My 2000 is on the lift with "tupperware" removed for BMW "Inspection" at approx 95K miles.
She's been using oil beyond what I find acceptable, having to add oil every day on long rides or every couple of days of short rides.
I did a compression test and cylinder leak-down test a while ago, everything normal.
I suspect a cracked piston land so have decided to do a visual inspection of the pistons.
History: No visible oil leaks. It does smoke more on start up than it used to. Friends riding behind me have commented on smokey exhaust but it isn't that severe because I can't see it in the rear view mirrors. I have ridden hard over the years, two up, pacing some of the sport bikes in the hills, so the engine has been hammered pretty hard; basically getting all she has to give it terms of rpm's to the redline. I did have my air temp sensor unplugged for the hot weather hesitation issue for a few years but always ran premium gasoline. I plugged the sensor back in and left it that way since I'm not troubled with really hot weather very often. Other than that, there is no significant history to the engine that I can think of.
I'm no stranger to engines but will be venturing into the LT where I have not been before, so hope to get input and suggestions from my pals Saddleman and jzeiler or others with experience when questions come up.
I'll try to remember to take some pics so I can post and share a little of what I learn.
I have both Clymers and the BMW Service Manual; I'm used to the BMW Manual so I'll use that unless I get confused by it and then I'll check with Clymer.
This is what I expect to be doing tomorrow: sequence according to the Service Manual: 1)remove radiatiors, 2) remove exhaust, 3) remove fuel rail, 4) remove throttle butterfly rail with air silencer, 5) remove timing case cover, 6) remove timing chain.
Questions right now: Should I zip tie the cam chain to the cam sprockets when removing the cam chain? Will that make reinstallation easier and reduce the risk that I'll get the valve timing wrong, or will that just increase the hassle?
Should I do a "preemptive" change of the O2 sensor?
I've done valve jobs on small engines, and lapped the valves on a couple of Airheads, but I think I'll send the K1200LT head out for a professional going through. Any idea who to send it to? I'm wondering if valve guides or seals are a bit worn.
Any suggestions of things to look out for from those who have "been there, done that"?
Thanks in advance.
My posts are often verbose, so full credit to those who wade through them.
She's been using oil beyond what I find acceptable, having to add oil every day on long rides or every couple of days of short rides.
I did a compression test and cylinder leak-down test a while ago, everything normal.
I suspect a cracked piston land so have decided to do a visual inspection of the pistons.
History: No visible oil leaks. It does smoke more on start up than it used to. Friends riding behind me have commented on smokey exhaust but it isn't that severe because I can't see it in the rear view mirrors. I have ridden hard over the years, two up, pacing some of the sport bikes in the hills, so the engine has been hammered pretty hard; basically getting all she has to give it terms of rpm's to the redline. I did have my air temp sensor unplugged for the hot weather hesitation issue for a few years but always ran premium gasoline. I plugged the sensor back in and left it that way since I'm not troubled with really hot weather very often. Other than that, there is no significant history to the engine that I can think of.
I'm no stranger to engines but will be venturing into the LT where I have not been before, so hope to get input and suggestions from my pals Saddleman and jzeiler or others with experience when questions come up.
I'll try to remember to take some pics so I can post and share a little of what I learn.
I have both Clymers and the BMW Service Manual; I'm used to the BMW Manual so I'll use that unless I get confused by it and then I'll check with Clymer.
This is what I expect to be doing tomorrow: sequence according to the Service Manual: 1)remove radiatiors, 2) remove exhaust, 3) remove fuel rail, 4) remove throttle butterfly rail with air silencer, 5) remove timing case cover, 6) remove timing chain.
Questions right now: Should I zip tie the cam chain to the cam sprockets when removing the cam chain? Will that make reinstallation easier and reduce the risk that I'll get the valve timing wrong, or will that just increase the hassle?
Should I do a "preemptive" change of the O2 sensor?
I've done valve jobs on small engines, and lapped the valves on a couple of Airheads, but I think I'll send the K1200LT head out for a professional going through. Any idea who to send it to? I'm wondering if valve guides or seals are a bit worn.
Any suggestions of things to look out for from those who have "been there, done that"?
Thanks in advance.
My posts are often verbose, so full credit to those who wade through them.