How much play in my rear wheel is normal?

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

Washing the bike last night on the centre stand and noticed the rear wheel has a slight play on the hub.
Can anyone shed light onto whether there is a normal tolerance for movement or can I take this as a bad thing?!

I am not a mechanical numpty, only had my bike for three years so dont know my way round the flaming thing yet. Any advice would be very welcome.

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

I believe there shouldn't be any

 

[niko]

do you mean in the direction of travel? or grabbing it on each side and wobbling side to side 90 deg from direction of travel?
if its the 1st its normal 2nd not

 

[Onwalkabout]

If the second as mentioned above have a look at the sticky for final drive bearing...

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159180

Not a big job, but one that must be done!

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

uh-ohhh

me hunkering down at rear wheel, facing it.
Grabbing both sides and wiggling, top to bottom, side to side.

Little bit of play....

 

[Carl]

uh-ohhh

me hunkering down at rear wheel, facing it.
Grabbing both sides and wiggling, top to bottom, side to side.

Little bit of play....

There shouldn't be any play, its likely to be the paralever bearings. Get someone to step on the rear brake whilst you check for play, if the play is still there then there's a good chance the bearings need to be nipped up. Plenty of info on here for doing the adjustment, but if you are unsure with tools take it to an independant.... its a quick job so shouldn't cost much I tend to need to do the adjustment after about each 20k miles.

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

thanks guys

in direction of travel there is a bit of play ie holding the wheel at quarter to three positions.
Almost none if holding wheel at half 12 position.