I remember when I had a 850 gsa. The front wheel bearings were knackerd. I rang the dealership and was told no can’t help under warranty but come in and we’ll see what we can do. He handed me 2 new bearings. I was happy. JJH
Read this if you own a K1600!
- Thread starter Philbrad66
- Start date
I've done quite a lot of front wheel bearings on K1600's. In and out of the network.
If my memory serves me. I'd wager that 90% of the failed bearings were very corroded. Full of moisture and grime.
So I think it's more of a seal failure. And seems to affect and people who ride all weathers more often.
And it's prudent to add that a lot of people jet wash their bikes these days. We all do it. It's just too easy not to. Not everyone is so careful with the Katcher.
None of these seals are rated to withstand jet washing. You can easily force water behind them. Which then can't escape.
Then it's Bye bye bearings...
For those with the luxury of workshops and too much time on their hands. You could maintain your own.
Remove the front wheel. Then GENTLY prise out of the plastic dust seals. If you deform them. You need to replace them.
Use an Aerosol brake cleaner. Blast your bearings until they look like new.
Then blow it all out with compressed air. Until it's super clean and dry.
Once certain everything is dry, liberally repack the bearing race with a bearing grease. Work it into the balls with a small paint brush. You don't want to go mad with it. The plastic cap should easily pop back on. Not grease oozing out. You want the outside of that seal clean and dry. Nothing for dust to be attracted to.
If my memory serves me. I'd wager that 90% of the failed bearings were very corroded. Full of moisture and grime.
So I think it's more of a seal failure. And seems to affect and people who ride all weathers more often.
And it's prudent to add that a lot of people jet wash their bikes these days. We all do it. It's just too easy not to. Not everyone is so careful with the Katcher.
None of these seals are rated to withstand jet washing. You can easily force water behind them. Which then can't escape.
Then it's Bye bye bearings...
For those with the luxury of workshops and too much time on their hands. You could maintain your own.
Remove the front wheel. Then GENTLY prise out of the plastic dust seals. If you deform them. You need to replace them.
Use an Aerosol brake cleaner. Blast your bearings until they look like new.
Then blow it all out with compressed air. Until it's super clean and dry.
Once certain everything is dry, liberally repack the bearing race with a bearing grease. Work it into the balls with a small paint brush. You don't want to go mad with it. The plastic cap should easily pop back on. Not grease oozing out. You want the outside of that seal clean and dry. Nothing for dust to be attracted to.
Last edited:
Philbrad66
Registered user
Philbrad66
Registered user
Thank God, there's someone else who actually knows something about engineering. I appreciate that comment.
However, I only clean my bike manually. I have now been told that the dealership who carried out the replacement will return the disintegrated bearing set back to me.
After speaking with bmw customer service, they informed me that any independent analysis of a failed component by any outside specialist would not be taken into consideration. Their technicians are all they need to be advised by. Let's see.
However, I only clean my bike manually. I have now been told that the dealership who carried out the replacement will return the disintegrated bearing set back to me.
After speaking with bmw customer service, they informed me that any independent analysis of a failed component by any outside specialist would not be taken into consideration. Their technicians are all they need to be advised by. Let's see.
I’ll mention that to her…
SKF quality bearings from Simply bearings £12.65+vat x2 + 2 off seals,
SKF 6005-2RSH/C3LHT23 Deep Groove Ball Bearing 25x47x12mm - Allow 1-2 Days - Con – Simply Bearings Ltd - Ball Bearings, Oil Seals, O-rings, V-Belts, SKF
I've got a front wheel bearing press (with R1200/K1600 adaptors) which makes the replacement straightforward.
Alternatively, you could tap them in ....
SKF 6005-2RSH/C3LHT23 Deep Groove Ball Bearing 25x47x12mm - Allow 1-2 Days - Con – Simply Bearings Ltd - Ball Bearings, Oil Seals, O-rings, V-Belts, SKF
I've got a front wheel bearing press (with R1200/K1600 adaptors) which makes the replacement straightforward.
Alternatively, you could tap them in ....
which bit am i missing ?
i don't understand ?
a bearing failure 6 months out of warranty.
i have a feeling , that you didn't get help from you dealer , cos the dealer wants to get rid of you as a customer.
he seems to have succeeded ! BMW are declining goodwill cos you haven't got any , they have sussed you out as a knobhead.
goodwill is just that , i bet you are a right pain in the arse !
you seem to think that they " owe you " cos you brought the bike from them.
THEY DON'T.
if you did this in my dealership , ( not BMW ) you would get a polite response , then, when you had finally fucked me off , i wouldn't say a word , until you rang up asking for service the next time.
YOUR labour rate would go up by £10/hour , and the delay to get into the workshop would be a minimum of 8 weeks.
i burn very slowly , but i never ever , forget a bad punter.
consider your " card is marked " by the dealership.
you have no idea how small the motorcycle trade is .
have you ever thought that someone from that dealership is on this forum , reading this ?
Jesus don’t hold back. The trade is small. That works both ways. I’m feeling that making a fuss over a couple of bearings might fuck up chances of a good will repair on something much more expensive. JJH
I think our OP has disappeared.......
I do sympathise but I dont see where the dealer or BMW is at fault here......
I do sympathise but I dont see where the dealer or BMW is at fault here......
I think he's pissed off that his wheel bearings only lasted 9000 miles.
On a bike with a full service history. Just outside of warranty.
Especially as he is abroad.
Id be pissed off too.
Yes. I’d be pissed off as well but as others have said: Fox it, pay and move on FFS
A Wind up...
Perhaps.
Perhaps.
It does seem a little odd. The bit about not getting the old ones back sounds odd. JJH
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Joined Tuesday at 17:55
Last seen Thursday at 11:49
well , he didn't last very long !
oy , @Paul G (BHT) , he might want his money back !
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Philbrad66
Registered user · From UkJoined Tuesday at 17:55
Last seen Thursday at 11:49
well , he didn't last very long !
oy , @Paul G (BHT) , he might want his money back !
Report
Just a registered user,
No money too hand back...
Clearly wanted to try to get as much sympathy for his case by joining probably numerous other bike forums as well. Jeeez. Just let it lie and move on….
well he failed , and if anything achieved the opposite result.
the only reason there are "goodwill" jobs at BMW , is because their rates are sky-high.
He would have had some sympathy if his engine had exploded. What did he hope to achieve? Oh I’ll never buy a k1600? Well I wasn’t going to anyway. JJH
