NHTSA Complaint #10227768 — 1999 BMW K1200LT

MY 1999 BMW K1200LT HAD A MYSTERIOUS VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE A FLAT TIRE. STOPPED CHECKED PRESSURE, AND ALL WAS FINE. RODE BIKE APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES WHEN THE REAR WHEEL BEGAN SLIPPING AND REALLY FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. I DEPRESSED THE REAR BRAKE LEVER, BUT IT COLLAPSED COMPLETELY (I LATER LEARNED WHY), NO REAR BRAKES. I MANAGED TO GET THE MOTORCYCLE STOPPED, AND I COULD IMMEDIATELY TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THERE WAS FINAL DRIVE OIL LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE OF THE MOTORCYCLE ONTO THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER, AND ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THIS WOULD EXPLAIN WHY THE WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS 'COMING OFF'. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE REASON THE BRAKE PEDDLE HAD TO BE 'PUMPED UP' WAS THAT THE REAR WHEEL WAS VIBRATING BACK AND FORTH OPENING THE CALIPER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED ON THIS MOTORCYCLE. THE PREVIOUS FINAL DRIVE BEARING WAS REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 14 THOUSAND MILES EARLIER, BY A BMW MECHANIC. *TR