53 plate GSA clutch slipping - help please

[Britishbeefy]

I did a search and saw a couple of threads about this but could anyone summarise what could possibly be the cause.
Noticed it yesterday...doing 70mph ish and whacked open the throttle and accelerated lovely up to 85 and then the revs just went up with no increased acceleration. Thought I might have noticed a very minor slip when pulling away in 1st sometimes as well and now thinking perhaps I did!
So it's a 53 plate GSA with 19K on the clock, all services done on time and last one only 1000 miles ago, not under warranty and I only bought it (private sale) a month ago. Would find it near impossible to take back to the dealer that has done all the previous servicing

What do I need to check before I take it into my local dealer and end up parting with the remains of my credit limit!!


Thanks in advance.

 

[newman7096]

Check you haven't got too much fluid in the resevoir. You may need to take some out. Possibility...

 

[Greg Masters]

Thought I might have noticed a very minor slip when pulling away in 1st sometimes as well and now thinking perhaps I did!
So it's a 53 plate GSA with 19K on the clock,

Clutch slip as a result of wear or oil contanination is most obvious in a high gear at medium revs with the throttle wide open. It is least likely to show in 1st gear.

19k miles isn't a lot for wear - but it depends how you ride. I have known people burn out two clutches in that mileage, but others have done 100k plus without wearing the clutch.

It could be oil contamination.

Greg

 

[Britishbeefy]

Just got around to taking a bit of fluid out of the reservoir, but it's still doing it. Whacked it open in top at 75 and she slips. May have mis-read the slip in 1st, it could be my launches.
This oil contamination...what are my options to see whether this is the cause and how do I then solve it?
I've got a 3K mile trip coming up in 2.5wks!!

 

[Den]

Just convince yourself that its the back wheel spinning due to the immense power of your bike.
Worked for me until I replaced the clutch on my 1100.

 

[Greg Masters]

If I were planning a 3k mile ride, I'd want it to be 'right'.

I'd have it apart, put a new seal into the gearbox 1st motion shaft and put a new friction plate in. If you thoroughly inspect and clean the pressure plate, it ought to be OK.

Greg

 

[komatias]

This is tip I got from an old racer... go to a very sturdy wall and with the bike in top gear feed in the clutch as if you would want to drive through the wall. The bike should stall when you have engaged the clutch discs. If there is oil between them it will be squeezed out. If on the oterhand it doesnt stall....your kinda shafted frankly.

I have tried this on my Dakar and it seem to work but not 100% happy with the results. no damage to bike though. Might be worth trying.

 

[Britishbeefy]

I live on a Redrow development...pretty hard to find a sturdy wall around here.

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

Almost certainly...

... the output shaft oil seal between the engine and gearbox.
Look down on the right hand side of the bike at the vertical joint between the engine and gearbox just below the throttle body. If there is oil trace there it means the rear end needs stripping and the seal replacing - clutch will be contaminated also.

Happens to the best of us - sometimes at 800 miles old!!

Sherpa

 

[Britishbeefy]

Thanks for the replies people, I'm not the sort to be tinkering as I know where my very low limits are. I just don't want to take it in and end up with a £600+ bill when not needed. Going to have to bite the bullet though and ring my local dealer....gulp!

 

[Steptoe]

Take the starter motor off - 2 securing bolts, and one live bolt on the motor.

And you'll be able to see the clutch unit, and if it's oily

 

[Skippy]

Mmm, try this.

I just fessed up to similar symptoms that turned out to be no more than the hand guard pushing against the clutch lever slightly.

Worth a look as it is not really noticeable until you look carefully.

Skip.

 

[Britishbeefy]

Got all excited then and ran out to have a look...lever on no. 1 and not close Thanks anyway.

Booked it in for tomorrow at the BM dealer, said they'd take it for a ride and then order the appropriate bits. So they ride it, notice it's slipping and then order ALL the parts? How do they know what they need until they actually start taking it apart?

 

[Ming]

ask the good mr steptoe if he can do it.

much cheaper and i can give you a lift to and from as i work in london and live in cardiff

sorted!

 

[Britishbeefy]

Well I had considered Mr Steptoe but thought the logistics and timeframe might be against me. I wonder what his diary is looking like???

Awesome offer, thanks, I'll check with the him and see if it's possible and then get back to you Ming.

 

[Noel]

ask the good mr steptoe if he can do it.

much cheaper and i can give you a lift to and from as i work in london and live in cardiff

sorted!

I'd do it just for the ride in the porsche!

 

[Britishbeefy]

Well...Mr Steptoe's booked up then away, my local dealer's workshop is booked up until the day of my departure so they put me in touch with Bath Road BMW. Really helpful people everywhere I turn...now all I need is another helpful person to wedge me up with the best part of £700 and the job's a good'un!!

Booked in for next week.

Thanks to everyone for the comments and help.