ahebron
Registered user
On my way to work this morning on the R1150 GS I noticed a new noise that sounded like it was from the gearbox. As I wasn't far from home I headed back. I have recently packed out the toolbox with foam to suppress that rattle so was a bit annoyed to have a new one. Nearly home and the clutch went, smoke came from below and the rattles sounded dire. I managed to get it home ok, just.
I decided not to go to work and instead look into the problem with the bike. My car is out of action till its new air struts arrive from the UK so the GS is my transport.
Investigation revealed clutch fluid had spilt from the clutch bleed nipple onto the rear tyre and exhaust. This explained the smoke and lack of clutch. The rattle/noise was the bleed hose bouncing between the rear tyre and inner guard. I thought I had ripped the clutch hose but instead the rear tyre had undone the bleed nipple. When I renewed the clutch a few years back I removed the original bleeder valve and fitted a standard brake nipple.
The cause of all this was my negligence. I had the tank off on the weekend to adjust the fuel gauge float and fit a 12 volt feed at both ends of the tank. I wired these into the fitted socket circuit hooking it in under the fuse box. In doing so I had released the clutch bleed pipe from its cable tie but had not made sure it was back in place on reassembly. Unfortunately it got caught by the inner mudguard and the tyre causing the rattle noise by bouncing between the two and creating a wee problem.
It was easily fixed and while I was working at ground level I gave the gear lever pivots a clean and grease as per St Eptoes oft repeated advice, what a difference that alone made to the bike.
I also gave the handlebars bad Rox Ridsers a tweak as I had them on too much of an angle.
It rides like a new bike though that bloody tool box rattle is still audible but quieter.
Adrian
I decided not to go to work and instead look into the problem with the bike. My car is out of action till its new air struts arrive from the UK so the GS is my transport.
Investigation revealed clutch fluid had spilt from the clutch bleed nipple onto the rear tyre and exhaust. This explained the smoke and lack of clutch. The rattle/noise was the bleed hose bouncing between the rear tyre and inner guard. I thought I had ripped the clutch hose but instead the rear tyre had undone the bleed nipple. When I renewed the clutch a few years back I removed the original bleeder valve and fitted a standard brake nipple.
The cause of all this was my negligence. I had the tank off on the weekend to adjust the fuel gauge float and fit a 12 volt feed at both ends of the tank. I wired these into the fitted socket circuit hooking it in under the fuse box. In doing so I had released the clutch bleed pipe from its cable tie but had not made sure it was back in place on reassembly. Unfortunately it got caught by the inner mudguard and the tyre causing the rattle noise by bouncing between the two and creating a wee problem.
It was easily fixed and while I was working at ground level I gave the gear lever pivots a clean and grease as per St Eptoes oft repeated advice, what a difference that alone made to the bike.
I also gave the handlebars bad Rox Ridsers a tweak as I had them on too much of an angle.
It rides like a new bike though that bloody tool box rattle is still audible but quieter.
Adrian
