I show how I install the flywheel, aka, “clutch carrier”. I also show how I prepare the flywheel before installation, including

• Cleaning the guide ring,
• Polishing out the grooves in the guide ring created by the rear main seal,
• Dressing the teeth on the flywheel to remove ridges created by the starter motor gear engaging with them,
• Replacing the large o-ring in the guide ring,
• Cleaning the crankshaft bolt holes and bolts, and,
• How to center the flywheel on the bolts so the ignition timing is correct.

Bath Time For the Bell Housing and Flywheel (in Pan at Right) with Engine Degreaser

Cycle Works Front Bearing Carrier Puller Used To Push Crankshaft To Rear

Flywheel Guide Ring-Note Grooves in Shiny Band From Cut By Rear Main Seal

Grooves Are Gone After Polishing Them Out 🙂

Bracing Engine Block Before Torquing Flywheel Bolts

You can read about how I do this work here:

• 11 1983 BMW R100RS Install The Flywheel

I also shot a short video that summarizes the work.

VIDEO: 1983 BMW R100RS Prepare and Install Flywheel

After I installed the flywheel, I’m ready to install the clutch. You can see how I install the flywheel here:

• 11 BMW 1983 R100RS Install The Flywheel

And, you can see how I removed the clutch here.

• 21 BMW 1983 R100RS Remove Clutch

I decided to install all new clutch parts rather than have them rebuilt by Southland Clutch.  Here is a write-up showing how I install the clutch.

• 21 BMW 1983 R100RS Install Clutch

And here is a summary video showing highlights of the installation procedure.

VIDEO: 1983 BMW R100RS Install New Clutch

The 1981+ model year clutch is a different design than was used on the earlier model years. You can see how to install the earlier style clutch here.

• 21 BMW 1973 R75/5 Install New Clutch
• 21 BMW 1977 R100RS Remove, Refurbish, Install Clutch

Here are a couple pictures from the write-up.

Clutch Centering Tool for 1981+ Clutches

Clutch Assembly Parts

New Clutch Bolts with Washers

Verifying The Sleeve Side Of The Clutch Plate Is On The Transmission Side of The Clutch Housing Cover

Clutch Centering Tool Installed

Clutch Centering Tool Removed – Clutch Is Installed

I remove the crankshaft to check the condition of the main bearings. In order to remove it, I have to remove the camshaft first. I use the tools I bought from Cycle Works to remove the crankshaft.

Cycle Works Stage III Tools

I asked Matt Parkhouse, a long time airhead mechanic who lives about two hours from me, to assess the condition of the crankshaft main journals and the main bearings. He found the front bearing was serviceable but the rear main bearing was just outside the maximum clearance. He replaced the bearing and now the front and rear main bearing clearances are close.

Measuring ID of Original Rear Main Bearing

Since I have to heat the front of the engine block to 275 F, I removed the stater motor and crankcase vent housing hose so they would not be damaged.

Here is the block with the crankshaft and camshaft removed.

Engine Block Looks Empty

You can read about how I do this work here:

• 11 BMW R100RS Remove Camshaft and Crankshaft

And here is a short video of the highlights of the work:

VIDEO: 1983 BMW R100RS Remove Camshaft and Crankshaft

I remove the inner timing cover to get access to the timing chain, the crankshaft timing sprocket and nose bearing, the timing chain tensioner and the chain rubbing block (aka, slide rail).

Inner Timing Cover Exposed After Electrical Components Removed

Inner Timing Cover Removed

The chain, sprocket, nose bearing, chain tensioner and rubbing block wear and this affects timing. The wear can be great enough that you can hear the timing chain rattle.

What’s Under The Inner Timing Cover

You can read about how I do this work here:

• 11 BMW 1983 R100RS Remove Timing Chain, Crankshaft Nose Bearing & Sprocket, & Front Crankshaft Seal

I made a short video summarizing the procedure that you will find here.

I will replace the crankshaft sprocket, nose bearing, chain tensioner, rubbing block and the internal components of the oil high pressure relief valve. I will post a separate write-up showing how I do that.