Sight-glass replacement

MykolG · 07-09-2013, 06:07 PM

A friend of mine recently had the sight-glass pop out of his bike on the way home from work. He just picked up the new parts from BMW of Hollywood. There was the glass and a split-ring. I did a search on this forum regarding this and saw where it is recommended to use a socket slightly smaller than the opening to press the glass in place. Ok, but there was no mention of a split ring. Does this go in after the glass to hold the glass in place?
Thanks

RBMann · 07-09-2013, 06:35 PM

The R1100S does not use a split-ring, wish they had.

tjs · 07-09-2013, 08:45 PM

+1. Hexheads use the retaining ring. tjs

BumbleBeemer36 · 07-10-2013, 08:25 AM

I wanted to carry a spare to TOR but my tech friend says the site glasses give major (weepy) warning before failure. Did you (Rick) have pre-weepage?

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

What model bike is your friend's problem with?

Organic Mechani · Organic Mechani's Garage

It is a tight fit to get it in, I would advise to use an adhesive as a failsafe when pressing in the sight glass. Word of caution, make sure your socket only contacts the seal so you dont shatter the glass and have to source a second glass.(based on experience)

RBMann · 07-10-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleBeemer36

I wanted to carry a spare to TOR but my tech friend says the site glasses give major (weepy) warning before failure. Did you (Rick) have pre-weepage?

Mine had cracks but did not fail. I had been carrying a spare for years and just decided to change it one day. The glass(plastic) really shattered when I tried to remove it. In hindsight I should have changed it sooner, it helps to be lucky.

BumbleBeemer36 · 07-10-2013, 06:36 PM

I thought yours (Rick) popped out on its own at TOR.

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Rick has lots of malfunctions...
We should nickname him "Mal."

MykolG · 07-10-2013, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckcarr

What model bike is your friend's problem with?

Aw, sorry. I thought I mentioned that. He has a 1999 R1100S

RBMann · 07-11-2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleBeemer36

I thought yours (Rick) popped out on its own at TOR.

TOR was the odd fuse problem although there were two riders waiting for tow trucks with sight glass failure that year.

Through rain, sleet and etc., just call me the Mal-Mann

JimMoore · 07-11-2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MykolG

Aw, sorry. I thought I mentioned that. He has a 1999 R1100S

I'm interested to hear how it goes. The old ones were clear plastic. They were pretty easy to knock into place. I'm told the new ones are actually glass, and they're a little harder to install.

BumbleBeemer36 · 07-11-2013, 05:31 PM

I'd rather be a Mal-Mann than a Mor-Mann

R111S · R111S's Garage

I used a light smear of Yamabond #4 around the edge of the seal to hold it in...that was 26K Miles ago and all is well.

wswartzwel · 07-12-2013, 05:12 AM

You didn't quote from your spreadsheet Dan.

nail24fac · 07-12-2013, 05:51 AM

Has anyone ever rigged up a pressure gage on the oil fill position to determine the pressure that builds up in the crankcase during operations, Bill?

wswartzwel · 07-12-2013, 06:05 AM

Most engines run with a crankcase vacuum.

BumbleBeemer36 · 07-12-2013, 06:28 AM

That sux

Nitro · Nitro's Garage

So you wonna vent the spy glass instead?

MykolG · 07-14-2013, 06:34 AM

As a follow up on this, my friend has not installed the new glass yet. It's still sitting on his toolbox. Maybe he'll do it today.
Thanks for all the input guys. I forwarded all your replies to him. I'll let y'all know how it comes out when he does it.