rear wheel play R850R

[jacksgp]

It's rare I get my wife out on the bike but today was one of those days. She is a light weight so it's almost like riding alone. Now ...my question!

I noticed right off that my bike was not handling as usual. I thought maybe I needed air in my rear tire so I checked the pressure and all was good.

I returned home asap with about 20 miles ridden. I put my bike on the center stand and found that I could move the wheel side to side appx 1/16---1/8 of a inch. I thought maybe the lug nuts somehow loosened but that was not the case. Not Good....

Let me add that even before I rode with my wife there were times the ride seemed alittle off...not bad just something annoying at times...hard to describe!

Any suggestions? My bike is a r850r with 99,000 miles and NEVER a problem untill now!

[NoRRmad]

Uh oh. Look for metal shavings on the magnetic drain plug of the final drive.

[sweatmark]

Don't fret yet.

Rear wheel play can originate in a couple of places, including the final drive bearings (that hold the crown gear/rear axle), and in the Paralever linkage joints.

Read the following for some background info, including the external references found on ADV and UKGSers boards:
<edit> added this first link for good place to start: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=469866

http://www.r1150r.net/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22603
http://www.r1150r.net/board/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2003
http://www.r1150r.net/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19113
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=729251
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=512785
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560727

[jacksgp]

Good news...no metal shaving in the rear drive! Yippeee

I removed the final drive housing and discoverd that the needle bearing on the right side are shot. The left side is fine but I will replace both of them. The roller bearings are worn so they will also be replaced also. The pivot pins are good so they will be reused!

I have two questions....

1... When I removed the bearings I did not mark what side of the bearing faces out. I do not know even if it matters but the inner race has a number printed on it. happy guy 10-6465a. I read on another site that the bearing are not the same diameter so it matters how they are to be installed! I do not remember seeing the number on the bearing before I removed it so I'm thinking the printed side faces in where you can't see it. Any thoughts!

2... I was going to check the pivot pins and bearings on the swingarm while I have everything open. Good idea or not?

Let me end by saying thanks to norrmad and sweatmark. The links that were provided were a great help and I appreciate all you done!

[jacksgp]

I can answer my own question...the printed side of the bearing goes to the inside. Hope to be back on the road shortly!

[machew01]

Good luck with your repairs. It sounds like you have everything under control.
I have always liked the R850R - they are beautiful bikes.


mac

[jacksgp]

The job went real smooth...the hardest part was getting the courage up to "take it apart". The help on this site is first rate!

The r850r is a awesome machine...not the fastest.....not the coolest...but absolutaly a solid bike. Too bad they were only imported here for two years!

[sweatmark]

The r850r is a awesome machine...not the fastest.....not the coolest...but absolutaly a solid bike. Too bad they were only imported here for two years!

... and the smoothest oilhead for sure.

Loved my '96 R850R "Rocket" as 1st BMW. Would be fun to get another for renovation.

[jacksgp]

Agree totally...I sometimes see one on ebay or other motorcycle sites and cotempate buying another one.

What a wonderful machine!