JAX to SDO in 46 hours! Tech questions re

[stevestubbs42]

Finished my 3rd Ironbutt event last night which generated a couple of questions. 1) My driveshaft seal leaked some diff fluid during 114 degree heat near El Paso...normal? 2) I tweaked a front rotor 2 months ago while transporting the 2002 R1150RT, dealer wants $300 for a new one! Ideas? 3) rear rotor stays hot during fuel stops but fronts are cool...normal? 4) Anyone use an onboard ammeter to keep tabs on alternator? Thanks guys!! In 3 weeks I go Key West to Pruhoe Bay! :usa

[MotorradMike]

1)
2) You don't have to get a BMW disk. Do you really want to replace just one?
3) If it heats up it's dragging.
4) A voltmeter will tell you a fair amount with easier wiring. However, I read about a cool ammeter that uses a remote Hall effect sensor if you really want it.

[DarkCloud]

number three, what's hot and do you use your Harley brake when stopping?

[stevestubbs42]

Need to replace front rotor, cheap. I use both foot & hand brake when stopping, yet when I touch all 3 rotors only the back one is hot...? I hear Radio Shack has a ammeter..didn't know if you guys had used one. Still looking for advice on the diff leak around boot.

[Rpbump]

EBC rotors and brake pads. Ride Safe :usa :usa

[PGlaves]

Which seal - some seepage at the pinion can go a long long time before it means much. Outpus seal where the wheel bolts on is a problem.

[kgadley01]

Need to replace front rotor, cheap. I use both foot & hand brake when stopping, yet when I touch all 3 rotors only the back one is hot...? I hear Radio Shack has a ammeter..didn't know if you guys had used one. Still looking for advice on the diff leak around boot.

check your rear caliper, it may be sticking or dragging. check your rear fluid. bleed if you need to. sounds like its sticking. take it apart and clean it good. your rotor is probably ok if this has not been doing this long.

[jetfixer]

is the rear diff hot?

[TexanRT]

However, I read about a cool ammeter that uses a remote Hall effect sensor if you really want it.

Any details?

And congrats to Steve for quite a ride -- good luck on your next passage!

[stevestubbs42]

it leaked from rubber boot down onto trailing arm. What lube change interval should I use? 29K miles now.

[NavyDad]

The front rotors get lots of cooling air because they are, well, in front. The rear rotor gets only the heat from the engine and no cooling air stream.

[flars]

"...it leaked from rubber boot down onto trailing arm. What lube change interval should I use? 29K miles now..."
The service interval is to change the transmission and final drive oil every 12,000 miles.
A little bit of oil on the front of the fd below the boot can make a huge, alarming mess.
The pinon seal in the fd leaks on a lot of oilheads - both of mine leak. The RS has been leaking for about 90,000 miles now. The oil ends up in the boot and leaks out eventually. A few bikes have had the output shaft seal on the back of the transmission leak, but it is rare. Wipe everything down and remove both straps from the boot. Pull the front part of the boot back off the 'swingarm' (BMW calls it a 'fork') and see if there is a trail of oil coming down the inside of the swingarm tunnel. If the tunnel is dry, then the leak is from the pinon seal, and can (almost always) be ignored. Pull the back side of the boot off the fd and see how much oil comes out - it will probably be a teaspoon or less. Wipe the inside of the boot and reinstall (I just use a couple of wire ties to hold things together instead of buying anything special. In fact, I have to link three ties together for the front of the boot.). My bikes will stay clean for up to 20,000 miles, then show a little mess.
Unless there is a ton of oil in the boot, it is not worth replacing the pinon seal because the leak will just reappear.

[stevestubbs42]

I will try it!