Average clutch life 1100GS ?

topcat2006 said:
Have you checked the clutch cable adjustment and that nothing is preventing the lever from fully returning?

If it's slipping it's only going to be caused by incorrect adjustment, worn clutch or oil on clutch plate.....
Click to expand...

There's definitely slack on the cable with the lever released and the cable setup is pretty much spot on. It's doing it a bit more each time I ride it but still not all the time, it does it most predictably when going about 50 mph in 4 th then applying full throttle. Seems to do it less when the clutch is hotter, but occasionally slips in 3Rd 4th and 5th.
Pretty sure now that it's on it's way out.
 
spanner monkey said:
There's definitely slack on the cable with the lever released and the cable setup is pretty much spot on..
Click to expand...
It's not just play in the cable you need . It's play in the clutch actuating lever at the rear of the gearbox which is the most crucial.
 
Steptoe said:
It's not just play in the cable you need . It's play in the clutch actuating lever at the rear of the gearbox which is the most crucial.
Click to expand...

Hi Steptoe,
I just checked the actuating lever and found there was no gap on the actuating lever, I have backed it off so there is now a definite gap with the clutch released, I don't think there was any pressure being exerted but I'll ride it again tomorrow and find out if it makes a difference.
 
spanner monkey said:
Hi Steptoe,
I just checked the actuating lever and found there was no gap on the actuating lever, I have backed it off so there is now a definite gap with the clutch released, I don't think there was any pressure being exerted but I'll ride it again tomorrow and find out if it makes a difference.
Click to expand...

Rode it again today and I initially thought it was sorted with the clutch adjustment but on just two occasions in 50 miles it revved away in 4th and in 5th during full throttle application to overtake cars. The adjustment has definitely improved things but I'm now sure the clutch is either contaminated or worn out.
 
If it's a 1996 it will have the pre 98 gearbox (obviously :D) and may soon need a referb anyway.
My advice,for what it's worth, have a gearbox rebuild done now by Mikeyboy (you'll be lucky to get 80K before it goes) and you'll have a new clutch fitted at the same time.
 
gspod said:
If it's a 1996 it will have the pre 98 gearbox (obviously :D) and may soon need a referb anyway.
My advice,for what it's worth, have a gearbox rebuild done now by Mikeyboy (you'll be lucky to get 80K before it goes) and you'll have a new clutch fitted at the same time.
Click to expand...

I had been pondering the idea of having the gearbox fettled when I heard Mikeyboy had taken over from Steve Scriminger, however my gearbox is still really nice and slick at the moment so I don't want to spend my money just yet. Also I don't want to lose my bike for any length of time now the weather is getting really nice.
However yesterday the clutch slip became much more apparent to the point that I now have to ease off in 3 Rd upwards to avoid the dreaded slip, so of to the bike shop I went to give them the bad news. True to their word they have booked the bike in for a new clutch under warranty on Monday so I should have my bike back by Tuesday which will be great.
This gives me the option to just ride it through the the summer and enjoy it while the sun shines, then when winter comes I can decide whether to keep it an invest some money in preventative maintenance or sell it and look for a nice well cared for 1150 as I would really like another gear in the box.
I bought the 1100 as a cheap entry into this type of bike to see if I would really get on with it and I have to say I'm riding just for pleasure at every opportunity and loving it. Now that I know I'll use it enough to justify the cost I may just invest a little more and look for a long term keeper.... We'll see.. I've a few things in mind that I'd like to do if my current bike becomes a keeper but hopefully for the summer I can just have some nice trouble free riding.
 
Unfortunately the gearbox will be fine one day and go 'clonk' the next. The good news is that, when mine went in France (Loire region) I was able to nurse it home so, you've got some leeway.
One thing I would advise before you decide to change is to fit a gsjohn chip.

I must say I've done 80,000 miles since SS did my gearbox and with a gsjohn chip it's as sweet as a nut - no need for that 6th gear
 
gspod said:
Unfortunately the gearbox will be fine one day and go 'clonk' the next. The good news is that, when mine went in France (Loire region) I was able to nurse it home so, you've got some leeway.
One thing I would advise before you decide to change is to fit a gsjohn chip.

I must say I've done 80,000 miles since SS did my gearbox and with a gsjohn chip it's as sweet as a nut - no need for that 6th gear
Click to expand...

I'm really interested in a gs John chip, I have read some of the thread and although it gets very 'tech talk' at times it makes good reading and he seems to have a lot of satisfied customers, did you notice an instant difference when you installed yours?
Is your MPG improved?. Mine still occasionally backfires when I'm being a bit brutal with the throttle but seems far better with the cat code plug removed completely.
As for the gearbox rebuild, It will be done over the winter if I decide to keep her ( which is quite likely) I'd like to get it upgraded to the later spec at the same time, I'll probably remove and refit it myself and check out all the rear end bearings whilst I'm at it.
Also I'm keen to replace my plastic tank with a metal one ( nothing wrong with it , I just don't like plastic tanks) and possibly have it resprayed from red to black, also just preference as I just like black bikes.
I'd also like to get my wheel rims powder coated in black with stainless spokes but this is quite pricey at around £600 for a purely cosmetic job.
If I end up doing that lot then she is definitely a long term keeper and will be a bike that I will trust to go further afield.
The rest of the bike is in good shape mechanically just a tiny bit of corrosion that I can deal with as I rebuild it.
Did you have your box rebuilt to the later M97 spec? What was the price tag on that if you don't mind me asking?
Steve.
 
The gsjohn chip is excellent, super smooth and 50-57 mpg depending on load and riding style. I had my gearbox done by SS in 1997 after around 70K. It cost £500 at the time and has been as good as gold since. I would be interested to hear about your wheel rebuild as mine are shocking :eek:
 
I think I'm sold on the GS John Chip, time to get one on order. As for the wheels I was going to use a chap called Doug Richardson at Devon wheel building as almost all wheel builders will not touch GS spoked wheels, not cheap at just over £600 for both wheels stripped, powder coated hub and rim and then rebuilt with stainless spokes but I guess they would look good for a very long time once done.
He has a website too but I'm told there is a bit of a waiting list to get your wheels done.
 
My local bike shop rebuilds all my wheels , stainless spokes . I get hubs powder coated locally. A lot cheaper than the Devon W/C. (they do good work though). He does BMW wheels.

P.M me if you want me to get you a quote.
 
Well, time to put this one to bed. My clutch was changed under warranty ( full clutch assembly replaced) the new clutch has a featherlight action and feels great, the shop also replaced one of the paralever bearings that was badly notched. I must say I am hugely impressed with Conquest Motorcycles of West Moors Dorset. The six month " gentleman's agreement warranty" was fully honoured and there was no argument, they just took my word for it that the clutch had gone and booked it in within a week and got on with it. They are a really good bunch of guys with a good reputation and I'm certainly glad I bought the bike from them.
On another front, I have recently fitted a GS John stage 9 chip and I must say I am very impressed, the bike is notcably more torquey especially in the low revs and smoother throughout the range. Starting and cold running is massively improved and the backfiring is almost entirely gone, the bike will happily cruise at over 95mph without vibes too. I will re check the balance soon and drop the idle slightly just to ensure its all tip top.I am running with the cat code plug fitted at the moment but the bike definitely goes better without it fitted on both the new and old ( OEM) chips, I will probably remove it again and reset the ECU as I am happy to sacrifice a little fuel economy in return for the better running.
So now other than minor cosmetic things my bike is just how I want it and I am very happy with it... Roll on the next 70 k.
 
I recently changed mine on my own R850R (2001) ...(for a engine rebuild - plastic rail broken )....120.000 km and 4.7 mm thick...(usable - but...i changed the diaphragm and the disk in the middle of the battle for a new one). I think the wear limit is 4.5 mm. The original have 5 mm.

the splines look good.

pd : i have a French friend with a GS with 310.000 km with the original clutch. In my previous bike (an R100CS)...210.000 km with use in good condition (i changed disk for a travel)... i think only fails with minor mileage for a spline or seal fail.

cheers from Barcelona (my english is very bad...i know).
 
yes. Steptoe, i know the simple fix... it works (making a clipping rail)...i fixed the left rail with this trick!! superb!

the problem was (with te bike perfectly repaired)....and running!....two days after...oil telltale comes on...rare...i go to garage and open the left valve cover...perfect!....and.....the other side?....let me see what happen.... oh shit!... "merda" - i'm catalan
...the rails are ..."sawed"...and the engine with the oil circuit filled with plastic shavings. Then i dismantle all the bike, open the engine...and - like my first idea - the ducts to the crankshaft bearings....partially clogged . Bingo!

if i drive...more kilometers...my engine was totally dead. Afortunately i stop seeing the telltale red! - my first think was a electrical failure or oiled or bad contact for my previous work on the left side... I wrong!

if you want to see all process...can i put here a link of my forum in Spain?

Now the bike has complete repaired ...and run wery well....buf!

cheers
 
the link to my other forum :

(i have images of all the process, too!)

(the page 1 -3 shows the tricky solution clipping the plastic rail). And my first fix . Wonderful!

After few days....the another horror history begins....pages, 4 to 8 - (the work)

http://www.bmwmotos.com/foro/consul...es-de-distribucion-sin-desmontar-motor-8.html

google Translate : (is great translating - like an ancient indian sioux film... ha ha ha).

https://translate.google.com/transl...n-sin-desmontar-motor.html&edit-text=&act=url
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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