K11 Owners Group

crispius · Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Gulf Coast, MS

Greetings all! I bought a 95 k1100rs about 2 months ago with about 14,000 miles on it. It has been an absolute joy to ride, and I look forward to riding it all week long. I took the wife for a ride on Valentine's day, and noticed the bike seemed a little hesitant on the throttle. The bike bogged down and stalled out leaving me stranded on the side of the road for a few minutes. I limped the bike home about 4 miles and got it into my workshop. With the center stand down, I tried to isolate the problem. Eventually, i found that it was coming from inside the swing arm. I could hear what sounded like the front u-joint banging up against the metal. I removed the rubber boot, and oil from the seal leaked out, but less than an ounce. I have no time to physically investigate further until the weekend.

My question is, will this likely require a new driveshaft and final drive?

I will be pulling everything apart soon, and provide pictures. Any information would be great. I am equipped only with the BMW manual and past experiences that I can find by digging through the forums.
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2009 528i
1995 K1100RS
1988 K75C

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:14 am Post subject:

The clearance between the front U joint and swingarm surrounding it is very tight. If the joint is failing, it could allow the front yoke of the driveshaft to come in contact with the inside of the swingarm, especially when it is on the centerstand with the swingarm angled down.

That is awfully little mileage for a driveshaft to be failing.

BTW, I have removed final drives, swingarms and driveshafts several times and a couple times I found a little gear oil inside.

If you do a forum search you will find that several members have posted threads about driveshaft/final drive R&R.

Here is one I did:

http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10619&highlight=driveshaft

Good luck and ask questions here. The combined "brain trust" of the K11OG can work you through just about any brick problem.
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

crispius · Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Gulf Coast, MS

Before I get started with a tear down, do I need to have any gaskets, seals, crush washers on hand? I'm picking up a motorcycle lift this weekend, and I'm going to dismantle it all from the gearbox back.

I see most people end up going through bruno new u-joints and such, is this the cheapest way to go? There are few used drive shaft/ u-joint assemblies for sale locally that i could purchase. I have found 2 guys here with k1100 part bikes that are selling them off piece by piece.
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2009 528i
1995 K1100RS
1988 K75C

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:51 pm Post subject:

Well it sounds like you are ready to tear into it.

In my link you will notice that you do need a 12mm Allen wrench (not a common size to easily find) plus a 27MM or 1-1/16" socket.

When you reassemble, other than any damaged parts you are going to need the recommended grease for the driveshaft splines. I have used Honda Moly 60 while others have used "staburags grease" because it is very sticky.

This is just off the top of my head. I will add to this as I remember some of the other details- others should add their input too.

You might need new swingarm pivot bearings, but you will have to disassemble to see if these are worn.

If you can locate a low mileage driveshaft- great. It needs to have zero play in both of the U joints. Otherwise Bruno does rebuilds but there are others- I have used a guy on the west coast who did a great job on my front joint, and made it easy to replace it again down the road.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Number 6 · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:48 pm Post subject:

Hi,

You don't need a lift for the bike, you just need to remove the rear drive and swing arm with the center stand. If you need to change your shaft, make sure you pick the right part: http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=74191#74191 basically BMW changed the design and the new design is way less prone to failure.
BTW it is common that some oil from the rear drive leaks into the swing arm, don't worry and don't overdo it by trying to change the rear drive seal.
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I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

crispius · Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Gulf Coast, MS

So I took the bike all apart, and the splines and U-joints are fine. Everything was good. Still trying to figure out why I was losing power while driving, and it started acting funny after working great all day two weeks ago.
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2009 528i
1995 K1100RS
1988 K75C

abreeze · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:36 pm Post subject:

One of the most common engine failures ive seen is from debris getting past the fuel pump strainer. Any fine particles getting past the strainer will momomentarily seize the fuel pump motor or completly stop it.

Its a quick inspection and highly likly it needs to be replaced anyway. They deteriorate over time(10yrs or so). A 20$ part!! And wreak havoc trying to figure out whats wrong. Your bike is a perfect candidate, 20yrs old low miles..fuel system probably never been seviced, ect...

crispius · Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Posts: 5 Location: Gulf Coast, MS

I'll have to take a look into that. I have service receipts that say the fuel pump was inspected less than a year ago, but it wouldn't hurt to check that and the fuel filter, especially since the bike is a pretty pile of pieces right now.
_________________
2009 528i
1995 K1100RS
1988 K75C