I think that my splines just went the way of the Dodo

[YB in IN]

I was on my way home tonight from opera rehearsal and all of the sudden I shifted up into second gear and nothing happened. I thought that perhaps I had missed it and hit neutral but that was not the case. I was able to get the bike going again when I shifted into 3rd gear, but when I tried to shift down to 2nd, the back wheel locked up. I shifted back up to 3rd, to no avail, and then was able to get movement again in 4th. I pulled her into the garage after limping a mile home and now when the bike is in 1st and 2nd gear on the center stand the wheel moves freely as if it is in neutral. I hate to think that it's the splnes because I have been quite good about lubing them at the required service intervals. The splines were rebuilt about 25,000 miles ago by Bruno's up in Canada. Am I totally screwed on this or what?

[IronMike]

I am sure that you will get some good replies from those more qualified than me but...

It sounds like you have some substantial damage. The bad thing about gear boxes is that problems can escalate pretty quick when loose pieces start flying around. Sheared teeth, broken shafts, bent or broken shift linkages, etc.

Sorry man! I hope that I am wrong.

[cjack]

I was on my way home tonight from opera rehearsal and all of the sudden I shifted up into second gear and nothing happened. I thought that perhaps I had missed it and hit neutral but that was not the case. I was able to get the bike going again when I shifted into 3rd gear, but when I tried to shift down to 2nd, the back wheel locked up. I shifted back up to 3rd, to no avail, and then was able to get movement again in 4th. I pulled her into the garage after limping a mile home and now when the bike is in 1st and 2nd gear on the center stand the wheel moves freely as if it is in neutral. I hate to think that it's the splnes because I have been quite good about lubing them at the required service intervals. The splines were rebuilt about 25,000 miles ago by Bruno's up in Canada. Am I totally screwed on this or what?

Well probably or what. It doesn't sound like the splines, but rather the transmission. It doesn't have to be TOTALLY catastrophic...could be the shift drum or forks...but you will have to take the trans apart to see. Sounds like a winter project, but you may not be up to doing it...maybe take the trans to a dealer. If it were mine, I'd just buy a working trans and sell the broken one for parts on ebay.

[knary]

Well probably or what. It doesn't sound like the splines, but rather the transmission. It doesn't have to be TOTALLY catastrophic...could be the shift drum or forks...but you will have to take the trans apart to see. Sounds like a winter project, but you may not be up to doing it...maybe take the trans to a dealer. If it were mine, I'd just buy a working trans and sell the broken one for parts on ebay.

My ill-informed thought as well. When the splines go, there is no movement and it doesn't matter what gear you are in. It sounds to me like your trannie is unhappy. I'm sorry. That just plain sucks.

[Burnszilla]

Trannies for sale...
http://www.beemerboneyard.com/cotr.html

[Hodag]

I know of a good deal on a k1100lt if your interested.....

[kbasa]

It's your trans if you've got movement in one gear and not the rest. Splines, either input out final drive, are an either/or proposition. They work or they don't.

[YB in IN]

Thanks y'all. I'll start to tear into her this afternoon and see what the dealy-o is. Let the disassembly begin!

[YB in IN]

I know of a good deal on a k1100lt if your interested.....

Uhhm, no. My bike bike barely helps me pick up the fairer sex as it is. I can't imagine that a full -fledged touring bike would help. Also, I have this nasty habit of having KLTs tip over when I'm on them. Just ask my dad.

[Hodag]

Uhhm, no. My bike bike barely helps me pick up the fairer sex as it is. I can't imagine that a full -fledged touring bike would help.

psst.. I don't think its the bike

Also, I have this nasty habit of having KLTs tip over when I'm on them. Just ask my dad.

she comes with all the tip over damage already done for you, no extree

[YB in IN]

psst.. I don't think its the bike



she comes with all the tip over damage already done for you, no extree


:rofl

[jdiaz]

Btw Garth, there is a terrific BMW transmission guy right down the road from you off 135 IIRC. He comes highly regarded over on the slash 5 pages, and possibly he could offer some inexpensive evaluative or repair support? Gunther-someone. Sorry I can't be any more specific than that, but if you check the pages at 5united, he is regarded as the ace when it comes to shimming Airhead gearboxes.

[YB in IN]

Btw Garth, there is a terrific BMW transmission guy right down the road from you off 135 IIRC. He comes highly regarded over on the slash 5 pages, and possibly he could offer some inexpensive evaluative or repair support? Gunther-someone. Sorry I can't be any more specific than that, but if you check the pages at 5united, he is regarded as the ace when it comes to shimming Airhead gearboxes.

Cool. Thanks for the tip. It'll be worth seeing if it's possible to get it rebuilt and hopefully save some cash.

[Bobmws]

Cool. Thanks for the tip. It'll be worth seeing if it's possible to get it rebuilt and hopefully save some cash.
It's well worth your time to get a quote. It may not be cheaper to rebuild, but you will know you have a good tranny going into the bike.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Uhhm, no. My bike bike barely helps me pick up the fairer sex as it is. I can't imagine that a full -fledged touring bike would help. Also, I have this nasty habit of having KLTs tip over when I'm on them. Just ask my dad.

KLT's tip over just looking at them. I think they came out of Germany that way. I think the engineer was in cahoots with the mirror replacement company. :p

[YB in IN]

I have recieved good news from my father. The spare K75 engine (only 12000 miles on it!) that we have also has a transmission attached to it. I had totally forgotten that there was a tranny on it. We now have a new Thanksgiving project. The bike will be taking a ride in a pickup home, and will come back with a new engine and tranny installed. As the Bard said, alls well that ends well.

[kbasa]

That's great news, Garth.

Got your Honda Moly60?

[YB in IN]

That's great news, Garth.

Got your Honda Moly60?

Yes siree. :clap

[BEinIN]

I have recieved good news from my father. The spare K75 engine (only 12000 miles on it!) that we have also has a transmission attached to it. I had totally forgotten that there was a tranny on it. We now have a new Thanksgiving project. The bike will be taking a ride in a pickup home, and will come back with a new engine and tranny installed. As the Bard said, alls well that ends well.

AH YES! We fathers love the role of being the saviour. :gerg
There was no way I could pass up the sweet deal I found on that engine and tranny. I knew it would come in handy for a spare someday. :clap

[dancogan]

KLT's tip over just looking at them. I think they came out of Germany that way. I think the engineer was in cahoots with the mirror replacement company. :p

They did a poll over on the LT forum. Lots of replies, and I think out of over 300 replies, 73-74% of the LT owners had dropped their bikes at least once. That's a lot. Many had dropped theirs several times. (I stopped counting the number of times my CLC got away from me-always in a parking lot, sidewalk or my own driveway.)

[Colt03]

Garth,

I am a little late to this post but will confirm Splines Bad = no foward motion in any gear, but some scary noises.

OTH, Glad your dad is around to save your butt again :)


Good luck

[BradfordBenn]

Garth,
OTH, Glad your dad is around to save your butt again :)


That is why over in the Rounder's Forum I did a little edit on his user profile...

http://www.yearroundriders.com/forum/index.php?showuser=56

[YB in IN]

That is why over in the Rounder's Forum I did a little edit on his user profile...

http://www.yearroundriders.com/forum/index.php?showuser=56

Yeah I noticed that. I thought it was a nice touch.

[YB in IN]

Garth,

I am a little late to this post but will confirm Splines Bad = no foward motion in any gear, but some scary noises.

OTH, Glad your dad is around to save your butt again :)


Good luck

Yeah, I think some of y'all may remember my unplanned stay in Mitchell, SD a few summers ago. Good old dad came with the pickup and dragged my butt home. Here is a candid shot of the hotel nightstand. Much barley and bourbon therapy was needed.

http://GarthEppley.smugmug.com/photos/42957306-M.jpg

You can tell how thrilled I am to be backtracking across SD in a truck.


http://GarthEppley.smugmug.com/photos/42956426-M.jpg

But it wasn't a total wash on the way back, we did get to go and check out the Spam museum in MN.

http://GarthEppley.smugmug.com/photos/42956450-M.jpg

And here I am flying the colors of the YBs. Yes, that is the limited edition YB America shirt. Thanks Rob.

http://GarthEppley.smugmug.com/photos/42956498-M.jpg

Ahh memories.

[johnnyquest]

Hey Garth, glad to hear you're getting a new engine/tranny for your bike. Just curious, how many miles are on your old engine/tranny?

JQ

[CARVERBOATBOY]

That is why over in the Rounder's Forum I did a little edit on his user profile...

http://www.yearroundriders.com/forum/index.php?showuser=56
Nice................. :stick

[YB in IN]

Hey Garth, glad to hear you're getting a new engine/tranny for your bike. Just curious, how many miles are on your old engine/tranny?

JQ

132,000. Not too shabby. The engine is still good, but we figured while we have everything torn apart, we might as well go ahead and swap out everything. It's like two more bolts to take out.

[johnnyquest]

132,000. Not too shabby. The engine is still good, but we figured while we have everything torn apart, we might as well go ahead and swap out everything. It's like two more bolts to take out.

If you're bike's any indication, I should get another 100k miles out of my tranny! My k75s is a 1990 as well, that's why I asked....good luck with your engine/tranny swap.

JQ

[BEinIN]

If you're bike's any indication, I should get another 100k miles out of my tranny! My k75s is a 1990 as well, that's why I asked....good luck with your engine/tranny swap.

JQ
Hey JQ :wave
I was rather surprised Garth lost the tranny at that mileage. He has always had Mobel 1 syn. gear oil in the tranny the same as I use in my 1990 K100LT.
I just rolled over 154500 on my way home from work today. However I don't have as much shifting on my commute as Garth does going to school. As "they" say (I always wonder who "they" is) "Your mileage may vary." :D

[username]

so this thread is less about BMW bikes, and more about dads bailing out their kids!

let's all raise a glass to our own dads, and the times they've saved our asses!

:buds

[riderR1150GSAdv]

so this thread is less about BMW bikes, and more about dads bailing out their kids!

let's all raise a glass to our own dads, and the times they've saved our asses!

:buds

I'll drink to that :drink . My dad has saved my a$$ a few times! :dance

[Burnszilla]

They did a poll over on the LT forum. Lots of replies, and I think out of over 300 replies, 73-74% of the LT owners had dropped their bikes at least once. That's a lot. Many had dropped theirs several times. (I stopped counting the number of times my CLC got away from me-always in a parking lot, sidewalk or my own driveway.)

Now they have this to stop drops...
http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/hero/4814_4110564046.jpg
http://www.gizmag.com/go/4814/