Failing clutch / gearbox?

[Riga]

Hi,
I have 2013 GS LC, 20.000 km on the clock. Own it for about a month, first bmw I have.

So, yesterday I noticed that my gearbox produces a series of little "aftershocks" when 1st or 2nd is engaged while standing. To a lesser extent I can feel a vague bouncing when riding and downshifting to 2nd or to 1st gears.

It's hard to describe it exactly but please see the youtube video to see and hear that weird bouncing.

30 second Youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxARk__hRFY

My local dealer says they haven't seen such before, so maybe someone somewhere have seen this and knows the cause, before I leave the bike with them for long long weeks of precious summertime?


Besides that, it is sometimes hard to downshift from the 2nd to 1st while moving. Any ideas?

(Gearbox is really smooth from 4th-6th, and while the bike is moving all the gears are smooth with preload technique, some 80% of time, though. The clutch is not slipping)

Many thanks!

 

[Weatherald]

If your dealer is a BMW dealer he will well know about this problem.
It is well known about the problems with 1 2 & 3rd gears.
My bike had a full new clutch assembly fitted about 2 months ago that 90% corrected these issues.
The work was carried out under the original Warrenty.



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[Riga]

If your dealer is a BMW dealer he will well know about this problem.
It is well known about the problems with 1 2 & 3rd gears.
My bike had a full new clutch assembly fitted about 2 months ago that 90% corrected these issues.
The work was carried out under the original Warrenty.

Did you have the same jerky movement while switching gears at standstill?
My local BMW dealer in Riga had contacted its HQ in Berlin and all they replied is they can't tell the exact problem and they need the clutch to be removed and sent over to them and then they will decide. Which means a looooong time with no bike to me


* technically my bike is 6 weeks out of warranty so my relationships with the dealer is a bit loose now

 

[Smug]

Doesn't look like the clutch is disengaging fully.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Have you checked to see if the clutch fluid reservoir is over full yet, as the clutch plates wear, the level of fluid in the reservoir rises, it needs some fluid removing to ensure that it works correctly.

 

[Riga]

Have you checked to see if the clutch fluid reservoir is over full yet, as the clutch plates wear, the level of fluid in the reservoir rises, it needs some fluid removing to ensure that it works correctly.

Yes, the clutch fluid level seems to be normal. In fact the jerky "aftershocks" have become even more pronounced today. The dealer allowed me to inspect the clutch at independent garage (so I don't have to wait in the line for 3 weeks) on Monday and take photos of the clutch and they will be send them to the factory. Let's hope it's not the gearbox

 

[Engineer]

I watched the video and it seems like the 'typical' clonk into first gear caused by clutch drag that you get with an LC - this is normal for the 2013 LC in my opinion, and it leads to slightly clonky/crunchy gear changes in the first 3 gears. My 2015 LC also does this a little but it is better than my previous 2013 bike.

When selecting 1st gear always use 'positive' action, do not do it slowly otherwise you will get the 'bounce' that you describe. When changing down gears always 'blip' the throttle and the change will be smoother.

If the gear change is still bad even with throttle blips then perhaps you have more clutch drag than normal - in that case take it back to the dealer and maybe they can get BMW to change the clutch, but there will always be a 'clonk' into first gear like many wet clutch bikes.

 

[stick]

Could be a failing master cylinder or slave , that does not seem right as you say , I had 2 new clutches , slave cylinder and rod , it cured it . But the surge is odd must admit

 

[patzx12]

Is it listed for a clutch shim update, take a look at my youtube vid of the same issue.
The shim change sorted it.

 

[pistole]

If I "dab" my 2014 bike into 1st it will do exactly that.

and my experience over 20 odd thousand Kms is that she doesn't like pussy footed shifting action on the part of the rider (agree with Engineer on this).

apart from the sound in that video , does the bike shift normally when ridden ?

 

[Riga]

apart from the sound in that video , does the bike shift normally when ridden ?

It does shift ok when ridden, sometimes it even surprises me how smoothly it is able to shift.

Still, the problem is not the initial "clonk" but the bouncing, kinda re-bouncing right after the shift. Something like "CLONK clonk clonk onk"

 

[pistole]

I understand . Like an echo.

will see if I can video mine for you.

 

[Riga]

I understand . Like an echo.

will see if I can video mine for you.

Exactly, like an echo!
Thanks, mate! Your help is is much appreciated!

 

[Shamone]

My 2014 has always been like this so I put it down to being normal.


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[mackap]

My 2014 was also similar but the clutch also had an erratic bite point. After 2 visits to a dealer they fitted a new clutch fitted that made it much better. However when changing the gear lever sometimes still 'graunched' as the next gear engaged, particularly the lower gears.

It might not relate to the listed problem and although my gear lever didn't feel stiff I removed the pivot and found dried up 'gunge' in the bush. Once cleaned and greased selection was better. Far from perfect, but better. Might be worth checking.

 

[Stevie4scoops]

The gear change on my 2014 was good when I first bought it but deteriated and eventually became unpleasant and dangerous to ride because clutch bite point was unpredictable. New clutch, revised internal oil feed pipe + bleed of the system has made it much better.