1150 GSA clutch

[BIG DAC]

After advice please!
I have bought a GSA that had a new clutch 6000 miles ago. When "GIVING IT SOME" away from traffic lights the clutch drags like a pig ! It appears normal when riding sensibly,is this normal/usual for a dry clutch bike? Thanks in advance,Dave

 

[sockpuppet]

Did it also have the slave cylinder done? Could be worth checking to make sure the seals haven't gone and put oil in there.

 

[hops]

,is this normal/usual for a dry clutch bike? Thanks in advance,Dave

In short, no best get it looked at.

 

[BIG DAC]

Hi,
Yes it had the slave cylinder done,can't see that it had the crank seal done though..i believe this can be a problem also?

 

[Steptoe]

After advice please!
I have bought a GSA that had a new clutch 6000 miles ago.

When you say the clutch is "dragging", do you mean slipping ? Drag and slip are completely different.

Was the complete clutch unit changed, or just the friction plate ?.

6K miles and slipping is about the limit if just a friction plate was replaced

 

[BIG DAC]

When you say the clutch is "dragging", do you mean slipping ? Drag and slip are completely different.

Was the complete clutch unit changed, or just the friction plate ?.

6K miles and slipping is about the limit if just a friction plate was replaced

Yes the whole clutch was replaced.
There appears to be no slip at all, just the revs stay high once the clutch is released and it drags until you back off....it is only when launching off from lights and i suppose something has to give somewhere

 

[mr_magicfingers]

When you say the clutch is "dragging", do you mean slipping ? Drag and slip are completely different.

Neil, for those of us that don't know, could you define the difference please.

Thanks.

 

[MattW]

Yes the whole clutch was replaced.
There appears to be no slip at all, just the revs stay high once the clutch is released and it drags until you back off

That's slipping, not dragging - the clutch can't cope with the torque and isn't biting properly - slipping until you drop the revs and it engages.

Dragging is when the clutch never properly disengages so it's always transmitting drive to the back wheel when in gear even when you've pulled the lever fully in.

A properly functioning clutch shouldn't do either.

As to why it's happening? - over to Steptoe

 

[Chewbacca]

Clutch or Driveshaft Slip??

Had similar on my 1150, 78K miles, replaced the clutch, as I was heading to the Alps for 3 weeks, didn't want any snags. Same problem with the new clutch, but would only slip after 25 miles or so. Turned out to be the drive shaft cush drive rubber gone, have a look inside the swing arm under the bush for rubber fragments. Mine lost drive, new shaft did the job. Second hand shaft from Mr Sherlock bout £100.
Intersting snag as the symptoms are the same as clutch slip.

 

[BIG DAC]

That's slipping, not dragging - the clutch can't cope with the torque and isn't biting properly - slipping until you drop the revs and it engages.

Dragging is when the clutch never properly disengages so it's always transmitting drive to the back wheel when in gear even when you've pulled the lever fully in.

A properly functioning clutch shouldn't do either.

As to why it's happening? - over to Steptoe

Hi,
Thanks for that ! i was describing it as dragging due to the fact that it was slow to release, but yes, it is slipping then....or is it the Cush Drive as suggested on another post??? Any Ideas?Cheers

 

[BIG DAC]

Had similar on my 1150, 78K miles, replaced the clutch, as I was heading to the Alps for 3 weeks, didn't want any snags. Same problem with the new clutch, but would only slip after 25 miles or so. Turned out to be the drive shaft cush drive rubber gone, have a look inside the swing arm under the bush for rubber fragments. Mine lost drive, new shaft did the job. Second hand shaft from Mr Sherlock bout £100.
Intersting snag as the symptoms are the same as clutch slip.

Hi,
Thanks for the advice. There is no sign of rubber anywhere, and the suggestion of cutting the cable tie to smell for burning rubber on another thread is wasted on me as i can't smell a thing!!Over to SWMBO i think! 33K miles around London by the previous owner could have something to do with it possibly.Cheers

 

[Womble]

Is the lever fouling the handguard or is the reservoir a little full? As the clutch wears, the level rises until there's no room for it and the clutch never fully engages. You should be able to see the level of the fluid in the window. The fluid should be clear as well.

 

[Steptoe]

Hi,
Thanks for the advice. There is no sign of rubber anywhere,

Thats what it looks like when the shaft rubber has had enough

 

[BIG DAC]

Thanks for the info.
Can the shaft rotate fully if the cush drive rubber is worn then, or is it that the snatch can start the clutch slipping?
What's the best way to check, can i just cut the bellow cable tie to see?
Cheers

 

[BIG DAC]

Is the lever fouling the handguard or is the reservoir a little full? As the clutch wears, the level rises until there's no room for it and the clutch never fully engages. You should be able to see the level of the fluid in the window. The fluid should be clear as well.

No, the lever is fine, and the level is ok i think...i presume it should be inspected with the bars straight ahead ?.

 

[MattW]

Thanks for the info.
Can the shaft rotate fully if the cush drive rubber is worn then, or is it that the snatch can start the clutch slipping?
What's the best way to check, can i just cut the bellow cable tie to see?
Cheers

Cut the bellows cable tie at the swingarm and have a poke around with a torch / your finger - you should be able to tell if there are rubber crumbles in there.

 

[Nobby]

His symptoms sound just like i had.

All fixed now like new

 

[BIG DAC]

Cut the bellows cable tie at the swingarm and have a poke around with a torch / your finger - you should be able to tell if there are rubber crumbles in there.

Had a look... no rubber at all, just a few drips of clean oil in the bottom,is this a problem?. Does that mean it must be clutch related?Cheers,Dave.

 

[MattW]

Had a look... no rubber at all, just a few drips of clean oil in the bottom,is this a problem?. Does that mean it must be clutch related?Cheers,Dave.

A few drops of oil is normal - nothing to worry about there.
It sounds like the clutch to me but I've not had any dealings with BMW clutches - best that those with first hand experience advise

 

[BIG DAC]

Thats what it looks like when the shaft rubber has had enough

Thanks Steptoe.
I have had a look and there is no rubber,just a tiny amount of oil in the bottom..is this acceptable or has a seal gone?
I have tried to get the bike to do it again, but each time i tried it seemed to have less of a problem, i think.could it be that it is burning oil off the clutch plate or do you think that heat caused by slipping should make it worse? I suppose it could be very slight and only drip every few miles ?? Cheers, Dave.