My 1100S has badly worn splines on the input shaft and the clutch centre is totalled - both need to be replaced.
This appears to be a known problem overseas supposedly caused by vibration on the input shaft and or alignment of the gearbox & engine.

How common is it here? 

Hey Billy,

Just had mine replaced. From what I got from Jim Tunnicliffe was that due to there being insufficient grease, there was nowhere for the heat to go. Don't know how long mine had not been greased, say 40k before the splines gave up.

Big one I got was to make sure that you make sure a good mechanic does the work and uses the right grease.

My bike was just clocking up 160k, with Jim saying that all going well, the shaft should last 250 - 300k.

Don't know if there is an easy way to check without getting the back end off though... and not something I will be trying.

Hope this helps.

Dave

Dave,
My understanding is that the R1100S does not require greasing and were built at the factory and shipped not greased.

It does sound like this is not ideal as many seem to think that 80,000km is all you should expect from the input shaft -
Sounds like greasing is the way to go and BMW may have  been a bit optimistic with their new technology.

William

Bike is now back together and gearbox feels better than ever. Clutch is much smoother and shifts are light and positive.

Guys at EXP BMW were great to deal with. looking forward to putting the bike back on the road in October.

Happy riding.... brrrr it is a bit nippy at the moment 

The ice was last month fun in the car less so on the bike - should warm up lots by October.

Still got a few little mods to make and ACC levies to save.

To grease or not to grease That is the question. I err on the side of caution and have just greased my clutch splines plus the driveshaft input and output splines.
Have followed all the arguements for and against and as I can do the job myself I figuire its cheap insurance. Grease of choice is Honda Moly 60. Highest Moly content base grease commonly avaliable. 

To add to the argument on lubing or not lubing splines, I can only say that for years now I have put grease on clutch spines. Also  driveshaft splines and have used moly based greases on those . However clutch splines have had a satisfactory life with a light brushing of coppercote or moly grease. I speak of car and 4wd applications but would be had put to convince me that our bikes would suffer by doing the same.

Does all this mean that in 5,267.52 km's time my 1998 R1100S is going to cost me a heap?   Should I sell it before then?  How many owners have had to have work done. Is it only the R1100S that supposedly  need this at 80,000km's.  There must be heaps of other BMW's with the same Input shaft and clutch spline set up.  Do they have the same life span?  Or is it just the way that R1100S owners ride?

I really wish I knew some of the answers to your questions, Phil, because I ride my bike like the world's biggest pansy, and Experience still find plenty wrong to charge me (lots) for.

 I have reluctantly come to the realisation that the eleven-hundy-ess is gonna be the most expensive bike I've ever owned. Unfortunately I am locked into it, 'cos I love it to bits, and haven't seen any other bike I want more.

I just shudder to think what the costs would be if I was man enough to ride it as hard as it should be ridden.........................

Having said which, the input shaft and clutch spline should be greased, for my money, and with a good quality heavy-metal content grease.  I paid a huge bill for parts to repair a K100 also (?) designed (?) to run dry-splined.  For the rest of the time I owned it, that bike had lotsa goo on the splines.

Ps, if you are a "senior user", shouldn't the idiot system that drives this forum have me as middle-aged, not senior?  Don't you have a coupla years on me? 

Hi Bwuice.   Re the"senior user", thing yes. I think I have a couple years on you, unless you won't see 71 again.   Back to the subject on hand. A personal  Question! have you had yours replaced?   If the "Input shaft and clutch spline" need to be greased , How the hell do you do it? If there is no way to do so without taking the thing apart. I would ask, what kind of engineer. would design a machine like that? They are a Sports/Tourer so they should be able to stand being given a bit of stick now and then, as I do.  ( Never over a 110 you understand. )

What what it's worth, and I don't want to jinx anything, my bike has done 130000km with out a spline lube. Knock on wood, there have been no problems shifting gears. I guess I'll get it lubed when the clutch needs to be done.

The local guys claim they "only see about 1 a year" across all models  with premature spline wear.
This would suggest that it is not a"problem" (gasp just forked out $2,500 to fix it ) but in this highly communicative world with active rumour mills and conspiracy obsessions, we can " make it a problem" by over analysing it.

Assuming there are no underlying issues then I look forward to hitting 100,00 km with no further dramas.

Thanks for all input  (bad pun)  I will stop worrying and carry on enjoying my R1100s.  It looks like it's all a "Spline in a teacup" (another bad pun)   Phil

Yes guys and gals I now prefer having lazy no chain than cleaning lubing adjusting and buying chains, because one does his own maintainance This after changing from the Yam gts1000 to K1200rs

Keep the Shiney Side up