Pulling heads off for the first time -- help?

[Ed Miller]

That's interesting as I thought I had read somewhere that the later bikes already had these silver-soldered on, or something.  

Me too, but I don't remember what year for that particular change.  Lot's of things changed in '81, that's for sure, so maybe that was one as well.

[Justin B.]

Bill, what is the purpose of the two hose clamps at the bottom of the pic?

[rob650]

Well the first steps are done today.  Heads are off, and i did mack up one set of exhaust threads so ill have to get that repaired.  Would you expect the local dealership to be able to do this, or do I have to ship the head off to somebody special?

I also have a nice even coating of carbon on  the pistons and valves.  Suggestions to remove it?

Next weekend is cylinder removal to get at the leaky pushrod seals.  Thanks for everybodys help.

[Bob_Roller]

Contact San Jose BMW to see about getting the exhaust threads repaired, they repaired mine about 9 years ago, as well as replaced the dreaded '81 model year valve seats and valves.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I used Bob Grauer, who is also in your neighborhood.  rgrauer@earthlink.net  408 248 9732

Here are my photos: http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/valve_job

[thrang]

Hi Rob
The only commet I'd add to he above is don't be scared of pulling it apart. BMW 2 valve engines are reall straight forwards mechanically just remember keep all relevent parts together and lable them. I used old butter pots, and mark them left or right inlet and exhaust etc...

I'm pretty sure there is quite a good written instructions on the BMW Club archives on stripping and re-ferbing 2 valve boxer heads.

Oh and one oher comment... Enjoy it, there is something really satisfying about working on your own bike.
Tony

[Semper Gumby]

<snip>
After soaking the nuts, performing various voodoo rites, sacraficing several small animals, etc, (make sure you call PETA before sacrificing the animals, they love that stuff) try to break loose an exhaust nut.  <snip>

Might I suggest a Deer as an animal sacrifice?  There seem to be too many of them.  A rider on his way to the GMR hit one on Friday in north Georgia.  (he is OK and only minor dammage to the bike.)

My .02.  

[Semper Gumby]

Bill, what is the purpose of the two hose clamps at the bottom of the pic?

Lockhart Oil cooler kit I sniped off eBay.  Two clamps to keep the oil in.  It works great!!!!

[Ed Miller]

Deer, shudder.  I'm in Eagle Point, a ways out of Medford, where I came down to visit my best friend.  I came down in I5 (boring!) but want to go home using the Crater Lake Highway, for even prettier views and nice corners.  I'll still be on I5 for a couple hours; the R65 sure loves to cruise at 6 grand (how fast is that?).  But my friend warned me that the people up in Shady Cove, on my intended route, feed the deer.  Yes, I'll be careful.

[Ed Miller]

...grump.

I got a half mile or so from my friend's house when the clutch failed.  Cable and lever (behind tranny) work fine, but no go in any of the gears.  I don't think it's anything like wheel splines, and the input splines looked fine a few months ago so I doubt it's them.  I backed the adjustor behind the tranny way out, but there's still no grip.  At least I didn't have to walk too far back in riding boots and leather pants, carrying my helmet, jacket, and tank bag.

I'm not far from Hanson's in Medford, but of course they're closed today, so a guy from Budget rental is on his way to pick me up so I can rent a small truck to haul the sucker back home.  Right at the moment, if it's not there when I go to pick it up, I won't mind too much.  Somebody will have saved my 500 bucks in parts.  I'm sure I'll feel differently later, but right now that's where I'm at.

[Justin B.]

Dang, Ed, that sux!  If it won't shift into any gears and the clutch feels OK maybe the shift pawl spring has decided to "retire"...

[msbuck]

Must be something about Crater Lake that likes trannies.  Graham lost his in Prospect, OR just at Crater Lake.  It was his input spline.  He felt the exact same way you did at the moment.  He was ready to take the bike to Medford BMW and leave it there!  But I talked him out of it.  We Uhauled it back to Montana where we had a trailer.  

Hope it's something simple like the spring...

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Simple, but darned expensive.  Didn't you just have your box opened up, Ed?

I am really sorry you had to have this happen, Ed.  Breaking down is my biggest fear these days.  Pretty much the biggest reason I renewed my MOA.  I don't think AAA acknowledges bikes, tho I could be wrong.

Have you pulled the throwout bearing assy apart yet?

[Bob_Roller]

Rob, AAA has a service for bikes, I started having their coverage about 3 years ago, I think it's covered under recreational vehicle coverage, about $50 or so a year. Ed , try opening the timing port cover and see if there are any metal shavings or fresh shiny metallic powder visible. The technician that's rebuilding my trans, said the shifter pawl springs are not particularly a strong point in these transmissions. He recommends replacing it whenever the trans is opened up for any reason.

[Justin B.]

Roadside service can be added to your Progressive policy for just a couple bux, it was worth it just for the peace of mind.

Might be time for Ed to find a spare tranny, pop it in, and then learn how to get inside these transmissions!  I would think that he could just put all of the shims and stuff back where they came from if'n he wasn't changing any bearings.  Of course, Ed hasn't reported back with just exactly what his symptoms are so assuming it's the pawl spring might be premature.  Hopefully it'll turn out to be something simple.

As soon as I get the motor for my mill I'm going to mill down an old cover (busted clutch arm ear) for use as a shimming plate and jump into the deep end of the pool next time I need a rebuild.