Pete, from Kent.

[Pete.]

Hi folks, my name's Pete. I just bought my first BMW motorbike a few weeks ago, a 2002 R1100S. I'm in my forties and owned many bikes over the years, until now the only non-Jap bike I owned was a Jawa way back in 1987.
I never considered a BMW before, but spotted this bike on ebay and went to take a look, it was only 15 miles away. As soon as I set eyes on it, it was a done deal.

Here's me bike. Currently it's in bits for the weekend whilst I work on increasing the tank range and re-tape the tatty loom:







Pete.

[Al]

Hi and welcome Pete, plenty of helpful people on here, just ask or use the search button, try and avoid oil and tyre topics if you can(at least for a while)

How do you plan to improve tank range? there are a few modified tanks around but they are as rare as rocking horse poo!! you might be lucky and somebody will pass on the "how to" if they are still about. I get around 125-130 to a tank and find I am ready for a break and a stretch by then anyway.


Al.

[Pete.]

Hi Al,

I'm improving the tank range like this:



Bit more difficult that I anticipated what with my mediocre ali welding skills and the numerous compound curves on the tank, but I'm welding it inside and out until the last bit goes on so I'm pretty sure it'll hold fuel.

[eyore]

Hi and welcome. The new bike looks well.

[brokenwasp]

Welcome.
That's one hell of a first mod. Very interesting, like it.

[Pete.]

Thank you eyore and brokenwasp. It's in fine condition for it's age, just a few scratches and some flaking paint on the engine but then it is 13yrs old. There's some rot on the wiring loom sheath and the previous owner had aftermarket discs fitted that rattle on the bobbins because the holes are over-size and half the wavy washers are missing. Got new washers to fit and I'm making new bobbins this weekend too. I'm not afraid to get the hammers and axes out if there's improvements to be made.

[Mitch1100]

Hi Pete, welcome from downunder..might get a headlight protector..they're very expensive

[dave the german]

Welcome to the nut hoose. Defo get a headlight protector - Skidmarx do them - not expensive

[Pete.]

Cheers, I'll look into getting a protector.

Well, I finished the welding part of modding my tank. I had thought I would do it all in one day but I have found it much more difficult than I expected - not least because the awkward shape of the tank makes it very difficult to hold in place. I can't think how many times I touched down with the torch or got the tail end of the filler rod caught.







Pressure testing tomorrow and if that goes well I'll fit it up and weld the mount on.

[f90x]

Welcome Pete. Nice bike. Brave first mod. I had one of the original 5 extended tanks on mine. Well worth it.

[andy griff]

Respect for the straight in, no messing approach !!

[Al]

you need to do a few more, practice makes perfect.

Al.

[Mitch1100]

https://www.facebook.com/portal.beemer/ ... =1&theater

[Pete.]

They stole my design!

Actually my tank is nearly done but put on hold at the moment due to a family tragedy. I have no time or inclination to look at it.

[Pete.]

Well, after a truly dreadful month I've finally got my tank done and it holds 24.12 litres from empty. I know this because I put enough to get me to the petrol station and it conked out right at the pump.
I had to re-make the whole tank. This is because of a basic error on my part in testing for leaks. Basically I welded up a few pin-holes and left it for the night, then went back the next day to do the last little leak but neglected to check the pressure regulator on my air-line and promptly 'tested' it with 30psi instead of the 5psi I had been using. It blew up like a balloon and ruined the tank.
Shame really, because I probably increased the capacity by 10%.