Urgent advice needed

[Ukemi]

Today I noticed the right edge of my rear tire was oily. It has been raining so much lately that I haven't thought twice of any moisture on my tire. It has dried up and there is still a ring of moisture on my right edge. I was suspicious so I took a look at my final drive and noticed it might have been leaking out of the drain plug. So I checked the level and the level seems fine. But, the fluid doesn't look fine. The oil looks milky. The last time I checked I thought it was clear. But I want to get someone elses opinion on this, cause maybe I'm wrong...god I hope I'm wrong.

[CycleRob]

Get the FD oil heated up from a ride and drain it overnight in a dry windless location. The milky appearance indicates the presence of WATER!!
Water not good!! It'll haze and/or rust bearing balls, races and gear teeth, then an expensive replacement is likely. Do it soon!!

[Ukemi]

Thank you!

[Ukemi]

Well I warmed it up and drained it...the sludge that came out of there appeared to be about a 1/2 to 1/2 mix of oil and fine puree'd steel.
I don't think the milky appearance was water. I think it was my final drive itself, ground to fine sand.

[NoRRmad]

Some of that is normal. How many miles on the bike? Miles since last FD fluid change? Oil on the rim is a bad sign, but if the leak is indeed out the plug, rather than through the seal, things might not be so bad.

[Ukemi]

The bike has nearly 23,000 miles on the bike. I have never changed the fluid. I got the bike around 10,000. The oil was leaking from the plug. There was a droplet forming on the plug when I inspected it.

[NoRRmad]

The first thing I'd check is side-play in the rear wheel, then I'd look for any roughness as you turn the wheel by hand in neutral. If you have any side-play or roughness, that's bad. You might need a new FD or FD bearing. If everything's tight and smooth, flush out the final drive, replace the fluid and check it again soon. If the drain's leaking, see if a new gasket helps.

There are others on this board with more expertise, (CycleRob?) so let's hope they chime in.

[Ukemi]

There is several mm of side to side play on the rear tire. It's okay. I'm desensitized to the pain now. I just need a new FD.

[NoRRmad]

Whoops. Dang. I feel your pain; it happened to me. Luckily, I was able to find a low-miles used FD, got it with installation for only $450, as I recall.

[Ukemi]

What do you guys think of this FD unit? Will it work on my R1150R? Do any of you know how the gears will change? http://www.beemerboneyard.com/33112330382.html

Thanks for all your help so far.

[Biff's R]

You will want to check the gear ratios for the R1100R. It will make a difference in RPM vs MPH.

[Ukemi]

Yeah I checked on it. I will acc. faster. But my RPMs will be about 300 higher at higher speeds.