I've just got home after a 1700 mile trip around the top of Northern Ireland and half way down the West coast of The Republic on the Wild Atlantic Way.

The bike has been great and turned over 41,000 miles (nearly all rural, twisty roads) on the trip.

One issue, the rear master cylinder started leaking milky brake fluid. It was a small leak and wasn't an issue. I ordered a 2nd hand one in good condition and fitted it on my return. I think that water had got into the bottom of the old one as it was very corroded underneath the rubber boot, a real rusty mess. There are no repair kits for these. It's a replacement only job.

Having lubricated the rear drive shaft splines a good time and mileage ago I decided to take the shaft out to check the universal joints and lubricate the splines at both ends.

While browsing eBay I spotted what looked like a mint 2nd hand shaft for a reasonable price (less than half what some people are asking). I made an offer, it was accepted and a totally mint, like new shaft arrived the day after I got back.

It turns out my U/J's are fine. I still fitted the new shaft and mine will be a spare. I needed a new rear gaiter as the for'd end was perished and loose and also there was considerable corrosion on the rear of the shaft housing where the gaiter sits. So, corrosion removed and a couple of coats of black enamel all was good to go when the gaiter arrived late this afternoon. 

I took the bike out for a ride to check out the shaft and the brakes. All are good. An unexpected bonus, the character of the bike has changed hugely. It's now much, much smoother than before. The new shaft is obviously balanced much better than the original. It's like having a new bike.

Peter

Peter, that is great to hear about your new shaft.

I wonder if that shaft is one of the newly released / way cheaper version from BMW - were you aware of that? See this thread here.

If the new-to-you shaft you picked up on eBay is the same part number as the one I bought then it is the redesigned BMW shaft and your testimonial is the first I have heard about the performance of the new shaft.

(05-26-2023, 03:47 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: Peter, that is great to hear about your new shaft.

I wonder if that shaft is one of the newly released / way cheaper version from BMW - were you aware of that? See this thread here.

If the new-to-you shaft you picked up on eBay is the same part number as the one I bought then it is the redesigned BMW shaft and your testimonial is the first I have heard about the performance of the new shaft.

The part number is the same as the old one Wayne. It's the first thing I checked on the photographs. The breaker selling wasn't particularly BMW savvy methinks, due to the low initial price and it being advertised to fit a R1200R (the bike it was removed from) and no mention of the other bikes that are compatible.

The reason I got quite excited by the photos and made a 'sneaky' offer was that it appeared mint (except for some rubbing marks on the damper sleeve where it had been removed) and there was a white/grey grease on it. Methinks the only place that would normally come from is the Staburags grease used in assembly of the gaiters and if that's the case it must indeed be low mileage as stated as it doesn't stay so pristine for long in my experience. I got it for £180 with next day delivery (220 $).

It really has transformed the bike. Having ridden it for 7 1/2 years and over 40,000 miles it seems like a new bike.

(05-27-2023, 02:38 AM)sanemancured Wrote: The part number is the same as the old one Wayne. It's the first thing I checked on the photographs. The breaker selling wasn't particularly BMW savvy methinks, due to the low initial price and it being advertised to fit a R1200R (the bike it was removed from) and no mention of the other bikes that are compatible.

Thanks for clarifying. I would have come to the same conclusion about its condition as you did, after seeing the photos, given the appearance of the grease.

Did you find the rotation of the universal joints stiffer than yours? That is what I noticed first about this new shaft I have - much stiffer than the current shaft on the bike, but then 60k miles would loosen any joint up pretty well, especially compared to one with zero on it. Just wondering why you get such a difference in smoothness when riding. Maybe there was an interim redesign ...

Yes, they were significantly stiffer.

(05-27-2023, 11:59 AM)sanemancured Wrote: Yes, they were significantly stiffer.

Thanks. Then I can expect similar results.