Blog Post

Speedometer cable boots

  • By Paul Ford, beemerwerx@gmail.com
  • •
  • 23 Jun, 2018
  • •

Keeping an eye on this $5 part can save you from a big repair bill

Airhead BMWs drive their speedometers with a cable from the transmission. This rubber boot seals the transmission housing and the speedometer cable. In time, this five dollar rubber boot will deteriorate and crack, allowing water to run down the speedometer cable right into the transmission. Water will cause the bare steel surfaces of the transmission gears to rust, eventually weakening the gear teeth. When gear teeth break off, they can lock up the transmission, causing a crash, or major damage to the rest of the transmission parts. Make sure this boot is in good shape, or have it replaced immediately.

Covid 19

By 7044469143 • April 7, 2020

  In the interest of the health and safety of my family and myself, customer access to BeeMerWerx will no longer be permitted. This is effective immediately, until further notice. This policy will be in effect until a Covid 19 vaccine has been developed and distributed to everyone.

  My business is considered by the State to be essential, and as such can remain open. And that is my intention. The risk of any physical contact with others however, can not be justified. Everyone should be considered to be infected and contagious, symptomatic or not. This includes myself of course. I do not want to be the one to infect you, any more than I want to get sick myself.

  That being said, I still plan to continue to repair bikes, as long as the parts supply continues. There just will not be any direct customer contact. Because we all may find it hard to break old social habits, business will be conducted under the following guidelines:

 

  1. No one is allowed in the building, under any circumstances. Please don’t come by to talk, or ask questions. I am available by phone exclusively. I will return my phone calls as soon as possible. If you need to drop off or pick up a bike for service or storage, be sure to use the restroom before you show up. I will not be able to let you in.

 

  1. Pick ups and drop offs will be made outside on the concrete pad, outside of the gate, which is being kept locked. Your bike will be sanitized when you drop it off, and before you pick it up. Payment will be made using credit or debit cards only, with the necessary information given by phone, email or text. This information will be promptly deleted or destroyed. A reduced card fee of 1.5% will be charged while this policy is in effect. Invoices will be placed under your seat, or in some other agreed upon location.

 

  1. I may elect to do some service work at a different location, to insure that I can continue to isolate myself.

 

  We all need to take this situation very seriously. While I feel that most folks are, it’s just too easy to make a mistake, or have a lapse in judgement. I know that I have. Since we can’t be sure of anyone’s health these days, prudence is the only option.

 

Paul Ford

BeeMerWerx

 

Pack rats

By 7044469143 • November 3, 2019
In the desert southwest, living with pack rats (or trying to live without them) is a way of life. If you are not riding your bike regularly, it is in your best interest to check on it periodically, to avoid a surprise like this. In addition to the mess, rats can cause significant damage to your wiring harness, and they will chew on the rubber and plastic parts as well. The best defense against pack rats is a secure indoor storage area.

Airhead center stands

By Paul Ford, beemerwerx@gmail.com • May 16, 2017
BMW airheads are known for having problems with their side and center stands. 1970 to 1981 models in particular are prone to having the center stand bolts loosen in the frame. This can cause the threads in the frame to strip, the frame tabs to be bent, or in extreme cases, the tabs can break. All of these problems can be fixed, but the simplest solution is to make sure the bolts stay tight.

Pre-purchase Inspections

By Paul Ford, beemerwerx@gmail.com • February 15, 2017
Not every potential problem is easy to spot. It's a good idea to have a trained eye look over your potential purchase. This lag bolt was being used to secure the oil filter cover of this bike. Items like this can be a good indicator of the quality of care that this motorcycle has seen in its past. 
Show More
Share by: