Rapid Bike box

In order to sort the fueling issues we (the dyno guy, Robert from Foster Performance and I) discovered on the R1100S just after the Laser complete exhaust system had been fitted, I've been recommended a Rapid Bike box. Everyone goes with a Power Commander to remap an ECU, but these Rapid Bike boxes are powerful italian technology worth every penny.

Anyway, Foster Performance have been very keen on pointing me out that they were currently having a clearance sale on Rapid Bike boxes for the R1100S. Add to this an attractive euro-to-dollar conversion (well, at the time of the deal) and a promise on custom maps to start to work from and fit my specific needs, and I couldn't decline.

The box arrived a couple of weeks ago as you can guess from the picture below. It hasn't been installed yet, but from what I've seen today (story soon to be covered in another post), I can't wait any more time to fit it.

Displayed in picture (clockwise) : 

- Rapid Bike software + custom maps

- USB cable to connect on laptop

- Quick shifter

- Wire harness that plugs on both Bosh injectors

- Rapid Bike module (center)

Upgrading to standard

With its engine runnning too lean, I have had a bit of work on the R1100S recently to investigate what's wrong and how to cure it. Again, I have to say thanks to Robert from Foster Performance as he lent me a hand to acheive this. I had my doubts about possible causes, but his efforts led to discover actual reasons as to why the air/fuel ratio was so poor.

"Spark plugs remote diagnosis", this is what Robert provided. Along with the fact he knows my bike pretty well - he provided most of the performance parts, he knows how a spark running in normal conditions should look like. Staring at these plugs at each side of the Atlantic ocean, we both came to the same conclusions : the dyno run results were right and the air/fuel ratio is too lean.

Sparks are way too white, meaning the mixture's too lean. They got to be a bit brown.

Now we had to find out why. The Motronic unit first had to be inspected to check if the software wasn't conflicting with the Power FRK module. A racing chip, for instance, could have caused such a problem. None were found and the rest of the unit looks pretty standard, so let's look somewhere else.

Unsealed Motronic unit

 I kept telling Robert about the Nology ignition cables, but he seemed to concentrate on more important parts of the bike first. I guess I twas taking a shortcut and he wanted to make a proper diagnosis. Again, we both came to the same conclusion : theqz Nology cables had to be removed. They are certainly making a huge spark inside the cylinder, but with the standard amount of fuel the mixture is overburning. One of the unwanted side effects is that the engine is also overheating and that makes it prone to break.

Standard ignition cables

Your pipes can get blueish, but when they're turning that blue there may be a heat problem

Since this last decision, the bike hasn't moved much, but standard ignition cables now replace the Nology ones. I'm supposed to do a couple of kilometers with this configuration to see how the sparks' color changes and let's hope it will.

On your mark

You'll find below a few pics of the day I've spent fitting the performance parts on the R1100S.

Parts gathered and ready (Laser Daytona II exhaust sytem, Power FRK module and Boxer Performance carbon air intake)

2 into 1 into 2

I should have tried to spit flames through that !

I didn't trust the licence plate bracket holder provided by Laser, so I had it welded to the pipes

Straight pipes exhaust !

Those 2 stainless steel pipes are so hot while riding, they're burning my boots !

The Laser end cans without any sort of restriction. Way tool loud in my opinion.

Thanks again to :
- Robert Foster from Foster Performance for having provided the parts and helped me fitting them properly to the bike.
- the guys at PoliMetal59 who have made a little of welding

Rare pipes

I bought this exhaust system last month for the R11S track bike project. At first I thought I'd go for a Staintune instead of the classic Laser system that you usually see on the Boxer Cup Replicas. But then, as I was wandering for a couple of hours on the Internet to find a good deal on an exhaust, I stopped on this one.

It is a BoxerCup Laser Daytona Race System. It is said to be the last in the world and was bought directly in the US from Foster Performance. While I'm mentioning his name and before letting him telling you this exhaust system's history, let me just say true simple words about the man. I would truly recommend doing business with Robert Foster from Foster Performance. He's really kind, arranging and knowledgeable. This level of service is pretty rare to come across with these days. Simply amazing.

Here's what Robert said about this Laser exhaust at the time of the buy :
"This is an official BMW BoxerCup Series Laser "Daytona" Race System - Last one left! Laser will recreate them but they will be production systems. These systems were made by hand by Don de Vink and his crew at Lasers Racing department. Don de Vink went on to be Akrapovic's top racing designer and now he is with his own company building some increadable systems for cars and motorcycles. So you have a piece of BMW history waiting for you. A Powerful piece!! - You will see! This system was developed when they added Daytona to the Boxwecup Series. The R1100Ss needed more power for the banks and straights of Daytona"

Not only this system looks promising, but it's also a real piece of art once assembled. There are still a couple of thingies to work with on the bike before fitting this beauty. Hopefuly, this will look good.