Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all, in preparation for my 3000 mile round trip to Auschwitz later this year on my Classic EFI I would be grateful for some suggestions for simple modifications/additions that would make my planned 200-250 miles a day easier or more comfortable. I plan to fit Avon Road Rider tyres and new tubes. I am pondering fitting 19t gearbox sprocket. Would an unmodified engine have the grunt for this carrying 14 stone and luggage and will it require a longer chain? Any ideas where I can get a gell cover for a single seat.
The ferry is now booked and I have a route outlined. I need to decide whether to camp or stay in hostels. If anyone has experienced either in Germany I would be interested to hear their views.
Thanks in advance.

AndyMc I suggest you look at an Airhawk Medium Cruiser seat, adjustable and much, much better than a gel one (I've tried both). Also a screen from our hosts. https://flic.kr/p/PRr55N

Hello Andy, i recently changed the gearbox sprocket to a 19t on my C5. The bike is standard apart from a RE sports silencer, and it still pulls very well with a more relaxing ride at cruising speeds. The chain length remains the same.
Regards, Mike.

+1 for Airhawk. I've had mine for years and just swap it from bike to bike. Good luck with your trip.

I replaced the C5 seat springs with steel brackets and found it much more comfortable without the constant sea-sick pogoing, the bike feels more connected to the road and better controlled. I find the seat perfectly comfortable without any extra padding. I've yet to get out on it this year due to a number of unrelated issues but habitually ride it for an hour or two at a time, and have done a four hour stint arriving fresh as a daisy. Not bad going seeing as I arthritis in every single joint and spondylitis (greek for bad back).


My bike is tuned but I weigh more than you and it will haul my wife on the back (she complains the pillion is too narrow), it doesn't need more grunt to do that.


The 19T seems like a good option but the next size up rear tyre, the "alternate" size (see H's catalogue) Road Rider 120/80-18 gives you an extra half-tooth of gearing. Increasing the gearing will reduce the revs at cruise but can reduce top speed and acceleration although one would compensate by using lower gear for longer. Assuming you're carrying luggage, you might want to retain stock gearing.

If you have a bar end mirror, make sure you swap it to the left hand side. You're probably avoiding autobahns, but if you're riding on one, you'll need all the rear view you can have!

Hello Andy, good luck with the trip, it is one I have thought about myself and it is on the list. If doing that journey myself I would carefully research the campsite possibilities as I found them a bit few and far between in Germany. You can pack much lighter without all the camping gear and you are going to be riding for around 6 hours a day in reality so a pre booked hotel might be a better option. If on a tight budget by all means camp but for a few extra quid a dry roof and pretty good bed is usually guaranteed. With the advent of booking.com I have carried out my last couple of tours completely on the hoof booking hotels as I go. As for the bike itself there is always someone who will tell you to buy this or that. In my opinion number one priority is comfort. That is the bike and your clothing. If that seat doesn't suit the trip becomes a misery. Ditto with uncomfortable and poor quality clothing. Getting on an uncomfortable bike in wet gear from the day before is miserable but you probably already know that.

Definitely no autobahns. Rear tyre is 110/90/18, I believe newer bikes have 19" wheels. That would increase the gear ratios also. Is the sprocket replacement a difficult job? I have some spannering experience but don't want to start messing about with internal gubbins unless I have to. (It ain't broke so I don't want to break it) . Down at the bike shop today (best price for the tyres) and he suggested carrying replacement throttle and clutch cables. Cable tied to the originals. Seems like a sensible idea. I thought about a screen but I like the naked look..... Of the bike of course, otherwise a heated seat would be necessary. New innertubes ordered with the tyres, I will take an old one as a spare. 're bar end mirrors....do they give a better view. I have a good view of my shoulder with the current ones.. previous bike was an R1100RT so I didn't have to give much thought to long journeys..
Thanks for the ideas

The B5 Bullet has 19inch rims front and rear, the C5 has an 18inch rear rim but the final drive sprocket differs accordingly. As far as I know the C5 Classic has always had an 18inch rear rim. To change the sprocket you have to remove the right hand engine cover, exposing engine internals and requiring a new gasket. Personally I have never bothered because I find the wind pressure quite tiring on the C5, so I don't wish to increase cruising speed above a comfortable 55-60mph. A BMW it is not, whatever you do to it. +1 on Booking.com. These days I use the wifi at the hotel or gust house I am staying to book the next day's one on my phone and then put the address in the satnav, taking a map
to get a feel for how far I need to go and the general direction. Also handy for kph speed and distance and, on the RE, a more accurate indication of speed.

Comfort over "look" every time. I find a well adjusted screen invaluable. Also, mirrors that actually work. H's v.small extension really help.