K75 Clutch spline lubing

[Photog]

I am getting ready to wake my k75 brick from its winter nap, and I'm planning to do a clutch spline lube to start things off (did the driveshaft last year).

I'm curious what parts I need to line up. For example, I've seen discussions indicating the header sealing rings are a requirment, and others indicating they are optional.

I have plenty of guard dog moly, got lots of tools, though projects are always good reasons to buy more. I'm planning to upgrade the negative battery cable. But I don't know what else to plan for.

I can look back through the paperwork to verify, but let's assume the clutch hasn't been touched internally since '87 when it got assembled. The bike has 48K miles on it now.

So, what parts are;

Necessary

Probably needed

Might be needed, but unlikely

Probably not needed, but recommended...?

TIA
Barry

[frankenduck]

You don't need to remove the headers to do a clutch spline lube on a K75 so why would you need new header sealing rings?

The ONE part that you will need is the one-use self-destructing gasket that goes between the header collector and the exhaust can - part # 18121457142.

[wmax351]

You don't need to remove the headers to do a clutch spline lube on a K75 so why would you need new header sealing rings?

The ONE part that you will need is the one-use self-destructing gasket that goes between the header collector and the exhaust can - part # 18121457142.

Didn't even notice that part is there... I guess the PO on my bike lost it.

[technostructural]

Didn't even notice that part is there... I guess the PO on my bike lost it.

I didn't notice it either, but there was a whole lot of dust that looked to be stainless. The part I think is sacrificial and there isn't much left of it after a while.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

That dust is mica.  You don't want to breathe it.  That gasket is one of BMW's profit centers.  It's the reason why I will go to hell and back to avoid removing the muffler from the headers on my K75's.

[technostructural]

That dust is mica.  You don't want to breathe it.  That gasket is one of BMW's profit centers.  It's the reason why I will go to hell and back to avoid removing the muffler from the headers on my K75's.

I've read that you've mentioned it before. When I looked at it myself, I thought "what is gryphon talking about? This isn't so bad". I'm beginning to now see what you mean. To be honest though, my headers looked worse. I figured I'd rather snap something on the muffler clamp rather than at the block.

[BrickMW]

The ONE part that you will need is the one-use self-destructing gasket that goes between the header collector and the exhaust can - part # 18121457142.

UPDATE-- Tried to order one of these from MaxBMW a couple weeks ago, got the rest of the order yesterday with a note on the packing list that this gasket is backordered from BMW with NO ETA. This same advisory has now been added to the fiche as well...


Just a heads up that an alternative sealing method will probably be required from now on.


I've never had the pleasure of handling one of these in new condition so can anyone tell me how thick it is supposed to be? If I use a muffler wrap repair tape or aluminum wrap shim of sorts, what kind of space will I be trying to make up? My muffler hangs and dangles like a Christmas ornament with no tension at all really on the collector pipe, and the clamp has already been over-tightened. I got a new clamp, just curious how much space I will be trying to make up in order to get a tight attachment, or if I'm better off just leaving it as is. It's not loud or poppy.. but undue wear from the looseness is my concern.

[technostructural]

UPDATE-- Tried to order one of these from MaxBMW a couple weeks ago, got the rest of the order yesterday with a note on the packing list that this gasket is backordered from BMW with NO ETA. This same advisory has now been added to the fiche as well...


Just a heads up that an alternative sealing method will probably be required from now on.


I've never had the pleasure of handling one of these in new condition so can anyone tell me how thick it is supposed to be? If I use a muffler wrap repair tape or aluminum wrap shim of sorts, what kind of space will I be trying to make up? My muffler hangs and dangles like a Christmas ornament with no tension at all really on the collector pipe, and the clamp has already been over-tightened. I got a new clamp, just curious how much space I will be trying to make up in order to get a tight attachment, or if I'm better off just leaving it as is. It's not loud or poppy.. but undue wear from the looseness is my concern.

I have a brand new one of these that I just picked up from BMW Toronto. I will measure the thickness of it with the micrometer tonight or tomorrow and get back to you.

[Motorhobo]

You don't need any gasket there at all. That's probably why they're backordered, because they stopped producing them because they're completely useless and most everybody knows it. If you search 'mica' you'll probably find at least one thread about it. I'm never getting one again -- the difference with and without is negligible and next time, if anything, I'm just cutting up a beer can and wrapping it around there and slapping the exhaust over it. Or not...maybe it'll backfire a tad bit more, but that's about it.

[Martin]

Bocuttered has a brilliant alternative to the gasket, an expanding collet gasket even the name is cool. Unfortunately the plumbing part not available in OZ. He has posted how to manufacture it. The fairy dust gasket in OZ was quoted at $50.00 Au from a non BM specialist about 5 years ago, I rang a BM dealer about 4 weeks ago and got quoted $20.00 Au. I've gone through at least eight ways of trying to seal mine and I will probably bite the bullet and get the OEM one. If they are available for $20.00 I refuse to pay $50.00.
Regards Martin.

[Motorhobo]

You don't need any gasket there at all. That's probably why they're backordered, because they stopped producing them because they're completely useless and most everybody knows it. If you search 'mica' you'll probably find at least one thread about it. I'm never getting one again -- the difference with and without is negligible and next time, if anything, I'm just cutting up a beer can and wrapping it around there and slapping the exhaust over it. Or not...maybe it'll backfire a tad bit more, but that's about it.

Further to this -- if there's too much play between the exhaust and the pipe, then it might be because the tabs on the exhaust were spread out at some point by someone who thought doing so would help them get that thing over that evil mica gasket. If that's the case tightening the clamp might not help too much -- that's soft metal there and that hex socket can strip out. Maybe you should consider bending the tabs themselves inward so they get a better bite on the collector pipe. My exhaust fits almost exactly over the pipe with very little play, in fact, so little that I've destroyed many of those hateful mica gaskets and gotten sore hands from trying to muscle that thing on there over a mica gasket that really seems like it has no business being there at all.

If you MUST use the mica gasket, make sure you have a plan for installing it. There is a thread that has that procedure here somewhere -- search for it and ye shall most likely find.

[Motorhobo]

Bocuttered has a brilliant alternative to the gasket, an expanding collet gasket even the name is cool. Unfortunately the plumbing part not available in OZ. He has posted how to manufacture it. The fairy dust gasket in OZ was quoted at $50.00 Au from a non BM specialist about 5 years ago, I rang a BM dealer about 4 weeks ago and got quoted $20.00 Au. I've gone through at least eight ways of trying to seal mine and I will probably bite the bullet and get the OEM one. If they are available for $20.00 I refuse to pay $50.00.
Regards Martin.

I had one in my parts bin that I paid under $15 for and it disintegrated yet again on installation so I say -- feck it.

BTW if you're considering muffler paste or that muffler tape, be prepared to be ensconced in vile-smelling smoke the first time you use it. How do I know? Done that...that crap is designed to be under a car where it can smoke all it wants until it cures -- if it ever does. And if it does, then you have that cured tape residue on your pipe that may or may not ever come off...don't waste your time.

[Martin]

I've tried at least five brands of muffler paste, brass and aluminium sleeves of various thickness and styles, fibreglass tape and rope. Muffler tape externally under the clamp in combination with aluminum sleeve and paste. Muffler paste combined with chopped up strands of fibreglass sealed the longest but eventually blew out. I put up with the backfiring for a while but eventually succumb and try another method. It has become my mission in life to cure it.  :dunno
Regards a slightly insane Martin.

[Motorhobo]

Last thing I tried was sandwiching high-temp RTV between two leaves of a cut-up beer can. When I pulled it off to inspect it, the RTV was all burned off and it was just beer can -- so don't bother with that. It didn't work.


I'm sure if anyone can do it, you can. BTW have you tried....mica?


Ha ha ha...I don't even know what mica is, all I know is that I hate it.

[bocutter Ed]

bocutter Ed has a brilliant alternative to the gasket, an expanding collet gasket even the name is cool. Unfortunately the plumbing part not available in OZ. He has posted how to manufacture it.

I still think you should let me mail you one, or at least the brass plumbing part so's you can make your own ...

..or maybe I should set up manuf and corner the market.

[bocutter Ed]

UPDATE-- Tried to order one of these from MaxBMW a couple weeks ago, got the rest of the order yesterday with a note on the packing list that this gasket is backordered from BMW with NO ETA. This same advisory has now been added to the fiche as well...


Just a heads up that an alternative sealing method will probably be required from now on.


I've never had the pleasure of handling one of these in new condition so can anyone tell me how thick it is supposed to be? If I use a muffler wrap repair tape or aluminum wrap shim of sorts, what kind of space will I be trying to make up? My muffler hangs and dangles like a Christmas ornament with no tension at all really on the collector pipe, and the clamp has already been over-tightened. I got a new clamp, just curious how much space I will be trying to make up in order to get a tight attachment, or if I'm better off just leaving it as is. It's not loud or poppy.. but undue wear from the looseness is my concern.

As I recall the inside diameter of the muffler pipe at the back of the expansion slots is 3mm larger then the collector pipe ... so you need about 1.5mm to fill around.

[Martin]

Thanks Ed I might just have to take you up on it, might get you to send me two. I'll have to wait a few weeks due to other projects, I'll contact you when I free up some time and get Ministerial approval.
Thanks regards Martin.

[Motorhobo]

I still think you should let me mail you one, or at least the brass plumbing part so's you can make your own ...

..or maybe I should set up manuf and corner the market.

I'd like to give it a try -- PM sent...

[technostructural]

Well, one thing's for damn sure -- once I get this new mica gasket on, I will not be taking the muffler off the headers ever again. For the next spline lube, I'll just take the whole thing off at the block. Lesson learned.

FWIW, the mica gasket that I did "take off" when I took the muffler off had been entirely decomposed. It was seriously just a sprinkle of dust on the floor that seemed to be less in mass than the full gasket. That lends support for the idea that it is not needed at all, because I was having no exhaust issues before the spline lube.

[Motorhobo]

Well, one thing's for damn sure -- once I get this new mica gasket on, I will not be taking the muffler off the headers ever again. For the next spline lube, I'll just take the whole thing off at the block.

I think maybe the easier lesson learned might be, leave out the gasket or find an alternative. Getting the muffler on without the mica gasket is much easier than removing the headers, for one because of the 3 header gaskets that go there and who knows how long they will be in production.


Your experience with the pixie dust remains of the last gasket is pretty much in line with everyone else's.

[bocutter Ed]

I'd like to give it a try -- PM sent...

Got your PM, and Martin's. I originally made 3 gaskets and only have 1 left.

I'll see about making a half dozen ASAP and send some to each of you. Then post a proper tutorial, on how I make them, on this board.

I was joking about cornering the market ...

[Martin]

Thanks Ed, nearly have one project out of the way stay tuned for an exciting post by Tuesday hopefully, maybe ,possibly.  :dunno
Regards Martin.

[Mongrel]

Another satisfied customer of Ed's replacement collet gasket design. I see no reason it shouldn't last the life of the bike, barring some accident where I wrench the muffler off so roughly that it tears the brass gasket.

[bocutter Ed]

As I recall the inside diameter of the muffler pipe at the back of the expansion slots is 3mm larger then the collector pipe ... so you need about 1.5mm to fill around.

I re-measured before making the new gasket run. Header is 41mm outside dia and muffler is 43m inside dia. Doubt you could stuff a 1mm sleeve in there ... but I'll try.

[rbm]

Sign me up for one of those Ed, if possible.