rear wheel noise / grinding

[montmil]

Monte if the final drive drain bolts are clean, is it worth peeking inside the cover?

Well, shoot. You're concern is the gearbox and I'm going on about the final drive. As SNL's Roseanne Roseannadanna would say, "Oh. Never mind."

Have you yet had a chance to peek inside the boot? Check the screw heads for scuff marks?

[flybot]

Ok, if you only have 1500 miles on that oil, then the metal fuzz might be an issue.

[Matt Chapter]

Ok I'm on the fence about my next course of action.  I have to replace the neutral switch.  Should I:

A) Jack up the engine, remove the rear engine mount, replace the switch and go riding?

B) Pull the transmission back or out completely and investigate for a worn bearing? Then do the switch, spline lube, etc..  Ride again some distant time in the future?

And here's a picture of the new switch.  Says Italy on the side, but does have a plastic insert..



Also, I did drain the final drive, and there was only a smudge of debris, so I think that's ok.  I peeked inside the Boot of Doom, too.  Seemed normal.

[montmil]

PM'd you

[tvrla]

If that's what the transmission drain magnet looks like after 1500 miles I'd say it's time for an overhaul. That goes right along with the notchiness you feel rotating the wheel in reverse.

When a transmission needs help, the longer it goes unattended to, the more damage occurs. What I'm saying, if you do it now, all it may need is bearings. Wait another hundred or five hundred miles and you may be looking for a good used trans for parts or to replace this one. It really makes that much of a difference. Take it from someone who learned the hard way.

[montmil]

Yo, Matt!

You out there, amigo? LTNHF. Still with us?  :-/

[raypond]

That drain plug looks very familiar (look left). The noise you describe also sounds very familiar. Mine was caused by the bearing on the output shaft chewing itself up because it didn't have the circlip/snap ring on the shaft.

Motobins have very reasonably priced sets of bearings, seals etc and I think it would be best to change them all while you're in there. And absolutely without question have a groove cut in the shaft for the circlip/snapring if it doesn't already have one. Otherwise your drain plug will look just like that again very quickly.

You can definitely rebuild the gearbox yourself if you can borrow the few special tools required.

[georgesgiralt]

If you want to service your gearbox and do not have all special tools, look at a thread initiated by an Algerian on the French airhead forum which is heavily documented by an airhead expert (which made the BMW that won the BOC classic this year).
All is in French but pictures talk for themselves ... ad Google is your friend  8-)
http://www.flat-twin-bmw.com/t23732-boite-a-vitesse-a-refaire

[Matt Chapter]

Still here, but we are getting into the coldest ( ), drinkingest part of the holiday season.

Right now I have the fluid out of the transmission, and I think I'm going to take it to a local specialist at some point.  (after refilling, of course). I haven't ridden it in a month or more at this point.

[montmil]

Matt, Did you attempt to contact my provided source?

[Matt Chapter]

Waiting for a warmer day with less to do so I can fill the transmission up.  And maybe a little drier too, with the rain we've been getting.  I'm in no hurry, as long as it's back on the road by March or so...

[Matt Chapter]

 I'm in no hurry, as long as it's back on the road by March or so...

Well I was close. Scheduled to pick the ol R65 up today.  The problem was the transmission, final drive is fine.  The noise from the transmission was transmitting down the driveshaft.

Here's the parts list, feel free to speculate about the condition of my wallet now.  
input seal
output seal
rear door gasket
shifter seal
breather hose
inp/int rear 495 (2)
bearing, in fr
bearing, gen 795
522015 open/sealed 808 (2)
shift roller, nylon
shifter spring index
shifter spring small
shifter spring med
drive shaft bolts (4)
trans boot

And the cherry on top: my shock is leaky now.  (kaput) Luckily he's a suspension guy and will have some options to discuss at pick up.

[montmil]

On Road Off Road in Austin?

[Matt Chapter]

On Road Off Road in Austin?

That's the guy. He's done a ton of stuff for me over the years.. engine swap, head rework, fork seals, now the transmission.  He does track day suspension setup for people, so his schedule can be crazy, but he also stocks a bunch of airhead parts, like the clutch cable you just have to have.

Throw in reasonable prices, and the fact that he doesn't hang up when I tell him the model year, and it's great.  I just wish he was on my side of town.