R1150GSA clutch

[Big E]

I had mine done at RGM Chorley. Around the £400 mark ?

The friction plate when removed had plenty of life left in it however it had been contaminated with oil , it was replaced along with new seals.

In my opinion only replace what needs replacing !!!!!!

 

[MattW]

I had mine done at RGM Chorley. Around the £400 mark ?

The friction plate when removed had plenty of life left in it however it had been contaminated with oil , it was replaced along with new seals.

In my opinion only replace what needs replacing !!!!!!

If you've had a slipping clutch, chances are you've buggered the pressure plate too (although it might look ok).

But don't take my word for it - ask Steptoe - he's seen the insides of more than a few GS bellhousings...

 

[hops]

...In my opinion only replace what needs replacing !!!!!!

The man in the know has stated on many occasions that to do so is false economy as you'll inevitably have your hand in your pocket again much sooner. But don't listen to me as I know feck all.

 

[monkeyboy]

Whatever you do don't just replace the plate - get a complete clutch kit (or get whoever does it to fit a complete clutch kit)

Just doing the plate is a false economy - you'll have it in bits again within a few thousand miles.

I really think that's a bit too pessimistic I'm probably giving fate the finger here but... I've got over 300k on my 2 airheads. I've changed just the clutch plate a few (maybe 3?) times - always precautionary before a long trip, and so far the world hasn't ended. Changing a box can easily be done in a long afternoon and it's not the most difficult job in the world anyway is it. The last change I put a ceramic clutch plate in - about 10k ago. So far so good

I think GS clutches generally appreciate a bit of mechanical sympathy when you use them and if you crash and thump through the box then you're always going to get problems.

 

[Steptoe]

If you've had a slipping clutch, chances are you've buggered the pressure plate too (although it might look ok).

But don't take my word for it - ask Steptoe - he's seen the insides of more than a few GS bellhousings...

The man in the know has stated on many occasions that to do so is false economy as you'll inevitably have your hand in your pocket again much sooner. But don't listen to me as I know feck all.

When i replace a clutch i replace the complete unit. If there's any clutch problem further down the road it's my responsibility to the customer to sort it.

If a customer asks me to only replace the friction plate then they're on their own when it next starts to slip, which can be in as little as 2k miles..

Cue some replies stating they've only fitted a friction plate and never had any problems... Good for you, you've been lucky.

A complete clutch unit (a quality sachs item, not a cheap copy) to supply and fit to a GS costs approx £480 all parts and labour, plus a free loan bike. And if things are seized it may well cost a little bit more.

 

[MattW]

I really think that's a bit too pessimistic I'm probably giving fate the finger here but... I've got over 300k on my 2 airheads. I've changed just the clutch plate a few (maybe 3?) times - always precautionary before a long trip, and so far the world hasn't ended.

I think that's probably the difference - you've changed plates on a precautionary basis (i.e. before you're getting clutch slip). Most people change clutches when they've started to slip and will have damaged the pressure plate too.

I only split my 1100 once (to get the gearbox refurbed, so had to remove swing arm etc too) and I changed the compete clutch while I was in there. As a first timer, I found it a long winded job - nothing technically too challenging but I had to find my way round some of the little niggles that people like you or Steptoe wouldn't even think about. When I put it back together I remember thinking that I didn't want to do it again any time soon

 

[Steptoe]

I think that's probably the difference - you've changed plates on a precautionary basis (i.e. before you're getting clutch slip). Most people change clutches when they've started to slip and will have damaged the pressure plate too.

A slipping clutch overheats the cover and pressure plate. I've seen plenty of both that have warped due to the heat or the surface or have uneven worn faces.

 

[monkeyboy]

Understood - so you should be able to see if there is damage requiring a complete replacement rather than just the plate. I think in everyday, normal, non slipping use that the other components should pretty well last forever.

I guess most people don't change the clutch till it's gone bad though

 

[Bendy toy]

Does the 11xx clutch rattle when in neutral gear like the 1200?
Mine goes quiet when clutch lever is pulled in. But rattles in neutral when bike is parked or moving. So that rules out the gearbox end play.

 

[Bendy toy]

Has anyone had luck contacting these guys

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/bmw_clutches.html

 

[MattW]

Does the 11xx clutch rattle when in neutral gear like the 1200?
Mine goes quiet when clutch lever is pulled in. But rattles in neutral when bike is parked or moving. So that rules out the gearbox end play.

My 1100 never rattled in neutral.

If your 12 is rattling in neutral I guess it could be the release bearing or the input shaft chattering?

 

[Bendy toy]

I've had the gearbox off when I had the back frame powder coated. The clutch was fine and no play in the gearbox shaft. On the 1200 it seems the slave cylinder does the release bearing chores.

It seems to be a feature but I'd like to know why it does it. The noise is there when parked or rolling along in neutral with clutch out. Stops with lever pulled in.

 

[MattW]

I've had the gearbox off when I had the back frame powder coated. The clutch was fine and no play in the gearbox shaft. On the 1200 it seems the slave cylinder does the release bearing chores.

It seems to be a feature but I'd like to know why it does it. The noise is there when parked or rolling along in neutral with clutch out. Stops with lever pulled in.

When you pull the lever in you're disconnecting the input shaft from the engine (and also loading up the release bearing etc). There's always lash in the gearbox shafts - thinking about it, my 1100 used to chatter the input shaft slightly when the throttle body balance was bad.

 

[monkeyboy]

I've had the gearbox off when I had the back frame powder coated. The clutch was fine and no play in the gearbox shaft. On the 1200 it seems the slave cylinder does the release bearing chores.

It seems to be a feature but I'd like to know why it does it. The noise is there when parked or rolling along in neutral with clutch out. Stops with lever pulled in.

Just like every bike I've got.. not just the bms. They're all old and knackered though! Running in neutral with the clutch out. Is it the layshaft? No doubt an expert will be along soon If the bearings get really really noisy it's a bad sign and it needs to get off to be sorted. I've sent a couple to Schirminger and for about £300 they change them. There are only a few (5?) in there I think.