No Drive on my R 1150 RT

[littlewimp]

Hi All.
I'm new to the forum and have just got an R 1150 RT which has lost its drive, I only picked it up yesterday but I've now got it on the ramp in my garage, I'm guessing that its not an un common fault but thought it would be best for me and try to find out possible causes from the experts before I start, I did drain the oil from the final drive earlier and it was as clean as clean. so some advice on what to check next would be appreciated. The bike has covered 40,000 miles and its a 2004.
Thanks in advance.

[littlewimp]

Just finished stripping it down and found that the input shaft splines have virtually gone and centre plate stripped out, bit of a job having not worked on one before but at least I've found the fault.

[AZBMWRIDER]

This isn't a common fault .

First thing I would do, is to drain the transmission oil and see what you find .

Is there any noise when you turn the rear wheel by hand with the bike on the center stand ??

About the only thing that really comes to mind, is the transmission input shaft splines / clutch plate splines stripping out .

[sweatmark]

Hi All.
I'm new to the forum and have just got an R 1150 RT which has lost its drive, I only picked it up yesterday but I've now got it on the ramp in my garage, I'm guessing that its not an un common fault but thought it would be best for me and try to find out possible causes from the experts before I start, I did drain the oil from the final drive earlier and it was as clean as clean. so some advice on what to check next would be appreciated. The bike has covered 40,000 miles and its a 2004.
Thanks in advance.

What do you mean "lost its drive"?

Final drive big bearing failure?
Final drive seal failure?
Crown/pinion gears?

Or do you mean the bike has lost ability to transmit power to rear wheel?

[littlewimp]

This isn't a common fault .

First thing I would do, is to drain the transmission oil and see what you find .

Is there any noise when you turn the rear wheel by hand with the bike on the center stand ??

About the only thing that really comes to mind, is the transmission input shaft splines / clutch plate splines stripping out .

Thanks and Yes it was the Splines stripped, so a new shaft and clutch centre plate needed ! I'm not sure if its worth asking BMW or using an indy ?

[peels]

Thanks and Yes it was the Splines stripped, so a new shaft and clutch centre plate needed ! I'm not sure if its worth asking BMW or using an indy ?

i would consider looking for a used transmission. Thats the way I'd probably go if mine stripped. (luckily mine are fine) Iv'e seen the input shaft replacement job done, and its more than I would want to tackle. There's a VERY good video of the entire job on youtube.

The inside of these transmissions is pretty reliable. youv'e found the weak spot...

[littlewimp]

Thanks for your reply, i have since ordered a new shaft and clutch plate, and am quite confident about fitting the shaft ! i have ordered everything that i require to complete the Bike with a cost just over £500. it was quite a list and i should have it up and running within several weeks,

[peels]

Thanks for your reply, i have since ordered a new shaft and clutch plate, and am quite confident about fitting the shaft ! i have ordered everything that i require to complete the Bike with a cost just over £500. it was quite a list and i should have it up and running within several weeks,

cool. you are a mechanical level above me right now. For me, its an anxiety level I get the more parts are removed But I bet as time goes on, and I had a real problem, Id start to consider it.

heres the vid I mentioned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INEhEkE6ejM

[littlewimp]

Thanks that a pretty good Video, there's a few things that I would do differently but it gives me a good idea of what's involved, I did manage to vapour blast the gearbox of tonight ready for the strip down within the next few days, I will keep you all updated.

[littlewimp]

Just a quick update, I managed to find an hour tonight and got the gearbox stripped ready for the new shaft and seals, I need to pick up a couple of new bearings tomorrow from a friend who owns a bearing company and I shall be ready to put it back together. to be honest its quite an easy job to do.

[littlewimp]

New shaft and Clutch plate arrived yesterday but I'm very disappointed with the fit on the splines. I went for the genuine clutch plate but when placed on the new shaft there's far to much play. although the shaft is new I'm not sure if its a genuine BMW part but I'm guessing there getting them made elsewhere. not sure what to do now but the shaft will definitely be returned on Monday. As I own an engineering company that produce precision machined parts I know what clearances I would expect to see and this isn't it.

[littlewimp]

Spoken to the company that supplied me the Shaft and there sending me a Genuine BMW one for no extra cost.

[littlewimp]

Well I've just managed to get the Gearbox back together , just need to fit the new seals and give it a coat of paint and I will be able to start putting the Bike back together. I can't wait to get it running now although I wont be putting on the road until the Spring.

[littlewimp]

Ive Managed to get the Bike 90% complete, ive had it running and its sounds great, just a few parts to come back from powder coaters and I should have it finished ready for a sneaky test ride down the lane to check Gearbox out.

[sweatmark]

Well I've just managed to get the Gearbox back together , just need to fit the new seals and give it a coat of paint and I will be able to start putting the Bike back together. I can't wait to get it running now although I wont be putting on the road until the Spring.

We don't have a "Like" button here, but Like!

Pics of finished product expected.

What tools were required for transmission rebuild? Press? Any special tooling?

[littlewimp]

Sorry for the late reply,
I did managed to replace the input shaft without the use of many specialist tools although I did use a press to install the bearings onto the shaft, I also machined up several tools to install the new seals, I left the seals until last because ideally the gearbox casing needs warming up to aid assembly and I didn't want the seals to be affected by the heat, I must admit that it wasn't the easiest Gearbox that i've worked on but with some help from a friend we managed to get it sorted. I have actually just taken the Bike down the road for the first time tonight and everything with the transmission seems good, The only problem that ive got is with the ABS brakes so am hoping for some help with bleeding the system! is there any info on here ? I'm thinking that there could be a fault with the pump but any advice would be much appreciated.