Can someone walk me thru it? I'm sure mine are getting lose or at least it seems so...

If the engine's been out, rear first to centre the engine in the frame and then the front. The front will probably have a gap on at least one side and will need shimming - don't just close the gap up by heaving it up tight. If the engine hasn't been out then it should be already shimmed and safe to pull up tight in any order.

I think it was either RickG or TWB I got that information from; one of them will be along to correct me if I've remembered it wrong!

Motor hasn't been out but it's never been retorqued since new

SniperX wrote:Motor hasn't been out but it's never been retorqued since new

If an official BMW service schedule is believable, checking the torque of the frame to driveline bolts then tightening them up to spec if necessary is done at 12,000 mile intervals.

As Dai has indicated, checking of the frame to engine gaps and frame/intermediate flange gaps isn't listed as part of the maintenance process in these references.

If the BMW manual available in this site's Tech section is believable, the correct torque values and tightening sequences for 8V models up to manufacture date 08/1988 is found on page 11-97. According to Clymer's brief description, later models—including 16V models—follow the same procedure and torque values.

Maybe that’s where the 100’s vibes come from! No one ever bothers!

But if you are unsure, also check the shimming and mounting instructions. I have a feeling there are some differences between faired and unfaired models. I have a Clymer and it makes reference to this somewhere. As Dai said do not use bolt to close any gaps, you must use shims. If you don't use the shims correctly you can induce a stress in the frame with vibration and possible alignment issues.

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:But if you are unsure, also check the shimming and mounting instructions. I have a feeling there are some differences between faired and unfaired models.

There are differences; your feelings are not betraying you, Olaf. In the BMW repair manual to which I've referred, distinctions are clearly made between faired and unfaired models with bridge-mounted or plug-mounted tanks. Personally, I'd go along with BMW and just tighten where needed unless the bike had been dropped hard or frequently. If frequently were the case though, I'd probably sell it, or have it exorcised.