Couple of quick questions

[FENNER]

A couple of quick questions if I may

When I'm manoeuvring very slowly and in and out with the clutch I'm getting a metallic clanking sound as the clutch bites/releases, the clutch seems to work fine and it's only at silly low speeds moving the bike in first gear. Is this normal ?

Also, how much backlash should there be in the final drive and is there a way of knowing if there's too much or if there's a problem ? I've read about the FD failing but what are the signs of this happening ?

This is all new to me

 

[cookie]

the clanky noises are quite normal IME.

never had a drive fail, so i don't know about the second question. probably play at the wheel when rocking it.

 

[Pip_UK]

The clutch on my 1200 bites with a bit of a clunk, no matter how light & smooth I am on the lever & gas. Only notice it in first gear though, when I'm slipping it for slow manouveuring.

Big GS engines have masses of both torque and engine braking, which can feel like driveline backlash if you're a bit sharp on or off the throttle. Plus the fuel injection can be a bit abrupt at very small throttle openings. Both of these traits are especially noticeable in the lower gears and can make the transmission a bit clanky if you're riding with vigour.

Big GSs are a lot smoother than they used to be, but still a bit characterful/agricultural compared to the the electric motor whirr of a Japanese four.

 

[DrogoNevets]

when i first got my 1200, and joined this site (november) I asked EXACTLY the same question

so im guessing it really is normal, you soon get used to it, and the clunky as sin gear box too

go do the adventure maintenance course at ORS, im going hopefully later this year, covers all the things like back lash, etc, etc according to evan (ORS mechanic and the guy who runs the course - nice chap!)

 

[Beemerman59]

Not the ABS check is it? I have this on my K1100RS and I hear the "clanking" noises all the time at slow speeds - about 2-3mph.

 

[DrogoNevets]

no its just the gear box/rear wheel drive engaging

even went as far as taking it back to the dealer and got told "yup its normal, here take this one out for a spin and see if it does it" and sure enough it did

 

[FENNER]

The clutch on my 1200 bites with a bit of a clunk, no matter how light & smooth I am on the lever & gas. Only notice it in first gear though, when I'm slipping it for slow manouveuring.

Big GS engines have masses of both torque and engine braking, which can feel like driveline backlash if you're a bit sharp on or off the throttle. Plus the fuel injection can be a bit abrupt at very small throttle openings. Both of these traits are especially noticeable in the lower gears and can make the transmission a bit clanky if you're riding with vigour.

Big GSs are a lot smoother than they used to be, but still a bit characterful/agricultural compared to the the electric motor whirr of a Japanese four.

And to be honest I'm still crap at riding the thing ! Only done 4 or 500 miles on it. The thing is you read these forums and all the tails of woe and you worry that your new pride and joy that you have just emptied your bank balance on is going to sh*te itself !

 

[FENNER]

when i first got my 1200, and joined this site (november) I asked EXACTLY the same question

so im guessing it really is normal, you soon get used to it, and the clunky as sin gear box too

go do the adventure maintenance course at ORS, im going hopefully later this year, covers all the things like back lash, etc, etc according to evan (ORS mechanic and the guy who runs the course - nice chap!)

What's this course then m8 ? sounds interesting .

 

[FENNER]

Not the ABS check is it? I have this on my K1100RS and I hear the "clanking" noises all the time at slow speeds - about 2-3mph.

Non ABS bike m8, that's one thing I didn't want to worry about

 

[DrogoNevets]

What's this course then m8 ? sounds interesting .

http://www.offroadskills.com/adventure-maintenance

thats the course, basically its designed at riding the bike out in the sticks of the world and being able to repair it/servcie it yourself where possible

the guy who runs it was a guide for a trip i did in portugal earlier this year and is a really nice bloke so me and my best mate have signed up to do it, me because i am a mechanical dunce him because we want to go off and play in africa soon