R80ST gets the GS Treatment

[bgoodsoil]

Trying to understand this... Is this because a spare points and condenser takes up less space and is lighter than a spare bean can? Or cheaper? i think I'd be inclined to go with the stock ignition.

the stock ignition left me stranded in the middle of Mexico about a month ago. Granted, it was a 25 year old piece of electronics. Most folks that run the stock ignition take a complete spare, bean can & ICU, in case of a failure. Of course, that spare could fail after it's been bouncing around in your toolbox for thousands of miles. With points spares can be had anywhere in the world and they can be fixed with basic tools.

I know a guy that rides a shovelhead who's been running an electronic ignition. He still keeps his points on the bike to back up the electronics. The problem with that on the airheads is that the electronic system uses a different coil than the points.

If I ever get to take another big trip I'll switch to points before I go but for right now I'll continue running the stock set-up.

sorry for the hijack. keep us updated on that gearbox. I'm bummed for ya man. that plain sucks.

[Airhead Wrangler]

Well, thanks all for the sympathy. At least cagers will hear my air raid siren... I mean BIKE coming.

(Don't worry, I'm not actually riding it. Just down the block and back was enough to know that something is royally FU**ED.)

[StephenB]

That sux! I had Bruno in Ontario doing all my tranny and earlier spline work, he does it with perfection is all I can say. The complete tranny rebuilt with all new latest 17.5gears and long 5th after 10,000mls has developed no issues.

[StephenB]

Originally Posted by bgoodsoil

the stock ignition left me stranded in the middle of Mexico about a month ago.

Highjack=on

I hate when that happens! Now I know why I am always carrying 15lbs of spare parts and tools in two tank panniers when I am on a longer trip. A spare points beancan is one of them, a complete charging system another. I do rotate those spare parts every year. Have used a diodeboard for a broken down friend once and one for myself. Other than that, knock on wood, no catastrophic failures.

Highjack=off

[Airhead Wrangler]

I believe the proper format is:

[hijack]

hijack content

[/hijack]

[SOLO LOBO]

THat sicks my firend, I an sorry to hear about your tranny...

Mine was converted to the 17.5 degree set up as well, and I have a definitive howl... but I did before the conversion as well... it is getting better and quieter about 2,500 miles down the road...

Ted Porter told me that the new parts (sometimes) need some time to get to know each other... what does the rebuilder say?

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by SOLO LOBO

Ted Porter told me that the new parts (sometimes) need some time to get to know each other... what does the rebuilder say?

Yeah, but this is LOUD. As loud as the engine at the very least. This isn't a subtle gear whine, we're talking SCREAMING. Some people were hanging out on my front porch having a beer last night when I took my test spin and they said they could hear my transmission when I was 3 blocks away.

[StephenB]

My cheap Kenda 270 do that: SCREAMING! WHINING! HOWLING! More than once I feared it was my tranny until I was sure it was the tires.

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by StephenB

My cheap Kenda 270 do that: SCREAMING! WHINING! HOWLING! More than once I feared it was my tranny until I was sure it was the tires.

Unfortunately I can't chalk this one up to tires.

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by jellycow

Really stupid question: is there oil in that gearbox?
I'd think that with two tooth pitches you'd not be able to rotate the in/output at all because of interference. Or is the difference between those two pitches so minimal?

Not a stupid question, but yes, there is gear oil in the box. The difference in angle is only 1.5 degrees so it's subtle enough that you can't tell by just looking at the gears. They'll look like they fit together perfectly, but when you run them they let out an unhappy scream.

[StephenB]

I think it is 2.5deg (15 -> 17.5deg helical) and you can't possibly mix and match them. Your rebuilder if not a seasoned BMW tranny rebuilder wouldn't have known. BUT, the parts catalog should have given him the right part number because the parts are not interchangeable.So, what did happen?

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by StephenB

So, what did happen?

NO IDEA. A buddy of mine used to rebuild airhead trannies for Bob's BMW when he lived back east. He's coming over this afternoon to give it a listen. Besides bearings and seals, the only things that were replaced are numbers 4 and 5 in the diagram below. A reminder, my bike is an '84 model year built in september of '83.

04	23221242991	gear wheel (17,5 DEG/D=30MM) - From 04/1982 to 03/1985	BUY	1	$169.48
05	23211233425	thrust adapter (D=35,5) - Up to 03/1985	BUY	1	$83.08

[datchew]

My condolences bro. I pity your gearbox pain.


FYI. The condenser part for our beloved points conversion is suddenly NLA from Bosch. The Borg-Warner cross reference has the same fate.

You can find them still on a few shelves.

But you can buy a different one (also from bosch) and I think it works just as well. Just has a longer wire. Haven't tested yet.

Naturally, I don't have the part # in front of me.

[Infracaninophile]

If it's not impolite to ask, WHO did your work on the tranny? I am considering have one of my bike's done over the winter and have heard so many conflicting reports on who is good and who is not.

Never met the guy who did BGgood's but I'm sure not taking it there after hearing how many times that guy's been inside his tranny.

T.

[Airhead Wrangler]

I'd rather not drag the guy's name through the mud, but suffice it to say you WON'T find this guy. He's local only and by referral only. Friend of a friend kind of deal who used to be a master tech at one of the local dealerships.