BMW R850 Maintenance Manual page 76

Remove the three screws which secure the air box assembly. One screw is located at
the rear of the air box and one screw on each side near the front of the air box. Later you
will remove the air box assembly itself.
Disconnect the breather hose from the air box and the wire harness that fits into a slot at
the front of the air box.
Remove the rear brake fluid reservoir from its bracket.
Remove the rear brake line from its bracket.
Unplug the connector for the brake light switch located near the rear brake fluid
reservoir.
I don't recall if it was necessary, but I removed the right front footpeg assembly.
Unplug the connector for the oxygen sensor on the exhaust pipe.
Remove the bolt holding the muffler to the left rear footpeg assembly.
Unbolt and remove the muffler. Check the two rubber mounts for the muffler. In the past
three years, I have discovered three broken mounts. (I think they are about $8 apiece).
Right about now you are seriously wondering whether you will ever get your beloved
bike back together again. Fear not. Just continue to be organized and methodical. If you
are so inclined, consider the power of prayer :-) .
Remove the two bolts that hold the rear frame assembly to the transmission.
Loosen the two bolts at the front of the rear frame assembly These are the pivot points
when the rear frame is to be tilted upward.
Remove the long bolt at the rear of the struts which attach near the steering head.
Disconnect the clutch cable from the transmission.
Remove the plastic cover from the starter and remove the starter itself. If I recall, you will
have to disconnect the wire for the sidestand neutral switch. (I had disabled this switch
years ago).
Now unless I have forgotten something, you are just about ready to tilt the rear frame
assembly upward in order to remove the transmission. But first make sure that any
wires, hoses, or cables won't be pinched or stretched when the frame is tilted. You might
have to cut a few zip ties to prevent this. Pay particular attention to the throttle and
"choke" cables. I didn't and apparently stretched the suckers. This required that I
readjusted and re-synched the throttle bodies after reassembly.
Loosen the hose clamps holding the air intake tubes to the throttle bodies and pull the
intake tubes loose.
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