Having replaced the TB rubbers and injectors etc etc today I took the bike to "sutton & cheam vehicle repairs" and paid £108 for a "terraclean". (Google it - decarbanizes engine as on wheeler dealers on tv).

My LT 1989 2 valve has about 40k miles, but was running rough previously with major carbon build up showing on the exhaust.

After the terraclean, initial reaction was that tickover was now perfect without any blipping. Taking for a test ride, the power delivery was a lot smoother and I reckon 15-20% more power.

The engine sound smoother too - It was the 1st bike theyve done, and the process took 15-20 minutes. They placed 2 big fans near the engine, and asked me to keep revs contstant at 2500 revs.

I ride the bike hard, and usually get 165 UK miles per tank. I think I should get about 180 - I will monitor this, and post results if anyone is interested..?

Pic of bike after respray - Am I getting obsessive ??

Getting riding lights _ new topbox & radials fitted Friday (BT30 front/Avons rear)
Will post report
Colin

That sure is looking good Colin it's a real credit to you. It will be interesting to see how it goes now.

colinijohnson wrote:My LT 1989 2 valve has about 40k miles, but was running rough previously with major carbon build up showing on the exhaust.

I ride the bike hard, and usually get 165 UK miles per tank. I think I should get about 180 - I will monitor this, and post results if anyone is interested..?

Colin,

Bike looking good and terra clean process sounds interesting, however, can't help thinking that you have a timing/air filter issue still to sort out. 

40k miles is not much for these old horses and you shouldn't be getting any significant carbon build up if you are getting the proper burn in the cylinders. To end up with lots of carbon suggests that the fuel is not being burnt properly which generally comes down to insufficient air or fuel injection problems (or your run your bike on coal). Hopefully, by replacing the injectors  you will have helped improved the problem.

165 miles to the tank is way low (might be worth going for rossco's challenge) and suggests that you are not getting the energy release from the fuel. My old LT (75k miles) gave me 180 miles to the low fuel warning and 215 miles until I bottled it and pulled off for gas. My current LT (35k miles) gives me 200 miles to low fuel warning and 234 miles to vapours (and that was with riding hard). By the way - I don't have one of those tank capacity enhancers fitted to my filler cap (yet). I reckon you are converting those missing 50 - 70 miles into carbon, which then makes the running even worse and you are liable to get unburnt fuel in the exhaust which will shorten the muffler life too.

Good luck.

looks great colin ....love the shiney bits ....grin !

Hi Colin - great looking bike - will you get radials on those wheels? I thought you had to have the 3 spokers?

Mike

Mike - other threads suggest otherwise - the sizes are ok for non 3 spoke- people like to fit rear 3 spokefor fatter rubber (150 size) - but you need a k1100 Centre  stand fitted & k1100 front end without abs for more front choice. I'll keep u posted. Being fitted friday.
I think I need the timing checking....although since the exhaust & headers were changed, it's not so carbonated at the exhaust ....

Is there any reason I can't see any pics?

billtr96sn wrote:Is there any reason I can't see any pics?

Other than having your browser set to no pics I can't think of a reason.

troubleshooter wrote:Hi Colin - great looking bike - will you get radials on those wheels? I thought you had to have the 3 spokers?

Mike

There are 3 different sets of 3 spoke wheels.
K75 are same as K100 in sizes
K100RS16v and K1100RS Front 3.5 x 17"  Rear 4.5 x 18"
K1100LT Front 2.5 x 18"  Rear  3 x 17"
K75 front has the same disc as a 8v K100 where the other 2 take the later type of 305mm disc that is a floating type
So as you can see it is a lot easier to get radials for some than others.
The K75 rear are not interchangeable for the K1100LT rear as the K1100 has 14mm more offset than the K75 wheel.

Now to answer the question, you do not have to have 3 spoke wheels to use radials. You can get radials to fit the Y spoke wheels but there is a very limited range.

RicK G wrote:

billtr96sn wrote:Is there any reason I can't see any pics?

Other than having your browser set to no pics I can't think of a reason.

misplaced spectacles?

Pic of bike after respray - Am I getting obsessive ?? 

if bike pics are the result, please obsess.

RicK G wrote:

billtr96sn wrote:Is there any reason I can't see any pics?

Other than having your browser set to no pics I can't think of a reason.

I can't see them either , but that is because our firewall here at work is rather "tight".
Amongst others, is photobucket closed.

So at home, no problem

the bike is looking really sharp there  ,im not quite sure i understood what terraclean is, i will google it now

k-rider

Looks great mate, well done!

Radials fitted - love them. Bike feels so different, light and responsive on cornering. Doesnt seem quite so planted at 100mph, I must check the pressures ok.
The H4 relay conversion with Halogen bulb seems brighter, but not yet ridden at night. The riding lights from Motorworks look cool too - I'll post a pic at some point.
My miles per tank has gone up to 176 - was 150 - 155 before Terraclean. - I'm getting valve clearances checked next week - will update.

Finally, buying another bike - the missus doesnt know yet.... k100 rs 16v (keeping the LT for inter gallactic trips)
re....this was the ebay listing....yes the abs was removed...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-K100RS-1990-CLASSIC-BMW-/161272858823?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=kr1f%252B6bAg8qsCOkAV8phKifVf9k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Comments?

You will probably start using the 16v for the long trips. Mine does not light the fuel lamp till it sees 210 miles covered.

colinijohnson wrote:
Finally, buying another bike - the missus doesnt know yet.... k100 rs 16v (keeping the LT for inter gallactic trips)
re....this was the ebay listing....yes the abs was removed...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-K100RS-1990-CLASSIC-BMW-/161272858823?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=kr1f%252B6bAg8qsCOkAV8phKifVf9k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Comments?

That bike looks very cool and you got it at a very good price, risky domestic strategy though!

Ed

An acquaintance decarbonized her BMW on the highway during a rain storm.  The air intake took in so much water that it soaked the air filter and the moisture went through the engine and decarbonized the valves and cylinders.  Wasn't till she exited the highway near her home that a bit of carbon stuck a valve open causing her machine to run very poorly.  Her husband took the head off and found a sparkling clean head and cylinders and the bit of carbon jamming the valve.

I think the Terraclean method is probably a better choice

k75RT Keith wrote:An acquaintance decarbonized her BMW on the highway during a rain storm.  The air intake took in so much water that it soaked the air filter and the moisture went through the engine and decarbonized the valves and cylinders.  Wasn't till she exited the highway near her home that a bit of carbon stuck a valve open causing her machine to run very poorly.  Her husband took the head off and found a sparkling clean head and cylinders and the bit of carbon jamming the valve.

I think the Terraclean method is probably a better choice

We used to call it the redex treatment, it was much quicker, and free. Modern oils and fuel mean that engines do not need de-carbonising any where near as often as they used to 40 years ago. I cannot believe that it would make more than 2% improvement in economy.

Readings after terraclean
Can anyone translate what the readings say about the bike?

nope


  

k-rider

If I could see them I could, but I can't see them!!