[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Doesn't sound horrible, I think there's a local shop or two that'd be able to do it. Other than that it seems like they're solid bikes eh?

Yeah, those old Yamaha's were simple, stout machines. Never has a single issue with my Seca.

[TriumphTim]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Doesn't sound horrible, I think there's a local shop or two that'd be able to do it. Other than that it seems like they're solid bikes eh?

You might what to confirm with the shop for sure and get some estimates.

A lot of motorcycle dealers, even independents, around me state up front they don't work on carbureted or project bikes, just too much of endless pit unless unlimited funds for a full restoration.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

But the fact you have to go through extra hoops or go through questionable sites to get a copy of TIS is ridiculous when BMW Motorrad gives you an easy option to get the official factory service manual. I really wish the Motorrad management would either teach the Auto group how to run their business or just take it over.
.

With BMW auto there is also a very easy option.
It just costs an arm and a leg
Do you have a link for the official bmw motorrad service manual so I can compare prices?

But this is just the service manual.
The diagnose software (so not some generic software, but the real deal that lets you do everything) is something different though.

But now we're talking about 1 brand. My neighbour who has been an independant professional motorcycle mechanic with a large shop, after first been a professional car mechanic for a long time says the same. Brands are usually totally not compliant to eachother in terms of interface structure (whereas for cars, this has been mandatory to a certain point when obd was launched), and usually only dealers can get the real deal regarding software. According to him car diagnostics is so much more easy where generic tools that can still do a lot are plentyful.
Of course with old bikes this is not a problem because there is nothing to diagnose, but it gets more and more important. Bikes now get complicated too with esp, drive modes etc.
I'm not really into modern high tech bikes but I wouldnt be surprised if they now also have steering angle sensors etc. (so when messing around with the suspension might result in having to need a computer to reset and realign the sensor for example)

The reason why it's usually so much more easy with cars is because of legislation. In the 90's laws were made up for cars that independant mechanics should be able to adjust and fix cars in such a manner that the engine would run enviromentally safe and that car manufacturers were obligated to work with 3rd party suppliers to make tools compatible. Thats why you can diagnose every car engine with a $10, but that you can't tune your parking sensors or alarm sensors with that tool. The cheap tools only do standard P codes and no 'deep diagnosis'
Comprehensive tools (like from snapon, bosch etc) can do a lot more but usually still not everything. Car brands ask money for more and more integration so...
But for motorcycles there is afaik still not such a law (or it's maybe very new as some bikes get into obd)

At least I couldn't do anything with my Keihin ecu in my 10 year old royal enfield and couldn't find any diagnose software for it, and Keihin is a well known brand (also OEM for honda's and such), but every ECU seems to be different. I couldn't even find a real diagnostic connector, so maybe everything has to be backprobed....

[rcracin]

Most annoying thing to me is bikes with 4 carbs. Annoying as hell to work on. Besides that, not much different than cars. Old honda’s are fairly stout.

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by TriumphTim

You might what to confirm with the shop for sure and get some estimates.

A lot of motorcycle dealers, even independents, around me state up front they don't work on carbureted or project bikes, just too much of endless pit unless unlimited funds for a full restoration.

I should do that, why didn't I think of that? Their website mentions servicing, restorations, and parts but I'll give them a call either way. Good idea on getting estimates

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

With BMW auto there is also a very easy option.
It just costs an arm and a leg
Do you have a link for the official bmw motorrad service manual so I can compare prices?

But this is just the service manual.
The diagnose software (so not some generic software, but the real deal that lets you do everything) is something different though.

But now we're talking about 1 brand. My neighbour who has been an independant professional motorcycle mechanic with a large shop, after first been a professional car mechanic for a long time says the same. Brands are usually totally not compliant to eachother in terms of interface structure (whereas for cars, this has been mandatory to a certain point when obd was launched), and usually only dealers can get the real deal regarding software. According to him car diagnostics is so much more easy where generic tools that can still do a lot are plentyful.
Of course with old bikes this is not a problem because there is nothing to diagnose, but it gets more and more important. Bikes now get complicated too with esp, drive modes etc.
I'm not really into modern high tech bikes but I wouldnt be surprised if they now also have steering angle sensors etc. (so when messing around with the suspension might result in having to need a computer to reset and realign the sensor for example)

The reason why it's usually so much more easy with cars is because of legislation. In the 90's laws were made up for cars that independant mechanics should be able to adjust and fix cars in such a manner that the engine would run enviromentally safe and that car manufacturers were obligated to work with 3rd party suppliers to make tools compatible. Thats why you can diagnose every car engine with a $10, but that you can't tune your parking sensors or alarm sensors with that tool. The cheap tools only do standard P codes and no 'deep diagnosis'
Comprehensive tools (like from snapon, bosch etc) can do a lot more but usually still not everything. Car brands ask money for more and more integration so...
But for motorcycles there is afaik still not such a law (or it's maybe very new as some bikes get into obd)

At least I couldn't do anything with my Keihin ecu in my 10 year old royal enfield and couldn't find any diagnose software for it, and Keihin is a well known brand (also OEM for honda's and such), but every ECU seems to be different. I couldn't even find a real diagnostic connector, so maybe everything has to be backprobed....

Don't have a link handy. But you can certainly do an online search for the Motorrad service manuals for a particular model BMW. I paid around $110 for mine straight from the dealer with a 10% discount. Came on a CD that required a one time activation via Internet and allows me to install it on as many PCs as I want. $110 is extremely reasonable and not paying an arm and a leg for the BMW auto version of it. That's why the management of Motorrad either needs to teach the auto group how to run a business or take it over. While everyone complains how watered down the auto group is becoming, the Motorrad side is putting out many exciting new models. Just look at the new M1000RR as proof.

As to scan tool software, if you look at all the features that Hexcode provides you, it's as damn near close to having the actual factory scanner as you can get. Hexcode is constantly doing feature upgrades and all updates are free of charge. As I said, I don't currently have a need to get a scan tool for my ZX-10R or 848. But I seem to recall exploring one for the 848 and found options that didn't break the bank. Yes, all three of my bikes have different interfaces. But with my 2016 BMW scoot, it has an OBD2 connector. Talking to the shop that sold me Hexcode, they said Europe mandated all motorcycles to have OBD2 connectors to keep everything uniform across all motorized vehicles. And since Europe mandated it, at least BMW, kept things uniform and sold all their motorcycles with OBD2 connectors. I'm not sure if other brands have followed suit or what their situation is. But even though there is an OBD2 connector, the shop told me the Hexcode system will not operate as a generic scan tool.