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24 Sep 2012
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Higher 5th gear for airhead gearbox
I am thinking about fitting a higher 5th gear in my R80GS, does anybody have experience of this, who makes them and anything to avoid when buying and fitting?
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24 Sep 2012
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It has been years since I rebuilt my own transmissions on older airheads. So I was curious to see if Motobins was still in business and found this post:
Motobins parts quality - ADVrider
I am too cheap to pay for a higher 5th or lower 1st, and limited my rebuilding to new bearings and seals, shifter pawl springs and Kbike metal shifter roller wheel to replace the plastic one used in airheads. However reading the above post, I would use the Kaiser 5th with superior heat treating since it sounds like a superior part. Not sure I could bring myself to open up a perfectly good transmission just to replace 5th if there is nothing on the magnetic drain plug indicating imminent bearing failure though. But that's just me.
Labor is the main cost of rebuilding a transmission which is why I did the work myself and spent my money on parts. I ordered from Motobins and had good luck. It's not rocket science and there is plenty of useful information on the internet to aid the home mechanic.
Cheers,
John Downs
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24 Sep 2012
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Thanks for that John, it sounds like the Kaiser is the gear to go for and I have no problem with paying extra for quality, has anybody fitted one of these and done a lot, as in 50,000 plus miles?
My dilemma is I am planning a trip across central Asia next year with a gearbox which is working fine but has done 160,000 miles without being touched. I know the rule if it ain't broke don't fix it but think it must be running on borrowed time now and rebuilding it at home will be easier than in the middle of Kazakhstan, alternatively I could just fit the gearbox from my G/S which has only done 40,000 miles since a rebuild.
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24 Sep 2012
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Or just take the G/S and avoid high mileage GS trans and paralever potential problems. Not sure why you feel the need for higher 5th traveling through the Stans. Unless you have chronic airhead syndrome and love fettling. :-) I know I used to have it pretty bad. There is no cure.
But in all seriousness, 160K miles is very good for a paralever GS trans. I am a little jealous. I agree with you, better to rebuild at home with new bearings and seals and higher 5th. I was able to borrow trans tools from mates. Mainly flange puller and measuring plate for determining bearing shims. I have more time than money and like puzzles so it was satisfying work.
Cheers,
John Downs
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24 Sep 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Downs
Or just take the G/S and avoid high mileage GS trans and paralever potential problems. Not sure why you feel the need for higher 5th traveling through the Stans. Unless you have chronic airhead syndrome and love fettling. :-) I know I used to have it pretty bad. There is no cure.
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I have used both for travelling and prefer the GS with its longer, more comfortable seat and better front end. The G/S is even higher mileage and needs money spent on it before embarking on a longer trip with it.
Your diagnosis is correct with the syndrome and it is not just for the Stans but for everyday use I would prefer slightly higher gearing for more relaxed cruising and a couple more mpg.
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24 Sep 2012
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Okay then. I never like to sink money into a high mileage bike I am taking on a long journey other than the usual tires, battery, tune up, grease bearings, new clutch cable and throttle cables that sort of thing. I would probably put the G/S trans in and spend my money on gas and kebabs. Rebuild the GS trans with taller 5th if you make it back without getting run over by a crazy Kazak. But that's just me.
Please note: justifying spending big bucks on higher 5th for a GS to get better fuel mileage and slightly higher cruising speed is a sign you have the chronic syndrome in it's advanced stages. There is no hope for you my friend. Just kidding.
Safe travels.
Kindest regards,
John Downs
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29 Sep 2012
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I have a higher 5th and lower 1st fitted to my R100GS & R100GSPD, both very useful, widely available from most aftermarket BMW parts dealers. Had both boxes rebuilt at the time of fitting.
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30 Sep 2012
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The gearbox of my R80GS had to be rebuilt at 18,000 kms. Once open I decided to have the shorter 1st and longer 5th fitted, and exchanged the clutch for the ceramic type. Regarding fuel consumption it didn't make any difference, but I love the lower 1st. It allows you to approach tricky road conditions fairly slow.
Meanwhile the bike has done 150,000 kms and is still going very well. IMHO the best of the above changes is the ceramic clutch. Probably it will outlive the bike 
Hans
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1 Oct 2012
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Improved fuel economy with taller 5th gear
Maybe.
It's really a matter of the engine's torque curve and at what MPH the flat part of that curve will be achieved. Typically, engines provide optimum mileage in a range of the curve which appears rather flat, like a stylized mesa. 
As for it's utility in the 'Stans . . . well, that will be interesting. Not alot of roads like that, there.
With so much else to watch for . . . roaming livestock (horses, yaks, bactrian camels, goats, etc), road conditions, the ever vigiliant revenue generation officals (aka 'police'), scenic views and signage in cyrillic . . . at least in UZ, it's a lot more critical to SEE a fuel station WITH fuel than optimize on your current usage !
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1 Oct 2012
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Higher 5th gear for airhead gearbox
Hi,
I fitted a 5th gear to my R100GS PD output shaft back in December 2007 that gave a 6% higher ratio. Since then the bike has done 100,000 miles (340,000 miles in all) and it continues to function well. It is a simple and straightforward swap once you have dismantled the gearbox.
The gear (part number: 23221242992z) was supplied by S Meyer BMW; S.Meyer GmbH (limited company) - BMW motorcycle spare parts - Homepage
Meyer's in those days also listed a pair of gears, one for the lay-cluster and one for the output shaft that would give a 10% higher ratio. I fitted the 6% one because at the time they only had that in stock and I couldnt wait.
Airhead gearboxes are quite easy to work on, but it is important to remember to get the endfloat on the three shafts shimmed correctly, so as to ensure longevity. Also bear in mind it is worth checking to see if the outputshaft bearing at the clutch end has provision for a circlip to retain the bearing (BMW went through a phase of manufacturing some shafts without a circlip groove, which can cause premature bearing wear). If it dosen't then (as was the case with my shaft) you should make provision for a circlip on the shaft.
Regards to all
Guy
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2 Oct 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plainshorse
....
Also bear in mind it is worth checking to see if the outputshaft bearing at the clutch end has provision for a circlip to retain the bearing (BMW went through a phase of manufacturing some shafts without a circlip groove, which can cause premature bearing wear). If it dosen't then (as was the case with my shaft) you should make provision for a circlip on the shaft.
Regards to all
Guy
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Yep, that was the reason for my gearbox repairs after only 18 kkms  The '93 models had no circlip fitted.
Since then I have done over 120 kkms without any problems.
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21 Jan 2016
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High 5th Gear
Did you ever fit the tall 5th Mark? If so how did it fare, did the 800 manage to pull it?
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22 Jan 2016
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"tall" is somewhat exaggerated  The revvs drop by about 500 rpm which saves a bit of fuel. Power-wise no probs, but when about to overtake fast moving traffic I have to change to 4th gear ;o)
Now the R80 isn't exactly a racing machine, but with the shorter 1st and longer 5th I'm happy. When the pistons are worn down I'll fit 1040cc, which I found a couple of months ago. Then it might make sense to fit the rear drive of the R100without changing the gearbox.
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22 Jan 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMurr
Did you ever fit the tall 5th Mark? If so how did it fare, did the 800 manage to pull it?
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Not yet, I thought at 100,000 miles my gearbox would need an overhaul but it was fine, I thought the same at 150,000 when I asked this question, it has now done 170,000 and still seems fine so as it isn't broken I won't fix it.
As for the higher gear my monolever G/S has higher gearing at the bevelbox which it pulls no problem so I am expecting the paralever GS to do the same even if it is a little heavier.
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