transmission replacement

[Bensonhurst]

Okay guys, I now know that the noise in neutral on my 1994 R1100RS is nothing to worry about, BUT. I hate the noise and would like to find a replacement transmission that's quiet. There must be some wrecked BMW's out there somewhere.
My question is: What transmissions are free of the neutral rattle and which ones will fit my bike.

Thanks

[kbasa]

Okay guys, I now know that the noise in neutral on my 1994 R1100RS is nothing to worry about, BUT. I hate the noise and would like to find a replacement transmission that's quiet. There must be some wrecked BMW's out there somewhere.
My question is: What transmissions are free of the neutral rattle and which ones will fit my bike.

Thanks

I think you can go with a 95 and later RS trans.

I've got a 94, like yours, that sounds like a coffee can full of rocks. It does what I tell it to, so I've left it alone. It even shifts pretty nicely, IMHO.

[soffiler]

I think you can go with a 95 and later RS trans.

I've got a 94, like yours, that sounds like a coffee can full of rocks. It does what I tell it to, so I've left it alone. It even shifts pretty nicely, IMHO.

After reading this... (it's long, kinda technical, but it's the straight scoop from insiders at Getrag):

http://www.micapeak.com/bmw-gs/trans.html

...I would conclude that Swider's got it right. The noisy transmission actually shifts better.

[MCMXCIVRS]

If you do seriously want to update your transmission, look for the M97 version. It is the mid 97 model year and newer tranny. This box has all of the BMW updates to fix the various common failures that the early boxes were prone to.

You can also get a rebuilt unit as a replacement from BMW which has all the M97 upgrades, but it is expensive.

[jdiaz]

You can also get a rebuilt unit as a replacement from BMW which has all the M97 upgrades, but it is expensive.
Isn't it still about US1700 (or less from Chgo BMW) for a five-speed? Shoot, its US1000 for the usual rebuild guys to even crack one open....

[lorazepam]

Isn't it still about US1700 (or less from Chgo BMW) for a five-speed? Shoot, its US1000 for the usual rebuild guys to even crack one open....

Having not had the pleasure of cracking one open yet, what is so hard about it, Jon? Just curious.

[AntonLargiader]

$1000 gets you a full rebuild by a pro, including a few shift forks and gear rework. I think that's a way better deal than a new box.

Also, I don't think you're guaranteed to get away from the rattle on any gearbox. Some rattle, some don't. Early ones do rattle more.

[MikeFigielski]

If yours is an early '94, it will have different ratios than later model trannys. Check your final drive. It should be stamped with the gear ratio on the top next to the vent cap. If your final is stamped 34/11, then you have an early model '94 and your transmission has different ratios than any of the later units, complicating a swap to an M97. If your final is stamped 31/11, then you can get a good used or rebuilt M97 to help with the noise. Let me know if I can help any further.
Mike

[jeffsdale]

I replaced the transmission on my 95 GS with a 98 RT transmission that I found on eBay. The 98 in neutral makes no noise. Big improvement. The only difference is the RT trans is black.