Don't you just love it when that happens :)

[MattW]

My '94 1100's gearbox sprung a leak on its input shaft seal so I bit the bullet and sent it (and my spare 'ebay unknown condition' box for parts) to Steve Scriminger for an overhaul (new bearings and seals throughout and any other parts needed).

He emailed me an invoice (just bearings and seals - no other new parts needed) so I paid up and it arrived this morning. However the spare box came in bits so he'd obviously cannibalised it for some other part(s).

When I called him to find out what he'd come across during the rebuild, he told me that my 'from the bike' box was actually a warranty replacement M97 box (an important distinction for those who know 1100's - much stronger and with improved bearings). I never even looked at the stamping on the box when I removed it - I just assumed it was the original M94 and sent it off . He'd just taken a couple of selector forks out of my spare box as the hard facing on the 'bike box' forks had worn through.

So, all in all, I'm well chuffed as i have the updated (now fully reconditioned) gearbox - looks like I'll be keeping the old bus for a few years yet

 

[Timolgra]

Good result

 

[Packer]

SS is one very good guy. Shame there aren't more like him in the world.

 

[MattW]

SS is one very good guy.

He certainly is.
As I delivered my boxes to him, I met him and his wife and had a natter - thoroughly nice bloke.

 

[motobiker]

I'm quite surprised that after owning this bike for a few years and knowing about the gearbox problems and that a fair few were replaced under warranty - that you never asked a dealer to run a check.

I think thats the biggest lesson. if you buy an 1100/1150 etc. Do make a point of checking with a dealership on what work has been done. or indeed - remains to be done.

for instance - possible loosening of suspension pivots, front suspension linkage/possible handlebar cracking, gearbox may lock up and on the 1150 - rear brakes may fail, leak in fuel system (all subject to recall)

plus warranty, "campaign" and good faith work, like the gear box being replaced and so on.

 

[MattW]

I'm quite surprised that after owning this bike for a few years and knowing about the gearbox problems and that a fair few were replaced under warranty - that you never asked a dealer to run a check.

Well there you go.
I bought a '94 bike from a private seller and didn't bother to check for warranty recalls. And 20k happy miles later, I discover it had actually had its gearbox replaced...

Does everyone phone a dealer and check for warranty work when they buy a bike privately?

 

[Fanum]

Well there you go.
I bought a '94 bike from a private seller and didn't bother to check for warranty recalls. And 20k happy miles later, I discover it had actually had its gearbox replaced...

Does everyone phone a dealer and check for warranty work when they buy a bike privately?

Nope.

Never even crossed my mind.....nor will I bother to check now

 

[motobiker]

Nope.

Never even crossed my mind.....nor will I bother to check now

why should you - I guess after 11 years on this forum you know whats what.

but someone with no history of BMW - like Matt when he first joined - had he done this simple thing it would have saved him at least some cash - I doubt he would have bought that old M94 box had he known his bike had an M97 - the parts taken from it are only £27 2nd hand from Motorworks.

its not all about 'recalls'. with the early bikes knowing what warranty work has been done is very useful when making a decision.

If he knew then about 1994 bikes what he knows now - would he even have bought it? who knows.

Anyway if it gives someone considering one of these early bikes pause. then thats all I'm interested in.

as for what 'everyone' does - I don't follow the herd. After all the 'Herd' on this forum called me an fool (and worse) for buying a CAT C. (Yes really) from a very dodgy dealership in London that seemed to specialise in write-offs. I made the mistake of mentioning them by name and the venom flew.

almost 50,000 miles later its had a new clutch. paralever bearings. headlamp bulb and 2 indicator bulbs.. most recently a new clutch cable.

when I was looking at K1200 bricks - I did my research just as carefully. The bike I bought has had everything done.

I don't like taking unnecessary risks.