I have searched and read all the past posts about advancing camshaft timing by using sprockets from Lennies or other sources. Everything seems pretty positive. Anyone using these have any new feedback? Reasons to avoid making this change? I can really use more low end grunt off-road. I have a booster plug on order and the sprockets sound like a good addition too. Chuck
I got them on my 2007 GS a month ago. The difference can be felt, but I wouldn't spend $500 (with labor) to do it again. If you can handle the labor yourself, might be worth it. The engine is useable about 500 rpm lower than before. I find myself running one gear higher without thinking about it. You can feel a difference pulling away from a stop. I hardly ever run the GS engine to redline, so can't confirm if the top end is reduced.
Put in 4 sets in several bikes now (mine and other's)... all of them bettered each respective bikes performance where it counts. You basically shift the Torque range about 1K RPM lower across the board... the bike is more responsive and with my mods of adding the techlusion/wunderlich/dobeck/whatevertheyarecalled and eliminating the cat, it offers about 96Hp on the rear wheel. Not bad for an '05.
I really don't think it makes much difference at the very bottom end, but no doubt the mid range is better. I also think it runs smoother. All in all, Lennie's gears = good... dropping Lennie's gear inside the engine... not so much. If you lose you grip while installing, the gear rolls right into the crankcase. Then you pull the head and go fishing. Pretty easy install though.
<CITE>www.powerfrkusa.net</CITE> <CITE></CITE> <CITE>He also has a lot of threads on the Pelican R1100S and R1200S board. I have the Power FRK in my S, but want to sell it, so I'll hold off until my next GS for Lennie's sprockets.</CITE>
"These high-end CNC machined sprockets will advance the cam timing 9 degrees." Can that be also obtained by fiddling with the HES plate too? :)
Steptoe, since you are a guru for BMW motorcycles, would you put these on your bike if you would find 500$ laying around the street one day? :)
guru For what it's worth I'd need to ride a bike with them fitted before i could form an opinion. Otherwise it'll just be guessing.
Any comments on MPG taking a hit? I've got the 850R FD on my GS, cam gears should make it a pulling bear for slow rough work. FD change made no real loss in MPG, as a side note. MJStone
Gas mileage will stay the same or better... as for the source, I can provide a direct contact, if needed. The contact listed above is Foster R & D... good luck with that.
"These high-end CNC machined sprockets will advance the cam timing 9 degrees." Whoa!!! Nine degrees cam timing is a bunch. I guess that would alter the torque curve some. Although I don't know much about the boxer motors. it's hard for me to believe that Bmw would miss the cam timing by that much, Seems to me they would just put in a different cam. IMHO
I am no expert on these issues but variable camshaft degree engines vary the camshaft timing by 30 degrees or more. I don't think the 9 degrees is excessive. I think BMW made a good compromise in where the engine makes power. For my riding, lower in the RPM band is better, especially off-road. Chuck
Well, varible timing camshafts and fixed timing camshafts are apples and oranges. A varible camshaft changes timing to optimize a particular mode of operation. A fixed camshaft is a compromise of all modes of operation. Big Differance.
Exactly... and BMW compromised in a different range for that motor. While that may be good for some of the bikes (i.e. ST or S models), it may not be as suitable for the GS or RT... As you said, it's a compromise. 9 degrees is not much, really, but in this case it shifts the torque curve about 1000 rpm lower across the band. While most everyone I have helped with the install (S, GS and ST) has had great experiences, it depends on how you ride. If you like WOT, and the upper rpm band, they are NOT for you. If you like low to mid rpm power and torque and the occasional burst, they will make you smile A LOT! Lennie did a great job and it took him a long time and much testing to get to where the sprockets are right now. He knows what he is doing and on top of that, is a stand up guy! I can provide direct contact and have done so for a few folks already. He is revamping his own website right now and it will be up and functional soon. NO, i reap no benefits from any sales. He is just a friend and has a product that I firmly believe in, based on my experiences.