Clutch - wot the **** next?

[d-t]

At almost 3 years old (15,750 miles) my 1150GS seems to be throwing one problem after another. Drive oil seals started to dribble in Spain now I have a most unusual clutch slip problem. The slip is not noticable in 'normal' riding but if I 'twist the wrist' in top (overtake/pulling hard out of bend) there is a definite rise in revs without and rise in speed. Back off - it hooks up again. A tad disconcerting.

So, on Monday I emailed the dealer who supplied and services (SPC), asking if this was normal (....!) and what might be done, should it be a symptom of something bad. Three days later I have had no response. I guess the response from the experienced will be the usual 'keep riding it - it happens'

 

[cookie]

make sure the reservoir is not full.

 

[Tarka]

That`s a symptom of a contaminated clutch plate.

Likely to be oil contamination from a leaking engine output seal or gearbox input seal.

It`s happening in the situation you describe because of the extra torque loading on the clutch.

It could,perhaps,also be clutch pushrod related if you have a hydraulically activated clutch rather than a cable one.

The answer is not to live with it,but to fix it.

 

[Shep]

At almost 3 years old (15,750 miles) my 1150GS seems to be throwing one problem after another. Drive oil seals started to dribble in Spain now I have a most unusual clutch slip problem. The slip is not noticable in 'normal' riding but if I 'twist the wrist' in top (overtake/pulling hard out of bend) there is a definite rise in revs without and rise in speed. Back off - it hooks up again. A tad disconcerting.

So, on Monday I emailed the dealer who supplied and services (SPC), asking if this was normal (....!) and what might be done, should it be a symptom of something bad. Three days later I have had no response. I guess the response from the experienced will be the usual 'keep riding it - it happens'

Check the hand guard isn't fouling the lever, check fluid level in clutch master cylinder (can be over full)

Don't leave e mails at SPC, they are great people to deal with but have a few problems dealing with E mails

Are you sure its not a 1200 with all those problems

Shep

 

[david vaughan-birch]

my 6 year old 1150 started doing this about 6 months ago (back then it had about 85k on the clock); Pidcocks diagnosed a leak in the hose connecting into the clutch housing. Anyway its fine now and still on its first clutch at 97k. Hope this is the answer because it didnt cost much to fix!

 

[Droopy Dick]

This is EXACTLY what is happening to mine.

My repair monkey initailly diagnosed a slave cylinder problem, so replaced that.

Nothing improved.

Dean at SPC told me that they're replacing clutches at 25k miles and less, depending on the type of riding you're doing.

Mine has started to affect get-aways from traffic lights etc etc, with a few seconds being taken for the full 'bite' of the clutch to take up the power.

So, a new clutch is on order with the relevant seals also to be replaced as the bike will be apart.

 

[judge]

Mine did this too - 44K and my pit crew St.Eptoe diagnosed and fitted a complete new clutch kit - don't happen now.

It was also noticable that the acceleration from stationary was a bit laboured too and there was little in the way of play before biting point.

 

[d-t]

Yes - have a reasonable grasp of things mech - and the underlying cause of a given symptom. Like the V8 that refused to run properly - I found a family of wood lice up a breather pipe. I always feel it gives an edge if you approach the dealer apparently naive - sit back and waite for the BS.
No - hand-guards not fouling - first thing I looked at, whilst on the move, after it first happened. Clutch hydraulic res full. SPC (tried and found wanting) did eventually come back - by which time I'd booked it in with another.

 

[moo]

had the same on mine and bm replaced the clutch