Chicago Region BMW Motorcycle Owners Assoccrbmw

I am new to the club and have my 1st BMW, an '84 R80RT and I am looking for answers, guidance of where or who to speak to, and how to go about a few things. These are just some things I want to add, do, have for my personal comfort and use.

1. Looking owner's manual for '84 R80RT. I already have the Clymer Repair Manual, which is of great help, but would like the manual. Cycle Werks is unable to order one.
2. I have a Garmin NUVI 660 and looking for advice/recommendation of a good motorcycle mount with possibly adding the waterproof box. I have seen RAM and other mounts, looking for pros/cons with someone who has used, is using, or ?
3. My side bags have cracks in them, looking for recommendation to repair them, thought of using black silicone caulk. Also, are the inner bags made for the hard bags worth it, or should I use waterproof bags, or other recommendations. Not ready to spring for new bags and these ones are serviceable.
4. I want to add an auxillary outlet to the bike, would like advice/possible assistance on best way to do this. I have an outlet that will wire directly to battery and has a fuse circuit breaker.
5. Thought of adding a hack to my rig, looking for thoughts one way or the other?

I appreciate any help I can obtain.

Thanks, Paul 708-442-0655 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hi Paul. Lotsa great questions here. Let me throw my two cents at you...

1. Check out the Airheads (www.airheads.org) as they are a great resource. Also check the Internet BMW Riders web site.

2. I have a StreetPilot 2610 for which I have a RAM mount on each bike. Very satisfied. You can get different combinations of RAM mounts to fit almost any space you have available.

3. I'm no expert in plastic repair, but I do know it depends where the cracks are, because I think the inner and outer layers of the bags are made of different materials. The BMW tech lists on the Internet may be your friend here. Meanwhile, I do have the Kathy's bag liners for our RT and we are very satisfied with them. You can pack/unpack your stuff in the liner indoors and not have to bring the whole bag in when you get someplace.

4. As many ways to do this as you can imagine. I have a cigar-lighter-type socket on my RT for the Garmin but you could also add another BMW-type plug. Browse the bikes at the next club gathering, and ask lots of questions!

5. I'm a sidecarist myself and will be happy to talk sidecars with you anytime. Ed Dybala and Jim Fousek are more sidecar enthusiasts, to name a few, and Hank Barta has one too. You do need to know (if you don't already) that driving a sidecar is very different from riding a two-wheeler. Not bad, just different.

Will you be at the Starved Rock ride? If so, see you there... If not, I look forward to hearing from you!

Tim C. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
708-747-0480

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the information. Unfortunately I will not be on the Starved Rock gathering. My boys have a cub scout camping outing, so we are off to that this weekend. I will follow up with you more during this next week.
Paul

Paul, my 2 cents as to a couple of your questions.

Owners' manual. Check ebay and the IBMWR marketplace from time to time. They come up for sale regularly.

Bags a fixin': give Mares Cycle in Downers Grove a call. Some years ago they did some very nice plastic repair on mine. May be they still do.

Hackin': IMHO, the /7 bikes are, for the most part, not very good for side car work. And, it will be expensive and time consuming to acquire the chair and mount it. Better to get an already dedicated rig, if you can.

Good luck.

Eduardo.