Remove subframe / rear main frame

[spacewrench]

I'm stripping down my 2000 non-ABS R1100S in preparation for transmission surgery (clutch splines gone, replacing input shaft & clutch). I think my best option for getting to the transmission is to remove the subframe, then the rear main frame with final drive attached. (I know you can do it other ways, possibly with less parts removal, but I think I'll have better luck if I give myself more room to see and work the first time.)

There are a bunch of wires & hoses running from front to back, through the area at the front of the seat and near the 4 bolts that hold on the subframe. I don't see a clear set of connectors where you could easily disconnect everything and just pull the subframe off.

Before I make a hash of things by disassembling everything under the seat, am I missing an easy way to get the back end of the bike off? Should I just loosen the subframe bolts and tip it up out of the way on the top pair of the 4 bolts? (If so, can I do a similar tip-up of the rear main frame, or should I remove the rear main frame with the subframe still attached?)

Thanks for any hints or pointers to photo albums!

[JimMoore]

I've done it twice, but I can't really remember exactly how it comes apart. I did pull apart each part. IMO it just makes things easier to manage. Note that the centerstand is attached to the rear main frame, so you have to figure out a way to support the bike when you remove the rear main frame. I jacked the bike up, then slid two chairs under the under the cylinders and lowered it onto the chairs.

["A"]

AFAIK, the sub frame can be tilted forward, held with a strap.. sub frame may not have to be removed completely from bike to allow access to remove the transmission.

[wayner]

UNBOLT
* Airbox and fuel inspector intakes
* exhaust
* rear shock from bottom first
* swing rear subframe up (leaving top bolt as pivot

Here are some useful videos

Swing rear subframe up and out of the way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGf-tWobwEg


Transmission Installation/removal Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGf-tWobwEg

Rear swing arm removal video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0_j8SuiFQI&feature=youtu.be

P.S>
I left it on its centre stand. Not the green safety strap to the front wheel so that the stand won't accidentally fold up

[wayner]

Take lots of close up pics of routing paths for wires an, connectors and bolts

[flatbutt]

this is the classic

Flattbutt in Arkansas thread

[wayner]

I remember you posting a picture of yours but I didn't;t realize that there was an entire thread.
Good read

[spacewrench]

Holy mackerel, those pictures are terrifying! The only upside is my bike wasn't that expensive to begin with, and if I don't try this fix, I'll have to pay somebody to haul it away.

I figure if I start early enough, I may be able to get into it and back out before I forget where everything goes (even with lots of pictures).

Thanks for the pointers!

[BadToTheBown]

Not as bad as it looks, the S subframe is a little more work than the GS shown, have a rubber mallet handy for putting the frame back onto the engine/trans and look for broken trans mounting tab on frame, just remember, it's just a rear wheel drive train like a car (i.e. differential [final drive], drive shaft with U-joints, trans that bolts to back of engine with a dry clutch like a car has...

BMW makes a little geared toothed tool that locks the flywheel in place and installs where the start goes, if you replace your clutch, it's handy to lock the flywheel

[twitchy]

I went through this as well. There is a lot of information and many pictures here.

We all deal with this in different ways. Some like to take as little apart as possible. I took everything apart individually. For me, I thought it was a lot of work. I agree with others, take pictures as you go along, so you have an idea how to route wires and cables and see how things go. Somethings, if you don't assemble in the correct order, you can't get in.

Best of luck. If you do it yourself and get frustrated, walk away and come back. Ask questions here. If some of the people that have done it are still here they will help and offer advice.

I had Anton in Virginia http://vamotorrad.com/ rebuild my transmission. He is super well versed with oil heads. I got to know him pretty well. I burnt an exhaust valve as well and he fixed it for me.


2000 R1100S Driveline Issue

[va011101]

One consideration for the R1100S vs other oilheads is that the main frame has to be moved (or removed) to access the transmission, meaning that it is not a simple as rotating the subframe up and out of the way. My recommendation is to disassemble the parts, especially since you will end up with more clearance to work.

[BadToTheBown]

Originally Posted by va011101

One consideration for the R1100S vs other oilheads is that the main frame has to be moved (or removed) to access the transmission, meaning that it is not a simple as rotating the subframe up and out of the way. My recommendation is to disassemble the parts, especially since you will end up with more clearance to work.

+1 this is what I was referring to when I said S subframe...

[tjs]

Best descriptive pictures is: ( 2000 R1100S Driveline Issues ). 2cnts from tjs.