Stella Alpina Rally – new clutch now needed

[lagauk]

This isn’t a ride report but two requests although the short ride report puts it into context.

Just got back from doing the Stella. Can’t believe I actually did this as I am a complete off road noob. The Stella was exhilarating and I’m proud to say I only dropped the bike three times whilst getting pretty close to the top. After the last drop I decided to err on the side of caution as we still had to get back home.

During one of those drops a number of passing riders stopped to help pick me and the bike up. Many thanks go out to all those friendly and willing helpers and one of them said “I’ll send you the video” he had captured on his helmet cam.

Quite how he would do this wasn’t made clear as we didn’t exchange any details and he shot off up the mountain. He was a fellow Brit though and might have been on a GS/GSA as there were quite a few of these on the hill.

I’m hoping he is a member of this parish and if you are fella I would appreciate you posting the clip on the forum. I don’t mind if it is embarrassing and makes me look stupid because for me to get as far up the mountain (only about 15 mins from the top) as I did was a huge success and I had a real blast even whilst falling off.

The downside of all these off road shenanigans and of being an off road noob is that I almost completely fried my clutch due to feathering whilst going round the hairpin bends instead of not touching the clutch at all and just chugging round the bend. A small piece of advice I was given whilst waiting for the clutch to stop smoking. Wish I’d know that before I went up the blasted thing. It’s amazing how competent and tough these bikes really are though.

So I’m probably looking at needing a new clutch. The bike still runs but not sure for how long. I know that a new clutch will mean the bike needs to be ‘broken in half’ and is not quick or inexpensive.

Any recommendations for where I can get a new clutch fitted without me needing to sell a kidney would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Lag
2006 R1200GS

 

[JJH]

Hold on dont be hasty. Is your clutch slipping? I'd leave it unless you are considering a long and dificoult ride. JJH

 

[Billtdm]

DIY!

Hi,
My mate Simon had the same issue playing about off road on the Isle of Man.
Half way home the disc disintegrated and jammed up the space between drive and driven plates, but he made it home with care. He was resigned to an expensive job at Pidcocks, but I said we could do it, having done my old R1100rs twice.
He took it apart, and we put it back together. Cost was only the parts and a weekend. The back half keeps the mainstand, so that just rolls out of the way. You need a jack underneath the engine, and the handlebars strapped up to the garage roof. Worked fine for us.
Its all in the Haynes manual. Depends how confident you are, and have you got a garage to work in. And a mate to make the tea and provide that all important third hand.
Getting the drive shaft splines aligned to push it that last inch back together is the fidliest bit.

cheers,

 

[JonnyBravo]

He never confessed that it was you who actually did the work Bill !

 

[Pukmeister]

I roasted my 2004 bikes clutch several times off-roading. Once cooled it was fine again. Unless slipping I'd be tempted to ignore it and just ride the thing.

 

[lagauk]

Thanks for the advice fellas. Replacing the clutch myself isn't something I would want to take on.

The clutch isn't slipping yet but as I use the bike every day to commute into London I'm guessing it's only a matter of time.

I'll see how it goes.

Cheers

 

[stolzy]

If it isn't broke . . .

And if you only fell off three times on the Stella you're either an off road god or you weren't trying.

I'm the latter obviously, despite being passed by and Italian on a moped on the way up.

 

[lagauk]

if you only fell off three times on the Stella you're either an off road god or you weren't trying

Hahaha I wish I was an off road god. I wimped out and took the bends so slowly, hence the clutch feathering, I was being overtaken by kids on pushbikes.

Here's a pic of my second fall where I launched the bike up the mountain instead of along the trail.