The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: quixotic on July 07, 2013, 08:32:54 PM

Title: home made cruise control
Post by: quixotic on July 07, 2013, 08:32:54 PM
Made from UHMW plastic (ultra high molecular weight) from Lee Valley.  I think it's just teflon.  Works sort of like a guillotine.  The rough edges from the coping saw on the white bit work well, since a smooth edge would defeat the purpose (teflon is very slippery).  Seems to work fairly well.  Can be applied and de-applied with just the thumb of the throttle hand.   And for emergency stops, the throttle reverse is no problem.   Even for starting a cold engine, I like it a lot better than the tiny screw.  I put a small carabiner on it to attach to the mirror stalk, just in case I de-apply it a bit too enthusiastically on the highway.  

I may cut another white piece with the lower prongs sticking down another 1/4 of an inch (a little bit more friction).  
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on July 07, 2013, 10:53:56 PM
I think this is one case where video is needed!
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: quixotic on July 08, 2013, 08:26:56 AM
Quote
I think this is one case where video is needed!  

Sounds like a plan.  GoPro on the helmet should work.  It may take a week or so, since I think I'll re-do the white portion with slighly longer prongs.  
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: montmil on July 08, 2013, 01:01:04 PM
I just snug up the screw on the twist grip housing that BMW fitted to hold a specific rpm for tuning and carb synch work.

Still, a nice little project. [smiley=thumbup.gif]
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: marcmax on July 08, 2013, 02:56:03 PM
My homemade cruise control is a bar end mirror and a slightly too long grip. Slight bump in on the mirror turns it on. Slight tug out on the mirror turns it off.  For me it has to be idiot proof.  
[smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: montmil on July 09, 2013, 08:26:26 AM
But Mark... Can you remember which way is "in" and which way is "out"? ;)

With the throttle set screw, I have to attempt to remember which way to turn the twist grip :D
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: Barry on July 09, 2013, 09:36:53 AM
I heard some use a large O ring to produce friction in the narrow gap between the handle bar rubber and the switch housing. Never tried it though.

Did US bikes have the BMW throttle set screw fitted from the factory ?
Mine doesn't have one. I'd make one but the thread is not a common metric pitch.
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: georgesgiralt on July 09, 2013, 12:21:06 PM
Barry,
This screw is available new for quite cheap. I buy one now and then (i tend to loose them because I unscrew them too much, often).
The threaded hole is normally sealed with a white plastic cap. So the installation is easy : §Buy a screw, remove the cap, screw, enjoy.
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: montmil on July 09, 2013, 07:45:00 PM
The throttle screw is specific to the twist grip design in that there is a nylon tip on the threaded end of the throttle screw which will prevent damage to the twist grip tube.

That may be why BMW used an odd ball thread pitch.
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on July 10, 2013, 09:31:24 PM
And you got to remember to remove the screw before you try to remove the throttle grip...  ;)

(the screw will keep it in place!)
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: quixotic on July 13, 2013, 10:04:32 PM
Well it seem the GoPro works about as well as the Boyer ignition did (ie, like crap).  So here's a camera video of the unit controlling the idle speed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfnP_tn6o_M&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: quixotic on August 20, 2013, 09:33:03 PM
Gee, I finally found a computer fast enough to process the files from my GoPro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szdCR8Zx_CY&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: Luca on August 24, 2013, 11:51:55 AM
Looks to work quite nicely!  Cool stuff  [smiley=thumbup.gif]

What exhaust do you have on that bike?  I like the tone!
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: quixotic on August 24, 2013, 10:30:02 PM
Quote
What exhaust do you have on that bike?I like the tone!


I'm not too sure.  But the guy at Anderwerks who sold me the bike did say that it was aftermarket and stainless steel.  
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: georgesgiralt on August 25, 2013, 02:18:02 AM
I think that regulations mandate that maker's name and number to be stamped on the exhausts. You may check there for information...
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: quixotic on August 26, 2013, 08:24:03 AM
Quote
I think that regulations mandate that maker's name and number to be stamped on the exhausts. You may check there for information...  


I had a look.  It said Keihan on them.  Not sure if that's OEM or not.  
Title: Re: home made cruise control
Post by: georgesgiralt on August 26, 2013, 04:11:43 PM
I have a set of Keihan exhausts on the R65. They are here since ..... I can't remember when I bought them. Should have done this long before. They perform like new, are a charm to make them shine and the correct level of noise.And priced near the OEM crap BMW sells...