[Malcolm]

Hi all, I have a 2007 K1200GT. Trying to change the final drive oil myself and the drive won’t swing down the full 90 degrees.

There are plenty of videos of bimmers with drives in the right side showing that the splines disconnect from the universal joint to allow for this, but mine don’t do that. I’ve lubed the splines and still no disconnect.

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Malcolm]

Thanks all for the advice!
I gave it a go but it kept getting stuck. On further inspection, the spline slides in the joint just fine and there’s like a flange at the end of the spline, all the groves are blocked, so I don’t see how it would even slide out. I took a pic of the spline slid into the joint. It isn’t quite in focus, but you can see what I mean. Maybe it wasn’t meant to come out.
I did manage to get 150ml of oil out, barely got 150ml back in before it started to leak out. Next time I’ll hoist the front end up to help all the oil drain out.
I’ve read how some people manage to put the syringe tube all the way to the bottom of the drive, not sure how that’s done as there’s very little room to spare inside the drain hole.

 

[Malcolm]

"I did manage to get 150ml of oil out, barely got 150ml back in before it started to leak out. Next time I’ll hoist the front end up to help all the oil drain out."
On the 2008 K's you shouldn't drain and fill the oil with the rear drive in a lowered position. It should be drained and filled when it is still in the "normal" or running position. That could be why it started to leak out, because the fill hole was lower than it should be.
At least that's my interpretation of your post.

The older bevels were lowered for oil draining, but not the 2008 ones.

My miscommunication. After draining the oil, I reconnected the rear drive, then refilled it through the drain hole.

 

[Malcolm]

I’ll have to give it another go when I have some time, might have to be a winter project.
I really do appreciate everyone’s input.
I love the bike and want to ride it for many more years.