Your explanation was very helpful to understand the procedure step by step. Excellent video, would have loved to see the how the cam gears come off , and what you do to keep,them locked in place. Also the procedure to resize/replace the buckets..Thanks again for the video.
Thanks for the positive feedback. To set the clearances you don't need to remove the sprockets from the cams. Replacing the buckets is at 17:30 - Full details on how to select the replacement sizes you need are included in the book. www.marksmotorcycleparts.co.uk/product-page/copy-of-service-manual-for-bmw-k1600gt
I own 3 k 1600 and never experienced to really need do any adjustments and others people need is anybody have to work to replace ant shims on k 1600 let me now am asking because I decided to keep one for longer time great video mate
Excellent video, thank you! Interesting tool you made to prevent distortion of the casting. Would this use the same technique as the old Jaguar XK engine, they required a 4-8 thou clearance but the valve actually had to lift off its seat for the clearance to be correct, a tight sliding fit would result in a horribly noisy head.
Man oh man is that complicated. Seeing this makes me glad that I passed on the K1600 as the servicing costs would be ruinous. The R1200RTW that I got seems like a very good decision.
Yes that would have made it very low maintenance, but a bit more expensive and bulkier in the cylinder head. I'm sure they've tried a lot more in the development workshop than we'll ever get to see....
Hi Mark and friends, Mad question, I'd like to retrofit a used K1600 engine/gearbox to a used Catherham 7. Would the K1600 be machinacally able to support a Rotrex supercharger to say 250 bhp, without blowing up the rods, crank and gearbox? I would assume stronger clutch plates would be required, but none seems available in the aftermarket.
Interesting question. Not sure of the answer. You'd definitely need a bigger than standard radiator - even at stock power levels the cooling is marginal. If the engine could take it, I'd be concerned about the gearbox - a car won't accelerate as quickly as a bike so the gearbox will feel the full force of the increased torque for much longer, and will might either break or wear out more quickly. Suzukis are much more of a known quantity - more people are doing very high power engines so knowledge, spares and turbo kits are much more available. A reliable 500bhp from a Hayabusa engine is doable. I know its a 4 not a 6, but it'll be reliable for much less effort. To answer your question, you might get away with it, but you'll be figuring it out as you go and when it goes wrong it will be expensive.
@@ducatiparts110mb Your right Mark, common sense is go the Suzuki Hayabusa route for reliability and accessibility of parts. I've a feeling the K1600 gearbox would give out, even if the total weight of the car and engine is 600-650kg, but the wonderful engine note of the K1600 is so hard to let go off :-)
How often does one find a valve clearance out of spec? I am on my 5th BMW K1200 and K1600 and never once had a valve clearance out. My point is it worth doing this maintenance under 100,000 miles?
Yes, it is absolutely worth doing it. BMW tell you that you should, so I am not so arrogant as to say that I know better than they do. However, on my K16 and other DOHC bikes, the clearances normally stay in tolerance for far longer than the recommended interval, and you'll get the peace of mind of knowing that everything is fine without the need to take the cams out. I checked my Africa Twin at 6000 for another service book (the interval for the valves is 16000), and more than half of the clearances were out of tolerance, so do not assume they'll be right without checking.
@@ducatiparts110mb Thanks, I have been buying what i need for this falls big tune up. Plugs, Antifreeze, Anitseeze, electrical lube, etc etc. I did the valves once and that freaking air breather tube I remember was a total headache. This time I will try a hair dryer to heat it and use grease to reseat it. The actual valves check is a POCake unless one is out. Thanks again for your awesome videos. I doi have one question: I flushed my clutch with Blue Blood. I have one tiny air bubble I think near the master cylinder. That darn air bubble just will not work its way out even after 4 months. Any suggestions?
@@navyretired230 You're right, the air tube is pretty much impossible to remove without breaking it. I sell a flexible alternative on my site marksmotorcycleparts.co.uk that is half the cost of the BMW part and reusable. Some bikes have a bleed nipple on the mastercylinder, but if yours doesn't I'd try turning the bars fully to the right (bike on the centrestand) to raise the clutch as far as possible.
@@navyretired230 My air tube uses the original grommets. After you take the old air tube out, swap the grommets over to the new air tube. Before refitting it, apply a little rubber grease and fit the new air tube to your engine. Mine has been on my engine now for 35,000 miles with no problems.
Wonderful. Fabulous roll on grunt. Howls to the red line well when you let it. Sophisticated, effortless performance. The joy of Six. It brightens my day more effectively than anything else I've ever owned, and surely that's why we ride bikes in the first place.
There have been a few bikes with hydraulic tappets over the years, but its a difficult technology make small enough and reliable at very high RPM, so bikes have never embraced it.
Great video thanks!I would imagine that a K1300S would be a very similar job as the 1600. I just purchased a K1300S with 36,000 miles on it and the BMW dealership is saying that it will need this service done to it. I plan on getting the BMW service DVD and doing it myself. The 6 and 4 cylinder motors appear to be identical in appearance but what do i know....
Your explanation was very helpful to understand the procedure step by step. Excellent video, would have loved to see the how the cam gears come off , and what you do to keep,them locked in place. Also the procedure to resize/replace the buckets..Thanks again for the video.
Thanks for the positive feedback.
To set the clearances you don't need to remove the sprockets from the cams. Replacing the buckets is at 17:30 - Full details on how to select the replacement sizes you need are included in the book. www.marksmotorcycleparts.co.uk/product-page/copy-of-service-manual-for-bmw-k1600gt
I own 3 k 1600 and never experienced to really need do any adjustments and others people need is anybody have to work to replace ant shims on k 1600 let me now am asking because I decided to keep one for longer time great video mate
I needed to change a couple shims at 36000 miles. Don't know after that as I sold the bike the following year.
Very nice video and nice approache to excelent work!!
Excellent video, thank you! Interesting tool you made to prevent distortion of the casting. Would this use the same technique as the old Jaguar XK engine, they required a 4-8 thou clearance but the valve actually had to lift off its seat for the clearance to be correct, a tight sliding fit would result in a horribly noisy head.
Man oh man is that complicated. Seeing this makes me glad that I passed on the K1600 as the servicing costs would be ruinous. The R1200RTW that I got seems like a very good decision.
This is exaclty the sort of information i'm looking for, i got a clearance check to do soon-ish and never tried it on this bike.
Beautiful engine. Would make a great powerplant for a small aircraft.
I've often fancied one in a kit car
Beautiful! I have a CBX1000 and don't like most modern bikes.
But I would love to own a GT1600, not only to ride it, but also to work on it.
Chris Payne you say what?:-)
G33 RT my son who is 3 years old got hold of my iPad and replayed to you lol
If you can do your own work on the k16, you'd say thousands of dollars in shop time, literally many thousands.
Hats off, Mate on a job well done! You can work on my motorcycle anytime!
Great video. Makes me wonder why BMW didn't opt for hydraulic tappets.
Yes that would have made it very low maintenance, but a bit more expensive and bulkier in the cylinder head. I'm sure they've tried a lot more in the development workshop than we'll ever get to see....
Wait... I thought the cylinders were 1-6 left to right? Looks like your starting from the number 6?
For the task described in the video, it makes no difference how you identify the cylinders
Hi Mark and friends, Mad question, I'd like to retrofit a used K1600 engine/gearbox to a used Catherham 7. Would the K1600 be machinacally able to support a Rotrex supercharger to say 250 bhp, without blowing up the rods, crank and gearbox? I would assume stronger clutch plates would be required, but none seems available in the aftermarket.
Interesting question. Not sure of the answer. You'd definitely need a bigger than standard radiator - even at stock power levels the cooling is marginal. If the engine could take it, I'd be concerned about the gearbox - a car won't accelerate as quickly as a bike so the gearbox will feel the full force of the increased torque for much longer, and will might either break or wear out more quickly. Suzukis are much more of a known quantity - more people are doing very high power engines so knowledge, spares and turbo kits are much more available. A reliable 500bhp from a Hayabusa engine is doable. I know its a 4 not a 6, but it'll be reliable for much less effort.
To answer your question, you might get away with it, but you'll be figuring it out as you go and when it goes wrong it will be expensive.
@@ducatiparts110mb Your right Mark, common sense is go the Suzuki Hayabusa route for reliability and accessibility of parts. I've a feeling the K1600 gearbox would give out, even if the total weight of the car and engine is 600-650kg, but the wonderful engine note of the K1600 is so hard to let go off :-)
@@ronniet906 I agree, K16 vs Hayabusa = heart vs head....
How often does one find a valve clearance out of spec? I am on my 5th BMW K1200 and K1600 and never once had a valve clearance out. My point is it worth doing this maintenance under 100,000 miles?
Yes, it is absolutely worth doing it. BMW tell you that you should, so I am not so arrogant as to say that I know better than they do. However, on my K16 and other DOHC bikes, the clearances normally stay in tolerance for far longer than the recommended interval, and you'll get the peace of mind of knowing that everything is fine without the need to take the cams out. I checked my Africa Twin at 6000 for another service book (the interval for the valves is 16000), and more than half of the clearances were out of tolerance, so do not assume they'll be right without checking.
@@ducatiparts110mb Thanks, I have been buying what i need for this falls big tune up. Plugs, Antifreeze, Anitseeze, electrical lube, etc etc. I did the valves once and that freaking air breather tube I remember was a total headache. This time I will try a hair dryer to heat it and use grease to reseat it. The actual valves check is a POCake unless one is out. Thanks again for your awesome videos. I doi have one question: I flushed my clutch with Blue Blood. I have one tiny air bubble I think near the master cylinder. That darn air bubble just will not work its way out even after 4 months. Any suggestions?
@@navyretired230 You're right, the air tube is pretty much impossible to remove without breaking it. I sell a flexible alternative on my site marksmotorcycleparts.co.uk that is half the cost of the BMW part and reusable.
Some bikes have a bleed nipple on the mastercylinder, but if yours doesn't I'd try turning the bars fully to the right (bike on the centrestand) to raise the clutch as far as possible.
@@ducatiparts110mb does your air tube come with something to make the oem rubber grommet a smaller size to fit your new design?
@@navyretired230 My air tube uses the original grommets. After you take the old air tube out, swap the grommets over to the new air tube. Before refitting it, apply a little rubber grease and fit the new air tube to your engine. Mine has been on my engine now for 35,000 miles with no problems.
I have a question about the timing cover..i removed all the screws but it doesn't come off..i have to use a screw driver?
You may need to gently tap it from each side with a mallet to loosen it
So what do you think of this engine? Performance wise, sound, etc?
Wonderful. Fabulous roll on grunt. Howls to the red line well when you let it. Sophisticated, effortless performance. The joy of Six.
It brightens my day more effectively than anything else I've ever owned, and surely that's why we ride bikes in the first place.
How many km have the bike ?
When I did the video, 30000km. Just sold it a few weeks ago at 60000km.
Excellent video thank you !
Why is this necessary? I would think BMW of all companies would have the engineering to be able to make an engine that doesnt require this
There have been a few bikes with hydraulic tappets over the years, but its a difficult technology make small enough and reliable at very high RPM, so bikes have never embraced it.
Great video thanks!I would imagine that a K1300S would be a very similar job as the 1600. I just purchased a K1300S with 36,000 miles on it and the BMW dealership is saying that it will need this service done to it. I plan on getting the BMW service DVD and doing it myself. The 6 and 4 cylinder motors appear to be identical in appearance but what do i know....
give me advice, 1/6 machines are seriously damaged.
Please can you be more specific? I'm happy to help but don't understand the question.
Thank you for this video.....
Excellent, thx !
Why do I feel that I would pay for a service like this but I would be lucky if the technician did half the job.
Thanks for video