Sounds easy... NOT!

[montmil]

Let's get this party started. We may actually help some guy or gal with this list of dreadful jobs.

Add your submission for any BMW service, replacement or repair chore that's presented in a shop manual or by a now-former friend as an overly simplified job. Add any chore that eventually turns you into a raving, wrench throwing maniac. Personal screw ups don't count 'cause you can't fix stupid. We'll toss the BS flag on any of those.

Swing Arm Boot replacement. Next time, just smear some Goop and ride on.

Bing CV Carburetor synchronization.  Read about it all you want. Death by a thousand cuts.

Changing tires.  Sounds s-o-o-o simple. Wasted days and wasted nights...

[darrylri]

You've got the tire thing right.  I hate messing with them.  Ted Porter gave me a personal demonstration of how easy it was on my R51/3 with one of its flexible 3.50x19 tube-type tires.  Then I spent 20 minutes crawling around on the floor and struggling with the other one before I gave up.  I own a tire balancer, but it has only been used to spoke some wheels.  One day I'll own a Coates or a No-Mar and I will have the last laugh on those evil black round things.

[azcycle]

I'm changing my tires for the first time on Saturday. I'll let you know how many new creative words I invent...

[Barry]

Here's one that can be frustrating if you can't get it done and some have struggled at it for days. It certainly requires some nerve especially the first time.

Undoing that Allen socket cap screw on the front forks top yoke that's torqued to over 100lb/ft. Those who have done it know you have to really lean on it with a long breaker bar and that when it does come loose it does so with a mighty crack.

This is one fastener I won't torque to spec. I used 80lb/ft and called it good.

[bjamesw]

What socket screw is that?  The one on the top of the fork tube?  Why in heaven's name would that need so much torque?  Isn't it just keeping the air pressure in place when the fork is compressed?  I just crush the new washer and call it good.  Maybe I'm overlooking something.  You'd certainly notice it if it leaked pressure, but I can't see it being catastrophic.  Am I wrong?   Have I been living dangerously?

 

[montmil]

What socket screw is that?

It's the honkin' big one on top of the steering stem. Gotta get it off to service and/or replacie the steering bearings. You'll use a big arse Allen wrench or Allen socket plus a cheater bar about three feet long. When she finally lets loose, it has a sound much like my Beretta semi-auto.

Good call, Barry. Add it to the list. [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Monte

[Lucky_Lou]

I had a mare with the boot on the swinging arm turns out its now on back to front but its staying that way....... [smiley=steinigung.gif]
Lou

[Yikes]

Removing the circlips at the top of the fork tubes by yourself.  Use one arm to push down on the spring, one arm to pry the circlip out of the groove and the remaining arm to pull the clip up and out of the tube.  (Really not too bad a job if you have a helper.)

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Removing the circlips at the top of the fork tubes by yourself.  Use one arm to push down on the spring, one arm to pry the circlip out of the groove and the remaining arm to pull the clip up and out of the tube.  (Really not too bad a job if you have a helper.)

I used my impact screwdriver handle for extra weight when pushing down on the cap:



Yes, I did them by myself.

Now, to loosen the damper rod internals, I had to enlist my neighbors help.  There is a lot of torque to overcome and the two wrenches were pretty far apart!

[Bengt_Phorqs]

And what about those four pesky bolts on the drive shaft coupling inside the swing arm?  Taking them off isn't that hard (unless you drop one of them into the swing arm.  Ask me how I know.  #?*!%&(@$*?!~~~~!!!  But getting them back on and torquing them isn't always that easy either.  And all the time knowing you still must replace the drive shaft boot.   Agony!

[Melena]

Oh!  I like this thread.  I'll learn what job not to start myself and just take to my mechanic.