"Gather 'round, lads.... gather 'round"...
Burt Lancaster / The Crimson Pirate (1952)

Around every other month, when I deem you are worthy, we post our cheesy newsletter to inform the masses as to what's happening in the BMW world and of course... Pirates' Lair. How else are you going to find out?

Warning: While I do try to add a little humor in every newsletter, some of my language may offend the mild mannered, politically correct, liberal, or meek amongst us. If you are offended easily I suggest you stop reading here and look elsewhere for your written info-tainment.

FYI.. If you'd like to be notified when each new newsletter is posted, just email me with your request and I'll make that happen. Our email database is 100% secure. Stored in a lock box formerly owned by Al Gore. Never shared or sold to third parties. Never perused by the NSA.

Fellow esteemed and quasi-esteemed K12 Riders.... ..A famous (and slightly edited) movie quote...

Shane: So you're Jack Wilson.
* long pause...
Jack Wilson: What's that mean to you, Shane?
Shane: I've heard about you.
Jack Wilson: What have you heard, Shane?
* long pause.. Shane turns to face Wilson....Wilson stands.. faces Shane...
Shane: I've heard that you're a low-down, Cheesy Newsletter readin,' Yankee liar.
Jack Wilson: Prove it.
Alan Ladd & Jack Palance / Shane 1953

Yes, it's time again. My own personal "no-spin" zone with the quasi-noble intent of informing you of what's new in the BMW K1200RS/GT community and... at Pirates' Lair.

Remember my mention of the recall in last month's newsletter? In case you missed it, the recall involves all 2001-2004 K12's and 2000-2004 R bikes.. potentially 39,000.. Many dealers don't even know yet so don't be surprised if you call them to schedule the check/fix and they act clueless..or a little more clueless than usual. The recall involves the fuel system, hoses, lines, piping, and fittings. Apparently there's the potential for a gas tank barbecue with YOU being the entree. Not good. For info check out http://www.safetyalerts.com/recall/a/04/v00958.htm or go directly to the NHTSA site and search for NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number #04V028000 Recall Date : JAN 15, 2004 Expect a letter from BMW in the weeks to come...

Well.. this just in from a fellow K12RS rider...... (pasted)

Jerry
This recall is no minor problem. I fired up my 2000 K1200RS yesterday and noticed fuel dripping at a rapid rate from the quick disconnect, reached down to see if it was loose, when I touched it fuel shot out across my garage then the quick disconnect just broke in half, this resulted in a lot of fuel going everywhere until I got it shut down. Called my dealer which is 105 miles from me. The service manager told me that they have seen this on bikes that are at there 24,000 or 30,000 mile service, seems the quick disconnects get fatigued after so many uses. My bike has 29,500 miles I was going in for the 30,000 mile check. The dealer is sending a tow free of charge to pick up my bike for repairs. Just thought I would let you know maybe you could pass this on.

Thank You
G. W.

The 2004 K12 Hill Country Rally is upon us. In case you've been in Panama shooting Survivor All Stars and missed our last 4 newsletters, it will be held on April 8-11th in Kerrville, Tx. Barry Gibbs, seasoned rider and former financial adviser to Martha Stewart has again arranged this year's rally to be held at Inn of the Hills in Kerrville. I believe everyone that is attending has already signed up... except for me. I'm still trying to get free for this one. IMHO.. the Texas Hill Country Rally is one of the best K1200RS/GT rallies to be held anywhere. Great roads, no traffic, Texas hospitality, and the largest roadkill you'll ever see.. Hope to see you there.

News for GS Owners

Tough finding accessories? I feel your pain. Check out an all new accessory shop at http://www.adventurersworkshop.com/ They will be specializing in GS goodies, similar to what we do with the RS/GT/MV crowd.. It's been designed and run by fellow K12'er, Andrew F. Fekete We wish him well and pray to the God above that he makes less mistakes in starting up an internet biz than we did..". the horror... the horror..." His invitation pasted below.....

"Welcome to Adventures Workshop!! We are dedicated to the adventure rider and the gear we use. On this site you will find products that we personally use and abuse (unless it's really new and we haven't gotten our grimy hands on the stuff yet..). If the equipment can't take the crap we throw at it, we send it back. Our goal is to have all the products in stock available for immediate delivery and in the case that we do have to order something, our annoying E-mails will let you know the status as often as you can stand it."
Andrew F. Fekete / Owner

Deals Gap Info via www.tailofthedragon.com/

Graham County (the Deals Gap area) elected a new Sheriff in the fall of 2002. Bob Debruel was a retired North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper and waged a successful campaign against the incumbent Sheriff Steve Odom. The major change that Debruel has made is the selling of the Graham County helicopter which used to patrol the Cherohala and other area roads on a limited basis. This does not mean that the county roads are now open for racing. All county cars are equipped with radar and speed enforcement is a priority.

THE LAW ON THE CHEROHALA SKYWAY (according to the sacred writings of the Monroe County TN Sheriff's web page)
Radar, both static and moving, is active on the Cherohala North Carolina side, usually on the weekends or when complaints are called in about high speed riders. Be advised that many local volunteers firefighters/EMTs have radios in their vehicles and will report major violations such as passing on the double yellow and high speeds on all of the county roads.

What's new in the K1200RS/GT News...aka.. the No Wheel-Spin Zone (A slow month....)

1. Curve carver Jedi Knight, Vic over at http://www.i-bmw.com/ posted a few days ago that after questioning a BMW dealership on an advertised GT CDRom shop manual, he found out (after the dealer made a call to BMW North America) that there is no GT version CDRom and in fact it's just as RS version...So, buyers beware. Thanks Vic!

2. Congrats to Karen & Stefan Verholen on the birth of their first child together..and just 5 months after their wedding.. Hey... that doesn't sound quite right!... Hmmm.. Where's my calculator? Christian Johann Verholen was born March 1, 2004 2:30p.m. 8 lbs, 9 ozs. I've heard Stefan has already signed Christian up for a motorcycle Training Course for late April... Do they make helmets that small?

3. Have heard from at least 3 people (and saw another over at http://www.i-bmw.com/ ) talking about a new BMW Brake Light Addition Module for the RS/GT being on the market. I've got a pic if anyone wants to see it... According to the ads... (pasted)
* Huge increase in conspicuity.
* Super-Bright 44 LED lights--
* Originally developed for BMW Police Motors.
* Features a "Signal-Alert" four burst flicker before turning steady on.
* Brighter and more effective than standard brake lights, this 1 5/8" x 5" light-bar easily attaches to your license plate bracket.
* Programmed to work with BMW EVO/Integral ABS Brake Systems, BMW ABS II, and BMW Standard Brake Systems.

As all other dealer only items.. it's criminally priced at $150, but I'm sure it's a quality piece and should be at double the price of any other brake light additions on the market. If interested.. call your local extortionist...er.. dealer and ask for P/N: 99-99-0-005-484 it may just save your life.

4. We hear that yet another European company will be producing an exhaust system for the K1200RS/GT... Should have info in a few days...

2. For those of you with the Silver/Blue K1200RS's...that have been on our backs about producing a tee with you're bike on it..it's done and we now have them in stock. Click HERE for a first look. Keep in mind, like the other tees we produce.. these are all limited production. When they are gone.. will probably not produce more. and No.. this is not a sales gimmick... not that I'm above that. So it is written.. so let it be done... In the month's to come, we plan on offering one more tee to the line-up... the Silver/Red bike.

3. About a year ago, a customer sent me photos of some custom torque arms a metal "artist" had fabricated for a R1100S.. They were simply stunning. The sucker that I am for pretty pieces .. I contacted the guy and pleaded...er.. asked if he would produce one for my bike.. He said.. NO, due to lack of time, but after a year I just received one of these beautiful arms and it is impressive. I have a few photo's posted in the Photo Album called K1200RS/GT Custom Torque Arm Project. No idea if he'll produce more. Opinions?

4. I broke the news in last months newsletter that we were sold out of our our Solo Seat Cowlings and there would be no more produced. Well up to that point sales had flatlined but after I posted the news I had quite a few calls from fellow K12'ers who wanted to whine about how they had stupidly been procrastinating, or that they had been saving their Doubloons/Pesos/Euros, or that a Cowling would save a dying man's life, or some such B.S... so Amber and I discussed it and decided to place one last order of about 2 dozen pieces.. Hopefully I should have them in about 4 weeks... and those will be the last. Really..I swear!! I have a waiting list if you want on it...

5. Our newest product to both our K12 and MV customers is the Baxley Sport Chock Simple, lightweight and will securely hold your K12/GT or sport bike upright by simply riding or pushing the bike into the chock.. As us K12'ers have a centerstand, this goodie would best be utilized in a trailer or pick-up when hauling. I put it on the menu mostly for either trailer use or for the sport bike people without the luxury of a centerstand.. It's designed for any bike with 120 x 17" front tires, which is just about every sport bike on the market including the KRS and GT. .Another great benefit of using the Baxley Chock is that no front tie downs are necessary if trailoring. Just secure the rear of the motorcycle with straps and the chock does the rest. Never bottom out your forks again. I don't have a K12 web page up yet, but I do have a page up in our MV section.

6. We're talking with Pace American about becoming vendors of their enclosed trailers. I recently drove to Nashville and checked them out.. Very impressed. Price for a single bike trailer with quite a few bells and whistles was only $2050... Not bad at all... The single bike 5 x 8' model we're looking at is the Journey.