How-To: BMW R1250GS Drive Shaft Spline Lube

[@featherlove1576]

I got the letter in the mail today from BMW saying this is now recommended maintenance every 12,000 miles and they sent a new page for the owners manual to reflect that. Great video!

[@AdamChandler86]

Yeah, I got similar and I think it’s over and above what I expected from them. I always lube splines every 12K. Good to know that BMW will have my bike if any issues arise.

[@magoombo8090]

Thanks for the video! I assume the reason you say that heat cannot be applied to the carrier bolt is because of the proximity of the sensor cable and using a torch? The tip of a soldering iron placed into the recess of the carrier bolt head gently heats up just the bolt - takes a few minutes; then with a suitable socket driver (I use my long handled torque wrench) I find it loosens with relative ease.

[@AdamChandler86]

Good tip, I do not have a soldering iron so I'll add it to my list.

[@steveetier3025]

Do you lube the front end of the shaft? No worries about mixing the factory line with Moly paste?

[@AdamChandler86]

Great questions. You can lube the front in. You can give the shaft a solid tug and pull it out but when I saw so much grease already present, I didn’t think it was necessary to do a full lube-job but you certainly can. As for mixing greases, I honestly didn’t have to grease it at all but you can clean up the old stuff but the factory grease was so new that I just applied more. It’s ally moly grease just a different color.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Nice video. I was told by BMW the carrier bolt is considered a consumable, I picked up a replacement 🤷🏼‍♂️. If you want to add grease between the boot and the housing/water intrusion prevention consider Kluber ISOFLEX Topas NB 52

[@AdamChandler86]

I just checked the service manual and you’re right but that’s not surprising. BMW recommends bolts are replaced for any structural component. I don’t believe this is a stretch-bolt but it’s BMW being safe but if it’s a new bike, I don’t replace the bolts. These can be as much as $20 from the dealer and with only 500 miles, I wasn’t worried about it. But good call out and I should have mentioned that.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

I would love to have a service manual, do you know where I can purchase one? BMW said they don’t sell them. Thanks

[@AdamChandler86]

One fell off a truck and I’m afraid to share it for fear of being sued. Sadly. But it’s on the internet somewhere.

[@AdamChandler86]

Actually it was just last week an R1250RS manual appeared on Reddit for a few hours before it was deleted. They do get posted occasionally.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Dang…😆

[@12gsx2]

why do you cut out the parts where you are on the struggle bus. there's just before and after with no "during". Maybe some out takes at the end at least.

[@AdamChandler86]

Good call out and it’s definitely intentional. I have most people when I talk to them in person who say they are on KZbin because they are trying to find a step they’re stuck on and they hate 5 minutes of someone talking about their day or wasted frames of a video. “I just want to know where this one bolt goes” and so I’ve intentionally made these very tight for folks who just have busy lives and want the steps short and sweet. This build is about 150 hours of video so maybe I just post that at some point or the stupid stuff :)

[@12gsx2]

@@AdamChandler86 right on thanks for the explanation. Been watching your videos for quite a while. Keep it Up !

[@AdamChandler86]

I appreciate your understanding. Maybe I should live stream the installs on my next bike. Then people have the entire thing for comedic relief and later, the edited version.