RE: Clutch or gearbox question

["James H. Nazarian, Ph.D." <microdoc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I don't know who you've been talking to, but I think you are getting
slightly misled:
	#1 - 	An oilhead with less than 17k miles has a ways to go before
it is even broken in.
		Some stiffness in the shifting is not abnormal. 
	#2 - 	In case you are more accustomed to the way Japanese bikes
shift, please note: 
		Oilheads do not shift like Japanese bikes.
	#3 - 	$400-500+ for a full service on your bike at a BMW Dealer
sounds high. Have
		you actually checked shop rates with any local BMW Dealers?
	#4 - 	Why do you suspect synthetic oil in the final drive would
affect the shifting? 
	#5 - 	Oilheads don't need a spline lube at a mere 17k miles.
	#6 - 	Follow the service recommendations in the bike's manual. Buy
one if you don't have it.
	#7 - 	Have your bike serviced by a good BMW Dealer. There's more
than one in your area.
		An independent tech who has been trained by BMW is also
worth considering.
	#8 - 	The best medicine for a Beemer is to ride it. Have fun.
	
Jim
microdoc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Doyle, Kevin CAPT SEA07, 073
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 3:42 PM
To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Clutch or gearbox question

I have a question for the collective.

The patient:
2000 R1100R w/ Techlusion "chip" (highly recommended), 16.7K miles,
major 12K service at 14.5K miles in May, '07 (don't ask . . . prior
owner, sheesh), located in DC area.

Symptoms:
Notchy gearbox (clunking or getting the shifter to find the gear)
especially when downshifting. (I think, some of it could be related to
using synthetic oil in final drive when serviced??)

Question:
Clutch or gearbox? Is this really a problem? Otherwise the bike runs
fine, drives fine, not the smoothest of down shifts though (no idea
when/if splines last lubricated, low mileage however.)

I'm trying to avoid immediate loss of $400-$500+ of personal savings
just by driving towards a BMW dealer.

Thanks,

Kevin