Anyone taken their bike WAY apart?

Greybeard · Post by **Greybeard** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 2:26 pm

I need to swap out my rear frame for one I've done some mods to and I'm just wondering if it can be done without removing as many components as Clymer indicates.
Anyone?
TIA!

Post by **towerworker** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 3:09 pm

I haven't to this point but I'm afraid that might soon change. (see post on engine knocking)

Wayne

Post by **boxermania** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:16 pm

Well for statrters, you have to remove the tank, all the plastic, fender and electrical cabling, disconect the shock at the top, cut all the wire ties that hold the wiring to the frame........ not dificult but tedious. It helps a lot if you have a bike lift.....from one that has done it a couple of times.

You might consider powder coating the new frame, it looks awesome.

Greybeard · Post by **Greybeard** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 7:50 pm

Ahh, here we go..the voice of experience!

So, no way to snake that back without taking the tank off then?
Can the tank just be pivoted up?
I'm trying to avoid having the bike down too long and with my schedule that's a potential.

Powder coat would have been overkill with the amount of frame actually exposed so Krylon got the nod.

And I do have a lift. What a treat, eh? These old knees ya know.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 11:22 pm

Taking the tank off, and having to put it back on wil be the easiest part of your project. I think it takes about five minutes - really easy. Probably the biggest issue with removing the tank is a quick-disconnect failing, and breaking apart.

Post by **boxermania** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:28 am

Adding to R4R&R noteworthy input.....or cutting an o-ring on the gas line quick connect as you go back together .....

Greybeard · Post by **Greybeard** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:20 am

Swell!

The two of you just jinxed me fershure!

Well...forewarned is forearmed then.

csalt · Post by **csalt** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:28 pm

Grey,
Removed my airbox and that required removing the rear subframe. Pretty labor intensive. Not real difficult. Make sure you have an 8mm torx that fits onto a rachet. Stripped mine with the allen type wrench.
Doug
P.S. oH YEA, REMEMBERto put your fuse box in before the frame stiffener on re assembly.

Greybeard · Post by **Greybeard** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:18 pm

Thanks very much for the tips everyone and keep 'em coming!
Hope I can do the same some day.

I've decided though that this is sounding more & more like a winter project.
Now..time to ride

Post by **CycleRob** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:27 pm

Greybeard,

The 50R is an easy bike to work on. Especially if you have any experience working on other brands. Just about every "project" I initially dreaded; the annual service, removing the heads, changing the shocks, changing both tires, upgrading both CamChain tensioners . . . . all turned out to be easier than I expected. It's all just easy busy work, like previous posters say.

Since you must cut all wire harness attachment points to replace the frame and the 4 frame bolts are visible with the tank on, I too would have tried "pulling it straight back, fueltank on" to swap the frames.
-BUT -
It looks like the airbox's captive shape may prevent that. Also, none of the BMW service procedures recommend that method and there is prolly a good (hidden) reason why. Give it a try anyway. You could help pave new ground for the group IF it is successful.

I'd say you're looking at only a rainy or designated weekend project, NOT a wait-till-Winter project. Just rely on Pepsi (caffeine) and printouts of the CD Manual pages . . . instead of . . . . Bud Lites (ethanol) and rock music for your companions.