Potential disaster

[Packer]

Bike loads on the 26th April for Sgt Bilko's San Franlaska trip.

I'm away for three weeks from Thursday so time to finish bike prep today.

A nice wee run out this afternoon to get the oils warm.

Dropped the engine oil, changed the filter, refill with semi-synth. and re-assemble. May as well do the gearbox and final drive as well.

Did someone say final drive?

Shiny metallic haze in the oil and what looks like a large grey fungus attack on the mag. drain plug.

Ahaa, a boy scout is always prepared, two spare seals and a spare bearing to hand (I was going to remove the seal and check the bearing anyway even though it was only replaced 13,500 miles ago at 61,000 miles by Mr Steptoe). Insert Halfords finest 7mm hex key driver, twist and snap. Too close to closing time to get a replacement so tomorrow before I can get it apart.

So, if the bearing looks sad I can replace it. The last one I did myself lasted 35,000 miles and even if the next one only lasts 13,000 miles that gives a big margin of safety for the 8,000 mile trip.

But do I just replace the bearing and seal or do I drop the entire FD and ship it to Scrimingers to overhaul completely whilst I'm away and it can be waiting for me to refit when I get back home on the 19th April?

Is it likely that there is nothing wrong apart from the big bearing failing or is it more likely that the sickness is more extensive?

 

[Blackal]

Get it repaired. Otherwise - you'll be thinking about it every day of the trip.

Al

 

[Fanum]

Whip out the old bearing, look at the cage.......any rivets gone or the links broken, there's your cause, replace, refit, forget
I think I'm on my 5th bearing now

 

[Packer]

Get it repaired. Otherwise - you'll be thinking about it every day of the trip.

Al

You mean go for the full overhaul? At the very least I was planning to fit a new bearing and seal.

I think I'm on my 5th bearing now

What mileage has the bike done?

 

[Fanum]

You mean go for the full overhaul? At the very least I was planning to fit a new bearing and seal.



What mileage has the bike done?

Not sure......well over 100k, but I ran for a couple of years with no speedo, using a pair of GPSs for measurement

Bear in mind though that mine has had a hard life......fat rider, lots and lots of fording etc.

I've lost count of the number of times I've changed emulsified FD oil......that can't help matters.

 

[boatman]

Kev if your bikie is a keeper i would get the whole thing fixed then it will ,as Blackal say,s not be on your mind
Mind you need to be sure they don,t put the job on the back burner when your away.

 

[Colban]

It would be wise to call Scrimingers first.They're good blokes but they have plenty of work on.
They have just done a few jobs for me in preparation for the Alaska trip,including the FD bearing/seal and re-shim.
I also happen to have an FD from an ABS 1100GS (3.00:1 ratio) that i have tried out for a few miles.I was thinking of using it on the trip but am staying with the stock drive.If you are desparate,you can borrow it for the trip.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

[/SIZE][/B]

It would be wise to call Scrimingers first.They're good blokes but they have plenty of work on.
They have just done a few jobs for me in preparation for the Alaska trip,including the FD bearing/seal and re-shim.
I also happen to have an FD from an ABS 1100GS (3.00:1 ratio) that i have tried out for a few miles.I was thinking of using it on the trip but am staying with the stock drive.If you are desparate,you can borrow it for the trip.

That's a perfect example of what this site is about

 

[Aidan1150]

That's a perfect example of what this site is about

Colin is as decent a chap as ever you will meet. I have been on the receiving end of his kindness and help.

Packer, if you have a T45 torx in your toolbox it will undo the 7mm allen bolts in your FD.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Kev

Get your drive down to Scrimmiger. Having a failure on the Alcan or the Dalton will not be easily dealt with and could wreck your trip so be on the safe side and get a rebuild.

On a trip like this there is no room for compromise or bodging hence why I have just invested in a new FD for my 12. I sent the old one the Scrimmiger who found too many issues for either of us to be comfortable with even after a rebuild. Steve at Scrimmiger is a top bloke and will do a great job.

Like Aidan says, Col is a great chap and if I were you, I'd stick close by him on the trip

 

[Packer]

Cheers for the advice guys and a big thanks to you Colban, I may yet need to take you up on that offer.

With the last bearing failing at so low a mileage, especially having been done by Steppers, I was thinking that it may need a bit more than a main bearing.

A call to Scrimingers first thing Monday. In the meantime I'll get a new driver tomorrow and have a peek inside to see what the it all looks like.

 

[Nobbyspiles]

I am booked on the same trip and was washing the bike, 09 1200 GSA, yesterday and decided to check for any movement at the top of the wheel as my last 07 bike which I bought new, had to get a new final drive fitted after only 12K. I had noticed a droning noise when cornering the last outing, Fkin same thing with this one. Bike has done 34500K. Bought it in Nov 11 with 26K from dealer. Bike had full serivce history and came from single owner, moto tours ireland http://www.motorcycletoursireland.com
Where is Scrimingers by the way and anyone know if is this unit servicable? I am trying to find a thread I read, fatefully as it has turned out, a few days ago that detailed some guy who serviced his own and was in a similar position workshop wise. I do have fulll engineering workshop at my disposal and have the unit on the bench at the moment. Anyone got alink to it if they remember it?
Can't believe this bike has gone the same way....it is a keeper though. I intend this to be my last bike.

 

[flatdog]

+ 1 on Scrimingers, decent price to overhaul, mine was non urgent and did take some time though, jointly agree a target date with him as he is busy.

 

[Aidan1150]

Nobby, it was Pat in Galway who posted that thread. This should be the one, http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166875

 

[Nobbyspiles]

Nobby, it was Pat in Galway who posted that thread. This should be the one, http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166875

Aidan, that's great. Can get in and dismantle it now. Happy enough that it'straightforward enough to get it apart. Cheers...

 

[Packer]

Well one free Halfords 7mm hex driver later, a firm tap on each bolt head and the FD is apart.

The bad news is that the output bearing hasn't failed, it's a bit rough but that is no doubt due to the bits of rollers from the taper bearing which are pitted. looks like some wear marks on the gears as well and the inner taper component has been turning on the shaft. Not a lot, just enough to make it obvious.

I'm not going top play with this, the trip is too important to me so I'll try and get a complete overhaul on the unit. If that's a no-go I'll see about a new FD that makes me feel a bit at the thought of the likely cost.

For the first time ever I'm questionning the wisdom of having a shaft drive BMW.