bikemad
Registered user
Id bet they've got it in bits too so no going back least it should be warrantied work,so won't be any fd issues for a lot of miles ?
Final Drive, Final Ride?
- Thread starter masherbike
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i have had one bike that did exactly the same,however there was nothing wrong with the fd splines,
before parting with cash or authorising a repair, i would want to inspect the bike,why only an 80% contribution,and stinging you for a service??
its hardly your fault that the splines have not been lubed,it is a known problem and should be on the service schedule.
up to you, your bike etc,but i recon if you kick off a bit,poss advise them that you are going to pay for an independant engineer to inspect and report.
you may get a bit "more" goodwill
before parting with cash or authorising a repair, i would want to inspect the bike,why only an 80% contribution,and stinging you for a service??
its hardly your fault that the splines have not been lubed,it is a known problem and should be on the service schedule.
up to you, your bike etc,but i recon if you kick off a bit,poss advise them that you are going to pay for an independant engineer to inspect and report.
you may get a bit "more" goodwill
Final drives never go wrong on cars so why do they fail on BMW GS bikes?
It's not exactly a complicated assembly so are BMW using substandard bearings, joints etc?
It should be one of those things that lasts the life of the bike
It's not exactly a complicated assembly so are BMW using substandard bearings, joints etc?
It should be one of those things that lasts the life of the bike
I agree .... 80% seems a bit low to me. Have you asked your dealer for a contribution as well?
Bendy toy
Registered user
Check out the thread by Patzx where he shows a 2005 failed needle roller bearing at the pinion nose. To my untrained eye it looks to have run dry. Later bikes have a larger bearing and last better. However Mile said my 50K 08 was "ready".
My suspicion is the reduced oil level isn't helping. Mine now gets 200ml and has never blown out of the FD breather.
My suspicion is the reduced oil level isn't helping. Mine now gets 200ml and has never blown out of the FD breather.
masherbike
Registered user
Dealer said they would knock down the service price to bring the total to £600. So a £400 repair. I am not happy but it could have been worse. At least I will have a brand new complete final drive and shaft assembly. I will insist on seeing the old bits, take some photos and inspect the new before parting with cash. I always thought the flexi gaiter looked a bit too much style over engineering considering the type of bike. I like the look of the older ones with visible stainless bands.
A better design for sure
That's what I have on my K1100RS too - much better than the 1200's design. I do take the bevel drive off occasionally to have a looksee and lube the splines but there's never any sign of water ingress in there, unlike on my 1200.
masherbike
Registered user
I have a Blade too. 20k on clock. They are capable of high miles, you do see them with 70k, some ex police, they are just not really touring machines. Mine is rock solid and still looks nearly new.
Bendy toy
Registered user
Its not that Japanese sports bikes "can't' do high miles - of course they can. It's just that very few ever do, so very few get to suffer mileage/usage related problems.
That said, the R1200GS final drive is really not up to the task.
The swing arm really should have a small hole at the bottom to allow any trapped water to escape. It's not an oil bath in there though that would probably have been a better idea.
If they had used a similar system to the 11/1150's with a properly secured gaiter, then there would less problems
Bendy toy
Registered user
No argument with that. Is there a 11/1150 retro fit for the 1200?
I also wonder how it is that Honda and Yamaha can use a solid swing arm with no jacking under acceleration when BMW have to fit a costly multi link system.
I also wonder how it is that Honda and Yamaha can use a solid swing arm with no jacking under acceleration when BMW have to fit a costly multi link system.
masherbike
Registered user
Pictures of failed drive
Here are 2 pictures that I took of my old final drive and shaft at Allan Jeffries yesterday. Looks like the female splines on the drive shaft failed. The male splines look pretty much intact although rusty. AJ said it was not economic to replace the splined shaft in the final drive as it would require too much work to re-build. My bike now has a brand new final drive assembly and drive shaft. I've noticed a lack of backlash which is nice.
Photos to follow once I have worked out how to add from Picasa.
Here are 2 pictures that I took of my old final drive and shaft at Allan Jeffries yesterday. Looks like the female splines on the drive shaft failed. The male splines look pretty much intact although rusty. AJ said it was not economic to replace the splined shaft in the final drive as it would require too much work to re-build. My bike now has a brand new final drive assembly and drive shaft. I've noticed a lack of backlash which is nice.
Photos to follow once I have worked out how to add from Picasa.
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masherbike
Registered user
Photos of Final Drive damage
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/111021276018751828121/albums/5698517570273396225?sort=1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/111021276018751828121/albums/5698517570273396225?sort=1
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Gordon T
Registered user
For a bike thats less than 3 years old, how many people think thats acceptable. I for one, certainly dont.
No, it isn't. But for balance I've just serviced the final drive of my 2 1/2 year old bike, 24k miles ridden daily all year round and the drive shaft and UJ look like new. Maybe my rigorous twice yearly cleaning regime are a factor
eyes:Just me guessing but I'd imagine power washing the bike and lengthy periods with the bike laid up contribute to this sort of damage, all the more reason to ride through the winter
Kneeslider916
Registered user
Wow. Good and rusty.
Buy an XT1200Z Super Tenere, its like a GS that actually works !
iftikartaxis
Registered user
final drive
the splines look totally bone dry of any type of grease or lubrication
i have some special grease used by boeing on there aircrafts i was told it was mega expensive got it off the guy who sold me the bike i used that on the 1200 when draining final drive oil
keep it well lubricated
the splines look totally bone dry of any type of grease or lubrication
i have some special grease used by boeing on there aircrafts i was told it was mega expensive got it off the guy who sold me the bike i used that on the 1200 when draining final drive oil
keep it well lubricated
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