Heavy clutch lever

[rup5555555]

Hi
I took the punge and purchased a second hand R1200GS the other day. It is an 05 model with 14k on the clock. A lovely bike.

However, on the three other 12GS I have test ridden the clutch lever was very light and being short of finger this was very comfortable especically around town (all these bikes had less than 4k on the clock). My clutch lever is heavier, about the same as my old R1150R, not crazy heavy but noticablely heavier than the other GS I have ridden.

Do clutches get heavy with milage? Is there anything I can do to lighten it up? Is it just luck of the draw?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rupert

 

[Steptoe]

Clutch lever should weigh no more than a couple of ounces

 

[Thunder]

Clutch lever should weigh no more than a couple of ounces

Oh that made my night that did!

I really must find something more interesting to do on Saturday nights!

Rfawcett

Change the fluid and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Wapping]

Try changing hands every so often

 

[rup5555555]

You guys kill me! Remind me to submit another comedy post next Saturday - we could make this a regular thing!

Seriously, will changing the fluid make the difference? Is there different fluid weights? Try not to resist that one!!!!!

 

[Ste@SSB]

Reasonably unlikely that will be the problem with a bike that new ... and do be aware ... it ain't your normal run of the mill clutch/brake fluid ... its mineral oil based hydraulic fluid ... check the pivot pin first ... give it a good greasing ...

 

[Wapping]

Whilst it's tempting to have you run off to the nearest dealer asking for lighter fluid for the clutch reservoir.....Let's start with an easier option for you to try.

The clutch and brake levers are both adjustable for span.

If you have titchy fingers you may need to bring the lever in closer.

Section 3 - pages 40 - 41 of the 1200GS owner's manual reveals all.

If for some reason you haven't got the owner's manual:

Turn the knurled knob:

Counter-clockwise to reduce span

Clockwise to increase span

 

[rup5555555]

Got the span on the smallest setting and this is ok for me. This is something that BMW must have worked on since my R1150R because the smallest span on that bike I couldn't even get to the lever !!! I had to file the lever away to get the span smaller (I have got very short fingers! )

I've just greased the pivot and that didn't make any difference.

However I did notice the fluid was very full (over the max) in the reservoir so I took some out to bring it half way between min and max. This seems to have made a small difference (I think). Will test ride later to check.....

ps I weighed the lever when I removed it and it indeed only weighs a couple of ounces

 

[Pukmeister]

Beware, as the clutch plates wear, the level in the reservoir rises. When the reservoir becomes full, your clutch will begin to slip when overtaking etc.

Mine has now done over 20k and the clutch is still as light as ever. I suspect your slave cylinder may be faulty, if the bike is still under warranty get it sorted by a dealer ASAP.

 

[rup5555555]

So does the maxed out reservoir mean that my clutch is spent? It doesn't feel like it is slipping. Or does it just mean that it has worn some and has plenty of life in it? Or other?

As I have just purchased the bike from a BMW main dealer is it their responsiblity to check clutch wear and replace if required before selling an A1 motorcycle?

 

[Wapping]

I assume that when you checked the level of fluid in the reservoir you had the bike and bars nicely level?

 

[birdseye]

As I have just purchased the bike from a BMW main dealer is it their responsiblity to check clutch wear and replace if required before selling an A1 motorcycle?

No - its a used bike so the clutch will be used. You can expect, however, that the clutch will work properly. And being heavy, sounds like something wrong somewhere. So register it with them and then use the bike a bit to see if it goes away - if not, back to the dealer.

 

[rup5555555]

The nice guys down at BMW Battersea had a look and nothing wrong (thanks Pete). So I am now looking for an after market clutch kit - any ideas?

 

[Wapping]

The nice guys down at BMW Battersea had a look and nothing wrong (thanks Pete). So I am now looking for an after market clutch kit - any ideas?

Why do you think there is still something wrong? No, don't tell me.

You seem very unsure about the whole thing from day one and are now thinking of replacing the clutch itself, either with BMW parts or third party parts if you can find them.

Why not take it to another BMW dealers:

(A) Ask them to check the clutch operation

(B) If they say it's OK either:

(i) Believe them and be happy

(ii) Don't believe them and ask them to fix the problem / change the clutch etc. I leave it up to you whether you try to chase a warranty claim

(iii) Don't believe them and do the job yourself

Failing any of the above:

(i) Sell the bike

(ii) Work on building up your wrist

 

[Gonzo]

(ii) Work on building up your wrist

Wait for it........................

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

He's right handed so the usual exercise won't work.

 

[Pukmeister]

Before you go to the trouble of a clutch change, try using a syringe to draw off some excess fluid from the clutch reservoir. You may need to use a couple of small flat screwdrivers to release the tamper-proof ratchet mechanism when unscrewing the cap. This may well cure your heavy clutch.

If not, I would seriously recommend checking the slave cylinder operation at the back of the gearbox as the mechanic at SPC told me some of them coming through the dealers have been prone to sticking.

At worst it could be a faulty clutch pressure plate, these should be covered under warranty if faulty (but not for fair wear and tear).

 

[rup5555555]

Speaking to Darren at Vines he said that he overheard a customer talking about a replacement part that doubles the power of the hydraulics thus halving the energy required to pull the lever. Has anyone heard of this?

Also the action does seem to get heavier overtime, does this make sense? Or is my hand just getting tried.

BTW I am left handed

 

[Wapping]

The nice guys down at BMW Battersea had a look and nothing wrong (thanks Pete). So I am now looking for an after market clutch kit - any ideas?

Speaking to Darren at Vines he said Or is my hand just

While you were at Vines did you ask them for a second opinion on the heavy clutch leaver?

If so, what say?

 

[rup5555555]

It was on the phone so no, not yet