Cluch slip at high revs

[ratboy]

Hi one and all

Just back from a weekend in the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales two up. Great weather and fantastic roads but suffered from clutch slip on my '08 GS1200 (with 8500 miles). Problem occured mainly in 4th and 5th at about 4000/5000. If I went for an overtake got lots of revs but no go. Have checked the hand guard but it is not near the gear lever. Anyone else had this on a new ish bike?

Did a search on clutch slip but not much recent info came up.

ratboy

 

[LBL]

clutch slip

Ratboy,

If nothings catching it sounds like the clutch friction plates have worn, i just replaced the clutch on my DR650 and it had exactly the same symptoms, someone may correct me cus im not a qualified mechanic.

hope this helps

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Get it into your dealer ASAP

 

[DrFarkoff]

Check that your clutch lever is not caught up on the handgaurd!

Make sure that it follows the line of the groove and goes all the way out when released!

 

[Pukmeister]

Check that the fluid level in the handlebar reservoir is visible. If the reservoir is full use a syringe and remove a few CC of clutch fluid.

As the clutch friction plates wear, the fluid level goes up (not down). Eventually it gets full then the fluid has nowhere to expand when hot and it adds a bit of clutch slip all by itself.

Look really close inside the handguard, not just a glance. Even the ball-end of the lever fouling inside the handguard is enough to cause slip at high RPM.

 

[TDC Rab]

clutch slip

hi matey do as Jay said i had exactly the same symptoms and rang Jay done what he told you to do above and hey presto it was the guard fouling the lever by the slightest bit.
hope it sorts your prob

 

[faantjie]

Did you by any chance top up the engine oil? On the 1150's overfilling the engine oil could result in oil spilling onto the clutch plate causing it to slip..... Not shure on the 1200's.

 

[ratboy]

Thanks

Thanks chaps, I'll give the suggestions a go. I'm certain the clutch lever is not being fouled but will look at the reservoir level. Also I had just topped up the oil level so will consider this also.

The bike is booked in for a service soon and I've already flagged up the clutch probelm.

ratboy

 

[ianm00]

Sounds like you have the gearbox oil seals leaking. Both GS1200 bikes that I have had both had the same problem and same symptons.
Do a search for gearbox oil seal leaks and you will find pictures of the oil leaks seaping out.

Ian

 

[kevmeister]

I had this exact same problem on my 06 1200GS, just before a trip to France. I took it to my dealer and they changed the clutch for me under warranty. They told me they found oil contamination on the clutch which caused the problem. Did 1200 miles that weekend and everything was fine. I was a bit confused about the oil contamination bit as I thought GS clutches were wet anyway, meaning they were immersed in oil. Obviously wrong again!

 

[ianm00]

As said in my previos post its the gearbox oil seals that have failed. Its common problem on R1200GS.

The clutch is normally a dry clutch but when the oil seals fail oil gets onto the clutch causing it to slip.

You will need new seals and a new clutch.

Ian

 

[ratboy]

Found some oil

It looks like you could be right ianm00. I've just had a good wash (the bike that is and not me) and there is oil on the shelf at the back of the engine. If this is where the gear box seal is? then that will be the problem. Odd on a newish bike though.

ratboy

 

[Pukmeister]

Get the spanners out, disconnect the battery then remove the starter motor from the bellhousing. Look inside with a torch and see if you can see any oil.

The usual culprit for leakage is the gearbox input shaft seal, which usually causes a thin black stain line under the engine between the engine and gearbox on the side opposite the starter motor.

"Oil on the shelf at the back of the engine" sounds like oil from the crankscase breather leaking out of the airbox to me.

A picture would help.

 

[gipsymagpie]

Slippage

Dealer. Now. Do not be tempted to push on. It was an oil leak on mine onto the friction surface. Replaced under warranty (just). I had the clutch go on my wife's car the day before too. Sadly not warranty .

 

[ratboy]

Result = new clutch

Just a quick result. Clutch dismantled at NOBMW and defective plate found. No oil contamination, just a duff clutch. New one fitted under warrenty and old one returned to BMW.

Thanks to all who offered advice.

 

[*spikey*]

same thing today...

Felt it once or twice on a run last week around 4-5000rpm, and today about four or five times around 6-6500rpm on a bit of a thrash out with friends. Not the most confidence inspiring feeling on overtaking...
To the dealers tomorrow then which will be a complete pain as it's my only transport and I don't think they'll give me a courtesy bike as I've 6 points...