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Replacing final drive 1959 R60

devoredeb@charter.net
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Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2023 10:39 am

Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by devoredeb@charter.net »

Hello
Broke my final drive housing! (MAJOR BUMMER)
Does anyone know or where to fine out what years and models are interchangeable,
with my 1959 R60 housing. Everything else on the unit seems fine.
Any info would be great. Thanks TC

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wa1nca
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by wa1nca »

If the gears have never changed it should here
InkedBMW-R50-to-R69S-Final-drive.jpg
Tommy Byrnes
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Slash2
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by Slash2 »

How fussy are you about the condition? I’ve got an empty case you could use. It’s from an R50S so probably about 1960..
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Rodolfo850
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by Rodolfo850 »

Rear Drive housing (part. n. 33 11 3 004 306) its the same on following models:

R50, R50S, R50/2, R60, R60/2, R69, R69S.

So empty housing from Slash2 could be used...

Just check if has same ratio stamped to keep same reference marks of ratio. or re stamp

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vechorik1373
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by vechorik1373 »

This is not quite as simple as you may think it is.
If you change the case and cover door and install your existing ring and pinion gear, you will have to reshim to get the proper lash and clearance.
In the first drawing, #15 is a bronze thrust washer. It comes in seven different thicknesses
Number 19 between the outer race and the cover, comes in seven different thicknesses

In the second drawing, #4 between the case and the double row caged ball bearing comes in seven different thicknesses
Unless you want to play musical shims with a parts supplier, because you do not have all these sizes in hand, or spend a LOT of money so you have selection of all of them in hand, there is really no way to predict which ones you will need, and the chance of your existing shims being correct in the "new" case is pretty slim.

You would be better off to buy a complete final drive, of the proper ratio, and take it apart and replace the bearings and seals than attempt to set up the old gears in another case, if you don't know what you are doing.

ring.jpg
Attachments
pinion.jpg
Vech
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Daves79x
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by Daves79x »

Therein lies the joys of working on these old BMWs. You can't just bolt virtually anything together without heating, cooling, measuring, shimming, having a ton of special tools and knowledge. I guess that's why we love them so much.

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devoredeb@charter.net
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by devoredeb@charter.net »

Thanks for all the input!
This is my first BMW resto. What a learning curve .
The Barrington Restoration book (bible) is priceless.
Would like to find a complete unit ,time will tell. This one is usable for now.
My gear ratio is 25/8. Maybe one will turn up.
So far this restoration has gone will, the bike was taken care of.
I will more than likely have to buy a used housing and try to find someone in the Southern California area to do the necessary work to install my gears.
Again, thanks everyone for your input. Truly appreciated. Slash/2 I would like to talk about your housing.

Thanks,
T.C.

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niall4473
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by niall4473 »

If it is a 1959 R60, the final drive should be 32/11. IMHO this suits the engine better, especially if you have the wide ratio gearbox.
Good luck finding one though.
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jwonder
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by jwonder »

Taking a different tact, where did it break? Welding of the castings can be done quite easily and you can make it look as if it never happened! That is something to think of.

If you need more information let me know. There are several good articles in our magazines.

Good luck!
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Tinkertimejeff
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Re: Replacing final drive 1959 R60

Post by Tinkertimejeff »

There is a 35/11 up on that infamous action site as you read this. The B.I.N. is pretty reasonable considering hens teeth are more common.

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