Member etiquette and piston cleaning

[MEM0317]

I just posted my first thread yesterday and got "for me" an overwhelming response of good ideas and backup suggestions. Much appreciated, at the same time I see how easy it is to possibly over-use the forum. So....are users frowned upon for posting lots of threads or not. I don't generally ask for help unless I think I really need it. Flip-side of the coin...it's really easy and convenient..hence the usage.
Second question, since I replaced one original leaky head gasket and cleaned everything thoroughly, does it make sense to go ahead and clean the left side and replace gasket to be consistent. One clean side and one dirty side sound like it makes for bad TB synching. Anyone's thoughts welcome. Thanks again Matthew '96 R11GS

[bikerfish1100]

I can't speak for others, but i can/will share my feelings on this.
I'm a big believer in DIY; Do It Yourself. this means doing your own bike work- intelligently, and that may mean asking questions. But before i ask a question, i've learned to use the search function. Thinking being: if i'm having an issue with my bike, someone else has possibly/probably had the same issue- why reinvent the wheel? This becomes especially true for those issues that are most frequently repeated; what's the best tire for my bike?, how often should i change oil?, what type/brand of oil should i use?, who makes the best aftermarket seat for my bike?, etc. These are THE most repeated threads on any motorcycle forum (along with the ubiquitous "why do Harleys suck? and "why are BMWs so expensive?"). Don't ask again, without at least checking the last few that rattled around. An no, i don';t think that posters get discounted for lots of questions, but it can get annoying to see those same oft-repeated threads resurface, sometimes only a day or so later. You should become very familiar with the "Search" function on any m/c forum.

As to your head gasket- If all you did on the right side was replace a leaky gasket (no rebore of cylinder or anything else along those lines), then there's no need to do do the left side if it is not leaking. Extra expense, extra labor, no real benefit. Wait for symptoms, then do it.

welcome aboard!:thumb

[Motor31]

If you got questions, ask them. Spreading info to the members is what this forum is for. Don't be obsessive about the search function. Yes there are subjects that come up but frankly if you have a question, chances are someone else could use the answer as well. Believe it or not, sometimes the old answers to the question aren't correct anymore either.

Don't be discouraged by the old fuddy duddies that delight in criticising others for asking a question. They don't own the place and there is already more than enough "moderation" on the board without the amateurs complaining because a subject came up again. They forget that part of the goal of the club is to gain new members and new members haven't been reading the forum for the last 5 years to know something has already been asked.

Welcome and post away.

[BubbaZanetti]

i can't imagine any reasonable person being "annoyed" with too many tech questions. it's the meat an potatoes of these tech forums and produces a good "archive" of problems. like bikerfish said, the SEARCH function is your friend. whenever i get myself into a big project on my bike i try spreading out the tech questions a bit over different sources, so that i get as many good answers as possible. the ibmwr tech mailing lists, imo, have some of the most knowledgeable bmw "gurus" in the country as regular contributors. some of those people post here as well!

[PAULBACH]

About the only thing you might get a sigh for is asking ...

Which is better synthetic or dino?

But no matter lots of folks will offer the absolute truth to answer that question.

Glad to have questions.

The forum has just about beat SIG lines and life memberships to death.

[GSfornow]

I try to use the search function on all the forums I frequent and often that does provide a answer. BUT on some topics the old threads can be a little dated - things change. So ask away.

[Belquar]

Post away. Ask away.

When I tell people about this place, my first comment is that it is so helpful. From a motorcycling standpoint as well as non-motorcycling info as well.

It is like live Wikipedia here.

No matter what the question, you can probably get an answer here and numerous ones at that.

[AntonLargiader]

Absolutely change the head gasket and clean the other cylinder. You noticed the new gasket is different, right?

[bikerfish1100]

Absolutely change the head gasket and clean the other cylinder. You noticed the new gasket is different, right?

care to elaborate and enlighten, Anton?

[AntonLargiader]

The gasket he took off is most likely fibrous, whereas the replacement is multi-layer steel. Makes no sense to have different gaskets on each side (especially when one is prone to leaking) and also makes no sense to have only one side decarboned.

The motor has two cylinders. Make them the same.

[MEM0317]

In reply to every response again..thanks for the input. In reply to Anton...I agree...consistency just makes sense to me. Most likely the left bank will start a leak and it's another tear-down again. I've already got the TBs off and apart, the big Hepco engine guard off, tank off, flywheel locked and so on. It's another 45 bucks out of pocket but that feeling of a "balanced machine" just makes sense. Sure there is a risk of making a mistake when you don't have to tear-down, sure it's more down down, but I think the upside speaks for itself. Thanks again for everyone's input. :)

[j-budimlya]

I also chose to replace the non-leaking side when I had to replace one side on my wife's '95 R1100R....just seemed to be the prudent thing to do....