BMW AG Motorcycle (R 850 C, R 1200 C). Manual - part 20

32.3

32

Technical data

R 850 C

R 1200 C

Steering lock angle

° 2  x  38

Steering head tube dia.

mm (in) 25 (0.98)

Width over mirrors

mm (in) 1050 (41.34)

32.5

Removing and installing left 
handlebar fitting

•

Detach mirror.

•

Loosen screw (1) for handlebar grip and pull off 
the grip.

•

Detach lower section (2) at handlebar fitting.

•

Pull off clutch switch (3).

•

Detach combined switch (4).

•

Drain the clutch operating system.

e

 Caution:

Do not allow brake fluid to come into contact with 
painted parts of the motorcycle, because brake fluid 
destroys paint.

•

Detach the clutch line.

•

Loosen the retaining screw (5) for the clutch fit-
ting and pull the fitting off.

•

Unscrew fuel tank and pull to the rear.

•

Take off the central electrical equipment box 
cover.

•

Pull off the combined switch plug.

•

Pull off the clutch switch plug.

•

Install by following the above work instructions in 
the reverse order.

•

Align the clamp joint line with the punch mark on 
the handlebar.

•

Fill/bleed the clutch operating system.

X 

Tightening torque:

Clutch lever fitting to handlebar...................... 8 Nm
Clutch line to clutch lever fitting ................... 18 Nm

1

C320020

2

5

4

3

32.6

Removing and installing right 
handlebar fitting

•

Detach the mirror.

•

Remove throttle twistgrip cover (1).

•

Take out the wire cable adjusting screw (2) and 
disconnect the wire cable.

•

Pull off the throttle twistgrip.

•

Remove the lower section (3) of the brake lever 
fitting.

•

Pull off the brake light switch (4).

•

Detach the combined switch (5).

•

Drain fluid from brake system.

e

 Caution:

Do not allow brake fluid to come into contact with 
painted parts of the motorcycle, because brake fluid 
destroys paint.

•

Detach the brake line.

•

Loosen the retaining screw for the brake lever fit-
ting (6) and pull the fitting off.

•

Unscrew fuel tank and pull to the rear.

•

Take off the central electrical equipment box 
cover.

•

Pull off the combined switch plug.

•

Pull off the brake light switch plug.

•

Install by following the above work instructions in 
the reverse order.

•

Align the clamp joint line with the punch mark on 
the handlebar.

•

Fill/bleed the brake system.

X 

Tightening torque:

Brake lever fitting to handlebar....................... 8 Nm
Brake hose to brake lever fitting ................... 18 Nm

4

C320030

6

5

3

1

2

32.7

Removing and installing handlebar

•

Remove left/right handlebar fittings.

•

Remove handlebar.

•

Install in the reverse order of work.

•

Install the lower clamp block with the arrow 
pointing forwards.

•

Tighten the front clamp block first.

L

 Note:

The clamp is higher at the front.

e

 Caution:

Ensure that brake hoses are correctly located.

X 

Tightening torque:

Clamp to fork bridge .................................... 21 Nm

Handlebar adjusting dimension:
Standard/Police
Distance from turn indicator switch to fuel tank with 
handlebar at full left or right lock 

....................... variable, 30...50 mm (1.18...1.97 in)

Optional extra/Easy Rider
Distance from turn indicator switch to fuel tank with 
handlebar at full left or right lock 

...................................................... 30 mm (1.18 in)

CUB0010

32.8

Removing/installing throttle cable

•

Unscrew fuel tank and pull to the rear.

•

Remove wire cable cover at fitting and discon-
nect the wire cable.

•

Remove cover at air cleaner housing.

•

Disconnect/remove the wire cable.

L

 Note:

If necessary, press the nipple out from the rear with 
a wire hook.

•

Install by following the above work instructions in 
the reverse order.

e

 Caution:

Install wire cable without kinking.

•

Adjust wire cable.

a

....................................................See Group 00

A

A

B

B

C320010

33.1

Contents

Page

33

Technical data 

................................................................................................................................3

Removing, dismantling, reassembling and installing rear wheel drive 

..........5

Removing rear wheel drive

 .........................................................................................................5

Removing input bevel pinion

 ......................................................................................................5

Disassembling input bevel pinion

 ............................................................................................7

Removing needle roller bearing for input bevel pinion  .........................................................................7
Installing needle roller bearing for input bevel pinion  ...........................................................................7

Assembling input bevel pinion

 ..................................................................................................8

Installing input bevel pinion

 ........................................................................................................9

Removing and dismantling the crown wheel

 ....................................................................10

Assembling/installing crown wheel

 .......................................................................................11

Checking/adjusting backlash

 ..................................................................................................12

Checking tooth contact pattern

 ..............................................................................................13

Shimming housing cover

 ...........................................................................................................14

Installing housing cover

 .............................................................................................................14

Installing splined element

 ..........................................................................................................14

Removing/installing rear swinging fork 

.........................................................................15

Removing rear swinging arm

 ...................................................................................................15

Removing and installing taper roller bearing

 ....................................................................16

Removing and installing flexible gaiter

 ................................................................................16

Removing drive shaft

 ...................................................................................................................16

Checking universal joint for wear .......................................................................................................16

Installing drive shaft

 .....................................................................................................................16

Installing rear swinging arm

 ......................................................................................................17

Installing rear wheel drive

 ..........................................................................................................18

Removing and installing suspension strut 

...................................................................19

33 Rear wheel drive

33.3

33

Technical data

R850 C

R 1200 C

Rear wheel drive

Gear tooth pattern

Klingelnberg-Palloid spiral bevel

Gear ratios

2.75 : 1

2.54 : 1

Number of teeth 33 : 12

33 : 13

Backlash

mm (in) 0.07...0.16 (0.0027..0.0063)

Taper roller bearing preload

mm (in) 0.05...0.1 (0.0020...0.0039)

Oil grades

Brand-name hypoid gear oil, SAE 90 GL 5

Filling capacity 

Initial filling

l (Imp. pint/

US quart)

up to lower edge of thread in oil filler hole

app. 0.20 (0.35/0.21)

During oil changes

l (Imp. pint/

US quart)

up to lower edge of thread in oil filler hole

app. 0.18 (0.32/0.19)

Drive shaft

Layout

Two-piece shaft with universal joints at each end, 
central sliding joint and integral torsonal vibration 
damper, enclosed in swinging arm

Swinging arm

Swinging arm length

mm (in) 611.75 (24.09) (from arm pivot point to centre of 

rear axle)

Rear suspension

Suspension strut

Coil spring and single-tube, gas-filled shock 
absorber with seven spring preload settings

Suspension travel

mm (in) 100 (3.94)

33.5

Removing, dismantling, 
reassembling and installing rear 
wheel drive

Removing rear wheel drive

•

Raise the motorcycle with the auxiliary stand, 
BMW No. 00 1 550.

•

Drain the oil.

•

Detach the brake caliper and secure it to the rear 
frame with a cable strap.

•

Remove sensor (1) for the speedometer signal.

•

Remove ABS sensor (2).

•

Remove rear wheel.

•

Heat the brake disc retaining screws to 120 °C 
(248 °F).

L

 Note:

Mark the position of the brake disc.
The sensor gap setting remains unchanged.

•

Detach the rear wheel drive and pull it off the 
drive shaft.

Removing input bevel pinion

•

Press out splined section of shaft.

•

If necessary, remove/install circlip.

C330011

h

120

2

1

C330090