Tried a Techlusion and Tried an FRK - report please

[chewie]

I see cageyar has sold his Techlusion... and shreddr has gone from Techlusion to FRK. I think posha had Techlusion and then went FRK too? I'm sure there must be others...

Peoples, what have you found? I have some Catless HPE headers (just bought them) coming back from the Jet Hot ceramic coating place and I know I better get something for the leanness. My valves and O2 sensors are white - and that's just from a free flowing rear pipe (is that why they're white??)

I'd like to know why you went away from the Techlusion and went with the FRK and what diff you have found, please. Before I hit the GO button.

TIA

[Rick Lee]

I'm liking my FRK more and more. Though my Remus muffler is really getting filthy brown. Today I ever noticed a brown dusty film on my clear rear turn signal lenses. I think it really richens things up.

[chewie]

Thanks Rick, that's interesting about the Richness thing!

Is it better to run a bit lean than a bit rich or the other way 'round?

oh - do you have a CAT still?

[cageyar]

I had the same brown, dusty film on the tailight lense and on the points of the tail sections with the Techlusion.
After all the discussion regarding the FRK, I decided to give it a whirl. Shreddr's comments regarding the ignition advance also interested me.
The one thing about the Techlusion is the fair amount of cabling-I documented how I routed everything to look clean but the FRK is a far cleaner install.
Problem is, my bike is down right now for the A-arm swap and shock mods so even though the FRK is installled, I won't be riding for a while. I've got to get a couple of paychecks from Mitsubishi before I have the money for the shock updates.
When I'm done, I'll report the differences.

[roger albert]

Better a bit rich than lean, hands down (except for mileage, of course)

What shock mods you doing Ken?

[cageyar]

Originally Posted by roger albert

What shock mods you doing Ken?

Well, I'm finally going to use the springs I bought from you, that's the first thing.
I'm going to do the modification a local authorized Ohlins dealer does on the R12S front and rear shocks-change the front from emulsion to comp/rebound adjustable with remote resevoir. Also going to get the hydraulic adjuster installed. On the rear, just the adjuster. I'm also getting the fluid changed at the same time. Before I had my sag adjusted correctly, I was really working the front shock hard and on a few hot days, it noticeably faded so I figure fluid is due and I'll just get the rear done at the same time:

[Bob Hancock]

Originally Posted by cageyar

I had the same brown, dusty film on the tailight lense and on the points of the tail sections with the Techlusion.

I get this with the FRK, Remus headers, stock cans and Aussie air filter. Bike runs great and gets about 42mpg. No complaints.

[cageyar]

I don't get anywhere near 42 MPG. I'll get 125-130 miles per tank running into the reserve for a while. I've never measured the MPG but that doesn't sound like 40+. I am likely riding the bike in a non-traditional BMW manner-probably a gear lower just about everywhere-I spend most of my time 5500-6000 and up-I like the top end. Plus, it increases my "carbon footprint" which is always nice.
Right now, the machine isn't going anywhere:

[roger albert]

You'll like it Ken. The front emulsions work pretty well up to a point, but with heavier riders or very warm weather, or track use, the can definitely begin to fade. You'll like the freshen up, completely apart from the extra adjustments. Have fun!

[roger albert]

And hey, while you have it apart, can you tell me the diameter and pitch on the front shock stud?
I need to get a fixture machined up and want to do it w/o pulling the bike apart.
Thanks
Roger

[shreddr]

for me its all about the ignition advance, and the cleaner idle on startup. RBIII is probably the best setup, but certainly more costly and time intensive ($1000). if you are racing then the full Motec electronics are the way to go, but that option is even more costly and time intensive ($10K)

[Bob Hancock]

I just got a BT-016 190/55-17 for my boxer S. Will see how that changes turn-in (it's noticeably taller) but am really interested to hear how you like the new A-arm, Ken. I'd have bought one but the deals vanished pretty quick. If anyone knows where we can get the RT arm for less please speak up.

Now back to chewie's original discussion. I like my FRK just fine although I must say the most perfectly "carburetted" bike I've ever ridden was my Paul Smart with a Power Commander III dyno tuned by Mark Sutton himself. Everything was instantaneous and clean. Good fuel mileage too.

[roger albert]

What's the going rate for that arm now? What's the part number?

You should definitely notice the handling change on the 190/55. A darn tall tire.
If you really like that, an even taller option is the equiv from Dunlop. I'm not a big fan, but they are crazy tall, and some folks find that good.

[phoenixtexoma]

I sold my Techlusion after installing a FRK, have had a very light exhaust dusting as mentioned above with both units. The (Denso iridium) plugs, however, are textbook in appearance. Instantaneous starting, beautiful and healthy, no-hesitation 1,100 rpm idle when warm. So, no concerns over the tiny bit of soot.

P.S. Musings. Just installed my foot peg lowering kit. In addition to RD's Barbacks, a very comfortable riding position for long distances. Wish I'd done it sooner. Get a 1/4" drive torque wrench, (most are a 25-foot-pound maximum), great for aluminum threads and insurance against accidental over-tightening. You'll find yourself using it all the time, one example, I welded a 1/4" socket to the top of a stock BMW spark plug tool. No more guesswork.

[Bob Hancock]

[QUOTE=roger albert;5033345]What's the going rate for that arm now? What's the part number?
QUOTE]

Max BMW says they are $494 (part number 31427680717), but mostly I've heard they are over $700. Would be nice to get something for under $400. All it needs is the tapped hole for the steering damper.

The 190/55. The only one I could find is the BT-016 which is actually a Supersport tire. I'd like to find a sport touring 190/55. Anyone know who makes one? I've got to put the BT016 on and try it first but if I like that I'll be looking for a longer wearing tire in that size.

[Rick Lee]

I should clarify, however, that I did a lot of riding in high altitudes last week, several hundred miles above 7k ft. So I'm kind of curious as to whether the FRK still had an effect when the air was so thin.

[PFFOG]

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

I just got a BT-016 190/55-17 for my boxer S. Will see how that changes turn-in ..............

The BT-016 on the 11s (180/55) felt different than any tire i have run on it, very quick and crisp turn in. I ran it at Mid-Ohio and I always had a hard time going from full right to full left lean coming onto the front straight, but seemed much quicker than the M-3's Corsa 3's, and Dunlop Sportmax, that i had on this year.

Only problem was your roads on the way to the GMR cleaned all the rubber off in 1300 miles.

[Droptarotter]

[/QUOTE]

Hey Cage;

Did you modify your air intake tube? I don't think mine will support the bike?
Cheers

[Droptarotter]

[QUOTE=Bob Hancock;5033375][QUOTE=roger albert;5033345]What's the going rate for that arm now? What's the part number?
QUOTE]

Max BMW says they are $494 (part number 31427680717), but mostly I've heard they are over $700. Would be nice to get something for under $400. All it needs is the tapped hole for the steering damper.

Good luck finding one..........when I purchased mine from SJ BMW they told me I got the last one.........none available even in Germany.
I would check with stock on hand with whoever you order from.
Cheers

[NakedRider]

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

I'd like to find a sport touring 190/55. Anyone know who makes one? I've got to put the BT016 on and try it first but if I like that I'll be looking for a longer wearing tire in that size.

Bob, that 016 may work out OK for you. I tried the 016's on my HP2 Sport and my Megamoto at the same time. While the rear held up fairly well the front seemed to shave off the sides in less than 2,000 miles on both bikes leaving me with a triangle shaped front. Not good. The rear, however, seemed to keep it's shape. I pulled everything off and replaced them with the 003's so I don't know the absolute mileage I could have obtained from the rear but, for sure, it was better than the front.

I'll be interested in what you think once yours ages.