So after buying a used motor over a year ago... waiting till the James Bond smoke got real bad (ya I know, keep oil level low, etc) it was time to replace. Cyl #4 real wet with oil. Crankcase was actually pretty clean I was surprised.

Anyway, after many many many hours and dropping many thousands of F-bombs, got the motor in.

I figured, heck, lets get minimal stuff hooked up and see if she fires, bit of a challenge to find neutral with no shift mechanism attached and determine which way to rotate the kickstand switch.

Anyhow, fired it up with no exhaust. Brap-brap-brap... fired up. Died once fired again. I'd filled in some junky cheapo motorcyle oil somebody gave me (still need to change oil filter, synth oil, trans oil, etc which is arriving next day or two). I was pleased. Then I saw a 12" diameter oil puddle in front of the motor.

Turns out the cam chain tensioner bolt head was pissin out oil. Lo and behold there are pressurized oil passageways in timing chain cover and that bolt took a hit in an accident (bike it came out of). Didn't notice it and seller said nothing (rubbersideup inc) but they have been good to me I bought lots of stuff from them and warranty... well it's over a year so whatever, I was just frustrated.

So I hear you have to insert a certain size drill bit in the cam following bolt hole (threads inside there cracked), then remove the cover. Replace with another cover, silicone it all up, etc. But have to pull radiators, coolant, cyl head cover, crank cover. DOH. I just got that crap together.

So far I have to say my experience with the K1200LT has been a machanic's nightmare. Some of the engineers need to die. So stupid how the motor needs to come out for starter/alternator replacement and 100 cables/hoses to unhook. I'm not shy for doing engine swaps but man... luv riding this thing but BMW can go SUCK IT as far as I'm concerned.

Reading your post makes me sick to my stomach, but you still seem to maintain a level of humor and reflection. But based on what you've done so far, which is heroic by my standards, would you lend some advice? I'm thinking that I may have to perform the weep hole exercise to monitor the clutch slave cylinder. Never done any maintenance yet on the bike, it's an 1999 LT with 30k. I have replaced rotors, starter motors, and torn apart dashboards on cars, but am I getting in too deep performing the weep hole project myself? If it's just a matter of removing parts, I'm pretty good and logical, but if there is a high level of precision involved in getting it back together, maybe I'm just crazy to think about doing it.

You'll have to remove the wheel/tire, remove lower shock bolt, remove final drive, remove bearings and swing arm. May have to remove the cross bracket where torque bar bolts from final drive. Slave held in with three bolts.

Not a crazy job as it seems my clutch ain't working either so I may have to worst case scenario pull the trans. At least pull clutch release rod out try to reposition it I dunno. It's kicking my butt right now.

Wife says sell for parts but another newer one. LOL

I'm feeling your pain. I've had projects go wrong before and I just needed to step back for a while. Good luck and hang in there - you're in pretty deep at this point. Just think how well you'll know this bike when you're done.

Ya I know. I'm not giving up just yet! Used k1200lt's are going for pretty high prices.

Stupid clutch is screwed something binding clutch release rod sticking out too far depressing spring plate no friction. Stupid. Had no problem aligning clutch disc and input shaft.

Hey Peter,
I'm in Lynn Valley and I would be happy to pop by and give you a hand getting the old girl back together.

Wayne
Six oh four nine eight eight six eight nine two

Alignment is pretty easy and you can eye-ball it. The rod should just slide right in.

Also if you remember what it looked like before you put the transmission back in, this is what a correctly oriented clutch disk looks like.

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West van Dude! That is rough stuff, I've had those projects...don't envy you.
On the bright side tho, here is something you might be interested in...
2002 BMW K1200LT (078005)
Not too far away from you, and a great price!

About to swap motor on mine, already have a used motor, have almost all fasteners removed so far, left top motor mount bolt not coming out.

I have bike suspended and have Cycle jack under motor, does pivot bolt need to come out, I did trans/clutch job 2 years ago, but never dropped engine and trans.

You may have a load on it. Try jacking the engine a bit as it should just slide out after you get the nut off.

had to remove radiator, got a wrench on rusted nut
off now

Think it is hanging on bolts near swingarm pivot now

very tired

There is only one bolt at the rear and it is accessed through the holes in the frame. You did already remove the swing arm, correct?

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OK fully dropping entire unit today.
Need to unhook wires in front of engine.
waiting for it to get a little warmer out.

Thanks for the encouragement, talk later

OK, so new engine attached to trans, installed new filter.
Attached coil pack and wires.
almost ready to jack it back up into bike.

WHAT A JOB OMG

Yes, a big job, but not as bad as a transmission change on a John Deere 450 dozer.