The BMW GS boxer twin thread

[BMWST?]

Hey wicked news! Glad you & Phil got it sorted mate! I'm seeing him tomorrow night so am sure he'll be pleased as punch the bike has gone to someone who's really into having a PD! Actually the white & red does look pretty damn good doesn't it! Now I just have to get Phil to buy a DR and get him out with us on some adv rides!!!!!!!!

dont think you will get him of the MS!

[short shins]

My one is available.
I have not advertised it anywhere yet.
I want around 3k for it.
Look for the ad later or PM me.

Ideal base for a full restoration, or throw an Ohlins on the back, a DR 650 front end and you have a no nonsense air head adventure bike..

I'm selling it for the usual reasons… I can have a new bike if I sell one first, and I have come to the realisation (finally!) It’s a bit too tall for me and too many projects and a dwindling “Lawn mower fund”

[Eddieb]

So, the seal between the driveshaft and gearbox was split when I got the PD. The PO supplied a new seal with the bike but time has meant it hasn't been replaced yet, I've been riding with Duct tape over the split.

I've now started on the job and have the old seal off and the 4 bolts that attach the driveshaft to the gearbox, and yes I've got new bolts to put it back together with.

When i got it all apart I found some sort of oil in the bottom of the seal, probably half a teaspoon worth, and what appeared to be a small amount of grease on the inside of the driveshaft tunnel, yet I thought the shaft was dry.

How much trouble am I in? Is it bad enough to be concerned?

Eddie

[BMWST?]

So, the seal between the driveshaft and gearbox was split when I got the PD. The PO supplied a new seal with the bike but time has meant it hasn't been replaced yet, I've been riding with Duct tape over the split.

I've now started on the job and have the old seal off and the 4 bolts that attach the driveshaft to the gearbox, and yes I've got new bolts to put it back together with.

When i got it all apart I found some sort of oil in the bottom of the seal, probably half a teaspoon worth, and what appeared to be a small amount of grease on the inside of the driveshaft tunnel, yet I thought the shaft was dry.

How much trouble am I in? Is it bad enough to be concerned?

Eddie

ask Mike Dobson at Motorad...or if you want I will cos its a job i have to do on mine too.

[Kokopelli]

A tea spoon worth of oil in there can be considered almost normal, don't lose any sleep over it. If you had a split, it's probably got some water in it too, that's less desirable. Also, you can re-use these bolts at least once ,mine have been in and out a couple of times and I have now added a bit of locktite.

It might pay to check that the gearbox vent is clear. It's the hole in the screw that holds the earth cable and the speedometer cable to the gearbox.

My own clutch saga is not over yet. The clutch lever is quite hard to operate and can stick. It's a result of my previous stuff-up and means that I will have to replace the rear housing cover of the gearbox.

[Padmei]

If I may I'd like to interrupt this interesting thread & ask a question about the rear shock.

While watching Charlie & Ewan I was amazed by how many rear shocks they went thru in such a short time. The terrain at the time of them breaking didn't strike me as particularly hard core. I realise they were carrying a bit of weight but is it a common problem? I know that two aftermarket ohlins shocks went kaput as well as the BM one.

thanks
Nosey from Nelson

[Kokopelli]

They did go through some pretty tough terrain and were seriously overloaded in my opinion (what's acceptable on the road, will not necessarily work off-road). When the last straw breaks the camel's back it may not matter what the terrain is like at the time.

Although I don't own Oehlins shocks, I do consider them to be of excellent quality. I've got a WP shock on the R80GS (factory equipped) and have replaced the shocks on my R1150GS with Canandian Elka shocks.

I sure though, that you could break those as well, if you carried all that crap that those two guys did. Why should motorcyclists need to carry more than cyclists, who travel the same distances, do? Self inflicted if you ask me.

[Box'a'bits]

When I investigated this for my own trip through Africa (which didn't eventuate due to an accident prior to leaving) it became apparent that shock failure is an issue over that stretch. This is for OEM AND aftermarket. The corrugations effectively blow them apart. One of the recommended shocks at the time was the french Fournales airshock, apparently because it (strangely) was not as sensitive to the condition of the seals.

Overloading doesn't help (we were going to do that trip two up). Also the riders 'style' can be of some assistance. Note Charley doesn't have to replace his shock during the course of the trip.

The Silk Riders also got quite adept at changing shocks when they went through Africa.

Cheers

Steve

[Padmei]

So if all the planets aligned & I somehow managed to get to ride my dream trip thru Africa would it be prudent to carry a spare shock for another bike like KLR (or DR or XR etc etc) because it is almost inevitable it will happen?

I honestly thought they would have to be designed to be pretty bulletproof going on a bike of that calibre given the intended use for them (cue: snorts from the KTM camp)

The blokes on african odyssey only really had one mishap on their shittas - still they were packed pretty lite.

[Padmei]

Hey BMWRSNUT you've got the Katoom now- gotta do something with monilker bro

[Box'a'bits]

Hey BMWRSNUT you've got the Katoom now- gotta do something with monilker bro

The current moniker IS a bit of a mouthful, but still got an BMW R100RS, so still holds true (& a bunch of parts for another project bike).

Also,
1. How does one change a user name?;
2. Would you lose 'post' records? &;
3. How do you not confuse people that know you under one name, not another?

Shocks are pretty heavy. I would be more inclined to upgrade from the OEM to aftermarket - something that has a reputation for reliability, especially given the weight of a RTW bike is more than the 'standard' useage that the OEM has been set up for (remembering OEM is often budget constrained). Make sure that the shock is set up for the weight that the bike is supposed to be carrying for the trip. Then make sure you can get support for both the bike & shock if necessary.

Steve

[Eddieb]

So, the seal between the driveshaft and gearbox was split when I got the PD. The PO supplied a new seal with the bike but time has meant it hasn't been replaced yet, I've been riding with Duct tape over the split.

I've now started on the job and have the old seal off and the 4 bolts that attach the driveshaft to the gearbox, and yes I've got new bolts to put it back together with.

When i got it all apart I found some sort of oil in the bottom of the seal, probably half a teaspoon worth, and what appeared to be a small amount of grease on the inside of the driveshaft tunnel, yet I thought the shaft was dry.

How much trouble am I in? Is it bad enough to be concerned?

Eddie

Has anyone replaced a front driveshaft seal themselves? whats the secret to getting the driveshaft to move back enough to get the new seal in place? I have the bolts out, but can't get the shaft to move back more than 1 or 2mm. I've tried with the driveshaft at every angle and the every degree of rotation but no joy.

If I can't get this wrapped up easily I won't be able to take it on the South Island trip.

Plus. how do you get the starter motor off, I have removed the airbox but can't get anything around the starter's mounting bolts, it's just too tight.

[NordieBoy]

1. How does one change a user name?;
2. Would you lose 'post' records? &;
3. How do you not confuse people that know you under one name, not another?

Just ask a mod.

eg. BusaJim changed to Balrog no probs.
You don't lose anything. In that thing under your name just put "Formerly ......."

[Phreaky Phil]

Has anyone replaced a front driveshaft seal themselves? whats the secret to getting the driveshaft to move back enough to get the new seal in place? I have the bolts out, but can't get the shaft to move back more than 1 or 2mm. I've tried with the driveshaft at every angle and the every degree of rotation but no joy.

If I can't get this wrapped up easily I won't be able to take it on the South Island trip.

Plus. how do you get the starter motor off, I have removed the airbox but can't get anything around the starter's mounting bolts, it's just too tight.

When i replaced the boot on mine i had the swingarm out. This isnt a major. Has a big locknut each side and an allen key bolt to preload the bearings. You just back off the locknut and unwind the allen head bolt each side and out she comes. I always find a teaspoon of oil in the bottom boot on mine even though the seals had been replaced. I just have to get my paranoid head around this being "normal". I seem to remember one of the starter bolts being a real pain in the arse. I think i used an open end spanner and could only move it in small increments. I think i replaced it with a cap screw.

[Eddieb]

Yeah it's all about the rider but at face value this is a pretty one sided competition. Supposedly the G/S rider is 17 and he backs it into at least one corner. At the start of the video the KTM is several corners ahead.

The ADV thread where I found it.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=462266