► Clutch drag, slip and faults

This isn;t meant to be a daft question, but are you sure you're adjusting the clutch properly?

There's no adjustment for the cable at the lever - the knob there is for span adjustment only - the cable is adjusted at the bottom end, just above the clutch actuating lever on the LH crankcase... To get max cable slack, you should undo the top locknut and let the adjuster go as far down as possible or you need...

As I said, hopefully not daft and I haven;t trawled through through the other pages to see if this has been offered before Pologies if it has.

ILMV ... are you talking about CW in Dorchester? They've never charged me for a loaner...

Greg
 
My clutch went at 3200 miles and was replaced under warranty. The water pump went at 6,000 and was replaced under warranty. What's next?
 
Hello Greg

They have only charged my for a loan during my services. Also I did attempt to adjust the clutch cable before taking it to the dealer, but the cable adjuster was already at the end of its thread, I could not slacken it any more.

CWs changed the bolt assembly slightly, gives me a couple mm of play.
 
With the 650 and 800 GS twins there needs to be an adjuster at the bar. What happens, especially off-road and with very little distance travelled is that the clutch plates deform with heat and that takes up the tension on the cable. If the rider doesn't notice that this is happening it can get quickly to a point where there is no freeplay at the lever and the clutch burns. Game over.

This is a known problem. Wise folks are trying to get BMW to put an adjuster at the bar (in sight and easy to fiddle with). The good news is that putting in a new clutch in a 650/800 is about a 90 minute job compared to doing an R12GS clutch. Cheers!
 
i have found that i can't put the bike in neutral after it has been running for about 10 mins. a little while later, it is fine again. it's usually in a 10-30 min window of travel that it won't find neutral. there was one day i was doing some trail work and it slipped the whole way home (80 miles). i brought it back down to hursts and they simply said it was a clutch cable issues, and adjusted it. now, i've got the trouble with neutral, and it's slipping in a 5th gear. it's booked in for a service in 2 weeks, to have the rocker gasket done (again!), and the gear positioning sensor done (again again again). i have to say though, i am worried about the clutch, because knowing my luck, it'll be out of warranty 2 weeks when it'll die!
 
There must be some issue with some clutches on the 800s, as the clutch plates wear down slack has to be put into the cable to stop "clutch riding" reading some of the posts low mileage bikes are at the end or near the end of there adjustment on the threaded adjuster at the end of the cable.

A would of thought that you wouldnt be near to the end of the adjustment until the bike had done loads of miles, my own 09 plate 5000 mile 800gs has only got a couple of threads left before its at its end of its adjustment for maximum slack. Maybe they are having problems with the clutch plates or pressure springs , i dont know :confused:
 
I thought ALL wet clutches dragged a bit, hence every bike clunks going in to 1st gear. All except Ducati's of course as they have a rattley dry clutch.
 
Clutch Failed Tonight

It was rather curious. I was reading this very forum about three days ago, thinking, "Hmm, going to have to watch out for that...".

Went for a nice 400 km tour with a buddy today. Bike was running fine. No slipping; no difficulty shifting; alles in ordnung.

We stopped about 15 km from my home for a final chat and good-bye. As we pulled out, I got about 100m down the road, attempted to shift to second, and heard a loud clunk. The computer indicated a shift, but the engine would rev to redline with no power transfer. I pulled over (but lost my buddy who carried on).

I could "shift" through all the gears with a corresponding change in the gear indicator on the computer, but there was no friction whatsoever in any gear.

I've called roadside assistance to collect the bike and take it to our local dealer. I'm curious to find out the diagnosis.

2009 F800GS, New delivery April 2009, 5800 km odometer.

Stephen
 
sdsmye said:
It was rather curious. I was reading this very forum about three days ago, thinking, "Hmm, going to have to watch out for that...".

Went for a nice 400 km tour with a buddy today. Bike was running fine. No slipping; no difficulty shifting; alles in ordnung.

We stopped about 15 km from my home for a final chat and good-bye. As we pulled out, I got about 100m down the road, attempted to shift to second, and heard a loud clunk. The computer indicated a shift, but the engine would rev to redline with no power transfer. I pulled over (but lost my buddy who carried on).

I could "shift" through all the gears with a corresponding change in the gear indicator on the computer, but there was no friction whatsoever in any gear.

I've called roadside assistance to collect the bike and take it to our local dealer. I'm curious to find out the diagnosis.

2009 F800GS, New delivery April 2009, 5800 km odometer.

Stephen
Click to expand...
Sounds like more of a catastrophic failure, a clutch doesnt normally just fail they tend to start slipping and get progressively worse, could be a broken clutch basket or some kind of gear has come off or failed losing all the drive.
Keep us all posted .
 
Blown clutch on F650GS twin - advice please!

Not the best of days. Out with some guys from the TRF. Riding through ruts packed with clay which eventually brought my bike to a halt when the side stand switch clogged. Disconnected the stand switch...got another 200 yards and low and behold the back wheel stopped turning with the bike in gear. It drops into gear..but then nothing. The chain is still on the sprockets so that's not the problem.

Looks like the clutch has evaporated. The bike has 21750 on the clock. Can someone remind me what the warranty period is? Can someone also advise on a possible alternative heavy duty clutch.

Thanks. Malc
 
Warranty in Canada is 3 years, unlimited mileage. Would think it would be the same over there. Good luck.
 
Warranty is 2 years in the UK. I had my one go at 6K mark and was replaced by BMW. Let us know how you get on.
 
Martin said:
My clutch went at 3200 miles and was replaced under warranty. The water pump went at 6,000 and was replaced under warranty. What's next?
Click to expand...

Went for a wonderful ride out across the downs today - Reading - Hundgerford - Wnatage - Reading. However I am now experiencing the clutch slip - 800gs 2500 miles hit 6000 rpm in 3 or 4 and goes straight to redline with no acceleration:blast. Q:blastuick question - are dealers normally sympathetic and second can they change the clutch in a day?

Johnboy
 
Warranty work – They should be, there was a bad batch of clutches that was sold with some of our 800’s....Exchange for a new clutch is done in a day so long as they have one in stock. Mine did the same but at around the 6000 mile mark. South London BMW, but now Vines did my exchange.
 
Hmm. Turned out the clutch was okay after being adjusted, which is weird because it suddenly went in the middle of a ride across a muddy field. One minute I had traction, and then nothing.

BMW thought that I had maybe left it somewhere unattended, and that someone had come along and fiddled with the clutch adjustment while I wasn't looking. I'll find out more when I pick the bike up in the morning.
 
clutch adjustment?

Malcolm, there is no easy clutch adjustment, not at the handlebar anyway, you need 2 13mm spanners to loosen and adjust 2 nuts at the lower end of the cable, so??
 
Clutch wear F800GS

Hi all

I have just covered 4000 miles from new on my F800GS, and am alarmed by how much I keep having to adjust the clutch.

I am not overweight!!
I do not cover/slip the clutch!!

The wear is so great I might soon run out of adjustment on the cable. Has anyone else experienced this. Am I likely to need to re-place my clutch shortly?

Many Thanks

Richard
 
Merelander said:
Hi all

I have just covered 4000 miles from new on my F800GS, and am alarmed by how much I keep having to adjust the clutch.

I am not overweight!!
I do not cover/slip the clutch!!

The wear is so great I might soon run out of adjustment on the cable. Has anyone else experienced this. Am I likely to need to re-place my clutch shortly?

Many Thanks

Richard
Click to expand...

I am overweight, and do slip the clutch in traffic etc, and it's only just needed a little adjustment after 8000m. I think you have something wrong.
 
I've done 13k since Oct 09 and I green lane regularly, not to mention being a ham fisted knobber on the clutch, riding in all weathers.........................................................................................................................................................................................
and the clutch has never been adjusted to the best of my knowledge. :cool:

Mefinks ye have a lemon :eek
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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