Hello motorcycle enthusiasts
Lots of words here, first post I thought I would provide some background
I have been riding for 40 years now. I have had the pleasure of owning and riding many motorcycles, I currently own a 2003 R1150R Rockster and I am the happy caretaker of a 2008 K1200GT (NextGen) with 139000kms on the clock.
The rockster is fun for riding around the local backroads here, but usually nothing more than a couple of hours.
The K1200GT on the other hand is fine for a 5 - 7 hour riding day, and I have enjoyed all types of paved roads with it. I have had the pleasure of this bikes company for the last 25000kms or so.
This post is regarding the K44
The bike has always been serviced and kept up to date on ALL recalls etc, and has some nice additions. I added the areoflow larger screen and winglet thingies, and if I want I can set it up so I don't feel any wind at all and the passenger is comfy too. The cruise works great. If I wanted to I could light a smoke at 100kph. I would never do that. (really)
The bike (Bart) has had three owners. The first rode it in all seasons and I have heard stories that lead me to believe for its first 100000kms of life was ridden vigorously. The second owner only put 2000kms on it, but spent wads of cash making sure all the service items were up to date.
I am the third caretaker and I purchased that right for what i considered an excellent price.
I am in Canada on Vancouver Island BC, the bike was originally purchased in Victoria BC just down the road from me.
I was able to visit the local dealer where the bike was originally sold and they were good enough to share its service history without compromising anyone's privacy.
The last service entries contained the warning that the ball joints would need replacing soon. I was aware of this from the second owner before purchase and was one reason the bike was priced as it was. So I was prepared. I did hours of research and decided that I would be able to do the job myself. I much prefer to do all my own work if I can. However, the job required no small amount of preparation on my part. I needed the space to do it, a proper lift as well as the motor stand (Engine Adapter K4x PN 83300401347) and several specialized tools. So I started saving the $$ and bought a house with a garage and got the lift and now I am gathering the bits an pieces. As for the ball joints, before purchasing the bike I checked them and there was the faintest notion of movement, but no road symptoms yet. I checked them every 5000kms after that, and around abouts 20000kms into my relationship with the bike I started to notice the low speed symptoms and now the play at the front wheel was very noticeable. So it was time.
I have the lift, the RepROM most of the tools and a clear understanding of the job at hand. I am acquiring the engine stand and looking at acquiring the large deep sockets as well as the cutout socket and allen wrenches (BMW Socket Wrench PN 83300401963)
I havent quite decided but I may also remove front and rear ESA units and have them rebuilt (shipped to Ontario - Home - Accelerated Technologies they have the knowledge and experience and are able to fully rebuild the ESA units back to or better than spec.) Yes I could replace with some fine units, but I for one very much enjoy the convenience of the ESA, and the current units work exactly as they are supposed to. In fact there are no issues with this bike at all with the exception of the front ball joints. It has a very noisy rumbling clutch when it is sitting in neutral, but my research so far indicates this is not considered a problem. In short I would only ever replace this machine with a 2011 K1300GT. The bike fits me perfectly (after adding half an inch to the sole of my boots LoL) and it does everything I enjoy from a sport touring hwy bike.
So it gets the full attention now, while its on the lift and I am doing the ball joints every other service item will be checked and performed.
My questions for the forums are:
Is there a technical writeup/sticky on this site by someone who has done the ball joint replacement? I have searched - and will continue searching, but so far I have only seen snips of tech across many different threads.
Does anyone have the construction dimensions for the Engine Adapter K4x PN 83300401347 ? I remember finding them a couple years ago, but have misplaced them. Although... the part is available from Germany at $400CAD - and is an excellent addition to my tools for this bike, so if i cant have one made, I'll get the OEM one
Has anyone used a DIY tool and been able to properly/successfully torque to 130Nm / 95.9 ft lbs the M14 x 1.5 ball joint nut to leading link (Top/Bottom) It looks like the BMW Socket Wrench PN 83300401963 is about 100CAD, but availability is questionable...
Well thats about it for now, the preparation continues.
I doubt I will make a big comprehensive how-to, but I will certainly update this post with progress and note anything interesting or unusual. Cheers!
Many thanks to all those who contribute, and rubber side down for everyone!
Lots of words here, first post I thought I would provide some background
I have been riding for 40 years now. I have had the pleasure of owning and riding many motorcycles, I currently own a 2003 R1150R Rockster and I am the happy caretaker of a 2008 K1200GT (NextGen) with 139000kms on the clock.
The rockster is fun for riding around the local backroads here, but usually nothing more than a couple of hours.
The K1200GT on the other hand is fine for a 5 - 7 hour riding day, and I have enjoyed all types of paved roads with it. I have had the pleasure of this bikes company for the last 25000kms or so.
This post is regarding the K44
The bike has always been serviced and kept up to date on ALL recalls etc, and has some nice additions. I added the areoflow larger screen and winglet thingies, and if I want I can set it up so I don't feel any wind at all and the passenger is comfy too. The cruise works great. If I wanted to I could light a smoke at 100kph. I would never do that. (really)
The bike (Bart) has had three owners. The first rode it in all seasons and I have heard stories that lead me to believe for its first 100000kms of life was ridden vigorously. The second owner only put 2000kms on it, but spent wads of cash making sure all the service items were up to date.
I am the third caretaker and I purchased that right for what i considered an excellent price.
I am in Canada on Vancouver Island BC, the bike was originally purchased in Victoria BC just down the road from me.
I was able to visit the local dealer where the bike was originally sold and they were good enough to share its service history without compromising anyone's privacy.
The last service entries contained the warning that the ball joints would need replacing soon. I was aware of this from the second owner before purchase and was one reason the bike was priced as it was. So I was prepared. I did hours of research and decided that I would be able to do the job myself. I much prefer to do all my own work if I can. However, the job required no small amount of preparation on my part. I needed the space to do it, a proper lift as well as the motor stand (Engine Adapter K4x PN 83300401347) and several specialized tools. So I started saving the $$ and bought a house with a garage and got the lift and now I am gathering the bits an pieces. As for the ball joints, before purchasing the bike I checked them and there was the faintest notion of movement, but no road symptoms yet. I checked them every 5000kms after that, and around abouts 20000kms into my relationship with the bike I started to notice the low speed symptoms and now the play at the front wheel was very noticeable. So it was time.
I have the lift, the RepROM most of the tools and a clear understanding of the job at hand. I am acquiring the engine stand and looking at acquiring the large deep sockets as well as the cutout socket and allen wrenches (BMW Socket Wrench PN 83300401963)
I havent quite decided but I may also remove front and rear ESA units and have them rebuilt (shipped to Ontario - Home - Accelerated Technologies they have the knowledge and experience and are able to fully rebuild the ESA units back to or better than spec.) Yes I could replace with some fine units, but I for one very much enjoy the convenience of the ESA, and the current units work exactly as they are supposed to. In fact there are no issues with this bike at all with the exception of the front ball joints. It has a very noisy rumbling clutch when it is sitting in neutral, but my research so far indicates this is not considered a problem. In short I would only ever replace this machine with a 2011 K1300GT. The bike fits me perfectly (after adding half an inch to the sole of my boots LoL) and it does everything I enjoy from a sport touring hwy bike.
So it gets the full attention now, while its on the lift and I am doing the ball joints every other service item will be checked and performed.
My questions for the forums are:
Is there a technical writeup/sticky on this site by someone who has done the ball joint replacement? I have searched - and will continue searching, but so far I have only seen snips of tech across many different threads.
Does anyone have the construction dimensions for the Engine Adapter K4x PN 83300401347 ? I remember finding them a couple years ago, but have misplaced them. Although... the part is available from Germany at $400CAD - and is an excellent addition to my tools for this bike, so if i cant have one made, I'll get the OEM one
Has anyone used a DIY tool and been able to properly/successfully torque to 130Nm / 95.9 ft lbs the M14 x 1.5 ball joint nut to leading link (Top/Bottom) It looks like the BMW Socket Wrench PN 83300401963 is about 100CAD, but availability is questionable...
Well thats about it for now, the preparation continues.
I doubt I will make a big comprehensive how-to, but I will certainly update this post with progress and note anything interesting or unusual. Cheers!
Many thanks to all those who contribute, and rubber side down for everyone!
