Powder coating the many silver parts on the 1250GS

[@bailephib]

Hi Norm, I love your channel and watching your videos. Your voice is a balm and you make even the difficult jobs so much more approachable. Please keep posting. Your content is invaluable. Even when I don't own the model you're working on, I watch anyway! 😊

[@gsd32i]

Just found your channel . Just purchased a new r1250gs triple black with 719 bits like your good self . Ride safe 👍

[@normski3091]

Thank you for your comment GSD321. I have made RAM parts for a few years for the 1200RT to hold GoPro's and Camera's etc. Didn't think I needed them for the GS but yes I do. However the wonderful 719 parts I do not want to even scratch. I have just this moment adjusted my Brake Reservoir RAM bolt to fit the GS 719 reservoir. I cannot put a picture on here but I will put it on my website as soon as possible.

[@gsd32i]

@@normski3091 😂 yup I have those 719 caps too . Guess I will cry IF , as and when they get scratched . They do look stunning . I may have to change the end van though to a SC Project one …. Black of course .! 🤪 I have loads of bits in my garage to fit including those motofix tank protector graphics which I think you too have on your tank from the seat area to the filler cap ? Any good ?

[@normski3091]

@@gsd32i I think the Motografix are brilliant. I used them when I bought a new 2012 1200RT on the pannier tops to stop scratching. Not everyone likes them and you often get comments about too flashy etc, however because they are 2-3mm thick they are a real protection and go on so easily compared the the flat vinyl. Watch next week as we fit the Lone Rider headlight protector...now that is really tricky. After fitting 3 I know how to do them, but better to throw the instructions away! The 3 of us have just done 600 miles through Wales to run the bikes in, with those yellow headlight protectors everyone see's you 😃

[@gsd32i]

@@normski3091 did wales last year on my Africa twin . Fabulous roads . Torn between the various headlight guards . Will await the fitting video complete with dancing girls ( or your 2 buddies ). Lol 😂

[@normski3091]

@@gsd32i Yes amazing roads. I had forgotten how good they are through the mountains, loved it and perfect weather 🌄

[@Tojj29]

Looks absolutely lovely Norm, much better with those parts in black. Cracking motorcycle

[@normski3091]

Thanks Tojjer...I like black 🤣

[@edwelld]

Very nice Norm. The lone rider grill mounting. Bracket has 2 holes on the top left. If you enlarge one of the holes ever so slightly, a Ram ball can be mounted in the hole and is the perfect spot to mount a GoPro. It is within easy reach of the usb socket and a cable will fit neatly through the wind deflector to power the GoPro so no need for battery changes 😀

[@normski3091]

Good point David...but I have just bolted my Innovv camera into that hole, very useful.

[@ldevlin49]

0:46 hi Norm. I’m getting all my silver parts powder coated as well. In terms of these rubber bits. I’m still unsure how to get them off. How would you recommend doing this? Thanks

[@normski3091]

Hi Liam, it is such a good question and I remember having such a problem getting them off, and putting them back on again…but I am not much help as it was two years ago and I cannot for the life of me remember what I did. To be sure though to powder coat it has to be removed. They shotblast, powder coat only the metal and then put in a large oven. So whatever I did worked…useless I am, so sorry Liam😵‍💫

[@stevenf67]

Looks stunning norm great job turned out awesome 👏 Steven

[@normski3091]

Thank you Steven...this has got to be my last bike so I am throwing everything at it 🙃

[@stevenf67]

It’s a lovely bike should last yrs , I’ve got the last of the 18yr gsa rallye with tft and fully loaded electronic love it longest bike I’ve had 😁 Steven

[@chris25989]

Hi Norman, hope you’re enjoying the new bike. Just watching after you’ve had all the parts powder coated. You should have that rear silver section which you removed under the seat and rear pack powder coated too that will look brilliant. Chris from Allan Jefferies BMW 🙏

[@normski3091]

Hi Chris, Yes that is an idea...but Mike already thinks I went way too far 🙃. Cannot believe it but I haven't been out on the bike since going to Wales in June. We have put our house up for sale, after 34 years living here, to downsize to a new bungalow that is being built. However Mike and myself are doing a tour of the Highlands end of September...if I can remember how to ride🤣

[@grhmnz4648]

You're making big efforts to get the bike looking as you want it to . The most important mods are to ensure your wife is comfortable as a pillion, and erase any bad memories she has of previous GS comfort . I also have those Wunderlich seat lowering rubbers on my GS ,and if there's a downside to them, its that sometimes your crown jewels can suffer !

[@normski3091]

Wow Graham I never thought of that 😆

[@grhmnz4648]

@@normski3091 There is a tendency to slide forward towards the tank .I have also switched to wearing Adventure style boots with their thicker soles .Still not satisfied, I am having them built up 5mm on the heels and tread part of the soles, with the area in between untouched.I collect the boots tomorrow ,so hopefully improvement continues .

[@peteg3899]

Looks great. Do you think the finish of the pannier mounts will wear off/ get damaged with continued use of the hard panniers?

[@normski3091]

Hi Pete, not so far and it is a year since I had them powder coated. Powder coating, done correctly, is extremely hard wearing and baked on in an oven. Never known it to wear off 😅

[@peterbarwick4938]

Hi Norm Just a suggestion. I have a cheap Chinese toolbox on my R1250GSA and it has served well for the last couple of years. However I have made the stupid mistake of not putting the contents into sealed (E.g. zip bags) in case water gets into the box. I did the the NC500 in early April this year and forgot to check inside the toolbox until today. The weather then was not good, cold and wet. I had a rusty surprise awaiting and most content still wet. Keep and eye on yours if you are travelling in wet conditions. The cheap Chinese are not totally water tight!! Rgds Peter Warrington

[@normski3091]

Hi Peter, thank you so much…I did wonder. I put SS bolts in the 4 holes on the inside side of the toolbox but noticed that the ‘door seal’ does not meet. Your advice is so valuable…thank you🤗

[@peterbarwick4938]

@@normski3091 Another shocker! Just lubing the drive shaft (not included in BMW service, I believe, unless requested £££) and found mine with rusty splines. They can rust on over time if not dealt with. Not much sign of spline lube or sealant around the boot either. Yours should be ok if it’s new but put it on your must do list as future project. I’m at 10K miles with my March 2019 model. Managed to drop the rear hub without pulling the whole shaft out. Had a peak at the front end of the shaft and it looks clean BUT dry. Boot sealant lacking at front end also. I think I’ll take the shaft out anyway whilst I’m there certainly for cleaning purposes anyway. Nice winter project for you. :-) Rgds Peter (Warrington)

[@normski3091]

@@peterbarwick4938 thank you Peter…that is such valuable information and I know it is true after checking and sorting older bikes 🤔🤷🏼‍♂️😱

[@MillfieldWheels]

I'd be interested to know how you get on with the Mudslinger. I've had both genuine and Chinese versions on previous GS's and they work very well at keeping crud of the shock etc. The problem I had was that my wife's legs were covered in road grime if we had a downpour as the rain hits the Mudslinger and is forced out through the side frames. We changed to a normal hugger and that was a better solution for the pillion.

[@normski3091]

Very interesting Ian. This is the first time I have installed a mudslinger. First I have to persuade my wife to ride pillion on the GS as she has always found them too tall. Wunderlich lowered rear pegs fitted as you saw and I have just fitted the Wunderlich lowered pillion seat. That has dropped it 40mm. However it looks as if she will be sitting on a plank of wood. She is not smiling yet, time will tell🤔

[@MillfieldWheels]

@@normski3091 This is partly why my 1250GS will morf into a 1250R in July 😉

[@brianenglish2882]

Hi Norm, you’ve inspired me to start refurbishing my 2003 R1150GS. I’ve watched most of your videos, great work, there is however a question that continually comes to mind, that’s is copper/aluminium anti-seize grease and recommended torque settings? Should I follow the recommended torque settings when using an anti-seize lubricant? My research indicates I should reduce the torque setting by up to 30%. I’d like your opinion in the matter please. Thanks

[@normski3091]

Hi Brian, I do think you are right, I read something similar. In truth I find it difficult to do as it seems such a reduction. Think I will need to do more reading. When you buy stainless steel bolts from Wunderlich, for instance, they always say use copper grease and give you torque settings. However those settings appear the same as Haynes manual. Think I am confused but also that you are right🤷🏼‍♂️

[@fredzuccarelli]

I'm green with jealousy and envy!!!!!!! 😊😊😊😊

[@normski3091]

Well Federico I sold the 1150GS, my 2018 beloved 1200RT, 2 very rare guitars I have owned and played all over the place over the past 35 years and almost my wife to make the dream happen 🤣😂

[@cyrilleve7002]

hello surperbe your motorcycle I would like to know what is the brand of your bars you have protections for the cylinder heads thank you for your answer

[@normski3091]

Hi Cyrille, They are BMW Engine bars that came with the bike, but in silver. I had not spotted the rubber parts pop riveted onto the inside bars, that is why I had to drill them out, tap the bars with a 4mm thread and use stainless cap head bolts to attach them again.

[@cyrilleve7002]

@@normski3091 merci

[@rus3726]

Nice video. What color number on those crash bars?

[@normski3091]

Hi Rus, Two Brothers in Sheffield give a choice of Gloss or Satin black powder coating...they do not even have computers 🤣

[@rus3726]

@@normski3091 😂😂which one did you choose?

[@normski3091]

@@rus3726 Satin...

[@rus3726]

@@normski3091 thanks mate

[@tonyhall9696]

Where did you get your stuff powder coated and what was the cost?

[@normski3091]

Two Brothers in Sheffield… they are amazing: www.2brotherscoating.co.uk. Sorry I cannot remember the cost but they are always very fair.

[@LordGrievous1970]

She's a great looking bike, Norm! The black really looks good. Speaking of trackers... have you seen the Monimoto trackers? I've just fitted a Monimoto 7 tracker to my GS.

[@normski3091]

Didn’t see that one 🤔. Insurance companies didn’t insist on the Datatool but certainly recommended it. Pete the Bike Alarm man, who is in the UK, did a great job of fitting it 🤗

[@GadgetMart]

Hi Normski. You said the R1150GS was too tall (wide) for you. I understand that. How did it ride compared with the R1200 and R1250 GSs?

[@normski3091]

Actually the ride was really good. I always find it hard to tell the difference between model upgrades. Okay ABS works and better braking on the latest bikes, more power, but lived the 1150GS riding it. Pity there were times when I had to put my feet down 😱

[@GadgetMart]

@@normski3091 I totally understand. Watch Jerry Paladino and anyone can ride any bike, try it in real life, stopping on off camber roads and gravel. I’ve dropped my GS it’s not a nice experience.

[@CuresFakasu]

What is te colour of the bars ? Do you have it for me ?

[@normski3091]

Hi Cures, Just SATIN BLACK. The powder guys give you a choice of gloss or satin. I always choose satin😃

[@rmoran113]

How is coating holding up after bags being used and removed? Picking up 23 gsa triple black next week. Plan to do same but lil leary as when scratched tough to touch up,

[@normski3091]

Hi Richard, I have always found that powder coating is really tough. On another bike I powder coated the crash bars, dropped it, crash bars took a beating but sanded out and resprayed in satin black and you could not tell the difference. Sadly my wife hated the 1250GS and I had the 'wife or bike' 'bike or wife' dilemma 😱. Now we have a Goldwing🤔

[@rmoran113]

@@normski3091 😂😂reminds me of the song by Brad Paisley “I’m gonna miss her”. So were you able to sand small area and spray w regular spray can?

[@normski3091]

Yes that is exactly right. Sanded the area to remove any marks, filled in dents with JB Weld which is virtually metal?. Then primed and rattle can sprayed. You could not see that it had ever been dropped🤩

[@rmoran113]

Dumb question. Getting ready to powder coat crash bars and rear panier racks. Did you unbolt the rear racks or coat as one piece?

[@meintjiesj]

Funny they call it triple black version and then so much shiny parts.

[@normski3091]

That is right Johan. I do go overboard a little, not to everyone's taste, but hey a bike is individual 😃

[@meintjiesj]

@@normski3091 Agree, that is why I keep a bike for 20 years. I spend so much time changing it and adding things to suite me I can't afford to do it often...Enjoy your videos and was bit sad watching your 1150GS build, the only bike I should never have sold.

[@normski3091]

@@meintjiesj If only I could have reached the floor on the 1150GS...oh well!

[@meintjiesj]

@@normski3091 Did you swop it?

[@normski3091]

No a private collector on the Welsh border, who has 10 pretty rare bikes bought it. Great guy, he will cherish it and most important he is 6’ 2” so can reach the floor. 🤣

[@MillfieldWheels]

So you like black? 😂

[@normski3091]

Ha ha...think you are right Ian 🤣