Don't Hesitate to Ask Questions!

[towerworker]

I would like to throw something out particularly to any new R owners and especially any that are new to this board.
I have been around this board since 2003 and have seen many come and go. There are always new owners who have many questions about how to do this or do that to our bikes. I would encourage any of you to not hesitate to ask any question no matter how many times it may have been asked before. One good case in point is the ever present question about what oil to use? I know it's been addressed before and sadly some of the folks who hang around here will get a little impatient when the oil thread comes up time after time. I will say to those: Please take your impatience else where and remember that at one time you were a new owner too with hundreds of questions.

The only stupid question is the one that is never asked. When I was first here I was here a lot and I asked a lot of questions and probably irritated some folks (maybe I still do). So to all you new guys ( and gals) please don't hesitate to jump in and post a question no matter how simple or silly you think it might be. That one question that you have is probably on the mind of a dozen others but they don't have the courage to ask. And the reason they don't have that courage is because they have probably seen how some folks here (thankfully not many) respond to those questions. There is a veritable wealth of knowledge and experience represented by the users of this board. Please don't hesitate to use it!

One more thing---if you find this site useful to you please consider becoming a donating member-----the return is countless times over the small investment!

Wayne

[Phang]

Thanks for the encouragement Wayne, I always wonder if I can use car antifreeze (e.g. Toyota super long life coolant) in our boxer’s radiator? My bike sees 78°F to 93°F throughout the year

Cheers,
Phang

[sjbmw]

Good post.

I have been here just as long, and in March I'll have an entirely new set of "stupid" questions, that are really only new due to my lack of metal capacity to remember a year ago.

[MikeCam]

And as long as Wayne is a contributing member, no one need fear asking the stupidest question ever asked. Wayne has that.

[boxermania]

Wayne, I for one applaude your openess and candor in support of the site, however, I'm mesmerized at the fact that you stil haven't resolved the radiator/coolant issues you have been having for a few years now.

I feel gifted today and will go on a limb to help you....how about if you take a bottle of Vodka and pour half in the radiator and consume the other half, put the Vodka in the radiator first, as I'm sure when the out-of-body experienece ends all the issues will be resolved to your satisfaction. For the above to work it is important to have the bike stored in the comfort of the garage and you siiting inside your humble abode, in your favorite chair......something to munch helps too.

If it doesn't work I will summon the pundits of this forum for an INTERVENTION, maybe I'll summon them even if it works.

[towerworker]

Each winter I try another brand of antifreeze (after flushing last year's out) in hopes of finding the one combination of ingredients that helps keep the engine cool in summer and warm in winter. But I never cease to be amazed by the German engineering in the complexity and the efficiency of the heated grips. The small size of the coolant lines that must run up thru the handlebars and the grips and then make it back to the radiators is astounding!

Phang---I've never tried Toyota's brand of antifreeze although I have used Prestone and the "green" stuff that won't kill the cat. With decent results I might add.

Mike............well you probably know what my response is!!

[stevenspoint]

OK, I've got a question about my 02 R1150RA that I purchased from the third owner with 18 thou on the clock. All service stamps are in the service record book. No road rash clean clear title. I have done all the 18 thou items listed to be done at that milege, plus new alternator belt, new front and rear brake pads, bled brakes, abs, clutch, fuel filter, spark plugs, balanced thr body's, torqued heads, adjusted vlv's, removed and cleaned starter, etc., etc. Finally my question: I went to the BMW dealership yesterday and asked the head mechanic if I should lube the final drive spline now or wait till the 24 thou service or do it now. The reason for asking, I have read a number of posts reguarding final drive failures that I have become paranoid.

Dave G.
02 R1150RA

[boxermania]

Based on age the answer is yes, based on mileage the answer is wait until the 24 k service. Ultimately is really up to you, either way it will have to be done......

BTW, welcome aboard and good luck with the new bike.

[stevenspoint]

OK, looks like this Saturday is scheduled for a rear spline lube. Any recommendations on lube to use?

Dave G.
02 R1150RA

[towerworker]

While they have it in the shop ask them to check the antifreeze in the radiators.

[stevenspoint]

WOW, You forgot to remind me to check the antifreeze level in the handgrips and the nitrogen level in the head light. I had
better include those two checks in my 6 thou maintenance.

Thanks,
Dave G.
02 R1150RA

[twindave]

I just did a spine lube. I used a DuPont product: Krytox XHT-BDX

Kind of expensive...$85.00 for a 2oz tube at McMaster-Carr.

I figured it was worth the money if it saves the splines. What I gathered from internet research, it's widely used in the world of racing.

Also, while I had the bike dismantled, I replaced the pivot needle type bearings with bushing type bearings.

[jcridge]

OK, looks like this Saturday is scheduled for a rear spline lube. Any recommendations on lube to use?

Dave G.
02 R1150RA

Honda Moly 60

The splines are not the failure you are probably reading about. The FD failures are usually the rear bearing failing. The rear paralever pivot bearings fail as well.
You should lube the splines ( and change the diff oil), but check the others for signs of wear.

Hey, they are yanking your chain about anti-freeze in the hand grips. BMW uses the engine oil to heat the grips on 2002 and newer boxers. That why it takes so long when you use the wrong weight oil.

I will be joining...thanks Wayne

[twindave]

I'd think twice before using Honda Moly 60 on the splines.

Just my 2 cents

[hank]

Don't forget to get the CAN-Bus fluid changed at the 24k service.

Hank.

[jcridge]

I'd think twice before using Honda Moly 60 on the splines.

Just my 2 cents

Why? The pro's and OEM recommend it for doing just that.


The Krytox XHT-BDX is something I have used in machines with harsh environment and high temperatures ( 250C). It was designed to lube rotational bearings, ball screws,etc... but at temperature way above anything a motorcycle would see, unless you shot it into outer space. I would have concerns about spalling in winter temperatures. It's good stuff, but it's expensive...

[stevenspoint]

Thanks everyone for the input about the FD splines. I would like to ask another question. Since I will have the final drive apart I guess its time to install the JL Pavarlever Bushings. I have read the instructions for installation and unsure of which part of the bushing is installed into the FD casting first. Does anyone out there have a drawing or picture that they would be willing to post for all of us first timmers out here.

Thanks again for the educated posts.

Dave G
02 R1150RA
TX

[twindave]

We are talking about clutch splines? aren't we?

Sorry..my bad

[jcridge]

Thanks everyone for the input about the FD splines. I would like to ask another question. Since I will have the final drive apart I guess its time to install the JL Pavarlever Bushings. I have read the instructions for installation and unsure of which part of the bushing is installed into the FD casting first. Does anyone out there have a drawing or picture that they would be willing to post for all of us first timmers out here.

Thanks again for the educated posts.

Dave G
02 R1150RA
TX

http://www.rvbprecision.com/motorcycles ... ement.html
http://www.rubberchickenracinggarage.com/bushings.html
http://www.beemershop.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=97

The Paralever bushing race is installed in place of the bearing race, and the bronze bushing takes the place of the bearing. You reuse the pins and nut if they are still good. You will want to wrap the boot with a few layers of foil before heating the nut and pins to remove. I had to use a propane torch to loosen the inner pin on my bike, but it had been glued by someone besides the factory.

Enjoy,


Enjoy,

[stevenspoint]

JCridge,

Thank you every must for the complete package. This will be an adventure for me and believe me, I will take my time and not have a bad experience. Thanks again you have made my day. I love working on my bike.

PS: Joined the R1150.com website today. A new member.

Dave G.
02 R1150RA