Some food for thought on R100/80GS driveshafts

[harvey]

I've just had some work done on my R100GS here in Bangkok by a guy who has been working on Beemers for over 25 years and seems to know his way around them pretty well. My bike's just topped 40,000 miles so I've spent the last 5,000 miles waiting for the driveshaft to go pop. I mentioned the driveshaft to the guy and he told me that over here they 'lubricate' the driveshafts which prevents the universal joints from seizing.
Basically, if you look at the universal joint bearings there is an O ring at the end of each one. Apparently when the UJ gets hot, the grease/fluid inside the bearing thins and works its way passed the O ring, resulting in a dry bearing which eventually fails. To prevent this, you gently lift the O ring and inject oil (Presumably transmission fluid) into the bearing until it is full. Then grease the UJ to keep it lubricated and bobs your uncle.
As I've not heard of this trick before I have no idea if it works, but it sounds better than paying US$400 for a new driveshaft! I got him to do my driveshaft because I figured I had nothing to lose, so I'll let you know how the bike fairs.
Anyone else heard of this little trick before?
Harvey

------------------
no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org