Ethel self serviced at last

Having decided to carry out the 60k miles service work myself I invested in a torque wrench, hex and socket set with extension and wobble bar and Haynes manual to complement the original BMW handbook. I was astonished by just how simple it was to replace bevel box,gearbox and engine oil with filter. The air filter was also easy once it dawned on me that the whole filter pulls clean out, I thought it must be fixed but it simply is held in place by a shallow perimeter gully and then the cover snaps back on. Treated Ethel to stainless filler and drain plugs, brake caliper bolts too. Next up will be footrest hanger bolts and disc rotor bolts. Put in a xenon filled headlamp bulb too. Put on a set of Conti tyres, the Dunlop rear squared off at 11k miles, and chunks of the front centre tread had gone awol. This has transformed the handling. No more top heavy feel at low speed, the handling now feels planted and the orrible understeering is gone. Now Ethel goes where you look and the ride is so much more relaxed. Next jobs are to replace the in tank fuel filter and fork oil and to fit LED running lights.
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Self service

Having accumulated the parts and tools in time to have a go at servicing Ethel as the miles to 60k built up today turned out to be the day. With Haynes and the owners manual laid out there was no turning back. I had replaced the spark plugs the other day so today the engine oil and filter, gearbox and final drive fluids were replaced and all the relevant drain and filler plugs replaced with stainless items - did the front brake caliper bolts too whilst I was at it. Armed with all the data + torque wrench, sockets for both Allen keys and bolts it was ridiculousy easy to do. Great ! Next jobs will be the fork oil, LED running lights and headlight xenon bulb + plastic headlight lens cover - Bank Holiday looks good !
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New boots

Having ridden to Birmingham in pouring rain for a meeting the other day I was surprised to find I had got wet feet. The soles on both boots were coming away from the uppers on my el cheapo e bay Axo boots after 16k miles. Nothing for it then but new boots. Having read all the glowing reports I splashed out £249.99 less HOC 5% discount - thanks Honda !- on a pair of Daytona GTX leather and Goretex uberboots handmade in Germany. What with Schuberth C3 helmet and now German boots all that is left now is the riding suit and that will probably be upgraded to a BMW Coverall one piece. Anyway I was initially disapointed with the Daytonas. The tops seem made for people with big fat calves and wellied about, the heel rubbed and the thick instep made gearchanges clumsy. It also transmits hitherto unknown vibration through the footrests. Buyers remorse set in until I adjusted the rear velcro fitting straps, inserted insoles and put on white sports socks. Aha ! Great fit and super comfy. Also repositioned the gear lever and away we went. So far so good.
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