Hi there.
My K100RS is off the road while I have the frame cleaned and powder coated. Being an RS, the front engine frame mounts are rubber bushes. Seeing as how they've been in for 23 years I thought it might be an opportune time to replace them. In fact, I wish I'd never bothered as they were in reasonable condition and proved to be very difficult to remove (resorted to oxy-acetylene torch!).
The frame will be ready next week and my local BMW dealer has ordered the bushes from Germany at £5.45 each (not bad!). has anyone experience of installing these? I'm worried they may be just as difficult to put back.

You may want to invest in a container of vaseline.
I don't really remember having a hard time with mine, but as a general rule, you have to pull on them rather than pushing. If you push you will compress the rubber and expand the diameter.
If you pull on them, it will shrink the outside diameter and this will help passing the shoulder.

Vaseline is wonderful stuff! But are we still talking about motorcycles or something more amorous cos my wife burst out laughing!
I'd been thinking how to fit the bushes and was considering liberally covering with vaseline, slotting a threaded 8mm bolt through the bush and the hole in the frame and putting a penny washer on the other side with a nut on last of all. Tightening the nut should then force the washer against the frame and pull? the bush through the opening. The steel inner lining of the bush should stop the rubber from compressing.
Incidentally, speaking of 'rubbers' and vaseline. Don't be tempted to combine the two as vaseline will quickly rot the 'rubber' and could lead to an unexpected arrival!

motocol wrote:Vaseline is wonderful stuff! But are we still talking about motorcycles or something more amorous cos my wife burst out laughing!
I'd been thinking how to fit the bushes and was considering liberally covering with vaseline, slotting a threaded 8mm bolt through the bush and the hole in the frame and putting a penny washer on the other side with a nut on last of all. Tightening the nut should then force the washer against the frame and pull? the bush through the opening. The steel inner lining of the bush should stop the rubber from compressing.
Incidentally, speaking of 'rubbers' and vaseline. Don't be tempted to combine the two as vaseline will quickly rot the 'rubber' and could lead to an unexpected arrival!

Nothing is too good for your bike.

I recommand K-Y Jelly It seems to be appropriate for a K bike.

K-Y Brand Warming Liquid is a unique personal lubricant that creates a gentle warming sensation on contact. K-Y Brand Warming Liquid is water soluble and compatible with latex condoms. I should also be compatible with your rubber bushes

I guess this post is gently sliding away

Greetings Motocol

I'm watching this thread here carefully as I have a base K100 that I've fitted an RS fairing too. I've purchased the front rubber engine mounts you speak off and shortly I'll be fitting them.

Cheers and kindest regards

Paul Harrington
Australia

Hi Guys,
I would very strongly suggest avoiding Vaseline or any mineral oil based product as they are likely to attack the rubber.

There are a couple of rubber safe greases Castrol make one which is used for brake parts PBR rubber grease which is Castor oil based, and will not attack rubber.

I am told on the can that lanolin based grease does not harm rubber.

An alternative is cable drawing compound which is very much like KY jelly and last but not least washing up liquid is OK for rubber and when it is dry it sticks the rubber in place.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Good to revisit an old thread.
What was the outcome of this procedure?
Just about to do the same to my bike.

cheers
rossco

Hi Rossco,
I used the method I'd been considering but using washing up liquid - ie put a little lubricant on the rubber bush, slotted a threaded 8mm bolt through the bush and the hole in the frame and a penny washer on the other side with a nut on last of all. Tightening the nut forced the washer against the frame and hey presto! the bushes popped into place as easy as could be. Result!

Col

Excellent. Sounds like a plan.
Thanks
rossco

Guys perhaps a silly question but I have to re-insert mine but cannot remember which way around they go, does anyone remember?? !