Adventure Bike Rider Forum

I've ran a 675 race bike in the past with a full arrow system dyno tuned etc and worked on loading and unloading maps in the past so doesn't overly bother me changing the values is just like changing a jet.

The 1150 is a little older with the ECU though so from what I'm understanding alot were done by changing the chip. it's more a case of me being unfamiliar with the 1150 platform once I'm up to speed on it all should be good. There was a point where I couldn't rebuild a Norton engine now I have a great understanding after working on the Commando and rebuilding the engine in my bedroom.

Been interesting learning about the Motronic ECU, it's a shame there's not much more info on the whole hilltop process regarding what they did back then flash wise on the 1150 era mine was done in 2010. Been looking at the John Gemini chips as well.

Shall be interesting to see how it runs next week when I'm able to get out again, going to do it the old school way and look at the plugs an a few plug chops after the ECU has had a chance to re adapt (just trying to learn about the Motronics capability regarding that).

Actually been looking at a Dyno company out near Stoke on Trent ran by a couple of TT lads. To get some pulls done and check the AF etc is all ok.

The other option is to stick a stock ECU on job done but I enjoy this process.

Half the reason I went for an 1150 is because it allows you to work on it yourself.

This was hammered home yesterday when I wanted to buy a few service tools for the FD and they wouldn't sell them to a consumer which seemed daft. Buy the parts buy the manual but not the tools It's always interesting reading and learning I came across something last night where an independent FD Specialist said on the 1200/1250 that you can't buy the FD bearings only the FD unit at £1500 quid ouch!

That's the thing that bothered me with another watercooled more and more the tech on the bikes is getting more expensive and harder to work on.
Having had the Nortons you could always buy the service tools and manuals, even now an the owners handbook would tell you a hell of alot more than modern day ones even how to do the valves etc.



Good thing is there's a few methods for checking the preload on the FD Crown wheel and checking the taper to very much in research mode at the moment for the next few weeks as I get familiar with the platform.

I agree with Johnny though that's how I like my bikes, stock but with better suspension loving the GS Ohlins as I can get my feet down the big thing with this one was it being factory none abs everything else I can chip away at and deal with.

I was saying to dad I'm glad I've gone back to an older platform not tied into the dealers and more choice parts wise if and when the Gen stuff starts to become NLA.

Actually wouldn't say no to a R80G/S at a later day as well dependant on what space we have after the house move, more I'm reading up the more I like or an R100GS from 89'

Have you tried ringing Hilltop Motorcycles and speaking to Geff (if he's still there)? He was well into programming Rasberry Pi and all that ...... he always told me that he ran up each bike on the dyno and modified the map to suit each bike but .......

I did actually speak to him that was my first port off call, he said he couldn't go into the ins and outs of what was done to the individual bikes just that it was a very special program on the eprom, from what I've read up that's the Motronic's memory chip

I've popped him a message back with some of the print out's from the bikes to see if in his opinion the mapping would be ok with the change back to the standard system, with the pulls from when he did it, I'm not to familiar with reading dyno sheets, not heard anything back yet but understand as I'm sure he's busy with other customers.

which leaves me with a few options going forward, switch to another stock ecu, swap the Eprom chip out for a John Gemini or a stock one, or try as is with the Adaptions reset and read the plugs with a few plug chops.

All easily sortable but for now while I'm doing the painting in the house an waiting for a few bit's to show up from BMW, I'll wait an see what John says

I've had mixed results with modified bikes over the years...

Honda CBF1000 with Delkevic slip-on exhausts (that don't need any re-mapping)...ran like a dog...
Suzuki RMX250 with FMF pipe...ran like a dog, despite the carb being re-tuned...
Yamaha XT660Z Tenere with Leo Vince exhaust...ran a bit better but way too loud...
Yamaha Fazer 1000 with Micron slip-on exhaust...ran exactly the same with just a slightly better sound...
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 with Scorpion slip-on exhaust...ran better (and spitted out flames)...
Honda CBR900RR FireBlade with Micron slip-on exhaust and bigger carb jets...ran like an absolute dream...

...I am a fan of K&N filters, however, they seem to just work in any bike I've had

it's interesting isn't it the 675 race bike was done by John Trigger so ran like an absolute peach that's over in a private collection in Germany Now

Two off the best stock running bikes I've had was one of the rd250lc's that I rebuilt to standard, when I sold it the lad phoned me up convinced I'd converted it to a 350 lmao I did 2,000 miles in a week on that bike, it's mad I've had much better / rarer specc'd nos part elsies but that's the one I miss had a cool reg as well. I had spent a month setting it up n fettling it though.

The other is the Norton 650SS tried it with a brand new set of concentric's totally changed the power delivery, bought a brand new set of monobloc's which were originally specc'd on her, wow the power delivery is utterly beautiful an has been for a few years, 2nd kick starter (interesting fact Paul Dunstall actually preferred the Monobloc over the Concentric design which was a cheaper carb to produce) crazy to think you can get every part for the Norton's next day, can's say that for the Modern bikes. Still waiting on a few bits that I ordered 3 weeks ago.

Just ordered a spark plug spanner for the 1150 plan is tomorrow to get her out do some short miles an see how she behaves then I'll do a full plug chops an get a bit of an idea if all is well. If so at some point I'll get her on a Dyno just for a check over.

I was thinking about it take the electronics aside an it's still a rather old school engine really so bit of seat of the pant's riding and a few indicative plug chops an we can see if she's over fuelling.

Currently reading about the o2 sensors an everything I can find on the ECU's interesting to learn about n get up to speed on with the modern stuff.

I'm hoping it'l chase itself in but I guess it depends if anything was done to the ecu in the first place or what was done to the Mapping that's the only thing I prefer with the carb bikes jet numbers and plug chops least there was no way to not know what had been altered.

Today I got absolutely drenched! Had a brilliant adventure ride today on the BMW 1150GSA through some thunder ⛈ storms which included me getting utterly soaked!!


It's gotta be said bmw motorrad styled these bikes absolutely perfect if they brought a new back to basics 1150GSA out again I'd totally buy one there's alot to be said about the simplicity of no gizmos.

Got a few piccies from today in-between getting soaked lol.

Few more updates

Video riding and talking about the stock exhaust

Got absolutely drenched it was sunny took my jacket off crossed over the road to take some pics then instant thunderstorm lmao soaked to the skin all good fun though



Look at the plugs on the exhaust that was fitted (straight through n k&n that had been fitted)

An after 40 mins of riding on the stock exhaust, Cat and a new original exhaust.

I'll be doing a propper plug chop when I've got some new plugs.

Had a really good one today took a propper camera out with me for the first time in a long while.

Just rode around the Peak District up n down Winnatts onto the Cat and Fiddle and some favourite back roads off mine around the Peaks.

Also hi to the water cooled rider who beeped an let on up the Cat if you are on here.

Was a good day all round really.

Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy doing a bit of Photography again it was fun though that's for sure!

Great fun.

I took mine for a service yesterday

Last one was in summer 2021 and I have only covered a measly 790 miles in the last 2 years, on it

Awesome mate she's looking good

I'm currently trying to put a few jobs into an order, unfortunately the parts didn't show up at BMW yet which I'd ordered hopefully next week.

Starting to prep her for some bigger trips so dealing with all the usual points that can cause trouble on the 1150 platform after a bit of advice im still learning alot from others all about the team work.

When the parts that I've ordered arrive that will cover the oil changes and clutch and brake fluid.

I'm thinking next, new plugs and a set of stick coils just trying to decide where to get those from I've had a look and the ones in are the 2009 dated pulse made Coils at the mo an they have some Corrosion on them so I don't wanna take the chance on leaving them. + occasionally it's sounded like she's missed / stumbled at idle so thinking that's the logical place to start. Plus I'd read a few people saying they can really smooth the bike out as well which has me curious.

I think its always interesting how things can creep up on a bike so fitting new will give me a feeling off how they should be.

I also think she liked it when she was running richer when I refitted the stock exhaust 2nd ride out she's back to the fueling she had when the other system was on plug colour is good though, an the vibes feel about the same. It'll be interesting to see if I can make any improvements to that as I work through the service stuff, can feel it about 4.5k an slightly through the grips an footrests above 4k, 2-2500 she has a slight shudder when going through that rev range. Sometimes when rolling off I can feel the vibes creep in. More noticable if you rest your fingers on top off the brake lever.

Having said that it's impressive how smooth it actually is for a none counter balanced big boxer. My voice doesn't shake at all when I'm riding n talking so probably me just being very critical.

(Bearing in mind this is me being hyper critical) when she's had a bit of a whap it goes smoother. So gonna work through all the usual stuff balance with my balancer etc. I think I've probably just got the over rich feeling jammed in my head lol.

Looking at the stick coils though the visually look like they have seen better days, so thinking it makes sense to change those.

I'm looking forward to getting all the service stuff done then I'll have a starting point off exactly how she should ne.

I've got back used to riding a gsa gearbox again though nice an smooth shifts suprisingly so. Clunky as they usually are in sound 1st to 2nd but much better shifting.

Fuel filter and u hose in the tank as the job after that which will let me fit the Sat Nav at the same time. Currently got a full tank so need to run that down a bit haha before I lift the tank off it's gone surprisingly more fuel efficient with the stock exhaust.

Final Drive bearings are on the list after that I wanna do the pivot bearings and Crown Wheel Bearing and requisite seals.

The last one on the list after that is a set of new front discs an naturally some tyres of my choice from an age point off view.

After that she should be all done bar getting the Ohlins shocks rebuilt in winter as a matter of course before the big trip next year. I'm so so excited dads pretty close to deciding on what he's getting as well.

Wouldn't mind buying a GS911 when funds allow as well.

They were last replaced at 25k by bmw under warranty so 27k and 14 years off use.

Just gotta do the jobs one by one with the funds being tight on the house move.