & front and fit the blue light on the top.

Once the work was finished said dealer could not resist having a little go
in the police car. After he had made his usual visit to the well
established six O'clock club in a country pub. Ensue comedy events of
persuing his drinking mates as they left the country pub, in their cars.
After he had followed then for a while he gave then a cheery flash of blue
lights just to make their heart skip and fucked off to wait for the next
victim.

Apparently, someone phoned real plod to ask about the eccentric behaviour
of this vehicle. Plod, realising that they had no car operating in the area
sent a vehicle to investigate. The dealer, well over the limit, now became
the prey. He managed to get away, using his local knowledge of the country
lanes and stashed the car at one of his mate's farms.

There was a bit of a panic the following day to get the car cleaned up &
ready for the official handover which was being photographed by the local
press, including the paper I worked for, for a number of advertising
features.

[1] must've been 1985, the first year of the 9000, as I changed jobs in
1986

 

Did I ever tell the story about my R90/6 and an unmarked Thames Valley
Police MGB V8 GT ? Oh - more than once I suspect in true old gimmer
style.


--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

I've been wondering whereabouts to post this...

I was heading back home from F's place early on Saturday evening, on a
bit of the A40 I know very well. I pulled out of the Northleach road,
and without thinking too much, caught and passed a dark grey 3 series
BMW. I then continued at my normal pace (around 90mph), overtaking
where safe to do so.

There's a long sweeping left hander past where Black Mike lives, at
the top of the resevoir into Cheltenham, and I noticed that another
car (it was dark, so could just see headlights) was keeping up with my
spirited cornering, which I though unusual, but not unheard of. Down
the hill I pulled out *exactly* where the double white lines ended and
overtook three cars. The following car did the same...

.... and then put his flashing blue lights on.

Bugger, I thought. I slowed, indicated left, and drove on for 1/2
mile until it was safe to pull over. I always get out the car (or off
the bike) to meet the cops on their terms, but was slowed by the
broken leg, so the copper got to me as I was struggling out. He asked
if I was mobile enough to sit in the back of his car, and I said, yes,
I was just slow. So I hobbled over to his car on crutches.

Once they had me sat down, they asked me if I knew why I'd been
stopped, *apart* from the speed. I said, no, I didn't. They said I'd
crossed some white lines. I said I was very sure I hadn't. They
asked me what the speed limit was, I said 60, they said I was way in
excess of this, I said 'no, a bit over, but not excessive'. All this
done in a very polite and chatty manner. Also a bit of chatting about
how I broke my leg, and bike racing etc.

Then they breathalised me, and I scored zero (despite having a couple
of glassed of wine with my dinner an hour previously), and after a
little bit of fairly good-natured advice, they sent me on my way!

I've always said that proper traffic police are generally very
reasonable blokes, and here's another piece of evidence. I reckon
every 3 times I've been pulled over, I've been let off for 2 of them.
Long may it continue