Gr8adv
Well-known member
Oh damn Dave. Just damn.So, the saga of the blown R18 transmission continues. Picked up the repaired (new transmission) from the dealership on Aug. 20th. Trailered it (because of the LL front end it really can't be ridden solo) back to LBS-USA for reinstall of the sidecar. Got the sidecar reinstalled, but didn't even make it home (28 miles) before the transmission locked itself into 4th gear and wouldn't move up or down. Had it towed back to the dealership the next day. As of Sept. 12th (latest status) they drained the transmission and once again found several large chunks of metal in the fluid. They've ordered another transmission from Berlin, and I wait. At this point I have what is, essentially, a $67k paperweight, with less than 1600 miles on it, sitting at the dealership (again) for a transmission replacement.
I can't help but wonder -- no one else on this forum or anywhere else I've looked, is reporting transmission problems with the R18, and I know I'm not the only one who has attached a sidecar to an R18. Is anyone else out there having or even hearing anything about a tranny problem with the R18? I can't believe I'm the only one who has gone through two of them.