How to remove 2005 1200RT front shock absorber without damaging frame?

[Jeff 1200RT]

Hi, First time newbie question for you.

 

My 2005 54k R1200RT alternator has died. I've stripped the front of the bike and checked drive belt (covered in oil) and have already replaced the crank seal as a precaution.

Everything ready to remove the alternator but note it will only come out forwards so have to remove the front shock absorber. Haynes manual says may have to apply heat to the bottom bolt but I don't fancy taking a blowtorch to my frame. I'm away to buy a heat gun but suggestions on how best to get it out would be appreciated.

 

PS  I take it there's no separate regulator to fail located somewhere easily accessible? 

 

Cheers.

[dirtrider]

57 minutes ago, Jeff 1200RT said:

Hi, First time newbie question for you.

 

My 2005 54k R1200RT alternator has died. I've stripped the front of the bike and checked drive belt (covered in oil) and have already replaced the crank seal as a precaution.

Everything ready to remove the alternator but note it will only come out forwards so have to remove the front shock absorber. Haynes manual says may have to apply heat to the bottom bolt but I don't fancy taking a blowtorch to my frame. I'm away to buy a heat gun but suggestions on how best to get it out would be appreciated.

 

PS  I take it there's no separate regulator to fail located somewhere easily accessible? 

 

Cheers.

Afternoon Jeff

 

My original BMW manual doesn't show heating the lower attachment but it sure doesn't hurt.

 

Do not use a troch, use either a heat gun or even a high output hair drier. You don't want to get it so hot that it will scar the powder coating on the control arm but it usually doesn't take lot of heat to get it to slowly release. (try it first with a little heat (just enough that you can't hold your hands on it for long).

 

On the front oil leak,  those 2005 engines also had issues with the front accessory shaft (balance shaft) leaking. So check that area.

 

The voltage regulator is internal inside the alternator. 

 

Make sure that the alternator shaft is spinning,  if your 05 1200 has the 55 amp alternator then it has a freewheeling alternator pulley, that is a one way drive in the driven direction, then free spins in the other direction. Those have been known to fail so the pulley spins but the alternator rotor shaft doesn't spin.