To Whom it may concern

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
I'm jet lagged after a long trip in plane. So I surf the Internet.
A few days ago someone asked where one can find the Bosch starter dismantling instructions because the link in the Tips sub forum was dead.
Well, it is here :
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_starter_and_solenoid_repair_-bosch-.html
So maybe a moderator can update the relevant topic in the tips section.?
And, of course I came also with a question : What about the Wiki ? Is it dead or in a zombie state ? And where it is ?

[Bob_Roller]

I added the link to the R65 FAQ Section .

I also deleted the original thread with the bad link .

[Justin B.]

WIKI is no more, didn't get a whole lot of help and most of the stuff I entered disappeared so I said screw it!  PM me a link to the post you want edited and I'll take care of it.

[Justin B.]

Never mind...

[georgesgiralt]

I've seen the modification ! That's perfect.
I have another question.
How come I am unable to post/modify something in the "tips" subforum, yet some people are able to post a question here (which remains unanswered ...)
And last but not least, I see a lot of people giving sources for non OEM parts when the real one is still available at relatively cheap price from BMW (the Tony oil pressure switch is the last example )
Maybe I'm missing something here because I'm living in France ?

[Bob_Roller]

The parts may not be available anymore in other countries, I know more airhead parts are becoming no longer available at least here in the US from  BMW dealers .

[montmil]

Stateside, we often see "NLA" alongside a needed part. That's when I check in with Motobins.

My recent MAX BMW order showed many front fork items as such and a note stating "unknown resupply date" or similar. Fortunately I got what I needed for my R100S.

[georgesgiralt]

Well, I use the BMW classic shop (alas they can sell only in Europe). http://shop.bmw-classic.com/
The fiche system they use is the ETK direct from factory and direct from stock.
If there is a tick box on the left column, you can order the item. If there is not, and there is not  an A or E in the A/E column, this means you can order the part trough a dealer but delivery date is unknown. And the prices are current too  8-)
I asked questions about this system and they told me they normally plan to resupply the stock when it is gone. Sometimes they can't (Motometer Items comes to mind) sometimes they have to devise a second source and this process can take a lot of time. But they will.  *
I think we have to support this process and behavior because BMW is supporting us by providing the correct factory approved parts for our bikes. This is why I go first to them and to my dealer.
Too many of my friends have trouble locating parts for not so old bikes and find questionable repop parts which are far from doing the job.
And I'm surprised by the price of the BMW parts, too ! Every time I go to the Honda dealer to buy parts for the CBF600, I'm shocked by the bill....
I'm too glad that Motobins exists and can provide either old stock (4 way flasher) or good non OEM part. I use them often.

In 2012 when I put my R65 back on the road I discovered that the small rubber valve draining water at the bottom of the air box was destroyed. I ordered one from my dealer and got it... one year later ....  

[Tony Smith]

How come I am unable to post/modify something in the "tips" subforum, yet some people are able to post a question here (which remains unanswered ...)
And last but not least, I see a lot of people giving sources for non OEM parts when the real one is still available at relatively cheap price from BMW (the Tony oil pressure switch is the last example )
Maybe I'm missing something here because I'm living in France ?

Yep you sure are missing something. I live in a relatively small provincial city (142,124 people)  that is further away from the State Capital than any two points in France are capable of being, 1,390.47km in fact, but that is the direct distance, add another couple of hundred kilometers by road.. Further I live in a Nation where the total population is 23 million, as opposed of France 66 million.

This means that "stuff" takes longer to source and takes longer to get here. On the same day that I consulted specifications and determined the Tridon part was an *exact* replacement for the BMW part I ordered the Tridon part from a wholesaler int the State Capital and the BMW part from Motobins.

The Tridon part arrived 24 hours after being ordered and my bike was back on the road, the BMW part arrived 20 days after it was ordered. Had I been stupid enough to order the BMW part from my State BMW motorcycle distributor, I would still be waiting for it to arrive.


With the greatest of respect, the above two paragraphs describe exactly what you are missing

[georgesgiralt]

Tony;
Perfect explanation. I always overlook the distance and population problem.
When I order a part at my dealer's counter, if it is available in France, it takes 700 km to reach him. If not, add a 300 more and the part arrives from BMW central warehouse. So maybe another day.
Strangely, if I order from Motobins, their shipping system makes the parcel two weeks to reach my door. So I'm inclined to buy from the dealer.
Sometimes I envy you for the lack of humanity around you (often  when i heard the French news about our situation, government and the like) but this time I prefer my situation regarding the BMW warehouse  

[Tony Smith]

Sometimes I envy you for the lack of humanity around you (often  when i heard the French news about our situation, government and the like) but this time I prefer my situation regarding the BMW warehouse  

I can travel for two hours to the west and know that I am the only human being within a 50k radius, I can visit old mine workings less than 200km away and know that I am probably the only person who has been there in the last 20 years. Sometimes it is lonely.


But, to inject a potential sour note, one thing I am VERY glad of is that our country has had the courage and ability to defend its borders from illegal economic migrants. I would not wish the problems Germany and France are currently having upon my worst enemies. Frankly I don't wish it on the migrants either, but there has to be a better solution than paying people smugglers and seeking to enter another country unlawfully.

Makes me wish I was a New Zealander - their geographic isolation means that they simply do not have the problem at all, other than Pacific Islanders who would liek to be New Zealand citizens of course.

[Justin B.]

The situation I would present would be on a long trip, hundreds of miles from a dealer, and have a simple part (like an oil pressure switch) start puking oil.  This happens next to an auto parts store where a sub can be bought easily, installed, and you're on your way in less than an hour...

[Tony Smith]

Tony;
Perfect explanation. I always overlook the distance and population problem.
 

The photo below shows what we are up against in Australia.

[montmil]

Try these boots on for size. Today and back when we were our very own Republic with an ambassador to the Court of St. James, 1836-45.

[marcmax]

Sometimes I just can't help myself and I have to poke the bees nest with a stick.   [smiley=beehive.gif]