BMW G650 XCountry – Spark plugs

Often the simple things as stated by BMW which makes them really simple are not as simple if:
#1. You do not have previous experience (Novice or little experience)
#2. All the tools [BMW are really shit and kinky about their own tools and sizing(unique)]
#3. Creative mindset to get around them or forget about it.

Surely, that there are endless blogs available on how-to but this one is for my own keep and anyone else who is to do this for the first time or repeat looking at nitty gritty.

My G650 XCo was acquired some 5years back and since then barely much was ever done, but was ridden for a good while and about 15000kms in between those 5 years until now.
Previous owner history, was through the service book as it seems all BMW services done were on intervals but something not quite right. Perhaps the bike has been sat too long between its active usage. I will write down the other issues as encountered in a another thread.

This was not purely an activity for Spark Plugs change but more to do with Cam Tensioner change, that is covered here in this blog. I decided to keep a track of this for only spark plugs replacement.

So to start with as little and as much, please note that following tools are needed:

• 18mm Spark plug socket (I somehow believed it was in my kit, but wasn’t) – check yours + a long deep arm to reach the Spark plugs. [Alternative to buy or an another cheaper option would be this]
  
• Special R-ring breaker tool (I hate those BMW hose clamps, extremely unpractical, so get them to normal screw driver hose clamps, found everywhere in a hardware shop). Take a note that once these clamps have been removed, you cannot re-use them. These R-rings are an extremely stupid idea by BMW!
  
• Coil Remover (I did not have this tool, but used a normal adjustable wrench for a coil undoing. You can order one from here or use the way I used the wrench to pull it out.
  
• Main stand or getting bike to be stable while you work on, is not a necessity but an extreme help. So anything would do that holds it in place.

Access to the Spark Plugs:

• Remove the plastic panels on the left, right, center [This is an easier bit, with an hex key, should be [10mins], you need smaller hex key to remove the front two top hex nuts on top of the radiator, holding the main plastic component] – In total, 8 bigger hex nuts, and 2 smaller hex nuts. (one of the small hex nuts, can be left in main tank tank part holding the small plastic part – the one above the radiator, loosen it up to just slide out easily.)
• Removing the Battery. [About 5mins, careful if your battery is stuck and need extra force, ensure the bike is well in its position] Remove from the terminal connections. You need to remove the battery as it sits in the air box chamber basket.
• Undoing the air temperature connector sensor wire on the let side.[2mins] You may need a nose plier to pull that clip out on the sensor and then it just slides out easily. Pull out the complete metal clip.
• Remove the relays mounted on the rubber mounts hanging from the airbox[2mins]. Easily done.
• Breather hose [5mins] . Additionally, when removing it may not be possible to keep the breather hose in its place and harder to get it back in easily. I cut the cable ties on this breather hose and removed it from the right bottom front corner. Easier to let it slide down next time when redoing to reverse the process.
• Remove the air box chamber [About 10mins, two hex nuts on the main front fork frame and two on the base near the seat]
  Note: The front two nuts are different sizes, good to know from the beginning so you won’t hassle up like me in the end.
• Lifting up the complete airbox that connects to throttle body[2-3mins]. There was little struggle to pull it apart but is normal as long as all else has been followed above.

This now gives you a clear view of the top of the cylinder.

Note the positioning of the Spark plugs, this is where from all previous posts and forums I gathered this has to be in very specific position but I don’t see how or why it would make a difference. The coils are same inside and the positioning is rather to ensure that wires are in right place.
Note: The black coil is to the inner side of the engine and the grey one on the outer towards the frame.

Pulling out the coils, BMW reprom says, use special tool(as mentioned above) but after trying to be careful and without a tool, it was rather the case, of carefully pulling out the coils with the adjustable wrench

User an extra cloth in the mouth holding the top of the coil to ensure this is not too hard but was fine to get the coils pulled out.

You now have the full view of the spark plugs accessibility. Should be easier and simple but take a note of the tools and alternatives as may not always be the case, you have them all.

It so happens that my friend who offered me all his tools and garage, didn’t have an 18mm socket so it was going not so well, but then there was somewhere in the old heap of tools, he found a worn out 18mm which required an extra work but now, I know I have to buy a 18mm spark plug socket. Just a self note!

Coming to finally, the spark plugs.
I got the Iridium spark plugs to replace the old NGK one. It was in a pretty bad shape as the previous owner possibly didn’t take care of it or they seemingly have never been replaced before (I would say so looking at them)!!

NGK Iridium Spark plugs comparison

You need to have a long enough arm on your socket to get down to the spark plugs. Just a caution if you have old traditional 18mm, it may not be enough on its own without a long arm going down.

Another pointer that surprised me was that the new NGK Iridium plugs didn’t have that round metal cap on its end but threads. So I was glad that my friend had them on his other spare spark plugs, these caps but I am suprised these ones didn’t come with these caps and my old spark plug was a fixed one, that means, when the old cap was tried to be removed, it break the whole long metal inside and these are not replaceable from all old spark plugs if you don’t have them.

Better to be aware than to be sorry when working on this “Simple” task! not that as I thought it looked in the Reprom, hey 10mins jobby, no please do not count on what the reprom tells, it looks very simple but NOT!!

Once you have had everything out, this would be a reverse process on its own to get back everything in order.

In my case, I was going for two more additional items, first one being easier to do – cleaning up idle actuator, while the other one, cam tensioner replacement was going to be fun! You can follow my next write up on that one.

Additional reference: 
Spark plugs – I found a cheaper discount going on spark plugs, so I was of the notion to buy an extra pair right now. So, I had to check if I can just buy and keep them for future use. I found out this is fairly possible to keep the spark plugs and they will remain the way they are without any issues. Feel free to store them in a dry place, if you may be wondering this works  good. Yes, they have long storage life when stored in a dry place and the needle is kept secured, best to leave them in the original packaging.

Technical inputs 
Tightening torques 0164 – G 650 Xcountry
12 12 011 Renewing all spark plugs  +12 12 513
Spark plugs Tightening torque Value 23 Nm

 

In the Silence of Dark

In the Silence of dark,
the time ticks, stops for no one
everything moves to its beats, skips nothing
this earth, sky, the vivid creatures
In the Silence of dark,
the wind blows, always in a direction of its own
howling to others, hurting when its cold, forgives no one
this nature, its creations, the vivid creatures
In the Silence of dark,
the time ticks, stops for no one
moving time, howling winds
creatures of comforts – always disruptive, always in illusions
In the Silence of dark
– MB 02012020

World Naked Bike Ride – #2013

“We are all born Naked, We all have the same skin and We are all same deep inside”

The main thought being nude is not a pervert thought that sparks and soars in everyone’s imagination. To be able to see beyond one’s wild thoughts there is a deeper meaning and a greater feeling in it. Now that all said, I have been part of something that not only makes me think, write and share what I feel but also see the world from the different side of it.
When you are spectator, you see things differently from the mainstream. You see what passes in front of you with either an awestruck wordless speech in your head or you simply rejoice in seeing what you have seen. Yes, that is true and exact explanation of what I noticed but not from being a fixed spectator but by being an active participant. It does not take time to get used to seeing the world from different eyes once you are part of it. To many of those this world has different perception when you are naked – most feel what the visual world of modern vision shows them – Not real – A fake – Distorted vision.

I was participating in the WNBR, LONDON 2013 – As it stands for “World Naked Bike Ride” – A ride that had a bigger meaning than just being naked – this is where the sensible meets the practical  – A protest of human that encourage the Protest against Oil dependency by celebrating the body freedom on the real leg power. Yes, it is true that cars don’t run on air but fuel that kills our natural resources. Now that said, I don’t have a car but I still have a motorcycle which does leave me with fuel users but if I have a reasonable choice – I am bicycle lover too. I do and have been a lover of nature since I have taken a control of my own senses. Everything apart from what we have known so far – the challenge lies in the beginning. Where does one go and gets started with it – It is no big deal but a deal within your own mind and soul. If you are ready for it – you know you are in it. It was not too hard for me to be ready rather I just felt the part of it – once you see people around you who are getting ready for it – it took me no time to join them.

We started this from the LONDON King’s Cross going through major tourist routes and finishing it at Wellington Arch in Hyde Park Corner. Not a huge challenge in this when the excitement starts to build up. Everything starts to go away from the thoughts once you start pedaling and become part of the group. For me, it was initial few minutes that I had to get adapted to being naked with nothing more than a camera hanging down on my neck and shoes to ride the bike. It is 19C, with still a little cool breeze but the excitement soon takes away all the other things that comes to one’s mind. Our organizers had it all planned so well that it was just a fun ride to be part of one. We had people in all age groups.

Being a participant, I was quite amazed by some of the people reaction from the spectators as if they have never seen naked human bodies or may be not so many at the same time. Hold on, you see yourself naked each time you take shower so don’t hold me to it – I love my body and it is something I am proud of. Clothes is just something a secondary which for me only serves two purposes – one, to cover up – second, to protect me with weather. Ha ha ha… Jokes apart – this world had logically such a shock and interestingly that some were just so shocked to see that they even went closing eyes of their partners. How interesting, the contrast – A guy closing the eyes of his female counterpart while he can look at other naked females. Now, this is something which was one that I came across but the most I noticed was that big wide open mouth with that expression of “AWWWWW!” Yes !!! I am sure you will find most of it on the full video coverage on my YouTube Channel.

But all in all, the facts stays that your body is something you cover up but the reality of it is true – it is just the same flesh, same meat but different structures. Being naked is not same as being in porn so to those who looked so shameful seeing naked bodies – I have one advice for you – Participate next time and see how you feel because this guilt feel is not what you want to live for. To all those who participated in this, thank you for making it such a relaxed, wonderful and amazing experience. The reason to “Celebrate the Body Freedom”.  So before you look at the pictures and think anything else – It should all be a mature content and no harm done to anyone who is anti-nudes protagonist.

World Naked Bike Ride #2013 #London

#WNBR #London #2013

#WNBR #London #2013

#WNBR #2013 #London

#WNBR #2013 #London

#WNBR #2013 #London

#WNBR #2013 #London #MB

#WNBR #London #2013 #MB

#WNBR #2013 #MB #London

#WNBR #2013 #Happiness #MB

#MB #WNBR #2013 #London

#WNBR #2013 #MB #London

& I am  your host, signing off !!

Your Host for #WNBR #2013 #London

& the full video coverage is HERE

The rebound

Of all the emotions, things between here and there – The life never stops. Another new year, time flies, birthdays comes and goes, world around us keeps changing, seasons come and go but what really never changes is who we are. This morning sitting at my window looking at the sunshine take over the darkness it just ignited this feeling of being myself. The way I am and who I have always been – the box of cheerful happiness that is over shrouded with unwanted shadows of needless stress.

With tears in the eyes this morning, the real happy tears because of this little scene in the movie where this guy goes travelling with happy soul reminded me of me, to see – that was just a movie but a reflection of me that actually exists. I don’t like it the way world works with money but I know happiness exists in this money minded world. I got challenged by these shacks of existence where a man is to work his life off like a donkey so he can pay his bills, mortgage and kids. Yeah, the challenge around us is to balance these lives but do I really wanna do this ?? A question to myself. Not that these blogs are for the world but just my own reflection of thoughts that I would want to read again. Even the thoughts of blogs across the world seem so shit that people have no essence of what they share these days. I am not your stats collector shameless blogger of the year awards thing. I blogged longer than your existence of being online. For few who feel like challenging, go dig it out.

Going back in time, I would be celebrating my 5yrs promise this feb to a very special person that came in my life and has been there all these years. Just to myself, I am still able to be crazy enough to live my promises which I make on human bonds. Many people came, they enjoyed, they left, some moved on, some are still there – my friendship is not conditional, it is free & comes in life size package. I do love genuine people with open heart, open mind and smiling faces. Smile – that barely exists in this country – except the fake ones like the fake personality. To the endless chaotic mess of those people who crib a lot, I advice you to go travel, see the happiness with open eyes not your closed cold hearts that inspire you to shout that you have been travelling, even seen those people. Essence of real travel is not in your holiday packages. Essence of travelling is in real adventure when you know that you will go find the unexpected, may be good, may be brilliant and may be even worst.

Take pictures, make memories, make good memories, share your stories and just do it for sake of re-living it when you will be old one day. Memory is a good thing but we humans tend to forget so preserve them before you lose them. Your camera does not matter – this is a true advice – I had a very cheap 2MP camera and those pictures had the best of stories. Remember, when you get expensive camera and big lenses you may not take it where you would have taken your handy pocket camera unless you are mental like me. Camera is your connection to your past so is your siblings – love them before they move away or your hard drive crashes. That said – I am not sold by my camera but by the worth of that picture. Even now once been arrested with this craziness that beware how wild you love what you love and where it can take you. I say it again – do what you love and do it like you won’t get a second chance. Life is unpredictable and we are all perishable entities of this world just that our date of expiry is unknown.

To put on hold these thoughts and emotions would be like killing myself right now, as I am equally annoyed with liars who in the face of being famous – lie to an extent with their happy faces. Fuck off to those people – I am not your another customer of providing you with LIKE on wherever. I know it helps you give more visibility but you would never bother understanding what it feels like walking over others happiness so again think when you tell the world that you xxxxxx LIKES – your fake presumption is as good as your selling skills. People have tendency to be sheep these days – the real seems fake – the fake seems real. All I am going to say is – Like it when you like not like because you were following your hidden headless herd of mates.

To wind it all up again, don’t be here if you can’t stand it, don’t be here you can’t be real, don’t be here if you thought you are collecting your numbers, don’t be here if you can’t be friends, don’t be here if you can’t share a real smile. These blogs are my words and my feelings that will either make u go away or come back again. If you come back again then just remember we live for once so make it memorable one with your footprints.

Will be heading to SE Asia soon – need a change away from modern expensive lifestyles.
02.02.13

Himalayan Classics

Travel in the heights of Himalayas brings that freshness what other places never could and never would. Being an Indian there was always an advantage to go places where others would preferably not be willing to go. Sometimes it all feels there was a meaning behind these places and journeys in life.

More so, life was not all about being worries or hassles of reaching success but just a simple moment to enjoy wherever and whenever.