BMW R1200GS / R1200 Throttle Body Synchronisation (Synchronization)
See also: R1200GS / R1200 24000m Service
AndyW – usual warning, refer to the BMW workshop manual.
Instructions / photo pictorial for carrying out a TBS (throttle body sync / synchronisation) on you R1200GS / R1200 series BMW motorcycle
By Jim Von Baden
AndyW – Jim used a TwinMax Electronic Carburettor Balancer but there are a number of alternative devices/instruments you could use and depending who you speak to you’ll get recommendations for or be warned off one or another! I recommend you do your own research before you buy. A couple of examples of available Carb balancing devices:
You can also grab a reliable one from Amazon and have it delivered the next day
An alternative is to make your own DIY manometer, do some Google searches for instructions. There’s a photo at the foot of the page of ukGSer GrinningGSer‘s homemade manometer set up on his R1200GSA.
Throttle body balance / sync should ideally be done after a full service including a valve clearance check….you can however give it a quick check any time you feel the need.
Caution: This pictorial is for informational purposes only. I accept no responsibility for accuracy, or any damage caused to your motorcycle if you choose to perform these maintenance items.
The following is a quick tutorial on how to complete a Throttle Body Sync on an R1200 series motorcycle. This is similar to the R1100/1150 series, except for the idle sync on the 1100/1150 which is different.
Here are the basic steps I used to do a TB sync at home using a TwinMax Electronic Carburettor Balancer. Notice I do not do an idle sync as on the R1200 it is not possible. Nor is it possible to adjust the idle speed. This is all done via the stepper motors by the computer (ECU).
NOTE: Read the whole procedure before beginning.
WARNING: I can do this in a few minutes so I do not generally use a fan to keep the engine cool. But many take a little longer and it is recommended that a large fan (or fans!) is used to ensure you do not over heat your air-cooled motor.
First make sure the bike is at full working temperature. I like to take a minimum 10 minute ride. I also do the TB sync AFTER adjusting the valves to ensure the best results. See the R1200GS 24,000 mile service link on the left for details.
If you still have your carbon canister on (na for Uk/European bikes) you will have this hose, otherwise you will have a cap here like the other side. Put one hose from the Twinmax on here.
Here is the right side and you put the other hose from the Twinmax here where the rubber cap is.
Here is a photo of the Twinmax hose installed.
On this TB Sync I disconnected the stepper motors. I had the power off when I did this and made sure the connectors wouldn’t make contact. Some say this is the right way to do it as it parks the stepper motors before starting and ensures they do not affect the TB sync off idle.
I have done it both ways and have not been able to definitively detect a difference.
With the engine off I adjust the Twinmax at near maximum sensitivity to make sure the needle is centered.
I then start the bike and check it at idle. It looks the same as above except you will notice the needle swinging back and forth less than 1-0-1 across the center. This is normal and not adjustable at home. It shouldn’t need it anyhow. If yours is off center by more than half of one number, in other words the needle is swinging back and forth with nearly a “1” as its center, you need to have a dealer check it out.
I then take the rpm’s up to 2K, 3K and 4K and check the Twinmax for center. If it is not centered, I have to adjust it.
Acheiving the required slack in the throttle cables is trickier on the R1200 because you can’t feel the slack. The only way is to hook up a Twinmax type device and then loosen the cables. Tighten one side until you get a reaction from the Twinmax, then back it off about one full turn. Do the same on the other side and you have both at about 1mm slack.
From there the stepper motors will make the adjustments at idle.
Keeping in mind the slack you now have, adjust your throttle bodies off idle in the usual way.
I then take it up to 4K RPM and check it again.
Here is another view of adjusting the cable using the adjuster.
Now I use two wrenches to tighten the locking nut. I tighten it to just snug, and check my TB sync again. It is easy to tighten the nut and throw off the sync.
Here is a close-up of the wrenches.
Note: I use a throttle lock to hold it steady, otherwise it is hard to not vary the RPM a little.
Using a 10mm wrench I loosen the lock nut.
Now I adjust the cable using the adjusting nut and my fingers. In this photo you can see me adjusting it and that it is off center. I adjust it until it is centered.
Note: Before starting the adjustment process, make sure you have at least 1mm slack in the cables and never adjust one side so that all the slack is gone. If you remove the slack, put it back and go adjust the other side to sync.
NOTE: Sometimes it is hard to get the nut snug, and keep the sync exact. To do this I snug down the nuts, then use a pair of pliers and gently turn the knurled adjuster to get the sync exact. Then finish tightening the lock nut to 4nm.
A final check shows the sync dead on and you are done.
Remove the Twinmax hoses, reinstall the rubber caps and/or hose, and go for a ride!
Jim
Homemade DIY manometer by ukGSer GrinningGSer