BMW K1600 Fluid Service - Oil, Brakes and Final Drive

[@rosscorindia9527]

Hi Kirk, I’ve been watching you for years and respect your dedication to BMW , so glad to see you’re now starting to work on K1600’s

[@shamoy1000]

Thanks to you, I'm still getting great service from my K1200 LT.

[@tomcrook6796]

Great video. Very handy for a new K1600 owner!

[@stuartmcloughlin]

Great video Kirk - used today and no issues whatsoever! Thank mate!

[@LTVoyager]

After 15 years of working on my LT, I now deduct 10-20% from the BMW torque specs. This still gets fasteners plenty tight and lowers the risk of overtightening as BMW seems to run much higher torque specs than other makers for similar size fasteners. And I especially don’t torque the oil filters to what BMW says. I use the old “angle torque” method that I have used on cars and trucks for decades: screw on the filter until the gasket makes contact and then go 2/3 to 3/4 turn and it is plenty tight yet will always come off at the next change.

[@bestgeeksmd]

Thank you. Your videos helped me on many occasions please continue do what you are doing and thank you again .

[@robertlafferty7582]

Hello Kirk-thanks for that video, it is awesome! I just got my K1600B 2 months ago (2020) very low miles, and getting ready to do this service myself. Respectfully, Bob

[@JoeFurtado-xv5no]

Great video I’m in the processing of getting into my first BMW I e always done most of my own wrenching on my HD to save money. This is a great how to video I’ll be subscribing

[@squadman3376]

Nice job. BTW, for the oil filter removal, I make a gutter with folded aluminum foil. Works for me. TXS !

[@mehdimirza8777]

Hello I am 2:49 interested in visiting your shop I have 2 BMW motorcycles k and Rt models Wish you Happy New Year to you and your family and friends

[@monsternorm4245]

Hey there, thanks for all your input great video. Question: I was told that after bleeding the breaks front and back and activating the ABS pump with the gs 911 as you did in the video ,we had to redo that operation 3 times of bleeding and activating the ABS pump, is this correct???

[@janvercammen1093]

Super video, goed gedaan, mooi stappenplan. Dank u wel hiervoor.

[@brucemessick6862]

Where did you purchase the gear lube syringe, brake bleed off tube with connection and hose, and the electronic adapter and tool to activate the anti brake pump. I liked on your amazon site and its not all there?

[@marcsempere8045]

Super vidéo , dommage pour la traduction, mais on s’ en sort tout de même, un grand merci pour tous les bricoleurs, voire plus

[@Supernaut2000]

Awesome, thanks.

[@h65k60]

Hi Kirk, Unfortunately, I'm not even close to you so I can't bring my bike. I have a 2014 k1600 gtl, and I had a small crash about a year ago. Everything was fixed, except for the front wheel alignment. When the wheel or the bike is going straight, the handlebar is slightly turned to the right. The handles are fine, and the plate that supports the handles is fine too. What else can be twisted to have the handlebar, or the wheel misaligned? how can I straighten both?

[@danwaterloo3549]

Thanks!

[@drazencanjuga9130]

Question for you, did you make a video about changing the hydraulic clutch fluid maintenance...? and thank you for all your great information...greatly appreciated!!

[@kirksmotorrad]

I have not as the clutch oil does not get changed very often since it is mineral oil. If I ever do one, I will make a video on it.

[@jesusacovarrubias1390]

What year bike did they charge the fill port that you talked about?

[@MRMETZGAR1962]

Very informative especially the amount of fluid and torque values. Do you have any idea why the factory dvd is not for sale?

[@johnperri5732]

Kirk, can you please provide the model number of the torque wrench you use? Thanks!

[@johnperri5732]

I found it! Wow, $720!

[@K1600_Rider]

I had an 1200 RT, and in 2020, traded up to a 2016 GTL. On the RT, i changed the gear oil in the final drive every two years, and since I had to allow the final drive to drop down to drain it, also coated the final drive gear splines and universal joint with Belray assembly lube. Would you recommend to to the same with the K1600? I would guess the procedure to drop the final drive on the GTL would practically identical to the RT.

[@illiyakuryakin3092]

Very informative video, Kirk.

[@richardshort4587]

How often should you check the final drive shaft hardy spicer joints for grease on an LT. Please and thank you.

[@alp3781]

Solve the issue with the inner drain bolt !!!! Take it out next time, take an Allen adapter to 1/4 drive socket(Amazon,plenty) go to a machine shop, they will weld it on the drain bolt. You will never have the chance to loose it while unscrewing it. Very safe. It stays inside and with no harm. I did it on my Grand America. PC of cake!!!!

[@kirksmotorrad]

Dont forget to tell the next guy if you ever sell it.

[@alp3781]

@@kirksmotorrad Sadly, sold it. The new owner was informed after he had explained that he does all work on the bike. I had many issues after having 12K on it. No more BMW bikes for me. Good luck!

[@toddfather1971]

The duration of the abs pump activation while doing the gs-911 test is sure longer than what you can replicate on the road. Is that long duration necessary to "excercise" the system?

[@kirksmotorrad]

It must be...

[@LTVoyager]

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@tmaruno]

Great video! Cheers from Brazil!

[@HalBarnett]

Hi Kirk. I clicked on your Amazon link and can't find the oil filter wrench. I would prefer to purchase it through you Amazon link to support you. I have the 2015 BMW K1600 GTL. Thanks for the great videos.

[@kirksmotorrad]

amzn.to/3xfrM1H

[@HalBarnett]

@@kirksmotorrad Thanks. Just ordered one.

[@ronaldcsmith3064]

Great videos. Thanks.

[@ellerybice3787]

Have you experimented with Torxplus drive tools? Perhaps there is a better fit than the t45 regular torx. FYI; Snap-on tools also has a new four pronged bit called the Mortorq@.

[@kirksmotorrad]

I will certainly check them out! Thanks!

[@jerrybeckner5954]

Hello Kirk! I have been watching your videos since my K1200LT days! I now have a 2018 Grand America and got the check oil message. That message went away, but I feel I need to change the oil. I just purchased two items from your store and will continue to do so. The oil change was straight forward. My question is, I was not expecting to remove the rear tire to change the final shaft drive. I do not have a lift. Will I be able to remove the tire only with the center stand holding the bike up? I have one of those 3-ton jacks that I can place a piece of wood under the bike and lift a bit. Any recommendations? Thank you!

[@kirksmotorrad]

The center stand is more than adequate to hold up the bike.

[@AB-hx9hs]

Would this be the same for the 2012 K1600 GT as far as the Final drive drain plug location ?

[@kirksmotorrad]

yes

[@RC.Time-Crawlers]

Always best to invest in a Owners Repair Manual. KZbin videos and other such like sites are always fantastic,so one's not flying blind. Thanks for sharing your Routine. Takecare!

[@dinot71]

Hey Kirk great video, I was wondering if I could ask you a question about the brakes on my 1998 K1200RS with the brembo system. Do those brakes just need to be bled conventionally or do I need to buy a GS 911 to do what you did to the bike in this video?

[@kirksmotorrad]

you do not need a gs tool for that one.

[@BlaneZinck]

Hi Kirk, Can you change the fork oil?

[@kirksmotorrad]

On a K1600? Is that like changing the blinker fluid? There is no fork oil..

[@AB-hx9hs]

Could you Please Clarify one thing as I am new to the K1600 GT bikes. Just bought a 2012 K1600 GT. I take it this bike has a Wet Clutch, so I can NOT use Regular Full Synthetic Car Oil ? And have to use either Motorcycle 5-40 Oil or as you mentioned Rotella T6 Oil ?? So the Rotella Diesel Oil is safe to use on this bike ??? Just want to make sure. Thank you.

[@kirksmotorrad]

You are correct. Rotella T6 is good to use. It needs motorcycle rated oil. Do NOT use regular oil for any reason!

[@AB-hx9hs]

@@kirksmotorrad Thank you Kirk. I have used Synthetic Car Oil on the LT, old Rt and 2007 GSA. My understanding is that all of those bikes had Dry Clutches thus did not need specific Motorcycle Oils.

[@kosta16auto]

I use Amsoil as well all around.

[@philippebrenin]

Great explanation thanks

[@digger8180]

Excellent post again, thank you very much. I hope you have a fantastic 2020👍🏻

[@salahshami8793]

Good day my dear how I know the size torque for each

[@kirksmotorrad]

most of the torques are in your manual

[@ridewitholdgrizz582]

What make of Torque wrench are you using

[@kirksmotorrad]

It is a Snap On 3/8 Techangle

[@scottwright81]

What lift or jack are you using to remove rear wheel

[@kirksmotorrad]

I have an air lift made by Tuxedo

[@ryanmalone2681]

Someone told it it was 11nm torque spec for the filter and it spilled out EVERYWHERE. Gotta really crank that shit down.

[@kirksmotorrad]

The filter is 11 nm. The FD drain and fill is 20nm The oil drain is 28nm and 12 nm on the plug inside. The tire is 60 nm. Maybe the filter was cross threaded?

[@ryanmalone2681]

@@kirksmotorrad No, I took unscrewed it to check and it was threaded correctly. Going to drain it and check that the old gasket wasn’t left on. It stopped when I cranked up the nm.

[@ArabianOak]

I live in Saint Charles. Just bought a 22 K16gt. Would you be willing to help me do my first service? Be happy to ride to you. I have a gs911.

[@kirksmotorrad]

sure. Contact me through kirksmotorrad.com to set up an appt.

[@joeq3082]

One thing you don't show Kirk is draining of the oil condensate hose.

[@joeq3082]

Correction: Condensate tube. I don't know why I put oil in that line, guess it was on the mind lol.

[@docsopwith2536]

Maybe removing the wheel is pretty easy, but I can think of no other bike manufacturer that makes shaft drive motorcycles that puts the fill plug on the inside median portion of the rear hub requiring wheel removal to fill it.... Another German engineering wonder. They could have easily designed the rear hub to put the fill plug at the appropriate level on the lateral outside potion of the hub.

[@LTVoyager]

I am not sure which is more stupid, the dual coaxial drain plug design or the oil level check procedure that requires idling the bike for 10 minutes and then doing a number of other secret handshake steps. Who but BMW can complicate something as simple as an oil level check?

[@Marc-zf3xv]

It's a dry sump engine, all dry sump engines require an oil level check, drain and fill procedure which is different from conventional sump engines. It's not a bmw thing and far from stupid.

[@LTVoyager]

@@Marc-zf3xv Most are as simple as looking at a level in a tank while the engine is warmed and running. Few are nearly as goofy as the BMW although Rotax comes close with their 900 series aircraft engines.

[@Marc-zf3xv]

@@LTVoyager I've owned a few Hondas that had a very special and specific oil checking procedure as well as a few Aprilia's. The BMW procedure is nothing out of the ordinary and honestly no big deal what so ever.

[@LTVoyager]

@@Marc-zf3xv Not nearly as nice as looking at a sight glass or a dipstick which is a close second. Anything more complicated than that is poor design.

[@Marc-zf3xv]

@@LTVoyager clearly you should be able to engineer and package a 1.6l engine inside a motorcycle frame better than those that did so for the K16. Your future and career must look bright. I'll keep an eye out for your future success.

[@gerrygraham7]

For people who don’t know good to say open ,squeeze close release for bleeding

[@bogusmyleene6989]

Merry Christmas Kirk! What are you doing working today? It’s Christmas.

[@kirksmotorrad]

Just editing

[@christophepetit7568]

❤

[@xfire7]

4.5 ltrs is 1 imp gallon. Not the U.S.gallon thats 1.2 U.S. gallons

[@LTVoyager]

They did it because BMW = Bikes Made Weird. I like BMW bikes, but compared to the Japanese, many of their engineering and design decisions are just stupid.

[@dcxplant]

Aaaaaaaahhh! Never reuse o-rings. Sorry, pet peeve. Always replace packings.

[@jerrybigrig]

👍😎👍