Hello all,
I just recently learned that there is an outfit in Germany that has designed a new set of internals for the BMW airhead 5-speed transmissions which adds a gear-driven reverse gear without giving up any of the 5 forward gears.
I know that there is a guy in Indiana (Guenther) who has done this conversion stateside with parts from this company.
Does anybody know of someone else who also had done this conversion?
Know the name/contact info for the company in Germany who actually supplies the kit?
With my old knees and the coming snowy season I think this would be a great upgrade for my rig!
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Originally written by bmwzenrider on 11/1/2006 9:12 AM
Hello all,
I just recently learned that there is an outfit in Germany that has designed a new set of internals for the BMW airhead 5-speed transmissions which adds a gear-driven reverse gear without giving up any of the 5 forward gears.I know that there is a guy in Indiana (Guenther) who has done this conversion stateside with parts from this company.
Does anybody know of someone else who also had done this conversion?
Know the name/contact info for the company in Germany who actually supplies the kit?With my old knees and the coming snowy season I think this would be a great upgrade for my rig!
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Found this over on Snowbum's site;
***************************
Wuma Inc. "By Guenther"
6891 W US Hy 150
Fredericksburg, IN 47120
812-472-3739
Guenther Wuest, who overhauls transmissions, AND HAS A CONVERSION TO THE BMW 5 SPEED, TO GIVE A REVERSE GEAR. It is $2500 or so to do this, probably includes a full overhaul. The reverse conversion is a full driveable gear, and uses an electromagnet for the shifting to prevent accidental engagement. Neutral ends up between reverse and first, all forward gears are shifted UP. A LOT of internal transmission parts are new, or are machined. 14 gears! Shifting gears are undercut for easy shifting. Changes are also made to the cover plate and housing, and a switch is put on the handlebar. Ratios end up as 6 in reverse, 4.26 in first, 2.85 in second, 2.07 in third, 1.67 in fourth, and 1.50 in fifth.
Wuest@blueriver.net
************************************
http://home.jps.net/~snowbum/sidecarURL.htm
Lots of good info over there.
Thanks for Guenther's contact info Mike.
Does anybody know of Rick Humerick?
An old thread over at Boxerworks claims that he built a reverse gear for a BMW gearbox. Is he a member here?
Here is the text of an email I received in response to some questions about a reverse gear conversion for the BMW 5-speed gearboxes from "Motoren Israel" in Germany. Thought others might be interested in knowing about them...
Originally written by bmwzenrider on 11/2/2006 10:10 AM
Hello Karl
The reverse gear box will fit your bike.
You have five normal gear ratio and one reverse. The price is in exchange
with a gear box in a GOOD condition.>
>Hello, I am a disabled veteran putting together a sidecar rig using my 1982
>R100RT.
>
>I understand that you offer a reverse gear conversion for the 5-speed
>transmissions that are standard in these motorcycles.
>>
>Do you currently have a reverse gear conversion transmission in stock for
>immediate shipping, or would you use the gearbox I send in to do the work?
>What would be the time required to receive my newly converted
>transmission?
>
We have one in stock. This could be shipped as soon as we get yours in exchange. Shipping time is 6-10 man-days to the USA and transport costs are 70,00 for Standard and 130,00 for Premium. The insurance for both costs 25,00.>
>How does the reverse gear function on your design? Is there a separate
>lever similar to the old R75/Ural gearboxes? Is there some sort of safety
>interlock to prevent engagement while driving forward?
>
Yes there is a safety interlock see attached pictures.>
>Also, I noticed that you have available for the standard 5-speed gearboxes
>extended ratio gears for 1st & 5th gear (+/-%). Since I am intending to >use this with a sidecar a lower first gear would be desirable if
>possible, as well as a longer 5th gear for the times when the sidecar is
>not attached. Is this possible in the reverse gear conversion gearbox?
>
In response to request by a customer, we will build a reverse gear box with longer 5th and shorter 1th gear. The estimated delivery time is about 3 month and you have to to make a down payment of 1000 EUR.>
>Can you tell me what the price of one of these units would be including
>shipping to my home address as listed below, and preferred methods of
>payment?
>
Shipping time is 6-10 man-days to the USA and transport costs are 70,00 for Standard and 130,00 for Premium. The insurance for both costs 25,00.
The reverse gar box costs 1985,00 without Tax ( for US customers) and with a longer 5th and shorter 1th gear +280,00.
All prices in EUR and you can pay by creditcard ( MASTER/VISA please send us your card details by Fax +49 2620 2799) or PayPal. If you go to www.paypal.com you will be able to log in and sent money to our email adress info@motoren-israel.de. This is very comfortable and easy.
More information about this you will find here. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/ema/index-outsideMit freundlichen Grüßen / Kind regards
Motoren Israel
Israel GmbH
Hauptstrasse 54
D- 56335 NeuhäuselTelefon + 49 2620-8800
Telefax + 49 2620-2799PS Unser aktuelles Programm finden Sie auf unserer Internetseite www.motoren-israel.de. Sie können es dort als pdf Datei herunterladen unter dem Menüpunkt Katalog.
Originally written by SidecarMike on 11/2/2006 12:44 AM
Found this over on Snowbum's site;
******************************
Wuma Inc. "By Guenther"
6891 W US Hy 150
Fredericksburg, IN 47120
812-472-3739
Wuest@blueriver.net
I have been in touch with Guenther, and he said he has only done two or three of the reverse gear conversions in the last 10-15 years and doesn't sound too interested in doing another one at this point.
He did tell me that the source of his parts in Germany for the conversion was Kayser, whom I had already also found out about in my research (some claim Keyser retired two years ago), so it looks like there are currently no domestic sources for this conversion.
I am strongly leaning towards investing in one of these, but I have never done such a large transaction with an overseas firm. Does anybody know the safest way to make payment to protect myself? Anyone ever have any dealings with Motoren Israel?
Thanks in advance for your insights.
Maybe this would be a worthwhile addition to your business? Will they sell you the parts and let you do the work ?
I do know from talking on the phone with Guenther that he has been able to simply buy the parts, but he had an established relationship with the manufacturer because of his regular gearbox rebuilding business.
They sent me a couple of photos of the "safety interlock" which looks like a set of gears that mesh with the output shaft to stop the rotation to allow engagement of the reverse idler. (which I assume is mounted inside)
This mounts on the outside of the gearbox and the right side of the transmission case has to be heavily machined to accept this part, and I don't know if there is more machining being done inside of the case either.
I would have to buy a mill, or outsource the machining (which I would probably not want to do) in order to be able to do that.
Judging from Guenther's experience of the number he has done over time, not sure it would be worthwhile as a business venture. Unless there was a known demand.
I know Rick Hummerick. He did create a reverse gear conversion for his BMW. He used parts salvaged from a /5 gearbox that I sold him to supplement the internals of a gearbox that he had. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him since the MOA Nat'l in West Virginia a few years ago.
If somebody is interested in contacting Rick about his reverse gear set-up, you might try posting a note asking for contact information on the BMW Touring Club of Detroit's forum (www.bmwtcd.org) and ask if anybody knows how to get in touch with Rick Hummerick
Hiya gang,
Been a while since I have been here. Wanted to update you on the reverse gear project.
I sent my old gearbox (which was in need of a rebuild anyway, showing signs of bearing debris on drain plug) to the outfit in Germany and in two weeks had a shiny rebuilt unit in my hands with the reverse gear conversion installed.
The stud at the right upper corner corner of the block had to be removed in favor of a bolt to get the reverse gear extension on the gearbox to clear the rear of the frame cradle when installing (I simply moved the stud to the left upper position). And I had to remove and modify my subframe a little for clearance of the reverse lever on the right side of the box. Otherwise, installation was straightforward, and it is working great!
It is fun being in a downhill parking space and watching the faces of people as the motorcycle backs uphill under its own power! 🙂
The only thing I need to do now is install a microswitch to activate the white reverse light in the taillight housing of the sidecar when I put it in reverse. That, and learn how to be more subtle with my steering inputs when going backwards. The rig will really whip around fast in reverse if you are not careful!
New seminar for sidecar rallies: "How to show off in reverse gear without flipping your rig..." 😉
Originally written by bmwzenrider on 1/16/2007 5:35 PM
Hiya gang,
It is fun being in a downhill parking space and watching the faces of people as the motorcycle backs uphill under its own power! 🙂
New seminar for sidecar rallies: "How to show off in reverse gear without flipping your rig..." 😉
Hey Karl- Ural owners been doing that for a long time!
Originally written by Reardan Tom on 1/16/2007 7:11 PM
Hey Karl- Ural owners been doing that for a long time!
Yes, but how many of them will hop on two-up for a quick 900+ miler weekend trip cruising the interstate at 70-75mph??? With heated grips and two 55-watt halogen headlamps burning to boot!!!
We did a run from north of Milwaukee to Dayton Ohio for New Years Eve weekend. The only downside of the whole thing was that we only got between 22-25mpg on the trip. Guess we could have gotten better mileage by slowing down, but would like to find other options, maybe carburation...
Temps were in the 30's but the fully enclosed convertible top kept the sidecar passenger cozy during the ride.
I was only referring to the reverse gear! A trip like yours would be highly unlikely on a Ural. Amd much cooler for the passenger!
Besides the backup light, don't forget to attach the beeper like a dump truck. Nothing opens eyes in a grocery store parking lot like that beeper going off and the only thing around is a sidecar rig in reverse!
Sarge
Oooo! A reverse beeper, I like that idea! I could put a micro switch that would be engaged by the Dnepr's reverse lever. Thanks for the idea Sarge!
Dave
I think I'll put one on my new k bike, even tho I will have no reverse! flip the switch when I roll out of a parking spot backwards...get 'em all guessing! fun!!!!
