F650GS / Dakar steering neck bearings
20 February 2008 - 7:41am
The neck bearings on my Dakar gave up the ghost at 5000km (new 2007 model) and my wife’s F650(2005 model) bearings a knackered after only 12000km. Are these bearings an inferior quality or what is the problem. Anyone have the specifications for alternate bearings because I don't want to use the BMW parts, it's in-sane.
When do I suspect the bearings are bad...?
Riding slowly, perhaps through traffic the bike tends to pick its own line, it's not the tyres...or it tends to follow groves in the road.
How to test: place the bike on the main-stand, and lift the front wheel of the ground. Now slowly move the handle bar from side to side, most likely you will find the bars tend stop hesitate at the 12.00 o'clock position.
Check yours now...
20 February 2008 - 8:07am
#1
Just replaced Jess's (650GS, 2004) as well...actually going to pick her up a bit later today. She's done 13500km.
Apparently this is a "650-thing" not sure what that implies, but surely they should have fixed the problem by now? Or is there now way of fixing?
20 February 2008 - 8:23am
#2
Max, Shane also replaced mine (under warranty) on 14000km. I have a 2007 F650GS
Corné Kloppers
0849130391
ckloppers@gmail.com
20 February 2008 - 8:29am
#3
This was discussed before on the forum.
http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/dakar-steering-main-bearing
Apparently the bearings are not greased up enough on installation, but when they are replaced and properly greased they do a lot better.
I know Brenda Buttercup needs new bearings and she will be going in for it sometime soon.
26 February 2008 - 7:18am
#4
Replaced the bearings with off-the-shelf bearings purchased at bearing man. Bearing CODE 320-28 size= 28 x 52 x 16mm taper bearings at R105 each. Dust caps from BMW for R15 each (rip-off). The bearings I removed did not have a lot of grease but I don't think that's the problem but I not so sure that I agree with the torque method prescribed by the manual, although I have tightened the bearings according to the manual next time I'll use the method as prescribed on JAP bikes. I have used high-temp CV joint grease...lets see how long they last.
2007 Dakar
2005 F650GS(hers)
2005 R1100S BCR
200? R1100S race bike (under construction)
2003 ZX6R (for sale)
www.twowheels.co.za
28 February 2008 - 9:42pm
#5
Hi Maxl, read both these and Wild dogs threads, I have limited experience with bearings, but would agree the BMW mothod seems to mechanical almost always ensuring too tight a bearing.
I feel in this case more grease, the additional grease will act as a dust seal, helping keep dust out of the bearing race;.. the tightening ...nip up firm to seat then reset...(back off by feel, and repeating a few times to check feel if necessary)loading the bars each time.
24 June 2008 - 10:52am
#6
Max,
My bike now has 26600km on the odometer and my neck bearings are shot AGAIN! :-)
Corné Kloppers
0849130391
ckloppers@gmail.com
24 June 2008 - 12:56pm
#7
I recently replaced the bearings on Cindys bike (out of warranty) and I have used high heat wheel bearing grease and bearings that I purchased off-the shelf from Bearing Man, but the bike does not do much mileage so you have to wait a few years for a result :).
Anyway I think the grease that BMW uses, breaks down and ultimately the bearings fail, just an assumption don't hold me to it.
Either that or it's a design fault... :D ;)
Good luck
2007 Dakar (Max)
2005 F650GS(Cindy)
Motorcycle Rider Trainig
http://www.twowheels.co.za
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