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View Full Version : To Torque or Not To Torque (heads on '05 RT)


gulfcoastbeemer
10-31-2006, 10:11 AM
I recently purchased a used (3rd owner) R1200RT with 4,300 miles. I cannot locate the owner who had the bike when it was due for the 600 mile run-in service, there is no stamp in the owner's book, and the dealer who serviced the bike evaporated (BMW of St. Louis) -- although BMW of North America has a record of a recall service being performed there, so there is a probability the 600 mile run-in service was performed there. BMW of North America doesn't keep regular maintenance information in a central database -- it's up to each dealer to keep these records. Ugh.

So the question is: Is there any way to know if an R1200RT had the 600 mile run-in service performed on it (including re-torquing the heads) by just looking at the bike itself. And, without knowing this, what should I do -- torque the heads or not?

I've been told it's a no-no to simply re-torque the heads now, if in fact they were re-torqued during the 600 run-in service. But, without the ability to talk to the original owner (not possible), or the servicing dealer (went out of business) it's anybody's guess if the 600-mile service was performed.

Any thoughts?

PMonk
10-31-2006, 12:26 PM
I am going to make a wild guess that you may be from the Houston Area?
If so I would call Dan Drom at Wild West Honda BMW.
I have done business with all three dealers in that area and will be going there
from Now on.

riderR1150GSAdv
10-31-2006, 02:05 PM
You could follow the BMW procedure of re torquing the head bolts and you should be fine. There is a procedure to readjust the rocker arms on the 1150 motors and one of the head bolts needs to be loosened for that. I did that procedure and re torqued the head bolt without any problems. If OTOH there are no leaks and your bike is running fine than don't fix what ain't broke. Just my 0.02 cts

gulfcoastbeemer
10-31-2006, 02:22 PM
I am going to make a wild guess that you may be from the Houston Area?
No. The other side of the Gulf -- Sarasota, Florida area.

TomBarnhart
10-31-2006, 03:06 PM
The 1150 engines got an initial torque at 600 miles, then BMW recommended not to do it ever again unless the heads were to be removed.

Check this out with the good folks at Haps in Sarasota. They are good honest folks with a great shop. Just my opinion

PMonk
11-01-2006, 12:40 PM
Close but not quite.
about 100 miles east. But I bought my R1150RT in Ft. Meyers on an Ebay auction. You have water you can see through in Florida. Here it is about the color of mud.

marcopolo
11-02-2006, 04:41 PM
Dare I ask, why wouldn't the person you bougt it from have all the work orders for any service performed?

Sully
11-03-2006, 10:17 PM
Mark,
I know what you mean; I've got every receipt for work/parts (and mileage performed) on my bike. Same for my cars, etc. I can't imagine NOT keeping hard records....