R1250GSA clutch wear

[GSAMark]

So my bike went in to Bowker Motorrad, Preston on 12th Oct for faulty throttle. When it went in it drove fine, apart from the faulty throttle obviously. It was delivered back to my house by BMW assist and today, 12th Sept was my first opportunity to ride it as I work away. No this problem may have nothing to do with the throttle or the fact that it went to BMW but it now seems there is no clutch!! It is only just grabbing at the last bit of the clutch lever release. On speaking to Bowker service they say there is no adjustment as it is an hydraulic clutch. The bike is a 2021 with 18k on the clock and when I say it has been driven conservatively I mean like a nun has ridden it!! . Occasionally off road but nothing major. Is it normal for the clutch to do this? Bowker want between £1000 - £1500 for a new clutch!!

 

[GB.]

Mine went at 42000 but hard life and off road with a tuned motor

 

[GB.]

It’s easy to fit a clutch yourself if it is that, I swapped mine out for a Reklus as I do a lot of off road riding.

 

[GSian]

There is an adjustment. The position of the plunger is adjustable at the lever. there's a little red painted grub screw under the lever, then, once loose, there's a Allen screw in the opposite end of the plunger to adjust it in or out. If it's too far in, it will activate the clutch earlier. Easy to adjust in situ.

Here's a picture i've borrowed from another forum. The Allen screw head is normally filled with paint so it's not totally obvious it's an Allen screw. may be a different bike but it's essentially the same.

 

[GSian]

BTW, This could also be the case if the plunger ball is not seated right.

 

[GrinningGSer]

I am thinking that I could change a clutch , if that’s what’s really needed.
Hard to believe clutch wear after such very low, 18k mileage though .

 

[Pukmeister]

Check the reservoir fluid level

 

[Watty100]

I wonder if they've tilted the handlebars whilst messing with the throttle, allowing air into the hydraulic clutch system. Might just need bleeding through to remove air bubbles.

 

[GSMarky]

I am thinking that I could change a clutch , if that’s what’s really needed.
Hard to believe clutch wear after such very low, 18k mileage though .

Excellent video. Whilst I haven't changed a clutch on a GS, I've done plenty of others and it's a simple job if you're methodical with assembly.

I'd agree that the clutch is unlikely to have worn out with 18k, so most likely needs a good bleed which is where I'd start first.

That price is a joke!

 

[Pukmeister]

Bowker want between £1000 - £1500 for a new clutch!!

Clearly Bowker don't want to take on the job.

My old Hexhead clutch job was quoted at around £1000 and that is to split the bike in half with £400+ in new parts, not just undo a front cover plate and swap a few plates over.

 

[GSAMark]

*UPDATE*
So the bike was in BMW today. Turns out there's a leak on the slave cylinder. Bike booked in to have a proper investigation and strip it down to see exactly what needs doing.