RE

1. RPM for airheads - remember that the airhead was designed originally for use in Germany, where they have autobahns, and ride fast everywhere. Keep it spinning, not lugging - as Timo says, 3500-4000 is the bottom you want to run at for best performance and longevity. Lower revs are hard on it.

2. Rick Jones, the guy that runs Motorrad Elektrik, is probably the worlds foremost airhead electrics expert. He tried for YEARS to get increased output from an airhead alternator. The culmination is the Omega. You may be able to do better or nearly as good for less, but Rick's no dummy.

3. The only reasonable? alternative is an Australian made system that costs even more - but mounts a car alternator at the top front of the engine, and puts out huge power. There's more info on the site - somewhere - including a link to the manufacturer.

4. As for heated vests - no-brainer must-have. I bought mine in 1981 - and I'm still using it- well at least the wires, which have never failed, and it's been around the world. The fabric wore out and Susan installed the wires into a nice down vest. We wouldn't travel without one.

5. Note that EARLY airheads - /5 - were only 240 watts, and considered good. The increase to 280 was awesome... at the time...

6. re reliability of the Omega - most of the components have been sold by Rick for years, and are preferred long distance travel upgrades to start with. The only new parts are the rotor and stator, and thus far the reliability record has been excellent. Note that Rick does say not to overload it. Trying to run 500 watts of goodies off it is not good. If the rotor stator fails, used ones are readily available almost anywhere BMW parts are available, so it's no worse than if the originals failed - and the original rotor is notorious for failing on a regular basis. One of Ricks standard replacement rotors is a popular long distance travel upgrade, so the Omega should be very reliable.

hope that helps,

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 20 July 2005).]

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com