Rear Subframe Removal?

[Canuck GSpoter]

Looking at powdercoating/painting the rear subframe over the LONG winter. How onerous a process if it to remove same? I can see supporting the tranny as you would when installing HB bars. Other than the correct torque settings on teh 4 bolts attaching the unit to the engine/tranny, are there any other issues?

 

[andy malton]

subframe

Canuck,
You don't have to support the tranny just put the bike on it's centre stand,apart from the 4 bolts you mentioned there is also a bolt that goes right through the top of the engine aswell and 2 more bolts one each side that are connected to the air box.
My tip would be is leave the 2 very front top bolts in but loose and remove the rear mudguard/exhaust/lights/shock/footrests.remove the 4 bolts that hold the battery tray in place.remove throttle bodies but dissconnect the fuel lines as they have the link pipes fixed in the front of the air box
then loosen the the relay box bolts,by leaving the 2 front bolts in you can lever the frame up to get the relay box out just let that hang down the side of the bike you don't need to unplug anything,next remove the air box,again by lifting up the frame as it has to come out backwards,then when your happy that everything that is attached or may foul it's removal has been removed you take out the 2 front bolts and pull the frame out backwards,so basically your not left with much intact after the frame has been taken off,sounds a lot of work but it's all very straight forward,hope this helps. Andy

 

[Canuck GSpoter]

Excellent

Thanks very much. Still not certain if worth the effort due to the minimal amount of the subframe that is actually exposed. But, if the snow gets deep enough...

Thanks again.

 

[reyno]

Did this to mine early this year, looks better than original now, it was shot blasted, polyester coated & baked.
The biggest problem i came across was getting the long stud out, i had to keep putting oversize nuts/washers onto the stud leaving a few threads showing then put the nut on & tighten to the end of the thread (shank) then undo & pack with more washers, i was expecting the stud to start spinning but it did'nt untill it was nearly completely out.
My bike is a 97 R1100GS that has suffered winter use by the previous owner, so maybe you will not encounter this.
Good luck, Reyno.

 

[Canuck GSpoter]

Huh?

Reyno - I don't quite follow you. can you explain better or is there a diagram or manual that shows how to get the rear subframe off that I can get?

 

[Canuck GSpoter]

Follow-Up

Don't know if I can get powder coating in my area. Would paint suffice? If not, what did it run for powder coating? Have either of you powder-coated or painted your valve covers?

Thanks

 

[andy malton]

subframe

Canuck,
reyno is talking about the stud that goes thru the top of the engine it has a nut each side and is one of the main supports of the subframe at the front,sounds like it got corroded and got stuck in the hole thru the top of the engine,it does not screw out! take one of the nuts off which ever one comes off just tap the stud thru,I used a piece of metal rod slightly smaller than the stud.As for painting the subframe why not,I would use hammerite smooth you will get good results as for the rocker covers not done mine myself, but a friend has he used the hammerite smooth matt black and look really good but it is very hard to rub them down as there are so many nooks and crannies you would be better off getting them gently grit blasted to be sure you have removed all the oil and any dodgie paint.Andy

 

[reyno]

Andy's advise is sound, I did try tapping the stud out even after soaking with penetrating oil for several day's, but we are talking a six year old bike that may well have lived outside before i came to own it, I doubt you will have my problem's.
I did manage to remove the frame with the airbox and battery tray still in situ, I don't know if the 1150 differs,
i used a Haynes manual for reference, maybe not the most informative for this job but better than nothing.
Will try and e-mail you some pictures.
Brian (reyno)

 

[Canuck GSpoter]

Thanks

Thanks again folks. My email address is:

[email protected]

If there is anything I can do in return form the (soon to be) great frozen north, let me know.

Cheers

R

 

[Mick Fagan]

Robert, you may wish to avail yourself of checking thoroughly, the battery carrier frame, whilst you are in that area.

This little carrier basically comes out next, after you have removed the airbox that is.

If there has been any battery acid spillage it will make a mess, and, realistically, if you're going to do the rear sub-frame, then the addition of the battery carrier isn't much.

Mick.

 

[Canuck GSpoter]

Good idea

Thanks Mick - will do.