1200 GSA gearbox

[Bendy toy]

My 2008 1200 Adventure gearbox runs fine (as far as I can say) but rattles in neutral then goes quiet with clutch lever pulled in. I'm told its an end float issue presumably needing new bearings. But could it be worn clutch splines on the input shaft?

I would change all bearings and any worn needle rollers inside. Would it be less cost (or at least little worse) to swap the gearbox for a low mileage spare? I would subsequently repair the original box and sell it on or simply keep it as a spare.

Can I fit a Mk 1 or Mk 3 1200 gearbox to a Mk2 1200 bike? I mean, are all 1200 GSA gearboxes interchangeable?

 

[litelfun]

Mine runs fine (as far as I can say) but rattles in neutral then goes quiet with clutch lever pulled in. I'm told its an end float issue which I assume means new bearings are needed. BUt could it be worn clutch splines on the input shaft?

Would it be less cost (or at least little worse) to swap the gearbox for a used spare? Maybe I could repair the original and sell it on or simply keep it as a spare.

Can I fit a Mk 3 1200 gearbox to a Mk2 1200 bike?

your clutch is not in use if you dont pull the lever in so that rulles the clutch aut I would just ride it theis bickes du ratel mien was a bit licke that last time I was aut and I found it was the spark plug kap cover was brocken causing the bicke to run unevenly causing ratel !!! a litel bit of superglue on the spark blug cap cover wheir brocken job fixed some times its just simple things !!! r 1200 dont really have eny isuas licke the old r80 and r100 so dont wurry to much I wouldent

 

[Bendy toy]

Ive recently changed the main coils which has smoothed the tickover but the noise remains. I sometimes get a rattle from the screen but that's clearly from the front of the bike. The bike definitely rattling at tick over in neutral and quiet with clutch lever pulled in.

Neutral while cold is not too noisy but the clatter gets obvious as it warms up. The noise stops completely when clutch lever is pulled in. If it's the clutch plate rattling on the shaft I would expect noise when lever is pulled (like a Guzzi) as the plate can now move. But its the opposite way.

Noise is there when clutch is clamped and can't rattle so it has to be the gearbox.

Any comments on gearbox interchangeability?

 

[ianran]

My 2008 1200 Adventure gearbox runs fine (as far as I can say) but rattles in neutral then goes quiet with clutch lever pulled in. I'm told its an end float issue presumably needing new bearings. But could it be worn clutch splines on the input shaft?

I would change all bearings and any worn needle rollers inside. Would it be less cost (or at least little worse) to swap the gearbox for a low mileage spare? I would subsequently repair the original box and sell it on or simply keep it as a spare.

Can I fit a Mk 1 or Mk 3 1200 gearbox to a Mk2 1200 bike? I mean, are all 1200 GSA gearboxes interchangeable?

Sounds like it could be the clutch release bearing to me.

 

[oldnfat]

Sounds like it could be the clutch release bearing to me.

+1

 

[Gossy]

your clutch is not in use if you dont pull the lever in so that rulles the clutch aut I would just ride it theis bickes du ratel mien was a bit licke that last time I was aut and I found it was the spark plug kap cover was brocken causing the bicke to run unevenly causing ratel !!! a litel bit of superglue on the spark blug cap cover wheir brocken job fixed some times its just simple things !!! r 1200 dont really have eny isuas licke the old r80 and r100 so dont wurry to much I wouldent

That's easy for you to say.

 

[seahorse]

I think all boxes will do this to some degree, mine certainly does. It doesn't mean it's going to fail any time soon, just ignore it. 2008 on boxes are different by the way and not interchangeable with earlier ones.

 

[Pukmeister]

My 04 bike was dreadful for gearbox end float noise in neutral, but it shifted gears cleanly with no false neutrals and had 50k on the odometer when part exchanged. Once on the move I couldn't hear the noise anyway so never worried about it.

My 08 bikes gearbox is much quieter in comparison, but the shift is the same.

 

[BlueBird]

Mine does it nearly 90k on it.

keep going till it breaks

 

[Martyn H]

Bendy - as Seahorse & others have said, lots of Boxers do that; in fact all the Boxers I've owned since 1976 have done it to a degree. If it puts your mind at rest, get a good mechanic, ideally one with a good knowledge of Boxers, to listen to it, but I suspect you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Chris Terry]

My 2008 1200 Adventure gearbox runs fine (as far as I can say) but rattles in neutral then goes quiet with clutch lever pulled in. I'm told its an end float issue presumably needing new bearings. But could it be worn clutch splines on the input shaft?

I would change all bearings and any worn needle rollers inside. Would it be less cost (or at least little worse) to swap the gearbox for a low mileage spare? I would subsequently repair the original box and sell it on or simply keep it as a spare.

Can I fit a Mk 1 or Mk 3 1200 gearbox to a Mk2 1200 bike? I mean, are all 1200 GSA gearboxes interchangeable?

Before you start refurbishing your gearbox, are you sure you have a wear issue?. Is the noise that you are concerned about normal or not?. Have you compared you GS with a similar year/mileaged example?. Have you had a "firm quote" from BMW to rectify?
Remember, "it's not what you think it sounds like", it's "what it should sound like". Think hard before embarking, the GS has a very rattle/clunky power-transmission unit that will always make noises (all mine have but never let me down).
Just my thoughts.
Good luck.
PS. Have listen to the new water cooled GS !!

 

[Bendy toy]

Thanks for the replies folks.

Im sure its not clutch bearing because there is no noise with the bearing under load - lever pulled in. Its noisy only in neutral with the clutch out. However it could be the clutch plate rattling on the gearbox splines but I have no idea if that makes any noise. Standing at traffic lights it sounds like a Meriden Triumph, but pull the clutch lever and it purrs. There are no odd noises on the move and gear shifts are good.

My brother also has a 2008 1200GSA (I know - Tweedle Dum etc). He previously had a Guzzi Breva 1100 which really tinkled with the clutch pulled but was totally quiet with clutch out. His GSA was cosseted from new leaving the engine tight. He's gradually freeing off with a few thrashings and long runs. He has zero transmission noise.

Just in case I do get bad news from an expert, does anyone know if the 2010 onwards (Mk3) gearbox will fit the 2008 (Mk2) bike?

 

[Beemerman59]

I'd be interested in what the fix is as I have the exact same rattle on my '08.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Just in case I do get bad news from an expert, does anyone know if the 2010 onwards (Mk3) gearbox will fit the 2008 (Mk2) bike?

I got a replacement from James Sherlock. Give him a call and he'll let you know what will fit. For info, I paid about £800 for a gearbox from a 3000 mile bike. I just gave him my reg number and he sent the correct gearbox but given the mileage I presume it comes from a later bike than my 56 plate.

 

[The smudger]

I'd be interested in what the fix is as I have the exact same rattle on my '08.

+1 here as well......

I would think its quite normal. Having had quite a few of these I can confirm that some do, & some don't. I don't see it as an issue, just different gearboxes built with different tolerances.

 

[G5RJO]

.

My bike did it from about mid 40k miles. Thought it was the clutch.

Changed out the clutch, everything. It wasn't that worn so it was changed out well premature to be honest but it was a fun weekend in the garage.

Rattle stopped but returned within 1k.

Pulled the rear wheel and shock. Pulled the clutch pushrod and replaced and freshly greased the felt seal (again) on the pushrod.

Rattle stopped but guess what... returned in about 1k miles.

Im fast approaching 60k and it still rattles when hot but it goes well enough and the rattle stops when I pull the clutch. I don't bother, let it rattle, it seems fine.

I KNOW for certain that it's a pushrod rattle issue. The only thing I didn't swap out was the pushrod and I believe that they wear slightly and rattle, hence, when you load it up, by pulling the clutch lever... the rattle stops.

A new rod and seal is a little outlay and a lot easier than a clutch / gearbox swap. If it bothers you try swapping that first.

Roger.

 

[Mad_Accountant]

My 2008 1200 Adventure gearbox runs fine (as far as I can say) but rattles in neutral then goes quiet with clutch lever pulled in. I'm told its an end float issue presumably needing new bearings. But could it be worn clutch splines on the input shaft?

I would change all bearings and any worn needle rollers inside. Would it be less cost (or at least little worse) to swap the gearbox for a low mileage spare? I would subsequently repair the original box and sell it on or simply keep it as a spare.

Can I fit a Mk 1 or Mk 3 1200 gearbox to a Mk2 1200 bike? I mean, are all 1200 GSA gearboxes interchangeable?

I have had many beemers make this noise to various degrees and never had a gearbox failure. I totally agree that if the box is working normally it's a noise you should ignore. If in doubt ask a main agent BMW dealer that you trust. They hear more boxes than any of us !

 

[Bendy toy]

I will have a look at the clutch push rod. TNH Im not too sure that's the issue. Slowly pull the clutch lever and the noise remains until fractionally before the lever goes firm as the clutch plate engages. If it was the push rod I'd expect some change was the mechanism start to move it forwards. But as said its cheap enough to try a new push rod and seal.

 

[hatzyian]

I had the rattle for sometime, then it got a lot worse, a real tunk thunk when in neutral. thought it was bearings, so took to local BMW mechanic, he thought bearings, so OK, in for a fix. Finally found that it was the gearbox input shaft, it has a shock system, ie a big spring and cam assy. the spring housing was splitting. Also caused heavy wear on the clutch plate. The bearings weren't too bad but they were changed as well.

Will try to get a photo up later.

 

[hatzyian]

Here is a picture of shaft