Low idling speed...

[Sunfire]

Well, about three weeks ago I took my Rockster for the 12K mile service, and they performed the service while I waited. That was very nice of them as I live about 3 hours away from the dealer.

I had mentioned that the throttle wasn't smooth (valve adjustment), and that the valves "chatered" loudly. This was more or less corrected, but here is the little item that is bothering me:

The idling speed when warm is slightly below 1K,
and the choke does not work as before. In the morning with the choke fully pulled, the rpm's do not go higher than 1.5K, so I have to hold it for a few seconds, and then when I release it, the rpm drop to less than 1K, which cause the bike to shake and stall.

Before the service was performed, the idling was at 1.1 - 1.2K, and the choke worked perfectly. I pulled the choke to the 2nd stop to start the bike (+- 1.8K), and as soon as it started, I released it and the rpm's dropped to around 1.5-1.6K.

Now that I'm soon leaving on a long trip to Canada (Cabot Trail), I'm concerned about the cold mornings - would I be able to adjust the idling myself, or does it need to go back to the dealer?

Any info will be appreciated. Thanks,

Paul

[chrisZ]

In a pinch you can adjust the engine idle speed by turning out the BBS (big brass screws - one on each throttle body) about 1/3 of a turn.

The 'choke' only bumps the idle higher during colder weather, you can always hold the throttle at a higher RPM while waiting for the bke to warm up by using a ThrottleMeister:stick

But 800 -900 RPM at idle is likely BMW spec.

[kgadley01]

In a pinch you can adjust the engine idle speed by turning out the BBS (big brass screws - one on each throttle body) about 1/3 of a turn.

The 'choke' only bumps the idle higher during colder weather, you can always hold the throttle at a higher RPM while waiting for the bke to warm up by using a ThrottleMeister:stick

But 800 -900 RPM at idle is likely BMW spec.

mine idles at about 900 rpm when warm. I'd like it to idle at 1K to 1100 rpm. mine was fine before I took it in for service. my question is...which way do I turn the Big brass screws, in or out?

[BubbaZanetti]

But 800 -900 RPM at idle is likely BMW spec.

spec is 1050-1150. if you turn your BBSes, make sure to synch the idle at the same time, if you have a synching tool available.

[JimMoore]

my question is...which way do I turn the Big brass screws, in or out?
I'm gonna say left. Of course, if left lowers your idle, turn 'em right.

[JimMoore]

Hey Sunfire,

The shop made two different errors. First, they did not adjust your big brass screws properly. You can raise the idle yourself by turning the big brass screws on the throttle bodies to the left half a turn.

Second, they left too much slack in the lower throttle cables. Now the choke lever is simply taking up slack instead of opening the butterflies. It is pretty easy to fix if you have a synchronizing tool, but you may want to have someone show you how to do it the first time. Failing that, just hold the throttle open slightly when you crank up. That is all the choke lever does anyway.

Have fun on your trip. Save a few bucks to buy some tools when you get home.

[scootrp125x]

Hey Sunfire,

The shop made two different errors. First, they did not adjust your big brass screws properly. You can raise the idle yourself by turning the big brass screws on the throttle bodies to the left half a turn.

Second, they left too much slack in the lower throttle cables. Now the choke lever is simply taking up slack instead of opening the butterflies. It is pretty easy to fix if you have a synchronizing tool, but you may want to have someone show you how to do it the first time. Failing that, just hold the throttle open slightly when you crank up. That is all the choke lever does anyway.

Have fun on your trip. Save a few bucks to buy some tools when you get home.

I agree that the shop made these errors.

I did the same thing to my 04 1150RT. When adjusting the Throttle Bodies for the first time I adjusted too much slack into the throttle cables. I didnt realize it until I had put the bike back together and tried to start it the next morning. I had to take the tupperware off and start adjusting the slack out of the cables to get the choke (fast idle) lever to work again.

I would tell the shop about it. They should have checked this before they gave it back to you and I would hope that they would not give you any trouble making it right. The same goes for the idle speed. 1000-1100 rpm is more like it unless the Rockster is different from the rest of our bikes.

[JimMoore]

I would tell the shop about it. They should have checked this before they gave it back to you and I would hope that they would not give you any trouble making it right. The same goes for the idle speed. 1000-1100 rpm is more like it unless the Rockster is different from the rest of our bikes.

I wouldn't bother. They're obviously clowns. I would buy some tools.

[bikerfish1100]

2 pieces of advice, based on your new idle being out of spec, which is as stated 1050-1150 rpm:
1)- buy a Twinmax and learn to do it yourself
2)- they may well be clowns, but the shop should make it right for you, no charge, with no to minimal delay (before you go on your trip).

[kgadley01]

thanks guys, I have a new unused Twinmax, so I shall raise the idle a bit myself...

[Sunfire]

Thanks for all the information. As I don't have a Twinmax, I just better not try to play with the BBS. As the dealer is too far away, I guess I'll have to live with the "work" until my next 18K service.

Just annoys me when one spends so much money and you don't get a decent job! I can't imagine doing this at my work.

Well, I'll try to enjoy my trip as much as possible.

Paul

[bmwmoose]

Well, about three weeks ago I took my Rockster for the 12K mile service, and they performed the service while I waited. That was very nice of them as I live about 3 hours away from the dealer.

I had mentioned that the throttle wasn't smooth (valve adjustment), and that the valves "chatered" loudly. This was more or less corrected, but here is the little item that is bothering me:

The idling speed when warm is slightly below 1K,
and the choke does not work as before. In the morning with the choke fully pulled, the rpm's do not go higher than 1.5K, so I have to hold it for a few seconds, and then when I release it, the rpm drop to less than 1K, which cause the bike to shake and stall.

Before the service was performed, the idling was at 1.1 - 1.2K, and the choke worked perfectly. I pulled the choke to the 2nd stop to start the bike (+- 1.8K), and as soon as it started, I released it and the rpm's dropped to around 1.5-1.6K.

Now that I'm soon leaving on a long trip to Canada (Cabot Trail), I'm concerned about the cold mornings - would I be able to adjust the idling myself, or does it need to go back to the dealer?

Any info will be appreciated. Thanks,

Paul

I'm not sure if your Rockster is the same as my RT, but on my LH switch gear where my fast idle control is, just below the grip inline on the cable is a rubber boot that fits over the adjuster for the fast idle cable. I had replaced my own cables and set them without a twin max, did by feel and sound of the throttle plates closing. I also adjusted the fast idle setting with the adjuster in the cable by the grip and had the fast idle set where I thought is should be. I shortly later took the bike in and had the dealer check all settings to get the engine running as good as possible. When I got the bike back they had lowered the fast idle speed about the same as you stated. If you have the same adjustment you can set your fast idle speed yourself in about 5 min and will not hurt any other adjustment. All this does is open the throttle plates a little. Of course you don't want to let it idle too long like this without good airflow. I actually put a box fan right in front of where I park in the garage, this helps with cool down, but will also protect some on warm up incase you let it idle a little to long.

[JimMoore]

As I don't have a Twinmax, I just better not try to play with the BBS. As the dealer is too far away, I guess I'll have to live with the "work" until my next 18K service.

Just annoys me when one spends so much money and you don't get a decent job! I can't imagine doing this at my work.

Well, I'll try to enjoy my trip as much as possible.

Paul
Dude, just walk out there with a flat head screwdriver and turn 'em both half a turn to the left. If it works, great. If not, turn 'em back. Seriously. It ain't the space shuttle.:drink

[kgadley01]

Dude, just walk out there with a flat head screwdriver and turn 'em both half a turn to the left. If it works, great. If not, turn 'em back. Seriously. It ain't the space shuttle.:drink

I like the way you think Jim...

[bmwmoose]

Found this video that covers some of what was talked about in this thread.http://www.bmwmc.net/uploads/tm11/R4V%20Throttle%20Synch_medium.wmv