Mechanical Dunce

[tonyff]

Hey All,

I am an admitted dunce when it comes to all things mechanical. Worse if it involves electrical stuff (is that the correct technical term?)

I frequently read the posts on this site and am amazed at the apparent knowledge base. I'm writing now because I am hoping to find out how difficult it actually is to install riding lights.

I've been looking at MotoLight, but my local dealer tells me it will be a 3 hour charge to install them. Holy s**t! I have a new found interest in learning how to take care of these things myself.

Is it difficult to remove the tank? I looked at the repair manual and I have to say, it seems like another language. Honestly, is this a project a guy with no ability should be taking on?

Thanks for your input. If you guys really don't think it will be too bad of a project, I will likely end up ordering a set.

By the way, I did just order a Sargent seat. The service rep talked me out of ordering the heated seat to avoid a re-stocking fee in the event that the seat was too high (I can't flat foot it with the stock low seat). He reasoned that if I liked the seat, I could send it back and order the heated seat. I guess I will have to have the tank off for that too.

Thanks All,

[CycleRob]

tonyff said:

I am an admitted dunce when it comes to all things mechanical. Worse if it involves electrical stuff (is that the correct technical term?) Is it difficult to remove the tank? I looked at the repair manual and I have to say, it seems like another language. Honestly, is this a project a guy with no ability should be taking on?

I'm taking you at your word. My advice is you should get someone (besides the dealer) to help or do the install with/for you. Not only is it unlikely your install will be correct, let alone perfect like it should be, there's a real possibility of causing expen$ive damage.

Tell us your Colorado city and maybe there are members nearby who can help with advice, shop recommendations or their tools.

.

[snowprick]

Hey tonyff,

You are in the US. Call MotoLight and ask them if they have a dealer in your locality who can help.

[tonyff]

CycleRob,

Sounds serious. I will take your advice and not tackle the light install myself. Should this refer to the seat as well? Is it that the tank is difficult to remove? (I'm thinking heated seat also)

I live outside of Longmont, Colorado. If there is someone who would be willing to help.....well, I just wouldn't know what to say. I can't imagine asking someone I don't know to assist me with a project like this. Perhaps someone knows of a shop that charges less than $90.00/hr with a 3 hour estimate.

Snowprick, I did call MotoLight and they told me that they had a tech on staff that could walk me through it, but then there it is...I look diagrams of things like how to remove a tank and it's all Greek. I do like the idea of seeing what they have to say might be able to do the install near here.

Thanks for your input guys,

Tony

[jfslater98]

Should this refer to the seat as well?

The Sargent seat replacement is something you could handle. Tank shouldn't come off for that. It's simple enough that the dealer could do it for you and not (shouldn't anyway) charge.

The heated seat is a different story. It requires wiring similar in complexity to the motolights, which Cyclerob has warned you about. Certainly stay away from that for now, or get a pro to install.

I sympathize with your "condition", I felt that way in the past. Perhaps some kind member in the CO area can help you with something simple like an oil change. That was the first DIY project I did, and it helped boost my mechanical confidence, more pride and connection with my machine, etc.

But don't feel bad or intimidated about your lack of experience. If you poke around here enough, you'll see plenty of the gurus taking their bikes to dealers for certain things, for a variety of reasons.

Good luck!

[SLEDGE]

Bring the bike over, I'll help you with it.

[Buckster]

I wouldn't pull your tank off until you need to. No need to remove it for the seat swap.
Taking the tank off is easy. It is one of the first things I did on my bike when I changed the air filter. Just follow the directions step by step.
You will find a lot of useful info on this site and I recommend donating to become a member. You will not regret it!

[mcollect]

One of the first things I did was to add motolights. It was sort of scary removing all the parts. I read the clymer and still took me over 1 1/2 hrs to do the job. 3 hrs is way too much to charge to do that. I would wait to get the heated seat and do it all at once. Surley someone in Colorado will chime in to offer help, after all there is snow covering the roads there.

[tonyff]

Thanks Guys,


JF Slatter98, Just a plain seat didn't concern me. I've had mine off a few times. It is a simple procedure. Attaching the wires for a heated seat, now that is the question.

Sledge, Thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, it may be awhile before I can pull the 16 hour trip to get there. I think I will have to find other solutions.

Bukster, I went back and re-read how to remove the tank. I guess the part the really concerns me is the potential of having a leak after. Seems I have read some threads in this site of people discussing leaking quick connect lines. I did become a life time member of this forum shortly after getting my gorgeous silver 04. I had found so much useful advice for topics such as "how much oil should this thing be burning?" to what tank bag or top case to go with. My decision to get a sargent seat and the moto lights comes from the positive comments I have read on this forum. This is a great site for the inexperienced to visit for advice from the pros.

mcollect, It took you, a guy I assume was new to the procedure, 1.5 hrs and the shop is wanting to charge 3 hrs!?!? Either you came into this a savant or they are over charging.

Reading all the posts, it seems that getting help is the right way to go. Also, it would seem that gaining a comfort level with doing some things would lead to the confidence to tackle other projects.

I'm going to take some time before I pull the trigger on the lights. I still have to determine if the Sargent seat will work for me. If it does, I will exchange non-heated seat for a heated version and pay the difference. It will be then, that the tank has to come off to hook up the seat that it makes the most sense to do the lights.

Thanks again guys for freely sharing your thoughts. I'm on my way out to the garage it just a bit here to install a do dad (technical term) that will raise my handlebars and bring them back just a smidgen (another technical term) See, I'm getting the lingo down anyway. I've read for the past year about proper seating positions on the RR and absolutely find that I am leaning over far too much for comfort. My arms get fatigued and my hands start to go numb. I know other posters state that you should use your abs, not your arms to hold you up, but hey.... I'm short. 5'5" and I have to lean over to get to them. Also, my four previous bikes (last one about 15years ago) were all cruiser style bikes. I think I am more comfortable with a more upright seating position.

I'll let you know how the handlebar thing comes out. Though it's cold today and I don't know that I will be able to get out long enough to really know what difference it makes.


[/b]

[Boxer]

I would have to agree with Rob. These guys telling you to go for it...even the seat...have no idea of your mechanical acumen/abilities.

Based on your posts, I'd let it go for a while and see if I could find some area club people or other mechanically minded gurus to assist.

Are you a member of the BMW MOA? There is an anonymous book which lists folks who are willing to help in various ways. There is a great Colorado club there and chances are someone is near you who can assist.

If you still don't have it done in July, I can stop by on my way to Wyoming.

[tonyff]

Boxer,

Thanks for the input. No I am not a member of the BMW MOA. But I will be looking into them this weekend. I do appreciate your offer to assist when you are riding through in July. Where in Wyoming are you going?

I do hope to have this taken care of before July, but I would like to invite you to stop by anyway. I don't know where you are coming from, but this may be a good place to stop, grab a cool drink and rest your yams for a bit. If you have time, there are some really great rides around here.

I will PM you with my e-mail address and contact information.

By the way, I did just get the handlebar extenders on. Sitting in the driveway, it seems to be an improvement. It's about 37 F out now, but the sun is shining and I'm headed out to take her for a spin.

[rockstercliff]

My dealer did the 6K service, added a set of PIAA 1100X lites with the turn signal cancel switch, and state inspection in 3 hrs. Seems a tad excessive for me, unfortunately, I am comfortable with most mechanical issues, but scared to death of electrical issues, so wont do them myself.

[tonyff]

Thanks Rokstercliff

[FloridaBeakster]

I'm a little late to this thread, but if you're still looking for a shop to help out with the accessory installation, I highly recommend http://www.beemersandmore.com in Ft Collins. They do great work and Steve and Roxanne will take care of you.

[boxermania]

tonyff

I agree with CycleRob and Boxer.....as in your first post you already exhibited uneasiness in tackling the project. FloridaBeakster has an excellent recommendation, to which I would add to approach those doing the work and ask if you could possible watch some of the work it as it will make you less uneasy in the future, nothing lost in asking.

Good luck.......

[tonyff]

Thanks guys,

I have decided to hold off for a bit. Cash is tight.

I will look them up when I decide to have a go at it though

Tony