I'm offcilally a proper TOSSER but could do with some ideas?

[Bikerbaz78]

Hi Guy’s…. its official!!! I am now a proper TOSSER!!!

Thanks to fellow Tosser Grim I picked up my 2000 plate GS1150 on the 19th December and road 270 miles in the freezing cold, across ice and through 3 snow storms, heavy rain and high cross winds … A nice little test run to get used to the new riding style and accustomed to the lack of clip-on handle bars and roughly 50bhp!

Apart from the alternator belt slipping and nearly running out of fuel I had no problems at all… Oh yeah… except a REALLY numb arse!

A really, really BIG thank you to those guys who warned me about the height of the GSA compared to the GS! Although I had no problem handling the bike when stopping at lights I did notice that the standard GS puts my leg nearly at full stretch!!! I honestly think the GSA would have been to tall but who knows?

Sorry to the guys who tried to order a GSA upper mud guard extension from Motorworks…I beat you to it and mine arrived today which was the last of their stock. Hopefully will fit it tonight?

I’m hoping a few of you guys can help me indentify a few potential problems?

First of all I notice the clutch bite quite a way out on the reach. This could be a natural operation of the GS OR more obviously I need to put the clutch on my to do list? (In case you are wondering its done 35,000 miles and I have no record of a new clutch ever being fitted?)

Next I noticed if I let the initial clutch travel out quickly before the biting point I could here a mechanical “NOCK” or “THUD” or metallic “SLAP” in the take-up? It could be the back-lash being taken up somewhere in the final drive assembly OR gearbox? Either way I figure one of you guys will instantly be able to identify it? FYI, only from being sat on the bike it sounds like the noise comes from the gearbox end of the drive train opposed to the rear crown and pinion?

Possibly related to the above the rear feels like its vibrating all the time. To try and explain this, if it were a chain drive I would indentify it as a chain being too tight making a constant rumble.

At one point the alternator belt slipped and I’m wondering if it just needs tightening or if that’s a general sign that the belt needs replacing before it snaps?

I realise that none of the above are serious issues but always like to make my bikes run smooth as possible.

Really looking forward to getting back out for a ride again but could really use some TKC's to aid traction on the solid ICE out side the house right now!

All in all what an amazing bit of kit and certainly a good move after 14 years of sports bikes!

 

[Dinger]

I'm another recent convert to 1150's after 5 years of owning a 1200 so I don't know much.
Although I do believe the drive belt should be changed at 36,000 miles so yours is almost due.

 

[sproggy]

First of all I notice the clutch bite quite a way out on the reach. This could be a natural operation of the GS OR more obviously I need to put the clutch on my to do list? (In case you are wondering its done 35,000 miles and I have no record of a new clutch ever being fitted?)

It shouldn't be anywhere near needing a new clutch at 35k miles. The clutch will feel different to the wet clutch you'll find in a Jap bike but biting "quite a way out" is very subjective and it's impossible to say it's right or wrong. But if it works (releases to give smooth gear changes and engages to give drive without slipping) then it's fine.

Next I noticed if I let the initial clutch travel out quickly before the biting point I could here a mechanical “NOCK” or “THUD” or metallic “SLAP” in the take-up? It could be the back-lash being taken up somewhere in the final drive assembly OR gearbox? Either way I figure one of you guys will instantly be able to identify it? FYI, only from being sat on the bike it sounds like the noise comes from the gearbox end of the drive train opposed to the rear crown and pinion?

That's normal. I don't know where it comes from but all the 850/1100/1150 bikes do that so get used to it and don't worry!

Possibly related to the above the rear feels like its vibrating all the time. To try and explain this, if it were a chain drive I would indentify it as a chain being too tight making a constant rumble.

What tyres has it got? Worn Tourances can give that effect but again it's nothing to worry about. I expect you'll find that when you change tyres the rumbling/vibrating will go.

At one point the alternator belt slipped and I’m wondering if it just needs tightening or if that’s a general sign that the belt needs replacing before it snaps?

Change it. It's not an expensive part and there's no point in risking it. There's very little difference in time fitting a new belt and adjusting an old one anyway. In fact I think there's a theory that you shouldn't re-tension an old belt - once it starts to slip it needs changing.

Really looking forward to getting back out for a ride again but could really use some TKC's to aid traction on the solid ICE out side the house right now!

TKCs will not give traction on solid ice. No traction at all. I'd suggest getting more used to the bike before you fit TKCs anyway because new, shiny TKCs on freezing, icy, damp roads will not be a pleasant experience.

 

[Bikerbaz78]

Sproggy,

Thanks mate... That was just the kind of feed back I was after!

You are also spot-on with the vibes and tyres! I have REALLY badly worn Tourances, lets just say near slick's in the middle and brand new on the outer edges Of course im not making any reference to Grim's riding style!

I was kind of joking about the TKC's helping on the ice but none the less, point taken. I plan to do some off road ridng around Wales and dont feel that the Tourances really fit the bill??? Having said that the last time I washed out the front end of a bike was in the wet and on knobblies

To get used to the bike I really need new tyres but dont want to pay out on road orientated tyres only to then go a buy TKC's?

Anyone got any better ideas?

 

[Colban]

The clonky-clanky sound on start off is the ABS setting itself;no need to worry.
Shagged Tourances are quite often the source of vibration.
Check the level of the clutch fluid.As the clutch wears,it pushes fluid back into the resevoir.As long as they aren't abused (offroad,lots of slipping etc) clutches can last 100K+ miles.
Alternator belts get changed at 36K according to the book,but if yours has been slipping,change it soon as it may be damaged.Steptoe put up a piccy guide on how to do.

 

[sproggy]

I plan to do some off road ridng around Wales and dont feel that the Tourances really fit the bill???

They're OK off road in the dry but show them some proper mud and they just clog. At this time of year I wouldn't recommend riding off road with them.

To get used to the bike I really need new tyres but dont want to pay out on road orientated tyres only to then go a buy TKC's?

I'll explain my comments - the GS probably feels odd to you after a sports bike, particularly the lack of front end feedback. You get used to this after a while. But add your current unfamiliarity with it to TKCs which are known to be a bit iffy before they scrub in properly and the way the roads are at the moment the bike wouldn't ride in a very confidence-inspiring way. But then it probably doesn't ride in a confidence-inspiring way with a square rear Tourance either!

Up to you, but take it very easy on TKCs if you get them. If it was me I'd probably fit a new rear Tourance (£89 from Round and Black on eBay) and then switch to TKCs when I was more used to the bike. You can keep the Tourances for when (if) you go touring.

Having said that , I'm sure someone'll come along and disagree with me soon

The clonky-clanky sound on start off is the ABS setting itself

That's not what he was talking about - he meant the clonk from the transmission as you let the clutch out.

 

[Bikerbaz78]

Hey Colban knew there would be a detail I forgot to mention.... This model doesnt have ABS...BUT I was literally just reading the BMW work shop manual wondering about fitting ABS??? Maybe one day if I can find a scraper?

These ourances are shaggd in a big way! I road into the lane the other night and was surprised that I near lost the font end? Putting it down to the tyres I stuffed it in the garage, walked to the house a nearly landed on my arse! The entire lane had frozen and it was like ice skatng on gravel??? Strange concept!

Good news about the clutch...although Grim told me that he got the bike from a Tosser; Veron? Vearon???? Anyway it has stickers on it from its trip around the Nurburgring If he rides like I do then the clutch may have got "mildly" warm!

I may have to bite the bullet and get TKC's fitted asap. Scrubbing in knobblies on ice has to be better than slicks on ice?

 

[Bikerbaz78]

Cheers Sproggy, on the money again!

Nice idea with the tyres and may have to go that route? The situation is a little worse as its the front tyre lacking tread

Maybe a new front tourance is the way for now until later on...? Touring is a deffinite!!! Gota put my name down for the Llangolan (spelling) run in May and I think there is a December 30th run somewhere I clocked?

Once again that brings me to a tyre issue? Naturally I would have thought TKC would be better on snow than Tourances???

 

[sproggy]

Nice idea with the tyres and may have to go that route? The situation is a little worse as its the front tyre lacking tread

£147 for a pair of Tourances. Keep the pair for touring when you switch to TKCs.

Maybe a new front tourance is the way for now until later on...? Touring is a deffinite!!! Gota put my name down for the Llangolan (spelling) run in May and I think there is a December 30th run somewhere I clocked?

Naturally I would have thought TKC would be better on snow than Tourances???

TKCs would be better on (fresh) snow if you really want to ride in it (these are the only conditions my bikes don't come out in) but as soon as it gets packed down hard I wouldn't ride on anything other than studded tyres. Or a car, which is my preferred option this week. Call me a wimp if you like - the temperature doesn't bother me but if the tyres can't make contact with tarmac I don't commute on the bike.

 

[monkeyboy]

£147 for a pair of Tourances. Keep the pair for touring when you switch to TKCs.

Maybe a new front tourance is the way for now until later on...? Touring is a deffinite!!! Gota put my name down for the Llangolan (spelling) run in May and I think there is a December 30th run somewhere I clocked?



TKCs would be better on (fresh) snow if you really want to ride in it (these are the only conditions my bikes don't come out in) but as soon as it gets packed down hard I wouldn't ride on anything other than studded tyres. Or a car, which is my preferred option this week. Call me a wimp if you like - the temperature doesn't bother me but if the tyres can't make contact with tarmac I don't commute on the bike.

I'm with your there Sproggy mate - I ride every day of the year but ice is a no go. There is no skill to driving on ice with road tyres - if there is no grip and you need to go in anything but a straight line then bugger that. I remember a couple of years back getting caught out in an ice storm. I was stopped on the M3, feet down, and I could move the bike back and forwards....with the brake on. Luckily we don't get that much snow down here but after riding in it for a few days last winter and feeling my luck'omiter definately beginning to go into the red I took the wimp option this last few days after riding through a load on Tuesday. Half the problem is you can see absolutely bugger all when it's snowing hard anyway. I don't know how this lot up north do it - flippin iron men!

As for the tyres dilema, you don't have ABS so you'll easily be able to get a 2nd set of spare wheels pretty cheaply and just have them fitted with both options.

 

[Colban]

That's not what he was talking about - he meant the clonk from the transmission as you let the clutch out.

A little nasty on the early 1150s is premature wear between the clutch friction plate centre and the gearbox input shaft,do a search on it.
Not saying this is the case here;maybe you need to take it to someone who knows the 1150 and get their opinion.

 

[grim]

Glad you made it home in one piece Baz! The tyres were a mixture of my gentle riding style(since having kids anyway) and too many straight roads!! The clutch lever is span adjustable, I liked it quite far out but you can move it back in on the lever.

 

[D6]

A little nasty on the early 1150s is premature wear between the clutch friction plate centre and the gearbox input shaft,do a search on it.
Not saying this is the case here;maybe you need to take it to someone who knows the 1150 and get their opinion.

iv heard that clonk on 99 percent of 1100,1150s,
i wouldnt worry;
new gs owners go through the "wat the fecks THAT?" noise thing for a while
especially after jap bikes,
you will learn to ignore it all after a while

 

[Bikerbaz78]

Glad you made it home in one piece Baz! The tyres were a mixture of my gentle riding style(since having kids anyway) and too many straight roads!! The clutch lever is span adjustable, I liked it quite far out but you can move it back in on the lever.

Hey Grim

I'm like a dog with two wotsits The clutch was more of an observation compared with the croch rockets i've been riding. More worried about the condition / wear of the friction plates than lever operating position etc. I'm the kind of bloke that will take soemthing apart to check its ok and end up replacing other parts along the way... Preventative maintenance I like to think of it as... Everything else in life i run the opinion of "dont fix what aint broke"! Of course when Im acting the goat on the bike i need to know its gona do what i ask it without anything failing, hence the "fix it BEFORE it breaks" concept!

Half my issue is I dont know what symptoms are manorisms of the GS opposed to potential wear and tear. Either way gota look after her!

The GSA beak extender arrived today and is rested in place and 2wheelhumvee is supplying GSA decal kit too... I'm gona spend time generally cleaning and tidying etc...

Thanks again for a cracking bike, Baz