It went Bang whirrrrr

[Rock-hopper]

I was riding my 1150 GS when there was a bit of a bang followed by a rapid increase in engine RPM and loss of drive.

The gear selector / indicator seems to be working, it seems to select gears and indicate the appropriate gear however this is accompanied by a nasty whirring noise with a clutch burning smell and no drive.
I was able to walk the bike to a nearby friends house for safekeeping, while pushing it there were no unexpected mechanical noises or resistance.

Has the clutch failed or some other gearbox component?

Is it common for a clutch to fail so fast with no warning at all or has some other thing failed in the gearbox?

Any help appreciated.

RH.

 

[Canuck]

How far are you from the Adventure Bike warehouse... Found HERE. Only hear good things about the chaps and probably best to take it to them to look at. I think it's stevie and johno (members on here) who run the place... but don't quote me as I don't personally know them.

 

[Rock-hopper]

Blimey! they are just around the corner from where I live!
I never knew about them, thanks for that I'll go round and see them.

Thanks Canuck

 

[MattW]

Clutch or the drive shaft cush rubber has let go and the shaft is spinning 'within itself'. Undo the final drive to shaft boot and see if a load of rubber 'crumbs' fall out.

Johnno at Adventure Bike Warehouse will sort you out

 

[Rock-hopper]

Cheers MattW

I just posted them a quick message on their site and Steve just rang me to sort out recovery for tomorrow!
He actually asked me if I was stranded.

Impressed so far, thanks for the tip.

Regards RH.

 

[Lord Snooty]

That happened to mine, it was the splines on the gearbox output shaft stripping. So you could be looking at a a new shaft and seal and probably new clutch also.

 

[Steptoe]

As lord snooty says - By your description almost certain to be the clutch splines/gearbox input shaft splines are toast.

 

[Rock-hopper]

Well that's not exactly good to hear and I don't doubt you wouldn't say it unless you were sure about it.

That's a little disappointing from a bike
with 52000 on the clock.


What sort of bill am I looking at? I'm almost thinking the bike is a write off.
Or could I just suck it up and do the job myself?

I once restored a 1973 Range Rover, I'm not averse to getting the spanners out.

 

[davegs]

Gear box

Take the box out your self, plenty of help on here, then take it / send it to be repaired cheaper than giving the whole lot over, not a write off by any means, so don't panic at all.
dave GS

 

[Rock-hopper]

Thanks Lord Snooty, Steptoe, DaveGS.

I've been trawling the web since this happened and it seems there are lots of people in this situation. I have the bike at Adventure Bikes and will pop round tomorrow for the verdict. If it is splines I'll remove the box and have it repaired as you suggest.
Where would you send it?

I suppose this is just part of GS ownership, feel sick as a chocolate frog at the moment.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Isn't there an independent in your area who frequents this site? Can't remember his name at the moment. You will save even more money if you are able to take the output shaft out of the gearbox. Do not go to a main stealer cos all they do is suggest replacing the whole gearbox for £1500

 

[MattW]

Thanks Lord Snooty, Steptoe, DaveGS.

I've been trawling the web since this happened and it seems there are lots of people in this situation. I have the bike at Adventure Bikes and will pop round tomorrow for the verdict. If it is splines I'll remove the box and have it repaired as you suggest.
Where would you send it?

I suppose this is just part of GS ownership, feel sick as a chocolate frog at the moment.

The two gearbox guru's who are most often mentioned (and praised) on here are Steptoe and Steve Scrimminger - I'd happily send my box to either of these for a rebuild. Courier freight even for something as big and heavy as a gearbox is pretty reasonable.

I'm not sure if Adventure Bike Warehouse do major mechanical stuff like gearbox rebuilds but if they've got it apart far enough to diagnose input shaft splines then they've removed the box for you (which you will probably owe them for). It might be worth while getting them to send the box away and then reassemble the bike for you (they'll be half way there already)? If you've never seen a modern BMW 'gearboxless' it'll be a surprise - it won't be going anywhere without it.

 

[robc]

Just so you don't feel too bad, mine went at 60,000.

Seems to be one of the costs associated with 1150's.

Regards

Rob C

 

[Rock-hopper]

Being well looked after by Jonno and Steve at Adventure Bikes. Their good reputation is well earned!

 

[MattW]

Being well looked after by Jonno and Steve at Adventure Bikes. Their good reputation is well earned!

Any news as to what the problem is yet?

 

[Lord Snooty]

Isn't there an independent in your area who frequents this site? Can't remember his name at the moment. You will save even more money if you are able to take the output shaft out of the gearbox. Do not go to a main stealer cos all they do is suggest replacing the whole gearbox for £1500

Just remembered, that'll be RGM

 

[Rock-hopper]

Jonno split the bike and reccons the output shaft splines let go with corresponding damage to the prop shaft.

He advises a gearbox rebuild + possible clutch.





Not been able to have a chat with him since, I visited the garage twice but no one was there.

Keep you posted.