Final drive rebuild

[ianm00]

Has anyone had a rebuild done by BVM Moto in Stroud?

I was considering Mikeyboy but BVM are closer to me and I can ride the bike to them so I don't need to remove the shaft myself?

Thanks

Ian

 

[Bendy toy]

It depends how bad the bearing is. What if it fails on the ride from Newport?
Bearing bits in the gears will scrap the final drive. IMO, its wiser to take the FD off the bike and use the car/another bike.

My research on all this shows the drive pinion needle roller bearing should also be replaced and if any doubt change the FB to swing-arm pivot bearings. The drive pinion needle bearing post 2006 was larger so BMW were are of the problem.

What is the group wisdom on fitting an angular contact bearing to a 1200 FD as has been done on 1150s.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/bmw-tech/1150gs-rear-wheel-bearing-failures-38600

 

[ianm00]

It depends how bad the bearing is. What if it fails on the ride from Newport?
Bearing bits in the gears will scrap the final drive. IMO, its wiser to take the FD off the bike and use the car/another bike.

My research on all this shows the drive pinion needle roller bearing should also be replaced and if any doubt change the FB to swing-arm pivot bearings. The drive pinion needle bearing post 2006 was larger so BMW were are of the problem.

What is the group wisdom on fitting an angular contact bearing to a 1200 FD as has been done on 1150s.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/bmw-tech/1150gs-rear-wheel-bearing-failures-38600

I dont think the bearing is that bad as there is only a small amount of play when moving the wheel (by holding top/bottom and moving it). Spinning the wheel runs smoothly. BVM said the pinion bearing doesn't normally need changing and they only change it if required when they have dismantled the final drive. Are there other opinions on this?

Ian

 

[Bendy toy]

I'm no FD expert (though I do have an engineering background), so I'm just passing on stuff I found on this and other forums. Mostly what's been written by @Patzx12.

There is a long thread about the pinion bearing which I cant find right now but a few searches (or Google) will pull it up. The basics as I read it are: pinion bearing before 2006 was a special size available only from BMW.

After 2006 the bearing is bigger and now an off-the-shelf size, It seems to be less prone to fail.

Edit
This is the FD details I mentioned above. Picture 2 shows the needle bearing. To my eyes it looks well hidden and tucked away from the oil as its centrifuged to the outside of the case. Post #6 alludes to the problem. Post 13 shows the pinion bearing face looking pitted. In Post#44 Patz says, "Remember my FD had only the slightest symptoms of failure if I kept riding it would have chewed itself up."

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1623869#post1623869

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-25564.html

When my wheel bearing shows signs of trouble I will be having everything checked out before putting it back. Its more money but good insurance.

I wonder if Patzx12 is selling those castellated shaft holding fixtures.

 

[cookie]

You thought wrong old chum. Nothing lasts forever and 75k is pretty good. Get the rebuild done by Mikeyboy for £350 and you will be good to go for another 75k.

It's pot luck on drives from the factory so a rebuild by someone competent with good bearings is the best option.

much as i like the 1200, and don't consider them unreliable...i also don't consider 70K an acceptable life for a major transmission component

 

[ianm00]

I dont think the bearing is that bad as there is only a small amount of play when moving the wheel (by holding top/bottom and moving it). Spinning the wheel runs smoothly. BVM said the pinion bearing doesn't normally need changing and they only change it if required when they have dismantled the final drive. Are there other opinions on this?

Ian

Should I insist that BVM change the pinion bearing or should I let the mechanic descide if its necessary to replace? The mechanic is very good and I trust his opinion but after taking it apart this far is it sensible to change it?

Ian

 

[Bendy toy]

After seeing @Patzx12 's pictures of that worn pinion needle bearing race I wouldn't risk it. It might be fine, but needle bearing fragments will smash the FD gear teeth and how would anyone know if it's about to fail.

 

[Pete D]

I can highly recommend Bath Road Motorcyles (ex Bristol Motorrad), who have just replaced the bearing in my FD. Closer than BVM to you......

Shame that yours is a similar vintage to mine, as I have a brand-new never used 07 MY FD for sale.....If only I have checked the build year of my bike, rather than relying on the registration number

 

[ianm00]

I can highly recommend Bath Road Motorcyles (ex Bristol Motorrad), who have just replaced the bearing in my FD. Closer than BVM to you......

Shame that yours is a similar vintage to mine, as I have a brand-new never used 07 MY FD for sale.....If only I have checked the build year of my bike, rather than relying on the registration number

Sorry had bad experience with Bath Road and wouldn't use them again. I have no issues with BVM and highly recommend them.

Did you have everything rebuilt within your FD? What was the problem symptons with yours?

Ian

 

[Bendy toy]

The internals of the 07 MY final drive might differ but would the bike care if it fits the swing arm?

 

[Pete D]

I had the large bearing replaced. Symptoms were excessive play at the wheel rim and vibration on rotation. All other components were and are fine.

The difference between the FDs is the ABS/speed sensor. The earlier ones' sensors uare smaller and wired differently. The upshot would be a non-working speedometer if such a mismatch was fitted.

 

[Bendy toy]

Shame.

I wonder why manufacturers do these "upgrades" where functionality is the same but the parts are not compatible. I guess they have their reasons.

 

[Pete D]

It certainly is a shame...... I have a brand new FD sat on my garage workbench that won't fit my bike. Hopefully, someone will need/want it eventually.

 

[Ali-bear]

Pete

I may be interested in your FD. It will fit an 07 bike, will it?

 

[Ravenbyrne]

If anyone interested I've got a 2008 GS/A final drive for sale.

Gear ratio is 32/11

Had it rebuilt in September by a BMW mechanic and while that was been done I found a replacement drive on ebay.

Looking for €400.00 or £325.00 GBP post would be expensive to the UK but I could investigate that if there's any interest.

It cost me €350.00 to have it rebuilt and I still have the receipt.

There is a wee scrape near the dust cover " previous owner" but has not effect on the drive.

The black dots are tar spots

Cheers,

Brian

 

[Ali-bear]

You probably want to clean that before you try to sell it

 

[Ravenbyrne]

You probably want to clean that before you try to sell it

I did clean it

 

[Bendy toy]

White spirit or WD40 and a toothbrush will shift tar spots.

 

[Ali-bear]

I have French road tar all over the back of my GS since my Pyrenhees road trip in September. I was planning on cleaning it off one day this winter but since my FD is apparently knacked getting it overhauled will take precedence.

FD bearings knacked at 15k miles but I've yet to check the play for myself.

 

[Bendy toy]

What is the general opinion about fitting an angular contact bearing instead of a deep groove?

Its been done on the 1150. Has it been tried on a 1200?