Useful URL's, ETC.
Links to technical sources, people, websites, companies. 
How to get special characters printed or sent from your computer.  
©

url.htm-78A

***NOTE!   This is article 78A. There is also a References page; it is 78B,
which has a LOT of information!  If what you want is not on 78A, try 78B. 
I suggest you look at 78B, in depth!

Below are Internet sites that, somewhat differently give you part numbers, or allow you to look up part numbers from sketches; also these have prices, etc.  Each of these websites does things differently...so if you need some sort of tech or? information on a part, you might want to try them all.

NOTE that when entering part numbers most sites do NOT want the hyphens nor spaces between the numbers groups.  

http://www.ascycles.com/illustrated_parts_catalog_main.aspx
This will take a considerable amount of time to load up if you are on dial-up.

Chicago BMW, is a $ discounter.    NOTE that delivery times from Chicago BMW are often QUITE LONG. If you do not need it in a hurry, Chicago BMW Motorcycle can be a good choice if price is super important.   NOTE ALSO that this website demands you enter the part number, so you need to know that number first.   This website is useful, perhaps, for prices, and not much else.
www.chicagobmwmotorcycles.com

Here is one more with lots of information:
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/fiche.asp

Do NOT forget your local dealer, who may well offer a discount, if you are a good customer and you ask!   

NOTE!... one BMW independent service company that I highly recommend is Ted Porter's Beemershop. They are very knowledgeable about parts and service, and STOCK airhead parts!   It is OFTEN to your great advantage to speak to someone in a parts department that KNOWS airheads!!!  Many a time (!!!), these folks will steer you in the correct direction; when just ordering from someone else via a part number, might get you into trouble.
I can recommend Beemershop for quality and honest repair work of all types on your BMW bike.    www.beemershop.com   Located in California.

The PRIMARY source for technical information, especially if you need it fast, is the Airheads Beemer Club mailing LIST, also called the Airlist.  Information on subscribing is at the top of my technical index page:   techindex.htm   yes, that is hyperlinked.    I say PRIMARY, because while my website is intended as a major reference source, that LIST covers anything and everything, and you can usually get a reply rather quickly.   Once a LIST member, you also have access to the list archives.  A MAJOR reason to join that LIST is the LARGE number of Airhead owners on it; and the various Guru's; who will reply.
For those who are already Members, here is the archives address:
http://micapeak.com/archives/airheads/login.php
 

 A lot of information is also on Duane Ausherman's and Anton Largiader's websites.  I highly recommend those sites, particularly Anton's.
http://w6rec.com/  is Duane's website, bmw section.     http://largiader.com is Anton's website

Whilst some of the 'guru's' on the Airlist tend to discourage direct inquiries (I do!... as they would benefit only one person), at least one does not:
Oak Okleshen:    AskOak@aol.com

Oak writes a new technical article, published every month in the Airheads Beemer Club magazine called AIRMAIL.    See joinclub.htm for information on joining the Club.   Oak has an index of past articles available.   He also does SUPERB repair work!  Oak was MY personal mentor/guru....or whatever you want to call the relationship; from some time AFTER I worked as a BMW wrench for myself and a BMW dealership.

My personal recommendations for repair work are OAK (Chicago area, and noted above); Ted Porter who is on the West Coast and does business as www.beemershop.com; and Bob Clement in Montana who does business as BMW Montana.

Tom Cutter is in the East Coast area, doing business as the Rubber Chicken Racing Garage.

Electrics:   

A source for all sorts of electrical items for all BMW motorcycles; and some Guzzi and even Laverda!....is  http://www.Euromotoelectrics.com.    They are at 18195 Augusta Drive, in Monument, Colorado.  (719) 487-9397.  They stock electric's items, including ignition items, starters, alternators, parts to repair these, and so on.  They also repair these things...and also have the EnDuraLast Alternator (it is THEIR product); and, many items that are NOT available from BMW, such as internal diodes and regulators for the oilhead and K bike alternators.....and so on.   Compare their prices with BMW's on BMW-sold parts.    I don't have any financial stake here, this is just a hint.    They carry Bosch repair parts, Valeo repair parts, and new Valeo starters (both 8 and 9 tooth, with the updated magnet structures).

 I have NO financial stake or other interest in ANY company or product I recommend!

There are other sources for some types of electrics, such as Thunderchild, and Motorrad Elektrik (Rick is very helpful, and their alternator product is the Omega).  www.motoelekt.com

Here is a good source:
Jim Davis, owner, Eastern Beaver Company:
http://easternbeaver.com/ 
Motorcycle Relay Kits, Modulator Kits, Powerlet, Centech, Posi-Lock, and other parts.   A knowledgeable guy, with a somewhat different viewpoint at times.  Quality products, some of which are VERY handy.

Here are two URL's from Daniel Stern Lighting.   You can spend a lot of time looking around his website, going to the main index page and clicking various places.    While this website is primarily for automobiles, it contains a vast amount of very useful information about lamps/bulbs, wiring, relays, blue-white bulbs, myths debunked, technical information, etc.   Worth an hour+ of your time.
http://lighting.mbz.org/
http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/tech.html

Here is the URL for the Chicago Region BMW Club, the source for their various repair manuals.
http://www.crbmw.com
The tuneup manual; 10K manual, tire manual, etc., is still available. 
 The Electrics manual, now priced at $30 (?),  is simply THE best electrics manual for airheads, and Oak was primarily responsible for that manual.  HIGHLY recommended.  This is THE airhead electrics manual to own!
That website also has some information on the background of that Club, and the background on Oak, etc., and those various manuals.     There is a CRITIQUE of the electrics manual on MY site:   chitechelmn.htm    If you own one of these manuals, I suggest you use my critique, to update your manual.

Here is a URL for a website page that I suggest you IMMEDIATELY print:
An excellent schematic and discussion of the basic charging system.   I SUGGEST you PRINT a copy and keep it in your reference material...as, who knows how long it will remain on-line.
www.buchanan1.net/charge.shtml    NOTE!!...I found an error on that schematic, so please annotate your copy.  I have notified the author twice, the last time late in 2009, AND.. I can't be sure if he will fix the schematic or not.   It was not fixed on 10/31/2009.  On the lower right area of the schematic are two arrows and the words "Big Diodes".  Remove those arrows dealing with the WORDS and remove the words at that area.  All the other notations are correct, although you may want to make a note that the dotted lines from the Stator center-tap go to two small diodes.

For another URL with just the schematic:  http://www.thunderchild-design.com/images/charg1.gif

A few more references

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/KRADRIDER

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/
This is Phil Hawksley's website.....lots of good information there.   You may want to use:
http://www.bmbikes.uk/information

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/kbmw
Yeah, I know, a K bike group.  A good one.  I participate on that LIST

http://largiader.com
Website of Anton Largiader.  Lots of GOOD stuff.
You can also use:
http://www.largiader.com/tech/

http://www.beemergarage.com/bulletin.html
Has factory bulletins for the pre-/5 bikes.
http://www.beemergarage.com/literature.html  This URL for them has a LOT of literature, all sorts of
things, definitely worth a long look-see.  This one is NOT just for the pre-/5.


http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/slash2/

http://www.bmwbike.com/
This URL link will take you to the Mark Huggett BMW Mobile Tradition site.....a source and reference for, especially, OLD BMW parts, restorations, work, etc.

OLDER BMW MOTORCYCLES:

This section has a list of sources for parts, information, literature, technical and every sort of help for your PRE-1970 BMW motorcycle.  In alphabetical order (sort-of).   SOME of those listed are also good sources for POST-1970.

Here is a URL for Mobile Tradition.  Mobile Tradition is BMW's own outlet for information, parts, etc., for older BMW products.  You may have to shorten this URL in order to get to a working page, from which you can find tabs and sub-menus for what you want. Cars and bikes, if you do this correctly.   The URL I show here is/was the actual page address for the pre-1970 motorcycle parts catalog:
http://www.bmw.com/generic/com_04/en/fascination/discover/history/mobiletradition/_pdf/Motorrad_Teilekatalog_2003.pdf

 

NOTE!    Snowbum has not worked on Vintage BMW bikes in decades.  Snowbum's extensive notebooks on the /2 era bikes disappeared around 1975.   Please refer to knowledgeable folks listed on this page, not Snowbum!

NOTE:  See article 78B for lots of additional references, for airheads....and some pre-airheads.

Duane Ausherman:   His website with a lot of technical articles covers much of the /2 era, as well as the /5.  He has a somewhat unique way of presenting information that you may well appreciate:     http://w6rec.com

Bayrische Magnetzünder    http://www.magnetos.de    German website, magnetos parts and service

Bench Mark Works, Craig Vechorik.  http://members.aol.com/VechBMW/index.html
An excellent source for information, parts, and technical help, etc.    Two divisions, one in Mississippi, one in Canada.

Bob's BMW   http://www.bobsbmw.com
A good source

Blue Moon BMW.  Online catalog, exploded parts diagrams.  Bikes, parts, tech.
http://www.bluemooncycle.com

Boxerworks.    http://www.boxerworks.com

clever BMW tools, videos, and help:    Ed Korn previously did business as Cycle Works, in Oregon (yes, that is the town name in the State of Wisconsin). He did some machine work, had LOTS of tools (and some parts) for everything from the Isetta cars, through the /2 era, until the Airheads stopped production in  the late 90's. He had a rather extensive line of tools, some VERY cleverly designed, and he had instructions, videos, all sorts of stuff.    Doing a run-through of his website is informative to many folks.  Ed sold the business to Cycle Works LLC, located at 5805 Haskins Street, Shawnee, KS, 66216   (913) 871-6740.  Contact the new owner at:  Dan@cycleworks.net ((NOT .com!!)). The url is: www.cycleworks.net  

Darryl Richman.  Reach him through his website  http://darryl.crafty-fox.com   Lots of knowledge and can probably direct you to where you need to go for things.

http://www.ebay.com
THE premier auction site.    Some sources for vintage BMW parts even have full-time stores run through Ebay.

Alex Gaenssle.      Machine shop and other work.   In Germany.  English spoken. 
His old website address http://www.gaenssle.de does NOT work. He's probably moved it.

John's Beemer Garage.   Catalogs, drawings.
http://www.beemergarage.com

Kradrider LIST      War bikes    http://geschichte.cjb.cc/d2b

Mark Hugget GmbH; in Switzerland.   Restoration forum, on-line shop, lots of parts.
http://www.bmwbike.com

Old Timers Garage.   New made parts.   Poland.  http://www.oldtimergarage.szn.pl

Slash 2.    http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/slash2/
One of the Yahoo groups.   It does NOT deal 'just' with the /2 bikes, but with all vintage BMW bikes:

Hans Radstaack   h.radstaack@planet.nl.   Dutch specialist, speaks English.  For early magnetos.
Vintage BMW Motorcycles. One of the many Yahoo Groups
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/vintagebmwmotorcycles/

Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners    http://www.vintagebmw.org

http://www.beemergarage.com/bulletin.html
Has factory bulletins for the pre-/5 bikes.
 

http://members.aol.com/vechbmw/index.html
That is Craig Vechorik's website for pre-/5 bikes, and lots of good stuff and information.  Vetch stocks parts for the old BMW's....and quite a few for the later bikes, including manuals and other literature.   Well worth your time to browse this site.  A must if you have a pre-airhead (before 1970 models).

****I don't typically discuss the /2 and /3 bikes.  I also do not follow Vech's site, nor the sites for the older bikes. Two reasons.  One is that my huge notebooks on the /2 and /3 era bikes was somehow lost.   The other reason is that these old bikes have a specialized following, some of whom are much more knowledgeable than I am...as my memory has faded on them over the years, as I got further and further away from working on them.  However, there are some sources for information, such as /2 LIST on the internet, and in a very few books. One of the books that is just about a must to own is the Barrington Motor Works BMW /2 Restoration and Service Manual.  This is a well done book, reviewed by many 'experts' in the field before it was published.  The book is roughly $100, and worth it.
contact brrngmtrwks@metrocast.net  or call 607-664-2673

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintagebmwmotorcycles

For help on PRE-1970 BMW motorcycles:  http://vintagebmw.org

MODEL SPECIFIC SITES:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/5united/
http://www.slash5.net/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/slash5-BS/
I am sure you can figure out what -BS means on the above

http://www.R65.org    That is for R45 and R65

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/R90SWORLDNET

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/R80STriders

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/kbmw     This is almost entirely for the CLASSIC K bikes (K1, K75, K100, K1100).   High on TECH.

Hyperlink to a full factory service manual for the early K bikes, through the K1100, although the link says K100RS:         http://bmw.k100rs.free.fr/files/repair_manuals/BMW%20K1100LT%20K1100RS%20-%20ENG.pdf


You can get a list of motorcycle makes, models, various groups, from the server at micapeak.com:
http://www.micapeak.com/mailman/listinfo

 Just one such group is:  http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/
((and, that above URL has a lot more than just GS.  You will find good descriptions of all the various Monolever and Paralever bikes, including GS; G/S; ST.....
 

OTHER SITES:

http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi
for serial numbers and general production dates, there are several sites, here is just one:
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/chassis.html

There is a vin decoder of a different sort on my (this) site too....see the article IDnumbrs.htm   Lots of information, including HOW TO READ VIN NUMBERS.

http://www.dynaonline.com/english/instruct/index.htm
Instruction sheets for Dyna ignition conversions, etc.

http://www.bmwmoa.org
BMW Motorcycle Owners of America website.  Click on Country Store to get back issues.


Mike Hamende ....airhead, oilhead, and K salvaged parts.
Airhead Salvage and Sales, near Austin, TX
(512) 332-2931
105 Moccasin Canyon
Cedar Creek, TX  78612
Mike@airheadsalvage.com
http://www.airheadsalvage.com
http://stores.ebay.com/Airhead-Motorcycle-Salvage-Sales

See my REFERENCES page for more salvage places, MORE sources for parts and sources for most everything else.

Koni no longer makes shocks for our airheads.  The Koni name and tooling was sold, and the new company DOES have products, including repair parts: http://www.ikonsuspension.com/index.html
You can also probably get the Ikon AND Koni parts you need (or, even overhauls) from Dave Gardner;  ikonusa@gmail.com.  He is located in San Francisco.

Hagon Shocks:   
Hagon Products Co.    7  Roebuck Road; Hainault Industrial Estate; Essex IG6 3JH; England
www.hagonshocks.co.uk
phone:   0208 0502 6222; fax:  0208 502 6274

Wilbers is a good aftermarket shock, available from sources that are Members of the Airheads Mailing List, of micapeak.com


http://www.motorrad-stemler.de    check it out for /2 parts sketches/etc.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT
Sidecars, SideCarTalk is the group name, sometimes referred to as SCT2.   This is THE group for sidecar technical help.
NOTE.....there is a sidecar section on my website, more than just one article...but....here is a link to just one article, it has some sidecar specific URL's:  sidecarURL.htm

Lots of references are on the Airheads Club website:
http://www.airheads.org 
That website has technical articles written by myself....and many others.  Click on that main page under Technical Tips.  There are quite a few pages to the Technical Tips section.

Here is a useful URL.  This is the Bing carburetor page.....scan down to your carburetor model, and then see what components it is made up of:
http://www.bingpower.com/english/service/einstellblaetter.html

Here is the name of a source for electrical sockets, plugs, cables, kits, far beyond what is in most autoparts stores or your BMW dealership.  High quality stuff here.     Powerlet Products.   You can do a Google on that, or try Whitehorse Press, they have a catalog that includes Powerlet Products.   Powerlet's website is the more comprehensive.  Here is information on a solid source, repeated from earlier:
Jim Davis, Owner, Eastern Beaver Company:
http://easternbeaver.com/ 
Motorcycle Relay Kits, Modulator Kits, Powerlet, Centech, Posi-Lock, Parts.   A knowledgeable guy, with a somewhat different viewpoint at times.  Quality products, some of which are VERY handy.

Speedometer work:   North Hollywood Speedometer     www.nhspeedometer.com
( I can no longer recommend P.A.S. for such work).

TOOLS:  clever BMW tools, videos, and help:    Ed Korn previously did business as Cycle Works, in Oregon (yes, that is the town name in the State of Wisconsin). He did some machine work, had LOTS of tools (and some parts) for everything from the Isetta cars, through the /2 era, until the Airheads stopped production in  the late 90's. He had a rather extensive line of tools, some VERY cleverly designed, and he had instructions, videos, all sorts of stuff.    Doing a run-through of his website is informative to many folks.  Ed sold the business to Cycle Works LLC, located at 5805 Haskins Street, Shawnee, KS, 66216   (913) 871-6740.  Contact the new owner at:  Dan@cycleworks.net ((NOT .com!!)). The url is:    www.cycleworks.net  

Computer 'characters' (no, not your craziest friends):
What follows is NOT intended to be a course in ASCII and other characters, but is intended to give you a working knowledge, and quickly.

What follows has nothing 'directly' to do with how website developers/webmasters put certain characters on website pages.  What follows is for your information so you can put the characters you want into WORD and other word processing documents, as well as in E-Mails!!

Foreign characters; special punctuation marks; degree symbol, and many dozens more are available from your Windows computer.  There are TWO basic METHODS of getting them on screen.  ONE method in Windows systems is to find the Character Map (Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Character map) and use it. IT IS SLOW TO DO IT THIS WAY, SINCE YOU MUST DO SEVERAL OPERATIONS.  Still, the character map can be very useful.  You might want to put a shortcut to the Character map on the desktop (before clicking to bring the program on screen, right click the listing, and send it to the desktop as a shortcut).   Using the Character Map is a bit of a hassle.  It does allow you access to hundreds of special symbols, all sorts of fonts variations, which have their own sets of characters sometimes, and so on.  MOST of you will only use ASCII characters, so there is a MUCH easier way of dealing with them:    You might want to spend some time looking at the various Character Map versions (change the font inside the Character Map...no, it won't affect your other computer uses).
 

Here is primarily what you will probably end up knowing.....and using!....
Certain keyboard key stroke COMBINATIONS will put ASCII characters on the screen.  Although the font you have your computer set up to use, in any one program (WORD, or E-mail, or whatever), will somewhat determine certain things about these ASCII characters; 99% of the time you won't care about the differences, and will simply use the key stroke combinations to bring up the desired character.  This is done by you pressing and holding the ALT key, ...and then, while still holding that key, enter a THREE OR FOUR digit number from the RIGHT SIDE keyboard pad.   I recommend turning ON the NumLock key first.  Computer folks refer to these characters as ASCII characters.  Originally, there were combinations available for 256 of these particular characters.     If they show on your screen, they USUALLY will display OK on other folks screens [except maybe the 'and' symbol (&), might show a question mark...and a few other anomalies...on FOREIGN (NON-USA) computers].   For a rather complete listing of all these characters (be prepared to print them):
http://www.keyboardhelp.net
Here is an example of a few ASCII symbols and how to get them.   Note that in many instances of foreign letter characters, ASCII characters are available in both lower and upper case.
°, the degree symbol, is ALT + 0176    
¢, the cents symbol, is ALT + 0162
£, the money pound symbol, is ALT + 0163
©, the copyright symbol, is ALT + 0169
¿, the Spanish beginning sentence question mark, is ALT + 0191
ü, the widely used German character, is ALT + 0252.   You can, as with most letters, get the upper case.  Here it is   Ü,   from ALT + 0220
 
The ASCII chart listings include 'strange' punctuation marks, even a space non-character and some exponent numbers, and some fractions.

NOTE:  when you type on your keyboard, for 'regular' letters (both upper and lower case), and all numbers, and all punctuation, ETC., as shown on your keyboard, those are all actually ASCII symbols; that your keyboard key converts to, in essence, an ALT + xxxx type electronic signal.  This is a very simplified way of describing it, but is adequate here.      Beginning at ALT + 0140,  non-keyboard characters are available. 

NOTE:  If you went into your Windows computer settings for KEYBOARD (start>control panel>keyboard), you could reset your keyboard for quite a few foreign styles.  UNfortunately, you would need to catalog and then remark your keys unless you owned a foreign keyboard.  When you travel to foreign countries, which often, but not always use foreign keyboards, they MAY OR MAY NOT be using a keyboard corresponding to that country's settings for the keyboard.  You can reset the setting, as noted; or, you must find out which are the important keys you must know.   The ONE key combination that may drive you nuts, so ASK a local person if you can not find it, is the @ symbol.   The @ symbol may require two keystrokes; just like in bringing up an ASCII symbol.  You can't send E-mail in a foreign country without the @ symbol.
FYI, the USA/English keyboard basic way to get the @ symbol is:  ALT + 64

For those of you that use WORD, there are all sorts of interesting characters available, depending on how WORD is set up, and the year of the WORD.  Microsoft greatly expanded all this for WORD 2007 (well, really Office 2007).  You can get all sorts of math characters, math equations, etc....not just the characters that Microsoft supplies in everyone's Windows computers in the character map (and the ASCII key strokes).  I will be happy to provide information on how to use the key strokes, etc., if you are confused by all this.  But, DO print that keyboardhelp website information...it has basic instructions too.

NOT all available characters are available on your computer.  ALSO, there are many combinations NOT shown.  

Revisions: 
03/12/2006:  incorporated all prev. revisions, and updated URL's for parts and prices sources, re-arrange order of things for clarity.
05/22/2006:  add http://vintagebmw.org
07/19/2006:  update URL's, and information on a few companies
08/01/2006:  add R45/R65 URL; and r-arrange the entire page
01/13/2007:  update salvage yards
02/16/2007:  re-arrange for electrics stuff in one area; add latest contact info for Chitech; P.A.S. note
06/01/2007:  minor editing.   
06/02/2007:  more ASCII information; add Jim Davis' Eastern Beaver
08/06/2007:  Update Anton's website URL information
12/14/2007:  added more info on beemergarage
01/01/2008:  Fix Chicago BMW Club address
01/03/2008:  Add hyperlink for German words
01/06/2008:  move driveshaft information to References page
01/07/2008:  fix moa.org country store hyperlink problem
01/07/2008:  fix crbmw.org website url; remove "For the R80GS and R100GS, only, take a look at:   wendell/gs/node1.html  The
                     link and top domain is dead
01/18/2008:  remove F, OT, Z, S information to article 39
01/19/2008:  Update Cycleworks (tools)
07/10/2009:  Minor updates, re: Barrington
08/31/2009:  update on Chicago's manuals.  Check buchanan's site...still has wrong notations.
10/31/2009:  lots of updating of URLs, information, etc.
12/31/2009:  Update entire article, add lots more to ASCII too.
01/01/2010:  Add Mobile Tradition information, which was inadvertently left out during a prior update

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