clutch problems

[andyabes]

Can anyone help me with a prpoblem with my 1150GS, W reg, 23k miles ?
I have 2 problems, both clutch related.
The first one has only happened 3 times in the last 18 months, all on cold mornings. Pull the clutch in, select 1st gear and the bike will start to creep to the point where the clutch is fully engaged and the engine stalls. Select neutral, restart engine, engage 1st gear and everything's fine....but sometimes it will do it twice in succession....and then the problem completely goes away. There are no fluid leaks from the master cylinder, nor the slave cylinder, and the clutch fluid level does not drop. I have also changed the fluid.
The second problem, clutch slip in 3rd and 4th. Again this is sporadic. Generally it happens under very hard acceleration, two up with luggage. Once I've nursed it up to top and given the clutch time to rest the problem goes away and you can pull away 2.5 - 3k rpm in top and accelerate to 120 mph (not that I'd ever dream of doing such speeds !) with no problems. I've removed the starter motor and inspected the bell housing. Very little dust and no oil ingress is apparent.
Has anyone any thoughts about possible causes/ remedies ?



Cheers
Andyabes

 

[Steptoe]

I'll ask the obvious question first -

When was the clutch last bled,

also the fluid level rises as the clutch wears, so don't fill the reservoir to the top .

 

[Mouse]

I had a similar problem with my 1200 - something wrong with the master cylinder (I assume the seal had failed) that caused the clutch to engage when the lever was pulled.

Was fixed under warranty so they just replaced the whole unit, but if it's possible I'd strip down your master cylinder and check the seals.

 

[andyabes]

clutch has been bled when the fluid was changed at the last service , if i go to the bike now after a few days of inactivity the clutch is fine. It is just an occasional happening but never when out on a ride. About clutch slip what i ommeted to tell in my first post is that i have measured the clutch plate between the 2 friction surfaces and have a lining material thikness of 4.85mm is this in the service limit. Thanks ANDY

 

[Steptoe]

i have measured the clutch plate between the 2 friction surfaces and have a lining material thikness of 4.85mm is this in the service limit. Thanks ANDY

in limit, but very low

 

[Mouse]

If your clutch friction plate is only just inside the wear limit, it may well slip a bit until it gets hot and expands.

 

[GSPeP]

I had the same four weeks ago two days after getting it back from service. Went back and they bled the clutch fluid again.

No problems for 4 weeks until last weekend when the clutch stopped working. I have to pull the clutch at least ten times before I get some pressure. I had to get back from Germany (540 kms - all autobahn) with almost no clutch. I'm very good at switching gears without clutch now I only used the clutch from second to first and/or neutral.

BMW service took my bike to the dealer for repair. I will know tomorrow exactly what's broken.


Oh yes, no leaks anywhere and all the clutch fluid is still there.