Difficulty in getting neutral

**John Roberts** · #1 1 Apr 2004

I've just come back from a 200-mile ride on my '82 R100RS and for the last 50 miles I was finding it increasingly hard to find neutral. The gearchange was fine while moving, but at traffic lights etc. the gearshift got stiffer and stiffer. Thanks to the local(North Wales) neurotic anti-speeding campaign my speed was limited to 65mph or so, so there was no question of my having thrashed the bike at all. I checked the gearbox oil level when I got back and it was OK. I've just tried the gearchange, some three hours after getting back, and its fine once again.
In response to my query a couple of weeks ago regarding what to check/see to/renew before a possible European tour (it's done 55,000mls) Grant did say that it might be an idea to renew the gearbox bearings; could somebody suggest what to look out for while I'm doing that to cure the neutral problem?

Also I've seen in the Threads somewhere that BMW bearings are of variable quality; should I use another make of bearings instead?
Many thanks in anticipation,
John

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Johnefyn

**Grant Johnson** · #2 1 Apr 2004

USUALLY difficulty changing gears - and then it's fine - is an overheated clutch, which means that the clutch doesn't fully disengage, causing the gears to drag.

MaAke sure your clutch is adjusted according to BMW specs. It is NOT the same as any other clutch out there. Read the book and follow the procedure carefully.

As for bearings, get them from Motobins, they seem to be as good as any, and their price is good. They also do an exchange gearbox, which is certainly the easy way to do the job.

Note that BMW, like ALL bike/car/just about everything manufacturers, just buy their bearings from a bearing manufacturer. Cost cutting acccountants can occasionaly cause problems, but it's not in BMW's interest to use poor bearings as a matter of policy.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**John Roberts** · #3 1 Apr 2004

Hi Grant.
Wow! this is what I call service! It took all of ten minutes to get a reply all the way from the far side of Canada!
No, the clutch is fine and adjusted as per spec, but I appreciate the reasoning behind the suggestion.
On a different topic, I've just replied to Steve Pickford's request for info on touring in British Columbia in which I suggested riding the Icefield Parkway in winter, after checking with you first. I've been there a couple of times, in February both times, but only in a 4-wheel drive, but it never ocurred to me at the time what it would be like on a bike. Fraser Canyon was impressive, too. I wonder where do you feel the Rockies fit in the league compared with the rest of the world, Grant?
Regards and thanks again,
John

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Johnefyn

**Grant Johnson** · #4 1 Apr 2004

Thanks!

See the souk...

Re clutch...Diagnosis is difficult without more info. Is the shift lever itself sticky/stiff no matter where it is, or is it just tough to FIND neutral?

This shouldn't be your problem, because it's something new, but you should know:

The 81/82's had the old style shift mechanism. In '82 somewhere during the year they updated to a completely new shift kit. VASTLY improved shifting and finding neutral. Should be still available as a kit, and when you do the rebuild on the box, make sure you get the new bits installed if it doesn't already have them.

RE Rockies - definitely one of the best scenery locations in the world. The riding is actually better just west of the Rockies, in the Kootenays. Some deserted twisty roads with zero traffic, absolutely awesome riding.

Similar riding to Norway, New Zealand (South Island) and Chile, but cheaper than Norway (and warmer!) and better amenities than Chile. NZ is quite similar, but it's a long way to go for most people.

May to October is awesome here. All of British Columbia is a fantastic place to tour, plus lots north all the way to the Yukon or Alaska. And with the Canadian dollar in the toilet, it's cheap for everyone but us!

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Grant Johnson** · #5 1 Apr 2004

Note that our Canada West HU Travellers Meeting is held in Revelstoke, the gateway to the Rockies, in some of the best riding country in the world.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**John Roberts** · #6 1 Apr 2004

Thanks once again, Grant
I've just stumbled across a really useful site regarding stripping down the R series gearbox, it's at
http://homepage.sunrise.ch/mysunrise...ot/gearbox.htm
It seems to be a stripdown of a g.box by the members of a German motorcycle club under the guidance of an instructor. It's got really good quality photos at various stages and descriptions and drawings of the various special tools required. I'm really impressed, I'll be printing off most of this for my forthcoming stripdown.
I did have the little spring on the one of selector hooks break at 19,000mls in 1983, and they said that the new bits, including two cams, were of a new type.

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Johnefyn

**Grant Johnson** · #7 1 Apr 2004

f you're going to do it yourself that's a good how-to. Note that it is on the links page - has been for years...

A search on gearbox BMW brings it up first of 130 hits on HU.

Good timing breaking the spring in 83 - they were retrofitting them then under warranty.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Mr. Ron** · #8 7 Apr 2004

Hello. Just a quick note on bearings. I always take the number and go to a bearing specialty shop, like B.C. Bearing in Vancouver. You can then order the brand name you want. Personally i use NSK. You save a bit on bearings and get the ones you want