Quick mechanical advice needed.

[Gibbo1974]

Hi All,

I have a “clunk” when releasing the clutch. Doesn’t effect operation and the clutch engagement seems smooth and linear.

I am thinking driveshaft maybe?

Can anyone give me some advice on how to best diagnose it?

Or any general checks for driveshaft wear and tear?

It is a 2004 R1200GS with 60,000 miles on the clock. Has a full BMW service history up until 45,000miles. Since then I have been using it quite hard off road in Kent, Wales and Suffolk etc.

Any help welcome.

Thanks.

 

[botus]

they have a dry car clutch - its quite grabby

almost impossible for us to guess what is normal vs your perception - a video might be best

 

[Santa-2512]

Posting a video may help

What you may consider a clonk , may be normal to the rest of us ( silky smooth they aint )

 

[Steptoe]

Hi All,

I have a “clunk” when releasing the clutch. Doesn’t effect operation and the clutch engagement seems smooth and linear.

I am thinking driveshaft maybe?

Can anyone give me some advice on how to best diagnose it?

Or any general checks for driveshaft wear and tear?

It is a 2004 R1200GS with 60,000 miles on the clock. Has a full BMW service history up until 45,000miles. Since then I have been using it quite hard off road in Kent, Wales and Suffolk etc.

Any help welcome.

Thanks.

Has this just started to happen ?

 

[Gibbo1974]

Has this just started to happen ?

Hi Steptoe,

No not really. I have had the bike for years and it used to be a tarmac only ride. I have since turned her into an off road unit by stripping off 16kg in weight and adding top end Tractive suspension.

It never used to bother me on road as you could kind of smooth it out by being super gentle on the gear changes etc.

Now I am using it off road I need to be on and off the clutch alot more and when it gets technical and I need to release the clutch quick it clunks.

If I release the clutch really slow it is as smooth as but if am a little less precise there is a definite clunk.

I’m gonna pull the final drive end and check the shaft first. Just wondered if there was any easy procedure or trick for checking for free play anywhere before I start getting greasy.

BTW the tractive suspension has transformed the bikes ability off road. It is surprisingly agile for a 220kg bike.

 

[botus]

if you went longer shock the angle on the drive shaft is even bigger

from your latest news you just gave, it sounds like normal on off throttle induced clunking through the tractor slop that is its driveline. Don't forget it a bad interpretation of a 100 year old Aeroplane engine, a fake massey ferguson gearbox and PTO tacked on badly moving through 30 degrees of suspension travel

 

[Magwych]

Between the clutch and the rear wheel you have :
1) On the gearbox input shaft a shock absorber. These develop wear and can have some play.
2) An intermediate shaft, engaging the output shaft. This can lead to more gear lash than a traditional gear box.
3) A driveshaft on splines, at both ends. A small amount of play may be present.
4) 2 UJs in the driveshaft. There should bit be any play in these, but there might be.
5) A bevel drive, like the gearbox there will be some lash but so much.

Add that all up and you can get a fair amount of play. Ideally, none from the splines on the shaft nor from the UJs

 

[theoneandonly]

FFS , don't let him loose on a Guzzi , he'll faint with shock !

 

[Miserable Git]

Daughters bf has a 2007 that was showing similar symptoms a few weeks ago. Turned out to be the splines on the drive shaft at the bevel end. New shaft fitted and it’s perfect.

 

[Gibbo1974]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the input. I think i may have found the issue. The clutch slave cylinder is a little shagged. Not leaking but seems to be grabby on release. when pushed in (off the bike) and let go. It seems to start coming out then stop then pop once a little pressure builds up.

I have a new one from motor-works on order so will report back to anyone interested.

splines are good, I had the shaft out and there is zero play anywhere which was a result.

Thanks again.

 

[The Other PaulG]

When you described the clunk going on and off the clutch off-road, that sounded very familiar. Pretty sure my 2 x 1100GS and 1 x 1150GS would all do that when doing slow u-turns.