K11 Owners Group

Midlife K-risis · Flying Brick Rider Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Posts: 166

I talked to the owner of Motorcycle R&R today. They're an independent shop in Salt Lake City who seem to be VERY popular with the BMW crowd. The owner is a long time BMW enthusiast and his #1 tech is a BMW certified master technician. I challenged him with the words of his #1 tech: 'if it (the clutch slpine) hasn't failed by 50,000 miles it's not likely to fail'. He gave me a lengthy and very technical explanation of why this is true. Basically, he said, it comes down to the fact that in 1994 the K bikes were improved, and among other things the spline was beefed up. He said spline problems were common before 1994, but not after. So if a shop tried to talk you into a spline lube on a 1994 or after bike, they were just trying to take your money. Shocked

So, who to believe? He certainly seemed to know what he was talking about. If this is actually true, it could save a lot of people a lot of money...
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Silk Blue '94 K 1100 RS.

Scott_Anderson

Midlife K-risis · Flying Brick Rider Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Posts: 166

Ah yes, the downshifting thing. I asked him about this as well, and he said that was not necessarily from a dry clutch spline. There were other things that could cause this. My K1100RS has over 50,000 miles on it and it shifts smoother now than it ever has before.
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Silk Blue '94 K 1100 RS.

Mystic Red · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:44 pm Post subject:

I had my 94 lubed at 47,000 and the guy said it looked like the factory had just put it together. Your call.
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Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

chopper_harris · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:35 pm Post subject:

When I collected the K11 in January '08, it had no history.

I changed alll of the fluids, then ran her for 1,500 miles.
I then changed the engine, g/box and bevel oils again.

I use Motul Gear 300 fully synthetic GL5 in the gearbox, and the difference is dramatic.

Occasionally, it would baulk or miss a downshift. With the fully synth, it was as smooth as silk.

Recommended, and where ever you are, a major brand will be able to supply a fully synth GL5 EP80 oil Very Happy

_________________
C1 200 (2001)
R100 RS (1990)
NSU Quickly N (1964)
Honda 400/4 F1 (1977)
MotoGuzzi 1000C (1978)
Suzuki TL 1000 R (1999)
Kawasaki KLV1000 (2005)
K12R Sport (2007) - Wifeys

acftfliehr · Big Brick Rider Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 62

Interesting discussion, but I still think spline lubes should be accomplished for the reasons below.

I agree that material improvements were desperately needed in spline construction from the early days of the K-Bike.

I also have heard of this topic from BMW sales folk of the late splines, as all problems have been resolved up to the latest models.

The Early Models were a huge problem, but if routine Lubing was accomplished, you can get 250,000 or more especially with good lubes out of those early splines.

I think that the "annual lube" requirement (or whatever the schedule was) was not a part of any schedule in the early days until untimely failures, and then was added.

I still believe that the lube should be accomplished on a schedule of some sort depending on environment, riding style, and year of bike.

Dry splines will wear as the backlash on a drive train is extreme and in aircraft engine accessory drives on jet engines; we have some of the hardest material in the spline department. There is always a lube schedule on these, and even with that, you get failures (probably because we cannot use Honda Moly-Lube!).

I feel the dealership, which sounds very competent, is still stuck in the BMW sales mantra.

My '85 k-bike, I lube with Honda Moly-lube on a calendar basis semi annually or 25k which ever happens first.

My 94 K11LT, will probably be every 4 years or 50K.

Great research, and now I feel I could rely on this shop if I ever brake down in the Salt Lake City Area.

BTW, I think the forum has got their attention, thanks be to the founders and maintainers of this site.

Jim

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Jim, I had read that a long time ago, and re-read it recently, (actually I think it was on Ted's website) and listened very closely to everyone at HM. I didn't say a whole lot out there as one cannot listen when one's mouth is open.
I have had no problems until AFTER I returned from Virginia. I don't remember any issues while we were riding in the mountains out there, other than trying to keep it on the road. Embarassed

It has been sporatic. Sometimes from 5-4 somtimes from 3-2. I can usually double-clutch it and the get it to down-shift when it acts up. Doesn't matter if I'm riding hard or soft, slowing down with the brakes or engine.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:46 pm Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject:

Yeh, that's what I have been thinking. That was one job I wasn't reeeeallllly looking forward to any time soon, but if it must be done then so be it.
I just need to find a source for the moly-lube. I suppose I could buy it online. doh Rolling Eyes

Any good supply sources out there??
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject:

You don't live near a Honda MC dealer? I thought there was one every three blocks - and a Harley dealer (repair shop) every two blocks.

My advice, having been stranded with stripped splines 1600 miles form home is that you do it ASAP. If they're dry, they're wearing.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Midlife K-risis · Flying Brick Rider Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Posts: 166

I second the motion of going fully synthetic on the gearbox oil. When I bought the bike, I changed all the oils to fully synthetic, and the beemer has been shifting better and better ever since... Very Happy

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Silk Blue '94 K 1100 RS.

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject:

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?page=CST/PROD/Lubricants/23500

Those guys have all the good stuff!
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

tmarshall57 · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:18 pm Post subject:

Amazing - $8 for Honda Moly from the supplier linked above and £10 ($20) from Honda dealers in the UK!!
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K1100RS Special Edition 1997
Arctic Silver/Black

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:

tmarshall57 · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

As I am in the US at the moment I am making a little shopping list!!
_________________
K1100RS Special Edition 1997
Arctic Silver/Black

Scott_Anderson

abreeze · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:13 am Post subject:

Scott.... check your clutch cable too.....they do wear out and can give the same symtoms as a dry spline.