when is a clutch knackered?

[mot]

The other day i did a bit of a silly thing in being in top gear and twisting the throttle to get passed a car. Bike didn't like it, response was that it chugged and struggled then revved high without accelerating (slipping clutch?). After that when i stopped the clutch stank, and now seems to develop a burning/overheating smell almost every ride even if it's just a little commute.

does this sound like i have screwed the clutch completely?

(did a search on clutch smell and found some people saying they get the smell of a hot clutch quite a lot, but i've never had it before)

bike is a GS1100.

 

[Steptoe]

Check you have the correct amount of play ( any) at the clutch arm on the rear of the gearbox.

Don't worry about the play at the lever on the bars, it's the other end that's important.

 

[boxer]

Remove the starter motor an inspect clutch and it's thickness.

Does anyone know the service limit for clutch thickness?

 

[mot]

Check you have the correct amount of play ( any) at the clutch arm on the rear of the gearbox.

thanks, do you mean there should not be any play at the gearbox end or there should be at least some but how much doesn't matter?

 

[Steptoe]

Does anyone know the service limit for clutch thickness?

4.6mm or 4.8. Can't remember off the topof my head.

But pretty meaningless if the pressure and cover plate have been fried by slipping .
Then it's, toast no matter how thick the clutch plate.

 

[Steptoe]

thanks, do you mean there should not be any play at the gearbox end or there should be at least some but how much doesn't matter?

Got to have play at the gearbox end - if no play it's the equivalent of riding with the lever pulled in a bit

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

The other day i did a bit of a silly thing in being in top gear and twisting the throttle to get passed a car. Bike didn't like it, response was that it chugged and struggled then revved high without accelerating (slipping clutch?)

take it to a dealer - it sounds like you don't really know what you're looking for

 

[chas]

gs1100 check the clutch fork aint siezed in behind the rear shocker folow the cable u can adjust it as well had the same thing myself thought the clutch was goosed turnd out thats all it was bit of a pain to check and adjust spray with plenty of wd40 or similar fek the dealer $$$$$$$$$=$$

 

[jimcg]

Yep sounds like it's Donald Ducked. There is an explanation somewhere in the forums about why it first manifests itself whilst in top gear and accelerating torque and all that sort of stuff. Three possible reasons either the adjustment is wrong as per Steptoes posts, the clutch is worn or as in my case the crankshft seal leaked allowing oil onto the clutch (symptoms as you described). £250ish for all the bits (don't try to save by not buying them all I did and had to go back and get the rest of it once the bike was in bits). Fitting !! well it's more like doing a car clutch than a bike really but not for the mechanically kackhanded.

 

[mot]

Fitting !! well it's more like doing a car clutch than a bike really but not for the mechanically kackhanded.

well that's me out then.