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This Could Have Destroyed My BMW R1150GS… (Pivot Bearings & Splines Service)

Motobrit200

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BMW R1150GS pivot bearing service and final drive spline inspection are critical maintenance jobs that can prevent serious damage if ignored. In this video, I inspect and service the pivot bearings, check the driveshaft, and examine the splines at the final drive end to make sure everything is in good condition — all essential areas for reliability on any BMW GS adventure bike.

This kind of motorcycle repair and preventative maintenance is often overlooked, but it’s vital if you plan on riding long distance or tackling an adventure build. If you’re into motorcycle DIY, learning motorcycle mechanics, or working on your own bike at home, this video walks through the real process step by step.

This BMW R1150GS project is part of a full motorcycle restoration and shed build series, bringing this bike back to life and preparing it for a future adventure. Along the way, I cover motorcycle servicing, repairs, and practical garage work that any rider can learn from.

This isn’t a quick flip. It’s a real-world BMW R1150GS restoration aimed at bringing an abandoned GS back to reliable adventure-ready condition.

If you enjoy fixing motorcycles, bike builds, and hands-on motorcycle maintenance, subscribe and follow the journey as this GS gets closer to hitting the road.

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#BMWR1150GS #BMWGS #ProjectBike #AdventureBike #MotorcycleRestoration #motobrit200

11 Comments

@Motobrit200 Creator 5 months ago Pinned

Anyone else done pivot bearings or spline service on their GS?

@emmetsexton7696 6 months ago

Quick tip stuff a rag up the housing to hold up the internal drive shaft and leave some of the rag sticking out the bottom, when it slides in remove the rag, makes lining up much easier. I think it’s 160nm and most say don’t add locktite it does need it and then it’s easier to adjust the bearing later if it needs it, you can even do it with the wheel still attached if needed. Nice videos series on the 1150, well done 👍

@raveneye12 1 month ago

Nice video man. You are good at explaining. Your shop has a real mad max vibe. Next treat yourself to a real motorcycle work stand so you don't have to crouch down all day.

@MALVSMACHINE 6 months ago

It’s a shame when you find stuff that someone else has mangled because of using the wrong tool but it makes for good fun rectifying it 😄👌🏻

@lovebikesamerica 6 months ago

Another nice thorough video. Keep them coming!

@Motobrit200 Creator 6 months ago

Have you ever checked your final drive or splines on your bike? 👀
Be honest… would you ride it without checking this first, or just send it?
Curious what everyone else does 🔧

@johnsnorthernthrottle 6 months ago

Another thorough video that pal. Nicely done 👌

@jobjobbed8459 6 months ago

When you do the drag link thingy I think you're supposed to load the bike with 85kg on the seat to get the correct position.

@Oldbmwr100rs 6 months ago

This is a job I have done very many times working at a busy dealership. Those pivot bearings are usually trashed once a bike's got some use, the tiny rollers mash and the plastic cage often breaks and often someone lubing it then putting it back together breaks the bearing as it's a bit fussy keeping the inner races held in properly for assembly. Someone makes a bushing kit to replace it all, but honestly BMW should have designed it better to begin with, just like the far to weak bearing in the final drives in the R 1100's and K models. Outside of these annoyances, the R1150 series were pretty peak for BMW, the QC was good and designs were mostly solid, and they're great riding bikes. I loved and sometimes miss my 01 GS in the same color. The 1200 engine and the new K series were disasters starting out, I hardly see any on the road compared to 1100's and 1150's. The K1200 that came after 05 was a disaster, which is really a shame as the front suspension was fantastic.