A Challenge to all Non-K75 Owners

[98lee]

First let me apologize for not knowing how to put multiple photos in one post. This will be a four post challenge.


I have always heard this was possible on a K75, but never took the time to try it.

But I don't believe it is possible on any other bike. Prove me wrong! But it will be a VERY short list.


The Challenge:

Put bike on center stand.
Put bike in neutral.
Turn your key and kill switch on.

Take a nickel and balance it somewhere on the bike. (There will be no perfectly level spot on the bike, so resting it against a vertical surface to keep it from rolling is permitted).

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[98lee]

NEXT

Push the starter button and start the bike. (Is your nickel still there? I doubt it.)

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[98lee]

NEXT

Slowly run the RPM up to 2000RPM. (Is your nickel on the ground? Probably!)

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[98lee]

How high can you go before vibration causes the nickel to fall?

This is not a trick and it was the first time that I tried it. If you don't believe me, see me at the 49er Rally on Memorial Day weekend for a demo.
12738
The blurriness was from my camera hand trying to catch the moment of the nickel falling, not bike vibration.

Let's get some feedback from models other than K75s.

This demonstrates the reputation of the smoothness of the K75 motor.

Try this with a Harley!! (Except to make it fair use a 12"x12" cardboard box). (I'll bet it would still fall off!)


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[SheRidesABeemer]

Fun stuff!

2003 K12GT no problem. Although the picture does not show the tac, it did get over 2K before going down! :dance

I'll try it again on the K75 when I get a new battery! :dunno

And I'll work on a better picture outdoors.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/2348701666_b9e9da76be_o.jpg

[98lee]

AWESOME!:thumb :thumb :thumb


So far you have both bikes on this short list.:german :german


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[rlswim]

But, you are preaching to the choir! I do enjoy my K75S. From time-to-time, I'm out on the highway and notice a bit of buzz at 75 mph, and then after a while I finally notice I am in 4th gear. 5th takes care of that. It is smooooth...

[kbasa]

I'll try it with my VFR, then. :evil

[schuldt]

98,

Figured I'd give it a try on my airhead ('88 R100RS).

I started the bike and laid the nickel flat on the seat while I went to get my camera. The shaking at idle knocked the dang nickel off the seat and it musta rolled under something in the garage. Somehow I've gotta feeling that it wouldn'ta passed your test anyhow.

Yeah, she runs as smooth as butter. (peanut butter, chunk style)

Guess I'm gonna have to balance the carbs pretty soon.

Les

[98lee]

I'll try it with my VFR, then. :evil

Pictures (preferably with tach), no photo shop. But your word is good.(Unless you're a politician)

Swider? Swider??? President Swider????? NO WAY!!! I want NOTARIZED PHOTOS!!! IN TRIPLICATE!!!!

Really, try it. Inquiring minds want to know.:lurk

Let's see who's on the list and who's not. All brands eligible. It would be enlightening.



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[GregFeeler]

The K75 is smoother at idle than the K1200RS, although the K1200 is smoother at high RPM's. This seems like an excellent video project. :evil

[osbornk]

I had my K75 for 7 or 8 years and I have no doubt that it is possible. Mine was appliance smooth but I still sold it and kept my airhead.

[James.A]

My regards to whoever referenced this on airheads. Personally, I wouldn't give you a nickel for a K bike. There, now go and boil your bottoms, you weenies.

[GregFeeler]

My regards to whoever referenced this on airheads. Personally, I wouldn't give you a nickel for a K bike. There, now go and boil your bottoms, you weenies.

"boil your bottoms" ??? :rofl

[SheRidesABeemer]

My regards to whoever referenced this on airheads. Personally, I wouldn't give you a nickel for a K bike. There, now go and boil your bottoms, you weenies.
Shooo now, get out of this thread, unless of course you are shopping for a better bike. :whistle

[sumran]

98,

Figured I'd give it a try on my airhead ('88 R100RS).

I started the bike and laid the nickel flat on the seat while I went to get my camera. The shaking at idle knocked the dang nickel off the seat and it musta rolled under something in the garage. Somehow I've gotta feeling that it wouldn'ta passed your test anyhow.

Yeah, she runs as smooth as butter. (peanut butter, chunk style)

Guess I'm gonna have to balance the carbs pretty soon.

Les

Once your friends on the airheads forum help you with your carbs you will pass the test with flying colors. Don't tell the K-bike riders about the super glue on the the nickle.:whistle

[kbasa]

VFR - Nickel stands at idle, but by 2000rpm it starts to turn and then falls over. It's wierd. It rotates around the vertical axis. :huh

V4s.

I also noted that as I rotated the throttle, the hair on my neck stood on end. A phenomenon also un-noted on the K75. :ha

[ultracyclist]

I think the unusually long and hard winter has taken a toll on the minds of some MOA members.

Woodnsteel may be on to something.

[kreinke]

My Honda CB550k could easily balance a nickel on her gas cap. Smooth not buzzy

[chfite]

Well, it won't stay up forever. But there it is at idle. It was hard to find a place that was flat and level on the center stand.

[98lee]

My Honda CB550k could easily balance a nickel on her gas cap. Smooth not buzzy

Pictures? Show the tach? What RPM did it fall over on?


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[rlswim]

I knew it was smooth, but did not think this smooth (and no super glue).

[98lee]

VFR - Nickel stands at idle, but by 2000rpm it starts to turn and then falls over. It's wierd. It rotates around the vertical axis. :huh

Same on K75, but at 2400-2600 RPM.



About the hair on the back of your neck standing up when you twist the throttle:

That bad? Maybe a heat shield is loose or something. I've heard of that happening on "HIGH MILAGE" (over 30,000 mile) Japanese bikes.:german I'd get that checked out. :stick

Send more results on the rest of your fleet.


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[98lee]

I knew it was smooth, but did not think this smooth (and no super glue).

:thumb Look someone actually put the tach in the picture!


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[98lee]

Well, it won't stay up forever. But there it is at idle. .

Why not? Won't the bike keep idling?

Or are you saying that there IS enough vibration at idle to cause the nickel to fall?

I'm not saying that smoothness is necessarily high on everyones priority list. And its not even on some peoples list.

But so far we have only one other bike (the K1200) that challenges the smoothness. But if I am not mistaken, they do that with engine isolation and mounting rather than pure engine smoothness.

Is that correct? Or are K1200 motors solid bolted to the frame?

Also bar end weights are an indication of trying to control engine vibration.



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[98lee]

My regards to whoever referenced this on airheads. Personally, I wouldn't give you a nickel for a K bike. There, now go and boil your bottoms, you weenies.

That's what makes the world interesting, "different strokes for different folks".
Some people prefer Brass era cars, some deuce coupes, others 57 Chevys, others single door Isettas, others twin turbo NOS boosted AWD rice burners. Personally late 60s american muscle floats my boat.

If I had a plane for fun, it wouldn't be a learjet or a Curtis Jenny, it would be a PBY.

Why?
No logical reason. Just think they're cool.

I've flown in Christian Eagle aerobatic planes, De Haviland float planes, I've been sixty feet away from an F-14 Tomcat being catapulted off the Carl Vinson.

But my most indelible aircraft experience was the 15 minutes that I spent in the left seat of a B-17G over central California about six years ago. The smile still hasn't left me.

Logic? No. :dunno Passion ? You Bet!!:thumb

Whose right? Everyone! Whose wrong? No one! It's being enthused that makes it right! (for you and everyone).

Love you're Airhead!:german I'll love my K. :german

Love your wife. (I'll love mine, thank you very much!)

[mrich12000]

That's what makes the world interesting, "different strokes for different folks".
Some people prefer Brass era cars, some deuce coupes, others 57 Chevys, others single door Isettas, others twin turbo NOS boosted AWD rice burners. Personally late 60s american muscle floats my boat.

If I had a plane for fun, it wouldn't be a learjet or a Curtis Jenny, it would be a PBY.

Why?
No logical reason. Just think they're cool.

I've flown in Christian Eagle aerobatic planes, De Haviland float planes, I've been sixty feet away from an F-14 Tomcat being catapulted off the Carl Vinson.

But my most indelible aircraft experience was the 15 minutes that I spent in the left seat of a B-17G over central California about six years ago. The smile still hasn't left me.

Logic? No. :dunno Passion ? You Bet!!:thumb

Whose right? Everyone! Whose wrong? No one! It's being enthused that makes it right! (for you and everyone).

Love you're Airhead!:german I'll love my K. :german

Love your wife. (I'll love mine, thank you very much!)

Cessna 185 on floats get me:thumb Bell JR 3:thumb
I'll try this nickel thing when I wake her up.
K75Rt 1990, looks like fun. I will introduce it :ca at the August Trenton Rally to try for an award.
And Those mouth watering steaks, Can't wait...:ca Bring your wife:thumb

[nytrashman]

i'll crazy glue a nickel to my F650 and show you just how high i can rev it without it falling off..............

[mikeb921]

My 1973 Ducati 750 GT could do that. I can't prove it, I no longer have the bike (wish I did). That used to be a selling ploy used by the Ducati dealers back in those days. I'm glad to see the K75 can match early 70's Ducati smoothness.

Ride Safe
Rideoften

[roy]

Why not? Won't the bike keep idling?

Or are you saying that there IS enough vibration at idle to cause the nickel to fall?

I'm not saying that smoothness is necessarily high on everyones priority list. And its not even on some peoples list.

But so far we have only one other bike (the K1200) that challenges the smoothness. But if I am not mistaken, they do that with engine isolation and mounting rather than pure engine smoothness.

Is that correct? Or are K1200 motors solid bolted to the frame?

Also bar end weights are an indication of trying to control engine vibration.



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Last time I checked my 1200LT had the engine bolted to the frame. I do not believe there was any rubber dampening built in. Since my K100 is in pieces (rear main leak) and the LT is still in storage can't try this on either one.

[98lee]

Depending on where you check, some sites, this one (from the U.K.) say "bearings" "de-coupled from vibrations".



BMW K1200GT Specifications

Start of Production
2002


Type of Frame:

Bridging frame consisting of die cast aluminium, engine de-coupled from vibration through bearings





This one from IBMWR, says "rubber" to isolate vibrations



Engine Mounts
Rubber

Frame
Chill-cast aluminum load bearing welded aluminum/with honeycomb-cell-structure for greater strength, vibration quenching

Front Suspension
Telelever with leading link pivoted centrally on main frame; with gas-filled spring damper strut / Telelever factory adjusted for 90% removal of front-end-dive




From BMW Parts Fische:

Model: K1200GT Diagram #46_0003

No Part Number Description QtyThis is the recomended quantity. Price is for each one. Once you click on BUY, you will be able to specify how many items you want to add to your cart. Each
01 46512332713 frame BUY 1 $3,208.00
02 46512332260 crossover BUY 1 $337.00
03 33172312249 rubber mounting BUY 1 $14.00
04 07119901082 fillister-head screw (M10X40) BUY 6 $1.50
05 46512332704 stud bolt (M8X10 ZNS) BUY 2 $3.30
06 46512332863 left engine bracket BUY 1 $154.00
06 46512332268 right engine bracket BUY 1 $154.00
07 46512332110 rubber mounting (60 SHORE) BUY 2 $9.40
08 46512332114 hex bolt (M10X22) BUY 4 $2.00
09 52532308647 nut (M5) BUY 2 $1.14
10 46631453145 pin BUY 2 $2.40
11 07119901453 anti rattle pin (5X26-A-ST) NA Part not available. Call for more info. 2
12 46512332261 threaded bush left BUY 1 $68.00
12 46512332262 threaded bush right BUY 1 $68.00

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[98lee]

My 1973 Ducati 750 GT could do that. I can't prove it, I no longer have the bike (wish I did). That used to be a selling ploy used by the Ducati dealers back in those days. I'm glad to see the K75 can match early 70's Ducati smoothness.

Ride Safe
Rideoften

Are you sure the vibration from the CLUTCH PLATES at 2000RPM wouldn't cause something to fall off??? :stick


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[mikeb921]

Are you sure the vibration from the CLUTCH PLATES at 2000RPM wouldn't cause something to fall off??? :stick


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Nothing ever fell off.:scratch That was one of the smoothest bikes ever made. If you ever get a chance to ride one, go for it. I'm sure it would impress even a K bike owner.


Ride Safe
Rideoften

[kbasa]

Same on K75, but at 2400-2600 RPM.



About the hair on the back of your neck standing up when you twist the throttle:

That bad? Maybe a heat shield is loose or something. I've heard of that happening on "HIGH MILAGE" (over 30,000 mile) Japanese bikes.:german I'd get that checked out. :stick

Send more results on the rest of your fleet.


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The sound of a V4 clearing it's throat on the way to a 12K redline does that to me every time. It changes tone at 6K and starts to hammer like a big V8. :chills

[OfficerImpersonator]

I used to have a K75S. I loved it. It was a fun bike to ride and work on. But it was small. Other drivers ignored me. They merged into my lane space. Sometimes commuting in the rain wasn't much fun with the small fairing.

So I got a R1150RT-P. I love it. It's fun to ride, but not much fun to work on. It's big. Other drivers see me and run for their lives because they think I'm a cop. No one merges into my lane space anymore. Most times in the rain I stay bone dry behind the huge screen and fairing.

Not a dig against the K75 - it was a great bike back in the late 80's and early 90's. :stick

[GregFeeler]

I used to have a K75S. I loved it. It was a fun bike to ride and work on. But it was small. Other drivers ignored me. They merged into my lane space. Sometimes commuting in the rain wasn't much fun with the small fairing.

So I got a R1150RT-P. I love it. It's fun to ride, but not much fun to work on. It's big. Other drivers see me and run for their lives because they think I'm a cop. No one merges into my lane space anymore. Most times in the rain I stay bone dry behind the huge screen and fairing.

Not a dig against the K75 - it was a great bike back in the late 80's and early 90's. :stick


I have a K75 (actually two) and they are fun bikes to ride. They are agile and are great bikes for the 21st century. Other drivers usually wave, but some would change into my lane, so I bought one of these HiViz vests (girl optional) and now they really do think I'm a cop and stay our of my way - sometimes letting me through. :rofl

[98lee]

Wow Greg. You look pretty good for your age. You don't even look old enough to have a daughter (in the orange vest) that age.:thumb

I've found that the cagers are GREATLY more aware of us since we put headlight modulators on our bikes.:wow

(That, and the photon torpedoes set to stun on our Jetson's hovercrafts. And I don't hesitate to use them at the slightest provocation.):nra


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[zoridog]

The curiosity was killing me. I got a nickel, went into the garage and couldn't find a flat spot anywhere on the K100RT.

Maybe that's why I have never been pulled over ... stealth technology ahead of it's time.

[ziegelreiter]

I used to have a K75S. I loved it. It was a fun bike to ride and work on. But it was small. Other drivers ignored me. They merged into my lane space. Sometimes commuting in the rain wasn't much fun with the small fairing.

So I got a R1150RT-P. I love it. It's fun to ride, but not much fun to work on. It's big. Other drivers see me and run for their lives because they think I'm a cop. No one merges into my lane space anymore. Most times in the rain I stay bone dry behind the huge screen and fairing.

Not a dig against the K75 - it was a great bike back in the late 80's and early 90's. :stick

I think most folks ride the right bike for the riding they do. I mostly ride the two lane valley, mountain, and coastal roads within 100 - 150 miles in Northern Calif.
I know, :violin times are hard.
My K75 naked, with real handlebars is perfect for where I ride. A touring bike or a big cruiser would be boring, but better for commuting.
Back to the nickel thing. I used to do that all the time on a '77 Goldwing, on the engine. I tried it on the K75 but I couldn't find a flat spot on the engine.Maybe park it downhill?:scratch

[1analguy]

Well, it won't stay up forever. But there it is at idle. It was hard to find a place that was flat and level on the center stand.

That's because the center stand is made out of round tubing...;)

But serially, I think my Harley would do that (the RT is actually slightly smoother than the Harley, overall), but SofTails are so round and organic-looking that I can't find a horizontal surface. The engine is solid-mounted, but it's also counter-balanced. Now, if BMW could just discover hydraulic valve adjusters...:usa

Here's a challenge to K75 owners: trying to keep up with a late-model R-type touring bike!:stick

[ridewv]

I don't think my ears could tolerate the screeching, or is it whining, noise of a K75 in the confines of a garage! :D

[GregFeeler]

Wow Greg. You look pretty good for your age.

Clean livin', Lee - clean livin'. :drink

You don't even look old enough to have a daughter (in the orange vest) that age.:thumb

Women have figured out the ratio between bike size and, er.. well, seems like a K75 is a chick magnet.

I've found that the cagers are GREATLY more aware of us since we put headlight modulators on our bikes.:wow

(That, and the photon torpedoes set to stun on our Jetson's hovercrafts. And I don't hesitate to use them at the slightest provocation.):nra


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I LOVE my photo torpedoes!! I just ordered the rear fire targeting system from Ronco. Tailgaters beware! :nra

[98lee]

I just ordered the rear fire targeting system from Ronco. Tailgaters beware! :nra

REAR FIRE?????? I didn't know they even existed. Must be new.

I just ordered a copy of the 2008 Ronco Farkle Catalog.


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[AZgman]

The nickel falls over as soon as the engine comes to life on my R1200RT.

I am wondering why anyone would think that is a bad thing, because the side effect is that the bike rocks you when you nail the throttle, resulting in a very big grin... :p

[98lee]

But serially, I think my Harley would do that

Never Happen! (Prove me wrong. Pictures! Idle and 2000RPM)

(the RT is actually slightly smoother than the Harley, overall), but SofTails are so round and organic-looking that I can't find a horizontal surface.

Remember , Step one said you may lean the edge of the nickel against a vertical surface to keep it from ROLLING if you can't find a totally level surface.

Here's a challenge to K75 owners: trying to keep up with a late-model R-type touring bike!:stick

Never had that problem at sub-racing speeds (less than 8/10). Just keep the RPMs up and be smooth.
To a very large extent, riding a bike quickly on the street has more to do with the limits (or skills) of the rider than the limits of the bike. Otherwise we'd all be falling behind the K1200s all the time.


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[98lee]

The nickel falls over as soon as the engine comes to life on my R1200RT.

I am wondering why anyone would think that is a bad thing, . :p

It's not. I was just pointing out something that I thought was kind of unique (and I hoped interesting about one of BMWs long line of excellent motorcycles. It is not to say that that makes the K75 a BETTER bike by any means, just different.

Every model has it's non-subjective strong suits. (most torque, most rear wheel horsepower, most carrying capacity, lightest, fastest top speed, quickest to 100, best gas milage, most standard accessories, largest luggage capacity, lowest cost of recommended dealer maintenance, and on and on.)

But no model has all of them in one bike.

I just thought learning why the K75 has the long standing and well deserved reputation of being the smoothest motor BMW ever made would be interesting.

Since this is the BMW Motorcycle club (and not the K75 club, or the R69 club, or the K1200 club, or the R1150 club), I'm interested in knowing about the strengths (or weaknesses) or unique features or interesting history of all BMWs.

It is NOT a my bikes BETTER than yours type thing.

It would be like trying to tell people which breed of dog they should love.

The choices out there are wide and wonderful (bikes and dogs). To be aware of the attributes of only one kind is limiting.

Different bikes tickle different parts of the psyche. That's why so many riders own multiple kinds of bikes. Hell, the president of the MOA even owns a couple of JAPANESE bikes (oh the horror!).

This was probably more to point out why so many members still keep a K75 in their arsenal.

I'm planning on submitting an article to ON about the company that does the TV camera work for The New York, Boston, and Chicago Marathons, the Tour of California, Tour of Georgia, and DuPont Bicycle races , Sydney Olympics, among others.

They own the relay helicopters, motorcycles, trucks, cameras, and microwave equipment. They could use any motorcycles they wanted for the camera platforms. They chose to use a FLEET of eight K75Ss bought at different times. Why? Because the are so SMOOTH.



Enjoy your bike,what ever the model.:bikes

Enjoy your dog, what ever the breed.:thumb



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[98lee]

12772
:german :german :german


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[twins4life]

I read this thread to my wife and she said that the nickle not falling over must be a guys thing.

She says (and I have witnessed the look) that at 82MPH and if she slides forward in the seat next to the tank, well, I cant say it. But I am jealous!!!

But she scoffed at the idea of an engine with less/no vibration.

For the record, I only mentioned 82MPH and seating position. If your gutter minds read more, I'm not responsible.

Final note: We avoid 82MPH, partly because it's unsafe for her to drive in a distracted state, and MOSTLY because I am jealous.

Lets see if any K Bike female drivers have similar experiences :lurk

[98lee]

I read this thread to my wife and she said that the nickle not falling over must be a guys thing.

She says (and I have witnessed the look) that at 82MPH and if she slides forward in the seat next to the tank, well, I cant say it. But I am jealous!!!

But she scoffed at the idea of an engine with less/no vibration.

For the record, I only mentioned 82MPH and seating position. If your gutter minds read more, I'm not responsible.

Final note: We avoid 82MPH, partly because it's unsafe for her to drive in a distracted state, and MOSTLY because I am jealous.

Lets see if any K Bike female drivers have similar experiences :lurk

Could that be why Harleys are so popular? Even at a stop light? Is THAT why Harley riders are constantly blipping the throttle? :scratch


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[AZgman]

http://www.viberider.com/vibe_rider.asp

Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction...

[98lee]

http://www.viberider.com/vibe_rider.asp

Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction...

Is that how to give a K75 the "personality" that we hear other model owners bragging about?:scratch


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[chuck_donahue]

VFR -
I also noted that as I rotated the throttle, the hair on my neck stood on end. A phenomenon also un-noted on the K75. :ha

That's because it sounded like was ready to blow up
:nyah

[Kayseventyfive]

My 1973 Ducati 750 GT could do that.

My 80 SS won't do that. Probably a lumpier cam or something. No centerstand, anyway.

But it sounds about a jillion times better than my K75. :D

.

[BuddingGeezer]

I did find a way to get the power of my 87 K100LT and the smoothness of my 87 K75. I bought a Honda ST1100.

Ralph Sims

[lostboy]

If you got rid of that K75 and bought a new BMW, you wouldn't have a nickel.

[revtodd]

Harley riders IMO blip their throttles at stoplights because they just bought it and think it's going to die. A sure sign is fresh leather or a t-shirt from the local dealership cut off at the sleeves and prob. no helmet.

[jamesdunn]

I spent the end of my service in Cherry Point N. C. . An old gunny sarge there had a Honda 750; I owned a Yamaha RD350, and we rode together some. He could balance a nickle on his tank while at idle. That impressed me, as my ring dinger would not nickle balance of course.

I have owned two K75s and never tried the nickle balance. With the next K75 I'll give 'er a go.