The Solar Bear Challenge ended just a few weeks ago on February 14th. I participated after RC62 let me know about it. It was the “sister” challenge to the Polar Bear Challenge (PBC) for those who didn’t live in the right climate to ride below freezing (or didn’t want to).
The basic premise was to find letters that spelled the words “Solar Bear” on street signs and then run around the sign chanting “solar bear”. It was all very silly, and I found it surprisingly fun.
I made four videos for the letters S-O-L-A. You can see them here:
Because I was also participating in the PBC, I wasn’t eligible for the fabulous prize drawing at the end. The drawing was done on video, and was entertaining. Great job Rob! The results from the others are here: http://www.solarbear.rc62.net/page2/page2.html
I was surprised when a few days ago RC62 contacted me to get my mailing address. He said he had a few “extras” and wanted to send them out to the other participants. This little guy arrived on Saturday:
He came with a little card seen above. This was on the back:
Thanks again Rob! It was a fun challenge. I hope you run it again (or something similar) next year.
PS: PBC wrap-up coming soon.
This post documents replacing the alternator belt on my 2001 BMW R1150GS. Newer R1150GS’s use a slightly different belt and pulley, but the replacement procedure is similar. The major difference is the tensioning of the ELAST belt requires a different tool and procedure.
The tools I used:
1993 through 2003 50A alternators:
Poly V: 4PK611, BMW part 12 31 1 341 779
Newer bikes:
ELAST: 4PK592, '04-on Oilheads and most Hexheads,
BMW part 12 31 7 681 841
ELAST: 4PK582, R12RT/Adv, BMW part 12 31 7 690 57
Stock BMW Belt for my bike:
1) There are four nuts holding the alternator cover on. Remove them with the 4mm allen key socket.
2) The cover should pull out slightly and then down.
Alternator belt exposed:
3) Using the 13mm wrench, loosen the three bolts holding the alternator.
4) Pull the alternator down to put more slack on the belt if it didn’t slide down itself.
5) Pull the belt off
Old vs New belt:
Mine was apparently past the 36,000 mile replacement. It was making a bit of a noise. Pieces of the belt had started to come off inside. Checking the belt tension is critical to belt life. Check when you change the oil.
Old belt:
New belt:
Notice the four ribs on the belt. They match up with the ribs on the pulley. Make sure to line them up when reinstalling the belt.
6) The new belt just barely slipped back on.
7) BMW has very specific belt tensioning specifications. Don’t be tempted to treat this like a car belt and do it by feel.
8) I had to turn the direction adjuster on the torque wrench to “loosen” not the tighten motion to get the alternator to lift.
9) Using the 6mm allen key socket, extension, and torque wrench tighten the adjusting nut to 8 N-m. This will raise the alternator and pull it against the belt.
I found I needed to lift/tilt my gas tank slightly to have room with the torque wrench. See my air filter replacement guide for tips/photos.
BMW makes an adjustment tool that goes on the front rather than the back. Much Easier! I will think about getting it for the next tightening.
Adjuster for Poly V belts: tool 12 3 551, part 83 30 0 401 69
10) While holding the torque wrench, use the 13mm wrench and tighten the other two nuts holding the alternator.
11) Using the torque wrench and 13mm socket, torque all three nuts to 20 N-m.
12) All three tightened up. Use the starter to crank over the engine a couple times, but don’t start it. This will help seat the belt on the pulleys. Loosen the bolts and repeat steps 7-11.
13) Replace the alternator cover and tighten the four bolts with the 4mm allen key socket. The cover is plastic, so be careful not to over tighten.
14) Cover replaced
15) Check the belt again in 6,000 or the next time you change your oil.
16) Go for a ride!
Good pictures/discussion of the Poly-V vs ELAST here.
This past weekend the Twin Cities and most of Minnesota received at least another twelve inches of snow. There was even some thunder snow! It’s very strange hearing thunder in a blizzard. The Twin Cities area is now experiencing the second snowiest winter (74.5”) in history since 1891 (76”)!
Just a week ago, I was out riding around on my SV650 and my Super9 enjoying unseasonably warm weather with highs up to 50F and lows in the mid 30s! It was fantastic getting out on two-wheels again! I didn’t realize how much I missed it. I also enjoyed being able to ride something besides the Ural every day.
Most of the snow had melted from my yard with ugly brown grass appearing instead. The four to five foot snow banks had nearly disappeared too. The monster above has been going strong for some time though. The light post is embedded in the middle of it; it only sticks up one-two feet above. Amazing.
The Mississippi River even started to clear up:
It was a nice tease. Spring did a good job battling old man winter, but it appears he’s been knocked out cold. The massive snow banks have returned along with the cold temps.
The Ural had a nice week-long break, but now it’s the primary ride again. Just a few more weeks until spring is officially here.
For those interested, this is the current state of the R1150GS:
There is still lots to do!
