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flybd5 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 01 Jul 2019 Posts: 371 Location: Massachusetts, USA
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Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:32 pm Post subject: Swapping instrument cluster |
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Every time I work on a German vehicle trying to do something which I would think should be straightforward and relatively simple, it reminds me of one of the big reasons the Germans lost WW2 -- the inability to design anything that moves and is easy to service.
First time I ran into this was when I looked at the owner's manual of an ML550 to find out how to change a headlight bulb, and the recommendation was to take the vehicle to the dealer.
Today I was reminded of that while swapping out a KMH instrument cluster for one that has MPH and KMH, and an adjusted odometer to match the KM mileage in miles. Holy moleed.
What was most frustrating was the fact that if I wanted to completely remove the upper fairing halves, I could not because the radio cage blocks some of the screws. What drunken German gynecologist came up with that? Must be the same one who invented the sport of Luge.
And don't lecture me on how easy it is for you to do that. I worked on medium and heavy transport helos in the Marine Corps. I used to think that was a general PITA because of how tightly everything was packed. Not anymore, not by comparison. _________________ To err once is human. To do so repeatedly is incompetence.
1995 K1100LT SE |
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Jim Site Admin
Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 3840 Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS
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Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah - stuff is packed in there - and there's a lot of it!
I usually just remove the windscreen to get the cluster out - and that's a good time to clean and lube the windscreen sliders anyway. I use DuPont Teflon on those - some people use silicone - but Teflon is slipperier.
I did shorten a hex wrench to make it easier to remove the cluster.
There's a funny looking piece of tape on the back of the cluster - don't remove it. _________________ Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repairing
1992 K75RTP 46,000
1992 R100R 24,000 - FOR SALE
"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed." |
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flybd5 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 01 Jul 2019 Posts: 371 Location: Massachusetts, USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2019 5:43 am Post subject: |
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Ah, another German engineering mystery.
Don't you think it is silly to warn me not to remove it, and not say why?
Oh, never mind.... _________________ To err once is human. To do so repeatedly is incompetence.
1995 K1100LT SE |
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Jim Site Admin
Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 3840 Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS
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Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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Probably was... it's a membrane that reduces the risk of moisture building up in the cluster. _________________ Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repairing
1992 K75RTP 46,000
1992 R100R 24,000 - FOR SALE
"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed." |
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flybd5 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 01 Jul 2019 Posts: 371 Location: Massachusetts, USA
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 8:18 am Post subject: |
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Thank you. _________________ To err once is human. To do so repeatedly is incompetence.
1995 K1100LT SE |
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Grunter Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 30 Sep 2015 Posts: 368 Location: North East England
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Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:00 am Post subject: |
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Jim wrote: | Probably was... it's a membrane that reduces the risk of moisture building up in the cluster. |
Actually it is Gortex! _________________ 1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS |
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flybd5 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 01 Jul 2019 Posts: 371 Location: Massachusetts, USA
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Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 9:02 am Post subject: |
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I've always thought that name sounds like a monster from the Japanese Godzilla movies. You know... Destoroyah, Gigan, Hedorah, King Ghidorah, Jet Jaguar, Mechagodzilla, Mothra... and Gortex. _________________ To err once is human. To do so repeatedly is incompetence.
1995 K1100LT SE |
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