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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 8 Feb 2009
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twinmax
I am starting to maintain my own bike and I am interested to see what you guys think about the twinmax.

Hendi
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  #2  
Old 8 Feb 2009
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I’ve never used a Twinmax, but you can make one yourself which is cheaper and more accurate:

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  #3  
Old 8 Feb 2009
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twinmax
looks pretty simple and interesting but not easy to take with you on the road
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Old 8 Feb 2009
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For road-use you only need 2-3 meters of the pipe.
Last edited by AliBaba; 8 Feb 2009 at 21:52.
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  #5  
Old 9 Feb 2009
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Only heard positive comments about the twinn-max.

It works apparenlty in a very similare manner to the stationary hyradraulic homemade balancer, which Alibaba presented above.

The hydraulic (see pic in Alibabas reply) is stated to be more accurate than the BMW mercury gauge, and it sure superceeds the analogue gauges/clocks since these are... I use the ananlogue and can testify that the hydraulic is way more accurate, so much infact that my expensive, professional, gauges are only to classify as crap!

You will not be dissapointed, as far as I can tell from comments on the twinn-max from all over the globe that I have read during the last 3-4 years -
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Old 9 Feb 2009
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Greetings Hendikaf

I ended up taking a Twinmax away with me on our trip and it worked very well, it's more expensive than the tube balancer but on the road it's much simpler and quicker to use

It's (relatively) small compared to other units I've seen (Carbmate) and it runs off a 9V battery (disconnect the battery after you have finished using it).

I decided to get one as I found out how much much changes in altitude affected my bikes idle speed (ok at sea level, stalls at altitude, ok at altitude over revving (and over heating) at sea level). I have a r100gs.

Coming from Australia idle changes due to altitude are not generally a big issue.

Alibaba, I did try to use a tube balancer but I only had engine oil available and due to it's high viscosity and a relatively narrow piece of tubing it took a loooooong time to settle. I remember reading somewhere about using brake fluid (low viscosity) but I wasn't going to test someone elses theory. What do you use?

Hendikaf, I'm not sure what bike you want to use a balancer on but this link

Synchronizing BMW Airhead Motorcycle Carburetors

Has a very extensive write up on syncing carbs using both balancers and the shorting spark plug method.

Hope that helps

Regards

Ian
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Old 9 Feb 2009
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Twinmax:
I use it on my Ural (750 aircooled boxer twin). Makes the job so much easier!! Really nice piece of kit IMO.
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Old 9 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IanJ View Post
I decided to get one as I found out how much much changes in altitude affected my bikes idle speed (ok at sea level, stalls at altitude, ok at altitude over revving (and over heating) at sea level). I have a r100gs.
When I adjust because of change in altitude I never use an instrument. The adjustment only affects idle speed so I only turn the screws the “same” amount. It doesn’t matter when driving so I don’t really care.

Quote:
Originally Posted by IanJ View Post
Alibaba, I did try to use a tube balancer but I only had engine oil available and due to it's high viscosity and a relatively narrow piece of tubing it took a loooooong time to settle. I remember reading somewhere about using brake fluid (low viscosity) but I wasn't going to test someone elses theory. What do you use?
Most people I know use ATF.
I use coolant, it’s easy to fill and have color (easier to see). On the road I would have used water or some kind of oil.


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Originally Posted by IanJ View Post
I’m considering testing the shortening method – maybe next time…
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Old 9 Feb 2009
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I use the Twinmax and like it. Portable, simple, clean and fast. I'm in the process or building an adapter to use the shorting method on E.Ignition bikes without risk of damaging the coils. I believe this is the most accurate way of balancing the bike. Balancing my old /2 was a dream using this method.
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Old 9 Feb 2009
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twin max
Thanks a lot guys, I will be trying the twin and also alibaba tips on my 1150GSA, I am staring to build a tool box for my RTW trip an space / convience is +.
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Old 11 Feb 2009
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My business is working on BMW's , and the twin max isn't as good as everyone suggests. maybe a case of spending a lot of money and not wanting to admit it .

I too Saw all the praise for it, so bought one. After using it i had to put my 20 year old mercury gauges on the bikes to get them spot on.

It's very fussy to use, so i sold mine. There are much more efficient and cheaper options out there
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Old 11 Feb 2009
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twin max
OK Steptoe , give us some name???:confused1:
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Old 11 Feb 2009
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Hendikaf, why bother? To adjust the carbs to prevent your idle speed dropping at altitude is a waste of your life.
It just happens and will return to normal when you descend. No big deal.

If you want to "fiddle", do what Alibaba suggest. I just left mine as it was and it stalled when I stopped in the mountains with the throttle shut.
Not that much effort involved in giving the twistgrip a little nudge

John
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Old 11 Feb 2009
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twin max
I am just interested to maintain the bike to the best of my knowledge and was thinking that during my RTW this could help , was I wrong ??, I am noramlly travelling on single but this coming trip will be two up on a 1150GSA so I was thinking this was really necessary, I am not the kind of guys which love to work on bike ,riding is way more fun .
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Old 11 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HendiKaf View Post
...was thinking that during my RTW this could help , was I wrong ??, I am noramlly travelling on single but this coming trip will be two up on a 1150GSA
The 1150 is fuel injected. I would have thought that the EFI would be capable of looking after itself in all but the very extreme.
Steptoe would know

John
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