Gear lube & spark plugs - 12k service

[challey]

Looking for some guidance on the 12k service relative to gear lube and plugs.
First, plugs. Is there anything wrong with using Autolite 3923s or Champion RC9YCs? None of the parts stores in my area stock the NGK or Bosch plugs listed as BMW "approved" in the owner's maintenance manual and the dealer quoted me $12 each for NGKs.
About the gear lube, I planned on using Mobil 1 LS 75W-140 in the xmission and LS 75-90 in the FD since I don't have eay access to Red Line (Pep Boys is supposed to carry RL but none of the 3 stores in my area actually does). I would normally just drain out the old lube (after warming everything up with brief ride), replace the crush washers and refill up to the the bottom level of the filler plug. I've heard that is not be recommended for the R - that this method actually overfills, and that precise measuring per the manual should be done instead. Anything to this?

[Bud]

Challey,

I just had the 12K done at Ironhorse here in Tucson. They have BMW owners ride in from Phoenix and even from New Mexico to get their bikes serviced. I was told that the plugs did not need changing at 12K.

I'll leave the rest up to the experts here on this site. Too bad you can't get Redline Hi-shock. I've run it and talked to others who also like their product line.

Have fun.

[jm1515]

Looking for some guidance on the 12k service relative to gear lube and plugs.
First, plugs. Is there anything wrong with using Autolite 3923s or Champion RC9YCs? None of the parts stores in my area stock the NGK or Bosch plugs listed as BMW "approved" in the owner's maintenance manual and the dealer quoted me $12 each for NGKs.
About the gear lube, I planned on using Mobil 1 LS 75W-140 in the xmission and LS 75-90 in the FD since I don't have eay access to Red Line (Pep Boys is supposed to carry RL but none of the 3 stores in my area actually does). I would normally just drain out the old lube (after warming everything up with brief ride), replace the crush washers and refill up to the the bottom level of the filler plug. I've heard that is not be recommended for the R - that this method actually overfills, and that precise measuring per the manual should be done instead. Anything to this?

You can get the NGKs, either stock or Iridium, at any AdvanceAuto. They spec order them, and get them to you in 2 days. I installed Iridiums from them...~$7/plug.
I'm pretty sure my Haynes manual states it's OK to fill to the bottom of the threads, not necessarily to the bottom of the fill plug. That's what I did at the 6k mark...bottom of the threads, or just before it starts to ooze out, in the case of the tranny...
I'm at work now, I can check when I get home, but that was 5000mi ago and I have had NO problems of any kind....

[challey]

Thanks jm.
I'll check the Advance Auto near me for theNGKs. I have a bit of a bias against both Autolite and Champion - probably irrational but I'd feel more comfortable with ND or NGK. I had the plugs out at about 9k when I did a valve adjust and they looked pretty good, so changing them out now at 12k is not critical.

[jm1515]

Thanks jm.
I'll check the Advance Auto near me for theNGKs. I have a bit of a bias against both Autolite and Champion - probably irrational but I'd feel more comfortable with ND or NGK. I had the plugs out at about 9k when I did a valve adjust and they looked pretty good, so changing them out now at 12k is not critical.

I've posted on here the NGK Iridium stock numbers you will need to order...check it out if you want to forget about plugs for 30k miles....

On the oil level issue...
For the tranny, Haynes says "The oil level is correct when it is up to the lower edge of the filler hole." pg 1-15

For the FD it says "Fill the gearbox using the amount and type of oil specified...until it is up to the lower threads of the filler hole." pg 1-16

That's just what I did....

[DK]

I just changed the rear drive and trans this past weekend and filled them both as stated above. My Clymer manual says the same and just to be sure I asked one of the service techs at the shop where I bought the oil. He said that's exactly how they do it.

Dwayne