Joined Sep 2008
97 Posts | 6+
Chicago
Hey!
Sadly I have been in limbo since spring because of my water pump bearing doing what it does when you spend a lot of time having fun on a Berg, especially the andrenaline depleting 650.
Bottom line, anyone have a mechanic in the US Midwest that you recommend? Evansville, Indiana sells the bikes but hasn't opened up a 650, according to them. Minnesota?
Thanks for feeding the sickness.
This is the story that explains the need:
I ordered the Orangeberg kit which seemed great and took great care in following the directions. Sadly, my low level of competence and the lack of pointing out that the old bearing comes out but usually leaves the old seal behind. Not knowing this I just followed the directions of trying to make the new seal and bearing flush.
I had to walk away a few times because otherwise I knew I may break something. After three days of trying to pound it in I called Australia for an answer to what may be wrong.
Well, I guess us water pump bearing rookies do the same thing. Orangeberg informed me I was the fourth guy calling with the same problem. Ug!
Removing my mistake was one heck of a pain in the rear. That seal must do a wonderful job when everything is put in right because getting it out took perseverance.
I went with the stock bearing since I was tight for time to go with some buddies to the motorcycling mecca of the East coast. My ability to operate on minimal sleep seemed to work well until finishing up 15 minutes before the deadline and looking at the oil window before starting only to find it green in color.
After sitting down to absorb the almost the dreaded call had to be made.
A call to Offroad Boss informed me the only place it could leak would be the seal on the otherside of the water pump bearing. Great. Problem area defined, though I know I may have done damage while diligently trying to follow the directions by trying to get the upgraded bearing flush while it was blocked by the old seal.
Tonight I replaced the water pump shaft seal and was extremely careful reinstalling the case. Everything greased to ease movement. Made a point of keeping it everything level so not unnecessary friction from being uneven would be put on the seal. Tapped all around with a rubber hammer to get it seated before screwing down.
Blah, blah, blah, you guys know the rest.
I made of point of pouring in water instead of wasting more oil or coolant to check seal.
Well, it worked. The water told me the seal was not working. Very disappointing.
I'm thinking the case may be compromised from my continued hammering of wood on the bearing, wood being softer so minimally damaging, theoretically. On the third day I went to an old Ducati transmission part (Yes, destroyed that somehow, possibly acrobatics.) that fit the bearing perfectly. I did find out that the unobtanium Ducati part was harder then the upgraded Australian bearing. Shavings, not from the Ducati part.
I can not see any cracks or imperfections but since I don't have X-ray vision I may be limited.
This leads me to believe I need an expert to assess my wonderful work to determine if I need to pick up a new case with all the little things it entails to make it complete. Yes, education can be costly.
Sadly, I still want the FS version of my baby, 2008 FE 650. I am thinking this Swedish disease could cost me a couple grand a year because one or the other will need to be rebuilt annually if I don't take a few months of down time. (Thinking rebuilds may needed after 10,000 miles, more often if motard sees aggressive track riding and the East coast Mecca of motorcycling.)
Sadly I have been in limbo since spring because of my water pump bearing doing what it does when you spend a lot of time having fun on a Berg, especially the andrenaline depleting 650.
Bottom line, anyone have a mechanic in the US Midwest that you recommend? Evansville, Indiana sells the bikes but hasn't opened up a 650, according to them. Minnesota?
Thanks for feeding the sickness.
This is the story that explains the need:
I ordered the Orangeberg kit which seemed great and took great care in following the directions. Sadly, my low level of competence and the lack of pointing out that the old bearing comes out but usually leaves the old seal behind. Not knowing this I just followed the directions of trying to make the new seal and bearing flush.
I had to walk away a few times because otherwise I knew I may break something. After three days of trying to pound it in I called Australia for an answer to what may be wrong.
Well, I guess us water pump bearing rookies do the same thing. Orangeberg informed me I was the fourth guy calling with the same problem. Ug!
Removing my mistake was one heck of a pain in the rear. That seal must do a wonderful job when everything is put in right because getting it out took perseverance.
I went with the stock bearing since I was tight for time to go with some buddies to the motorcycling mecca of the East coast. My ability to operate on minimal sleep seemed to work well until finishing up 15 minutes before the deadline and looking at the oil window before starting only to find it green in color.
After sitting down to absorb the almost the dreaded call had to be made.
A call to Offroad Boss informed me the only place it could leak would be the seal on the otherside of the water pump bearing. Great. Problem area defined, though I know I may have done damage while diligently trying to follow the directions by trying to get the upgraded bearing flush while it was blocked by the old seal.
Tonight I replaced the water pump shaft seal and was extremely careful reinstalling the case. Everything greased to ease movement. Made a point of keeping it everything level so not unnecessary friction from being uneven would be put on the seal. Tapped all around with a rubber hammer to get it seated before screwing down.
Blah, blah, blah, you guys know the rest.
I made of point of pouring in water instead of wasting more oil or coolant to check seal.
Well, it worked. The water told me the seal was not working. Very disappointing.
I'm thinking the case may be compromised from my continued hammering of wood on the bearing, wood being softer so minimally damaging, theoretically. On the third day I went to an old Ducati transmission part (Yes, destroyed that somehow, possibly acrobatics.) that fit the bearing perfectly. I did find out that the unobtanium Ducati part was harder then the upgraded Australian bearing. Shavings, not from the Ducati part.
I can not see any cracks or imperfections but since I don't have X-ray vision I may be limited.
This leads me to believe I need an expert to assess my wonderful work to determine if I need to pick up a new case with all the little things it entails to make it complete. Yes, education can be costly.
Sadly, I still want the FS version of my baby, 2008 FE 650. I am thinking this Swedish disease could cost me a couple grand a year because one or the other will need to be rebuilt annually if I don't take a few months of down time. (Thinking rebuilds may needed after 10,000 miles, more often if motard sees aggressive track riding and the East coast Mecca of motorcycling.)
