Clutch woes

[HPNer]

Hi all,
My 2009 1200GS (only 10k on clock) had nasty clutch slip on 5th and 6th hard roll on. So off its gone to the BMW dealer for fix. I assumed oil seal and oil contamination of clutch plate. Not so they say! Plate is a little glazed and dusty and all seals fine.... Any ideas what may cause this?
Since its open, I thought best to replace pressure plate (£200+), could this be the culprit?

 

[Bendy toy]

Make sure the operating mechanism is not holding the clutch open slightly. As it's open might as well replace wearing parts but if the clutch plate is not warped and well within service limits there is no point.

 

[Beemerman59]

What do you tend do at a standstill - in gear, clutch disengaged or in neutral, clutch engaged?

 

[HPNer]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm aware of potential problems with handguard interference, and no problems there. At standstill at traffic lights only, usually in gear, otherwise neutral clutch disengaged.
The clutch plate has plenty of meat left in it, do you consider Pressure Plate to be a wearing part Bendy?

 

[Bendy toy]

I stop in gear with clutch pulled in because my mainshaft rattles in neutral. The clutch is fine but I need to get the hydraulics serviced.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

The pressure plate certainly is a wearing part & its bad practice to sit at a standstill in gear with the clutch pulled in....

 

[Steptoe]

If the plate is glazed you've been riding the clutch. Not a problem on bikes with wet multi plate clutches. But not a good idea on the single plate dry clutch that BMW's use.

Use it like an on/off switch, in to change gear- out to go. Holding it in for any length of time while stationary also fecks up the slave cylinder.
So apart from changing gear don't touch it.

 

[HPNer]

Thanks Steptoe.
Once glazed is it permenantly fecked or will it deglaze with use over time?
I did spend quite a bit of time acouple of months back going round and round in small circles attempting to instruct the present Mrs HPNer in doing full lock low speed turns with feet up on her Katoom. A certain amount of time spent with clutch riding going round and round and round. I expect that could have done it?

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Once glazed the disc takes on a glassy polished look, nothing I know will remove glaze in situ, as its already out and if its hardly worn it could be roughed up on the bench to remove the glaze, or replace the clutch, the pressure plate is unlikely to be the cause of your glazed disc, but best advice is to always replace the pressure plate and disc together, causes could be down to riding style.

Personally, if the bikes a keeper I would replace the pressure plate and disc, you'll know where you are then.

 

[HPNer]

Once glazed the disc takes on a glassy polished look, nothing I know will remove it in situ, as its already out and if its hardly worn it could be roughed up on the bench to remove the glaze, or replace the clutch, the pressure plate is unlikely to be the cause of your glazed disc, more like riding style.

Personally, if the bikes a keeper I would replace the pressure plate and disc, you'll know where you are then.

Yep, its a keeper, it is the single cam SE which is a lovely bike. I assume the diaphram spring should be changed too; I expect if that gets overheated then the steel fingers can lose temper?

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Yep, its a keeper, it is the single cam SE which is a lovely bike. I assume the diaphram spring should be changed too; I expect if that gets overheated then the steel fingers can lose temper?

Yep, I should have been clearer, Recommend you replace all three clutch components ... Friction Disc, Diaphram & Pressure plate

 

[HPNer]

Thanks all, very helpful!

 

[Steptoe]

Yep, its a keeper, it is the single cam SE which is a lovely bike. I assume the diaphram spring should be changed too; I expect if that gets overheated then the steel fingers can lose temper?

The diaphram spring on a 1200 is all part of the flywheel and starter ring gear = many £££

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

The diaphram spring on a 1200 is all part of the flywheel and starter ring gear = many £££

Its a pricey part for sure, (Motorworks are doing them for £225 or £70 2nd hand) if its trashed you have some decisions, as the bikes at the dealers let them advise as they can see the state of the componets, hopefuly you could reuse this part Their work should carry some sort of warrenty

 

[Pukmeister]

Exactly the same symptoms as mine (2008GSA), been riding around the problem for the last 10,000 miles.

I was gonna do a DIY clutch replacement job, but the wife wants the bathroom done so it's on hold.