Engine knocking

[Sunbeemer]

You should really be worried about the hundreds of hours the noisy, thrashing/rattling CamChain rapidly beats everything around it, and itself, to death.

Good point Cyclerob! You mean the noise that BMW says doesn't cause any harm! The thought of my cam chain whipping around in that aluminum case on plastic guides got me to change my left-side tensioner real quick!
I guess it's inevitable I'll be doing the right side soon...especially after hearing how well things worked out for Towerworker! Thanks for posting the follow-up, Wayne.

And if I read you right, Cyclerob...you pulled both headers off simultaneously keeping them attached by the crossover pipe? I wouldn't have thought to do that.

BTW, what kind of Jello did you use for lubricant?

[towerworker]

Let me add something about pulling the headers. Mine did not come off quite as easily as did Rob's. I did all that Rob did but was hesitant to pull from the front on both sides as I thought I might pull the bike off the centerstand. If you have someone to hold the bike for you that would be good I guess. I did not so I just used the palm of my hand and smacked the header from side to side till they came off. First one side and then the other. Second time they came off easily. Hand stung a little but that's ok.
If you pull some side too much and it gets a little cattywampus you'll have a difficult time getting them off.

Wayne

[hank]

When working with the bike on the centre stand always use either a ratchet strap, or a piece of rope tied in a truckers hitch to lock the stand to the front wheel or headers. This will prevent the bike from rolling forward of the stand.

Stay safe.

Hank.

[Boxer]

This is the most educational thread we've had here in eons.

to lock the stand to the front wheel or headers

heh..heh..Even I know the answer to that one... But nope. My better judgement tells me to keep the old yap shut here. Al tells me I was once a nicer guy...so I better listen.