[GSCraig]

SO! Blown Out DriveShaft on ’07 R1200GS and before I ‘part her out’…

So I picked up my buddy’s 2007 BMW R1200GS with a Blown Up DriveShaft (other ‘n that she’s solid!!!).

He was renting out the Bike (through RidersShare… VERY interesting and works well for my Buddy) and the good Rider heard some serious clanking in the back while heading down the paved Mountain Pass. He was smart enough to pull over juuuuust before the back end LOCKED UP on him!!! Turns out the Rear U-Joint cracked in half as far as I can see ( you can see rust on part of U-Joint so musta been getting ready to happen for a time and finally did for the unlucky Renter... AND OWNER!).

Okay, so NBD… just get a new drive shaft (used actually… be a million bucks from BMW!!!). HOWEVER, ‘my’ mechanic at MotoGhost (PHX) says, ‘yeh, sure, but!!!’ And he reminded me that the Swing Arm better be able to accommodate the Boot ‘twixt it and the Diff AAAAND keep the elements out!!! YIKES! Good CATCH (I’d-a missed that small IMPORTANTE!!!).

That said, do the pics attached tell anyone here that I am safe to JUST get a new driveshaft and I’m “good to go” assuming I can put it all back together correctly??? Yes, the inside of the SwingArm is a little chewed up (shouldn't matter at all since it's not deep gashes through the swingarm metal), and the edge that the Rubber Boot mates with has a few nicks on the very interior, but IIIIIIIIII don’t think it will interfere with the Boot doing it’s work of keeping the elements out.

What say you?!

AND THANKS!!!

 

[Jeff in W.C.]

While it's above my expertise regarding the swing arm, I did a quick search on Ebay and good used swing arms are in $120 to $160 range. If the bikes solid otherwise, that's not that much additional $$$ - if a new swing arm is needed.

Here's one, but no guarantees that it will fit your bike. You should double check if you decide to go that route.

2006 05-07 BMW R1200GS Adventure Rear Swingarm Swing Arm Suspension OEM | eBay

 

[GSCraig]

... I did a quick search on Ebay and good used swing arms are in $120 to $160 range. If the bikes solid otherwise, that's not that much additional $$$ - if a new swing arm is needed.
2006 05-07 BMW R1200GS Adventure Rear Swingarm Swing Arm Suspension OEM | eBay

eBay makes it VERY HARD to even go to Bob's BMWs. And w few exceptions I'd NEVER buy any OEM New!!! New ABS Pump is like a gazillion dollars and there's a Rebuilder out there (reputable) for like 5 bills. And I've already added a few pieces to my eBay WatchList as you suggest above. THANKS!!!

 

[PerazziMx14]

eBay makes it VERY HARD to even go to Bob's BMWs. And w few exceptions I'd NEVER buy any OEM New!!! New ABS Pump is like a gazillion dollars and there's a Rebuilder out there (reputable) for like 5 bills. And I've already added a few pieces to my eBay WatchList as you suggest above. THANKS!!!

1. If the swingarm is not cracked or otherwise compromised then it is safe to reuse. The rubber boot really does not seal much by itself that is wht it is suggested you put a bead of rubber safe grease around the boots where they mate to the metal surface to seal out debris. Personally I use simple white lithium grease other se Sarburags (what BMW suggests)

2. BMW OEM drive shafts are not "a million bucks" they are $1,419.29 or you can get one of the rebuildable drive shafts that are arguably better than OEM from Ted Porter for $749.00. These also come with grease fittings unlike OEM so you can service them.

3. The drive shafts typically do not just fail. They usually give a warning as a vibration in the right foot peg or if you actually service the bike properly and lube the splines as you should you would have most likely caught the failing drive shaft before it went chernobyl

4. In reference to the ABS pump depending on which one you are talking about they are not "a gazillion dollars" the most expensive is about $2,685.20 for a servo assist ABS pump and $2,212.39 the latter non-servo assist ABS pump. FWIW there is the perpetual rumor that MOdule Master can rebuild the servo/ABS pumps for a fraction of new. While that is partially true they can rebuild them but they cannot replacement source parts reliably and cannot offer the service. There is a company in Europe that does rebuild servo/ABS (or did a year or so ago) for around $900 euro plus shipping.

If the servo/ABS pumps goes tits up its simple, easy and cheap to bypass it and have excellent non-ABS brakes. Total cost is about $0.08 for a section of 3/16" brake hose and few hours of time to make two jumpers and pull all the old brake lines off the bike.

 

[GSCraig]

1. If the swingarm is not cracked or otherwise compromised then it is safe to reuse.
Suggest you put a bead of rubber safe grease around the boots where they mate to the metal surface [white lithium grease other se Sarburags (what BMW suggests)].
2. BMW OEM drive shafts...
3. The drive shafts typically do not just fail. They usually give a warning as a vibration in the right foot peg...
4. In reference to the ABS pump...
cheap to bypass it and have excellent non-ABS brakes. Total cost is about $0.08..

1. Was aware of alot of this though just not clear on MY SchwingArm... thanks for your VERY VETTED opinion!!! Your opinion above almost makes it easy to label this Thread as 'SOLVED'!!! You've helped me before on other projects and once again I AM GRATEFUL!!!

2. Are you advising against 'Used' DriveShafts assuming I'd be responsible to discover mileage on the ones 'Dismantled' by one-a-these Dismantlers that are popping up EVERYWHERE (which means I'd have to trust they represented the DS truthfully/accurately)???

3. My Buddy had a pretty complete 'file' on the Bike and showed several 'Service' visits to his DriveLine (GoAZ in PHX)... kinda makes me question his Mechanic(s) since that DriveShaft INDEED looks very neglected. GREAT TIP on the 'Right-Foot-Vibration' indicator!!!

4. I've heard about this. I don't feel safe on ABS per se since I've heard they can fail 'suddenly', even if properly serviced. 'Heard it smart to consider non-ABS and that it is indeed Cake to do!

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PerazziMx14]

1. Was aware of alot of this though just not clear on MY SchwingArm... thanks for your VERY VETTED opinion!!! Your opinion above almost makes it easy to label this Thread as 'SOLVED'!!! You've helped me before on other projects and once again I AM GRATEFUL!!!

2. Are you advising against 'Used' DriveShafts assuming I'd be responsible to discover mileage on the ones 'Dismantled' by one-a-these Dismantlers that are popping up EVERYWHERE (which means I'd have to trust they represented the DS truthfully/accurately)???

3. My Buddy had a pretty complete 'file' on the Bike and showed several 'Service' visits to his DriveLine (GoAZ in PHX)... kinda makes me question his Mechanic(s) since that DriveShaft INDEED looks very neglected. GREAT TIP on the 'Right-Foot-Vibration' indicator!!!

4. I've heard about this. I don't feel safe on ABS per se since I've heard they can fail 'suddenly', even if properly serviced. 'Heard it smart to consider non-ABS and that it is indeed Cake to do!

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. While a used drive shaft in good condition is better than a broken drive shaft or one that is failing in a word yes I am advising against a used drive shaft especially if you are going to keep the bike. KNowing the mileage on any give drive shaft is okay but not an indicator of how long it will or will not last. I had a 2007 with 13,000 miles on it and the lower u-joint was notchy. I had another with 133,600 miles and the drive shaft had a very slight flat spot in.

3. Your buddy's service records are good to have and I'm sure he went by the book. Unfortunately if you go by the book driveline care is not on the radar. Your buddy would have had to specifically ask for this and I'm sure he would have needed to lay down and catch his breath when the tech told him the added cost.

4. Yes, ABS can suddenly fail so can brake lines engines, tires and another other part of the motorcycle. On oilheads when the ABS failed you did lose about 80% of your braking power, fortunately the Hexheads if the ABS goes tits up mid-ride you still have very good brakes.

 

[GSCraig]

awesome... THX PerazziMx14
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BMW Pains]

2. While a used drive shaft in good condition is better than a broken drive shaft or one that is failing in a word yes I am advising against a used drive shaft especially if you are going to keep the bike. KNowing the mileage on any give drive shaft is okay but not an indicator of how long it will or will not last. I had a 2007 with 13,000 miles on it and the lower u-joint was notchy. I had another with 133,600 miles and the drive shaft had a very slight flat spot in.

3. Your buddy's service records are good to have and I'm sure he went by the book. Unfortunately if you go by the book driveline care is not on the radar. Your buddy would have had to specifically ask for this and I'm sure he would have needed to lay down and catch his breath when the tech told him the added cost.

4. Yes, ABS can suddenly fail so can brake lines engines, tires and another other part of the motorcycle. On oilheads when the ABS failed you did lose about 80% of your braking power, fortunately the Hexheads if the ABS goes tits up mid-ride you still have very good brakes.

Is a 2007 GSA a Hexhead or an Oilhead ??

Thanks.

 

[coolrider]

To keep the elements out, BMW uses a lot of their "white" grease between the boot and swing arm / differential.

 

[GSCraig]

Is a 2007 GSA a Hexhead or an Oilhead ??
Thanks.

GS and EarlHead...

 

[PerazziMx14]

GS and EarlHead...

2004-2009 are Hexhead years. 2007’s are not “earlheads”

 

[BMW Pains]

I just want to know if my 07 GSA Abs fails, if I will still have brakes.

 

[Krons]

I just want to know if my 07 GSA Abs fails, if I will still have brakes.

The motor on my ABS pump was out on my 07 GSA when I bought it (34k miles). Had great brakes, ran it that way for several months until winter when I sent the ABS unit off to ModuleMasters in Idaho for the $250 rebuild. Has worked great since too.