K11 Owners Group

Number 6

I have a K1 rear drive I want to install but it is black and badly painted, I want to paint it genuine gray, any advice for a good paint?

I need to change the pivot bearings and found this: http://rubberchickenracinggarage.com/bushings.html are these just friction parts? Anyone who has experience with them?
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I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

Ernie-NH · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:27 pm Post subject:

Hi "No.6"...

If you really want to know.... just ask Tom Cutter at the "Rubber Chicken Garage" since you already have the link. There are few people on this planet that know more about BMW motorcycles than Tom. He is recognized EVERYWHERE, including by BMW Motorrad as holder of the Mark, as a true expert and professional.

Best regards.....// Ernie in NH
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AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:39 pm Post subject:

Number 6,

This past spring I had to have my driveshaft rebuilt. During the R & R I found the FD pivots were missing a few rollers (found them inside the swingarm!).
I have had Tom Cutter's plain bearings in there since. Working well so far- no negatives as of now.

I used "Rust-oleum" black on a replacement swingarm- maybe you might find the right color.

John
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John & Cathy

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

Number 6 · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:38 pm Post subject:

Ernie: I am not going to ask this guy if he sells a good product (doubt he'd answer "no"), I prefer users reviews.

SugarHill: since this product is more expensive than genuine BMW needle bearings, it should have an advantage on it, like last forever, so a review with at least 50,000 miles on them would be very valuable, how many miles do you have on them?
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I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

RAL88 · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:08 am Post subject:

20,000 miles on the rubber chicken and no complaints. Roller bearings are made to roll not rock back and forth in the same spot like they do on our swing arms. The bushing is a better answer.
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Rich

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R

Number 6 · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:26 am Post subject:

It is simpler and should be cheaper while it is significantly more expensive, so unless I have good reasons to think it will last significantly longer than genuine bearings, I won't go for it.
_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

drikko · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:47 am Post subject:

I used to call my old 1968 Triumph Trophy 'The Rubber Chicken' as that's how it handled. What a diabolical piece of shit, even when it did randomly actually start, no wonder the British MC industry collapsed!
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K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

miKeinWIs · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 7:20 am Post subject:

#6,
Have been looking at these for quite a while. Look like the way to go. Think they are worth a try.
Lots of chatter on Adv rider-GS guys don't like 'em, BMWOA jury is out.
However, bottom line seems to be proper installation. Instructions are pretty specific about how to adjust tightness of pivots.
Rich has positive feedback I wasn't aware of. Good to hear.
Having just done an FD spline lube, (bearings were OK) I am now holding my breath I got the bearings adjusted properly. May be in the market for the rubber chicken redo also.
Haven't looked specifically for results on other forums lately--will look.
Good luck.
Mike
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'97 K1100LT
Bought 6/30/09 w/26,750 miles

Ernie-NH · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:58 pm Post subject:

Hi No.6...

Well.. guess you've never heard of "that guy", but the rest of the North American world of BMW ( Airheads, Oilheads, K-bikes, F-bikes...) has, and afford him and Anton Lagardier, and Snowbum, +others, the greatest of earned respect. None of these well known and successful gentlemen has any need for deceit or trickery. Money is nice, but it has nothing to do with what these guys are a about. If Tom Cutter recommends it, I listen

Good luck with your bearings........// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

Number 6 · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 1:38 pm Post subject:

I understand Hernie, but I'm different, I respect those people and often look at Lagardier's site but I need actual data or reasons to believe, not just "bearing are not for rock'n roll" Wink

_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

dave n · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:27 am Post subject:

+ 1 on the bushings - you can purchase new bearings for $60 + and next time you pull the final drive off I will guarantee you they will be shot again.
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Dave Norris KOG 248
1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon
1993 K1100LT w/Hannigan sidecar
2008 Suzuki DR650

Number 6 · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:45 am Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:34 am Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:44 am Post subject:

Number 6 · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:38 pm Post subject:

blue95lt · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:50 pm Post subject: J&l bronze bushings

I was curious about these,so I called Ted Porters Beemer shop,where I got my wilbers shock from,he USE to sell them,said he has had too many complaints with them,so didn't sell them any more.he said bronze is malleable and it pounded it to out of round or something like that.
If you was thinking of getting some,Might call him get the story first hand
I guess.Keith
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1995 k1100lt daily ride(22953)when I got it
1982 cb650sc blue nighthawk (38000)(crashed)
1974 kz400(sold to get nighthawk)

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: J&l bronze bushings