Is it possible to view splines by removing the starter?

[slowtorque]

Couldn't be this easy on the 1150R, could it? I believe it is for the R1100S.

[grwrockster]

slowtorque,

Yes, apparently it is - they are pretty much the same. There's lots on this area and posted by sweatmark in the thread...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23028,

Thread is called 'BMW quality - and CLUTCH SPLINES and Integral ABS' and there's loads of info on the subject on a link sweatmark included for the ADV forum...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207014

Where someone suggests tying the cltch lever in and looking to see how much free play there is on the clutch friction plate on the splines (from memory, I think it was that the free play measured at the edge of the plate should be 3/8" or less if it's all good, and maybe an inch if there's bad spline/clutch boss wear. Don't take this as correct though, please check for yourself. There's a lot of reading though!).

As soon as I get chance, I'm going to pull the starter myself and have a peer around at the splines on my Rockster (with my fingers crossed)!

[sweatmark]

Is it possible to view splines by removing the starter?

No, not really. Savvy use of a small, flexible borescope might give you a tiny hint of the clutch hub/transmission input splines condition with starter removed, but certainly not the "big picture" evaluation of spline wear and tooth profile you get once the transmission is separated from motor.

[AdrianS]

You cannot see the splines when the starter is removed.

As previously said, if the clutch lever is tied in the disengaged position to the handlebar with a zip tie the clutch plate is free to move.

using a small screwdriver the plate can be moved to guesstimate the radial movement on the splines. I am not sure what the figure for a new clutch plate and new gearbox would be but mine has only about 2 -3 mm of movement ( after 30,000 miles). I am assuming there is very little wear on the splines.

I tend to check this once a year when I service the bike - it only takes a couple of minutes to pull the starter out!

ps use gentle pressure on the plate with the screwdriver - you only want to move the plate and not the gearbox input shaft!

[vwdoctor]

I have 04 Rockster that I just pulled apart to check the splines and here are the facts (as I see them). New bike to me, got it about 2 months ago, has 24k miles. My first BMW.
I checked the freeplay through the starter hole. If you want to do this accurately you must take the starter out, pull the clutch in, move the clutch disk with something that fits, and look very closely at the input shaft. As you do this notice "free play" before input shaft start to move. In my case this was about 1/16'' (estimate), not much. I decided that I must take a look.
As per instructions on various forums I put the bike in the "ass up" position and removed the transmission. about 3-4 hours, but this is my first time. This job in maybe 3 hour job (total, in and out) when you are good at it.
My splines on the clutch had about 10% wear. When I say 15% I mean 15% of the spline width was compromised, maybe 20%. I will have to start using some sort of measuring device in the future.
Input shaft was OK, no wear (and trust me I looked), but I could tell the heat spot was forming at the place where clutch was digging in". So what to do?
Everybody knows the story about clutch splines (or think they do) so everybody out there.
What is the next step?

[Bruce H]

I have an 04 1150R which shifts "funny" as compared to my other BMW's. I'd suppose I should take a look but what a PAIN. I know I'll have to do it for peace of mind. I have a couple of clutches laying around so if it was worn I'd replace. In any case I'd lube the splines.

Be interested in what you decide to do with yours.

[vwdoctor]

Job itself is really not that difficult. First time you should take some pictures to make sure everything is routed correctly. But other than that it is pretty normal job. You don't even have to take the wheel off. No oil leaks either.
I have had a friend manufacture a spacer to modify the clutch with in order to ensure full engagement. It is currently in the bike getting tested.