THE ADVENTURES WITH A BMW K1200LT

[Vis Arend]

Definitely better in Beemer Blue, I knew you would like it once it starts rolling, but yes, heavy enough that it needs that reverse gear.

Make sure to change all the brake lines to Spiegler when next in for a service.

Lekker travels!

 

Thanks for the thumbs up, will put it on the "to do list".   

The link below is to the best YT channel with everything you can think of service or repair wise for the LT.

https://youtube.com/user/illinoisBMWriders

Enjoy.

Thanks mate, I checked a few but this will for sure assist.  Much appreciated.     

[Vis Arend]

So, we changed the color of the LT, but we wanted to make her ours's without breaking the bank. 

A few thoughts were thrown around and we decided to incorporate  some leather into the mix.  At 1st I thought it might be a bad idea, it might spoil the looks of the bike and it might start looking like a Harley, not that I have anything against a Harley.  Never the less, we went for the leather idea.      

The backrest of the pillion seat was a tad to forward for the two of us.  I adjusted the top box backwards on the mountings, which gives you another 3cm additional  back space, but me being tall and I need to sit right at the back of my seat, we were looking for another 3-4cm, then we both could sit comfortable. 
I removed the backrest and the wife did her magic.  In the meantime I cut a alu plate to size that could replace the original backrest.  Wifey stamped a fish eagle motive on a piece of leather, added our signature to it and decorated the border.  Once done, we fitted it to the alu plate and then in place of the old topbox.  1st Piece of leather added and we both no had apple seating space.   

[Vis Arend]

On both sides of the top box was a ugly piece of silver sticker/coating.  It looked ugly and it had some indentation that was a sore eye too us.  The wife decided to cut two pieces of leather to size and added the name of the bike, TRIXIE. on the leather.  My job was to get it on the bike in place. 

Done, this photo only show the right side, but both sides has one added. 

 

[DUSTRIDERS]

Dêm ek smaak blou!!!
Veilig trips word julle twee toegewens op daai mothership altyd

[Edgar]

Dis baie luuks! Geniet haar 

[Vis Arend]

The top box has a little carrier rack at the top.  We decided that a little leather suitcase, one that looks well travelled, will do the trick.   

I made a inner box from alu plate and the wife once again did her magic.  We thought it would be a quick job, but this one took us a bit of time and we had to do plenty of fitting and adjusting as we progressed.  It is eventually done but we still need to add some old travelling logos onto the suitcase. 

While she was busy with the suitcase I made leather rapping for the handlebar grips. 

This is all that we wanted to do, except for a small leather tank bag, that is till in the making and will be added soon.  In the mean time, below all the leather that we added. 


   

[JACOVV]

Baie mooi!!

[Man from Nam]

Luuks !  Hierdie groot cruisers maak 'n Lang pad kort. Ons geniet die 1600GTL baie maar mens is maar bietjie be perk waar jy Kan ry.
Waneer sien ons julle weer in Nam?

[Vis Arend]

Luuks !  Hierdie groot cruisers maak 'n Lang pad kort. Ons geniet die 1600GTL baie maar mens is maar bietjie be perk waar jy Kan ry.
Waneer sien ons julle weer in Nam?

More, jis lank laas van julle gehoor.   

Ja, hulle is omtrent gemaklik en soos jy se, jy is redelik beperk waar jy ry en jy moet jou paaie mooi kies.  Maar dis die rede hoekom ons hom gekoop het, om daai lang paaie aan te pak met baie minder brandstof as met die VX. 

Ons is binnekort daar, seker net so na paasnaweek. Ons verlang kwaai na die familie en het hulle lanklaas gesien weens die covid ding.  Dit gaan maar 'n tight skedule wees, want dis twee dae se kuier by my broer in Windhoek, dan 'n tud by Nannie se ma, twee broers en een suster, dan deur na Henties om vir my ander broer te gaan kuier.  Net twee dae by elkeen gee ons klaar 12 dae se kuier. 
Ons is wel 'n paar dae in Windhoek en sal plan maak om hallo te sê. 

[Vis Arend]

A brekkie ride on a cloudy and windy day.

We had a busy week and in the spur of the moment decided to do a short outride on the LT.  A quick look on the map and thought it good to have a brekkie in Port Alfred.

The day's route was from King William's Town, Peddie, Grahamstown, Salem, Kenton on sea, Port Alfred, East London and then back home to King William's Town.  The distance is 408km. 

We left home around 8, passed Peddie and Grahamstown and stopped just before Salem for a short break. 
Then it was on to Kenton on Sea and Port Alfred where we stopped for a well deserved brekkie. 
After a refuel we were on  the road again, the wind was now really pushing, but heavy bike kept us on the road.   

We had a quick stop before the Keiskamma pass and pushed through to Eat London and eventually back home.  We arrived home at 13:30.

It was a great outing and this bike is really a joy to ride.  We can't wait to take her on the road to Namibia, that will be soon.

Some pics of the ride.


 

[Vis Arend]

Some more

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Surprising how small the panniers are, I removed the CD player from the RHS one ... that helped a little. BM make highway pegs that mount under the forward rub rail but those you have look good. Another week spot is the top box locking plate, it breaks off on top left so be carefull when closing and locking the box.

[Vis Arend]

Surprising how small the panniers are, I removed the CD player from the RHS one ... that helped a little. BM make highway pegs that mount under the forward rub rail but those you have look good. Another week spot is the top box locking plate, it breaks off on top left so be carefull when closing and locking the box.

Thanks for the info on the top box locking plate.   

I hear everybody is talking about the cd player is the RHS pannier, mine is in the glove box in the front.  I am considering taking it out as well, then you have ample space in front.  I however need to remove all the panels as well as the mirrors to be able to get to it.   

The highways pegs look OK'ish, but it is a tad to high, I need to have them a little lower, I will browse BMW's site and see what they have, thanks.   

[frankmac]

Love the colour and leatherwork. Really neat.

I'm not one to give pet names to vehicles 

Cool pic of the rottie (with tail).

[Vis Arend]

Love the colour and leatherwork. Really neat.

I'm not one to give pet names to vehicles 

Cool pic of the rottie (with tail).

We pulled in behind them at a robot.  He took a liking in us "barking" while wagging his tail.  We followed them through the traffic for several miles and when we eventually overtook them his owner and the rottie were all smiles.  It was an perfect end to a nice ride we had.    

[DUSTRIDERS]

Ek sien jou nommerplaat lees JY RY?!!!

[Mev Vis Arend]

Ek sien jou nommerplaat lees JY RY?!!!

Ons het dit dadelik opgemerk, Chris. Nou saam met die betekenis van haar naam is dit mos ñ duidelike opdrag, of hoe 

[Baches]

Mooi fiets en die leerwerk rond dit smaaklik af.. Het nogal gedink om die groot 1600 BMW te koop maar het met ons grondpaaie eerder 'n groot adventure fiets gekoop.

[caconcepts]

Oom Louis, hy lyk sommer spiffy met al sy leathers. Daai gate in die topbox was vir die, ek dink......

[Vis Arend]

Oom Louis, hy lyk sommer spiffy met al sy leathers. Daai gate in die topbox was vir die, ek dink......

Thanks, that make sense.   

Sorry for the late reply, was busy doing some riding on the LT, I am two rr's behind and just got back from a 7 day Karoo/Northern Cape trip. 
Will update this thread soon.