BMW / Vanderlinde Special

[smudger7]

Have recently bought 1998 R1100S with "special" adaptations by BMW Motorrad and subesquently their employee. Story is that BMW trialled adaptations to see what they could achieve for the Boxer cup series. Bike supposedly has:-
Vanderlinde free flow exhaust, e-prom & gas flowed heads.
2004 engine (how can i tell?).
BMW sports suspension & rocker covers.
AC Schnitzer rear sets.
PMF 6 pot front brake system.
Black paintwork and screen with clear lights ( bike looks newer).
Bike has wonderful noise and looks the business (all friends have changed their views on BMW's being old mans bike now). Bike spins up brilliantly and seen indicated 145 with more in hand. however with such an uncertain history and lots of modifications I would like to get the bike checked out by a specialist to give me confidence in its longevity and any modifications they could recommend. I welcome comments from anyone who can contribute to the bikes history (V43 DCF) or changes to be made.

[boxerpan]

Vanderlinde free flow exhaust, e-prom & gas flowed heads.
2004 engine (how can i tell?).
BMW sports suspension & rocker covers.
AC Schnitzer rear sets.
PMF 6 pot front brake system.

The exhaust and chip was available thru the BMW network as an official performance upgrade which maintained the warranty so no probs there.

According to a well known tuner round these parts, the heads on the S are the best castings he's seen and there isn't a lot to be gained by flowing so if it hasn't blown up by now it should be ok

A 2004 engine will have the twin spark heads on it.

The BMW sports suspension has longer struts for better ground clearance.

The Schnitzer rearsets were available at an exhorbitant cost from your local dealer.

Motorworks amongst others sell the PFM 6pot kit - if it works,leave it but beware the discs wear quick if used under racing conditions.

Apart from a laser exhaust and the longer suspension the other bits you list wouldn't have been allowed in the Boxer Cup races as they had to appear standard.

[smudger7]

[quote="

According to a well known tuner round these parts, the heads on the S are the best castings he's seen and there isn't a lot to be gained by flowing so if it hasn't blown up by now it should be ok

[/quote]

Can you recomment this tuner ? Also engine has supposedly done only 1,400 miles (seller was a gentleman so would not lie).

[herrman]

Smudger,
Black S with Vandelinde and PFM 6 pots could well be one of the bikes used by the World of BMW instructers at Cadwell in 2001 so it might just be as you have been told, Those bikes where also tested by MCN around Cadwell against a std S.

HTH Peter.

[boxerpan]

[quote="

According to a well known tuner round these parts, the heads on the S are the best castings he's seen and there isn't a lot to be gained by flowing so if it hasn't blown up by now it should be ok

Can you recomment this tuner ? Also engine has supposedly done only 1,400 miles (seller was a gentleman so would not lie).[/quote]

Yes he is to be recommended, but now only works on Ducatis and as the racing season is right around the corner I know he wouldn't have time for a BMW. If you look back on threads for Jim Cray Engineering they are known for boxer engines but they are down in Kent.
Such a low mileage bike needs another 8k or so on it to loosen it up, before it can be expected to give its best.

PS Didn't know there were any gentlemen still out there selling motorcycles

[Gromit]

Sounds like you've got yourself one very sweet S there Mr Smudger.

As Lloyd said, you need to get some miles on that motor - these things seem to go through a small metamorphosis at around 12k then get better & better, smoothing out noticably.

Best advice to getting the bike run-in well is to (excuse me) rag the t*ts off it on a regular basis and don't put anything fully synthetic in the sump. My first S (a black one - the fastsest colour) was an ex-BMW staff bike which I bought with only 600 miles up. At 20000 miles it ran like a peach and went bloody well - possibly the quickest of the 3 S's I've owned.

[oyster]

I had a long chat with Jim Cray ( as memtioned by LLoyd) last year. He said much the same as the summary of all the mods tried and carried out on these pages.
Improve the suspension, keep the bike properly serviced and fit a full Laser and chip. End of.

[mincer]

Reading this I believe BMW built some 11s as test mules, why do ask , I owned V42DCF from 99-03 , it was rapid to say the least.I think they were BCR pre-production bikes.
Bought it back last summer , I sold it with 24000 on the clock now done 34 , all its history was still with it.
As I write this I,m putting the bits back on it and it will once again breath as it should.

[exoticices]

Smudger,
Black S with Vandelinde and PFM 6 pots could well be one of the bikes used by the World of BMW instructers at Cadwell in 2001 so it might just be as you have been told, Those bikes where also tested by MCN around Cadwell against a std S. HTH Peter.

Carole Nash have a test of a bike with the mods described which sounds like one of the bikes Peter is refering to:
https://www.carolenash.com/reviews/49-bmw/649-r1100s

[bfisher]

Oyster, testing your memory, when you stated 'full Laser' are you referring to the single or double (race) variety? Re the 'chip', i've always also wondered how this was applied for bikes built in 99 since as i understand it, the chips are NOT removable (just my luck its what i have).

PS - real wheel is snug in loft : (

I had a long chat with Jim Cray ( as memtioned by LLoyd) last year. He said much the same as the summary of all the mods tried and carried out on these pages.
Improve the suspension, keep the bike properly serviced and fit a full Laser and chip. End of.

[oyster]

All a while back now! The full Laser refers to a complete exhaust, not just the silencer. The chip could be changed on the early ecu, but I suspect the Power Commander would do better now as it can be more accurately tuned to the individual engine. So today the recommendations are : proper service and regular checks; full better breathing exhaust - whichever; San Jose intake filter; GS Power Commander properly set up; improved suspension and brakes.
Oscar moment - start with better suspension and brakes, then full and proper service, then move on to the expensive add ons.

[bfisher]

Sorry Oyster, twin pipes all the way through or simple decat from 2 to 1. I only ask as my bike has the laser (into single);

And yes, i have all the other things bar the PC;

B