(almost) catastrophic failure

[Shrimpo]

Just before arriving to work I experienced a dramatic loss in rear brake effectiveness.

When I got off the bike the rear tire (the side the rear pads are on), brake caliper, underseat area and shock are all dripping in oil. I mean that literally.

So it looks like some kind of Final drive failure but it doesn't sound like the rest I have read about. This is just oil being sprayed everywhere as opposed to the mechanical "disintegration" a lot of folks experienced.

Bizarrely I feel quite lucky. If this had happened during one of the many wet rides home or even just a bit arlier in my ride it could have been a real disaster. Even worse it might have happened during my first Alps trip in August!

I've had a couple of searches to see if I could find the same but not had any joy. Unless it's totally unrealistic I will have to attempt the fix myself as there is 60K on the bike so I dount really feel like donating loads of money to BMW if avoidable.

If anyone can pass a link or advice along I would be grateful.

Typically: new rear tire has about 180miles, new rear pads have about 100 miles and I bought a replacement final drive outer seal as it had started weeping a week ago and was due to fit it this week. Not sure if this last issue is related or how. . . . . .yet.

Right, now to think about how I get it home......

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just before arriving to work I experienced a dramatic loss in rear brake effectiveness.

When I got off the bike the rear tire (the side the rear pads are on), brake caliper, underseat area and shock are all dripping in oil. I mean that literally.

So it looks like some kind of Final drive failure but it doesn't sound like the rest I have read about. This is just oil being sprayed everywhere as opposed to the mechanical "disintegration" a lot of folks experienced.

Bizarrely I feel quite lucky. If this had happened during one of the many wet rides home or even just a bit arlier in my ride it could have been a real disaster. Even worse it might have happened during my first Alps trip in August!

I've had a couple of searches to see if I could find the same but not had any joy. Unless it's totally unrealistic I will have to attempt the fix myself as there is 60K on the bike so I dount really feel like donating loads of money to BMW if avoidable.

If anyone can pass a link or advice along I would be grateful.

Typically: new rear tire has about 180miles, new rear pads have about 100 miles and I bought a replacement final drive outer seal as it had started weeping a week ago and was due to fit it this week. Not sure if this last issue is related or how. . . . . .yet.

Right, now to think about how I get it home......

Any pics?

 

[drinkingparrot]

Is it oil, or brake fluid ?. Just a thought

 

[Georgeeboi]

How old is the bike and mileage?

 

[RichieS]

I thought i had the same issue a while back and it turned out to be my rear shock.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

brake caliper, underseat area and shock are all dripping in oil.

Rear shock FUBARed? Gearbox filler cap loose or missing?

 

[Giles]

Rear shock FUBARed? Gearbox filler cap loose or missing?

Yes - have you topped up with oil and forgotten to put the oil filler cap back on??

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Yes - have you topped up with oil and forgotten to put the oil filler cap back on??

When I bought my first GS, the (Yamaha) dealer that serviced it had forgotten to tighten the filler cap up. I soon noticed oil spewing out...

 

[Shrimpo]

all valid checks I need to make.

My first thought was brake fluid too. Checked the rear reservoir though and it looks fine for level.

Thought the smell was more like engine oil than Brake Fluid but I don't claim to have the most sensitive nose! Based on that I assumed FD.

Apols I don't have pics and I cleaned up most of the mess trying to (a) stop it dripping onto the new tires and (b) figure out where the hell it was coming from.

Hadn't considered the shock failing. Would thave thought I would feel it bottoming out if that happened? It's an Ohlins unit so I'm hopeful that isn't it but thanks for that tip, I'll check it as soon as I get a chance.

Keep 'em coming!

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Hadn't considered the shock failing. Would thave thought I would feel it bottoming out if that happened? It's an Ohlins unit so I'm hopeful that isn't it but thanks for that tip, I'll check it as soon as I get a chance.

Have you seen "The long way round"???

Charlie bust 2 Ohlins shocks. The OE shock faired much better IIRC

 

[Schtum]

Where abouts in Edinburgh are you (approximately) - just in case you need a second opinion.

 

[DrFarkoff]

If it is the FD then the inner seal would be a suspect as the earlier bikes don;t have the extra seal on the inside that the later bikes got!

If that is leaking taking off the wheel and the calliper will let you check for oiliness in there?

 

[Shrimpo]

Thanks folks.

My currently thinking is leaving the bike at work overnight and bringing the tools in to have a look tomorrow after work. That being said my current thinking is changing every 10 minutes.

Jaythro: I'll check that out first as that seems like it matches the symptoms really closely to me.

Schtum: thanks for that offer and I may well take you up on it. Home is Brunstsfield but bike is stuck in Livingston right now. If it look beyond help I will probably get the nice RAC man to trailer it home for me.

 

[Shrimpo]

Have you seen "The long way round"???

Charlie bust 2 Ohlins shocks. The OE shock faired much better IIRC

Yep saw it and know what you mean.

Only reason I say I am hoepful it isn't that is that it wont be a cheap fix I imagine given the Units themselves cost so much. Also I just ride on roads and mostly not with massive touring loads so I have my fingers crosses it isn't that. Mind you, how much will a new FD set me back!!

 

[Shrimpo]

How old is the bike and mileage?

2005 with 61K on the clock.

 

[Schtum]

Yep saw it and know what you mean.

Only reason I say I am hoepful it isn't that is that it wont be a cheap fix I imagine given the Units themselves cost so much. Also I just ride on roads and mostly not with massive touring loads so I have my fingers crosses it isn't that. Mind you, how much will a new FD set me back!!

Do you know how many miles on the shock? Ohlins specify a service interval of 30,000 Km.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Only reason I say I am hoepful it isn't that is that it wont be a cheap fix I imagine given the Units themselves cost so much. Also I just ride on roads and mostly not with massive touring loads so I have my fingers crosses it isn't that. Mind you, how much will a new FD set me back!!

Both the Ohlins and FD can be rebuilt no problem so no need for new. If it's the Ohlins there is Kais suspension in Manchester at www.kais-performance.co.uk and for the Fd, there is Steve Scriminger at www.scriminger.co.uk.

If the FD is completely bolloxed, you can get a rebuilt one from Motorworks or Sherlocks for less than half the price of new I know these things

 

[Shrimpo]

Both the Ohlins and FD can be rebuilt no problem so no need for new. If it's the Ohlins there is Kais suspension in Manchester at www.kais-performance.co.uk and for the Fd, there is Steve Scriminger at www.scriminger.co.uk.

If the FD is completely bolloxed, you can get a rebuilt one from Motorworks or Sherlocks for less than half the price of new I know these things

Cheers on that mate. I have kind of resigned myself to something like a rebuild/replacement. I want to keep my expectations low. lol.

 

[Packer]

If it is the final drive oil and assuming that 12's use Hypoid type lubricants, it is a very distinctive smell, not unlike mains gas.

 

[Shrimpo]

Well I took it for a quick back and forth in the car park without my helmet on before leaving it at work tonight and I reckon it is highly likely it's the FD.

There is a kind of hollow, low noise/vibration that sounds like a steel tube being rolled on concrete. It isn't particularly loud but it definitely wasn't there the last time I rode the bike without a helmet on a week or so ago (only 20 metres, I swear!).

I can't feel any rumble at all myself but maybe I am just a bit too insensitive!

Thanks for all the input. I'll confirm the cause either way for the next Lucky Soul that experiences something similar.

Bikes eh! Ya gotta love 'em.