clutch problem? pls help

[_pi_]

Bike: twinspark 1150GS

New to the 1150GS i have one quirk/problem: when the bike is cold it is difficult to get it to go into gear. I have found that pulling the clutch lever in/out a few times before trying to kick it down solves the problem. no further problems once running.

is this normal?

 

[Iain Hogg]

Doesn't that have a hydraulic clutch? Any air in the system perhaps?

Iain

 

[(RIP) Dennis]

I'm with Mark on this one. They all do that, just a little waggle of the clutch and in it goes - if you'll pardon the expression

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

yeah i think they all do it - all mine have! the trick is to apply gentle down pressure to the gear lever whilst pulling the clutch slowly in, it'll then find its 'slot' and click in no probs. (i think i've described that right!)

pr0ne

 

[Mick Fagan]

Pul the lever in wait for ½ a second and then push gently downwards, most times it'll pop in silently.

If it still resists then roll the bike an inch, literally, no more, then it should slide in like a hot knife in butter. Whilst doing this, push ever so gently down with the foot and it should slide in like cream down my gullet.

If you have hopped off a Japanese bike, then you will have to allow for a really different type of gearbox and clutch arrangement.

The gearbox input shaft of almost all other bikes travel at ½ the crankshaft speed, this makes their gear box changeing systems easier, along with a wet multi-plate slip clutch. The BMW input shaft travels at crankshaft speed and the clutch is a single plate dry, non slip (by comparison) system. This is really the major difference.

If the bike is newish and I'm gathering by it's type it could be, then give it a bit of time to run in, with age the box certainly does get better.

Iain has a very good point and if your bike has been on it's side there is a possibility of air in the hydraulic lines. Only last night I heard of an 1150 GS rider who found a bleed nipple somewhere down near the clutch to let air out (Bleed his clutch) this enabled him to get home after a few step offs in some very muddy terrain.

I realise that your bike has the latest set-up, but I think that at least the clutch set-up is about identical to the single plug 1150.

Mick.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Whats probably happening with the cold g'box oil is that the two ratio's next to each other are being dragged around at the same speed due to increased oil viscosity - if the two outer dog faces are next to each other then engagement cant happen.
By letting the clutch out slightly this will force shaft speed increase on one of the ratio's allowing engagement of the dogs.

Or use thinner oil


Hope that clears it up.

Phil

 

[Zebedee]

'they all do sir'.

That’s what I was told when the bike went in for it’s 600 service.

I’ve also found that pulling the clutch lever in/out a few times before trying to kick it down solves the problem.

However, it is good to know that, quite genuinely, ‘they all do that sir’.

It’s also good to learn a few tricks from the ‘old hands’. Cheers guys

 

[AndyB]

When I picked my new twin spark up in September the dealer showed me how to engage 1st when cold. It was just as mentioned earlier, pull in the clutch then let it out while gently pressing down on the gear lever. When it engages pull the clutch in again. Works every time for me Occasionally have to do this when pulling off at lights, having gone into neutral for a longish stop.

 

[_pi_]

Doesn't that have a hydraulic clutch? Any air in the system perhaps?

Iain

yes - it does have a hydraulic clutch. dont they all?

 

[_pi_]

When I picked my new twin spark up in September the dealer showed me how to engage 1st when cold. It was just as mentioned earlier, pull in the clutch then let it out while gently pressing down on the gear lever. When it engages pull the clutch in again. Works every time for me Occasionally have to do this when pulling off at lights, having gone into neutral for a longish stop.

thx ill try that in the morning.

 

[_pi_]

thx ill try that in the morning.

worked a charm... letting out the clutch slowly then pulling back in when it engages.

thx all for the help.