Xchallenge Clutch

[FERRET]

Ok, following a trail ride on New Years eve the clutch on my 07 X challenge (approx 4500 miles) started to play silly buggers, it started on a notoriously tricky climb (thanks Timpo) and resulted in me having no drive at all, after 20 minutes cooling down managed to get drive but on acceleration clutch was slipping quite badly so had to call it a day.

I have looked through threads on the site regarding possible recals in America, today i phoned my local dealer Clark's in B'ham who looked into there systems but says there have been no problems in the UK so no chance of any work being carried out by BMW. Got a quote for new clutch plates and springs from BMW £134.25. Wemoto quote approx £65,, will these clutch plates be as good?

I have now stripped the clutch down, I cannot see any wear on the clutch casing, as had been mentioned on the American recalls, having removed the pressure plate and taken the clutch plates out they appear black as if burnt (is this normal), there is still linings on the lined plates although there did appear to be some debris between the linings on some of the plates (again is this normal),
On inspecting the pressure plate there was no obvious wear however there is quite a bit of lateral movement in the pressure head (this sits in the centre of the pressure plate and sits in a bearing) ime assuming that there shouldnt be any play in this so i shall probably replace the bearing and the pressure head whilst ime at it unless anyone can advise otherwise.

There does not appear to be any lateral movement or wear in the clutch driver (basket) so hopefully this is ok.

Ill also replace the gasket when putting all back together.

Any thoughts from anyone? before i get on the phone on Monday to order the parts.

thanks in advance

Ferret

 

[frostyuk]

i had bristol motorrad replace my clutch plates after the beacons rally am not a good enough mechanic to even attempt such things, they only charged 40 labour so i left them to do it, the bmw plates were cheaper than the oem plates for my drz400 so in the drz i used ebc dirtrider clutch replacement .... wouldnt do it again .. didnt last very long at all

 

[Timolgra]

I have now stripped the clutch down, I cannot see any wear on the clutch casing, as had been mentioned on the American recalls, having removed the pressure plate and taken the clutch plates out they appear black as if burnt (is this normal), there is still linings on the lined plates although there did appear to be some debris between the linings on some of the plates (again is this normal),

Probably normal for post Hafod Dafyd

 

[FERRET]

Tim
do you still have a spare set of clutch plates that you mentioned on the ride?, if so are they for sale?

 

[Timpo]

If plates are burnt, they are fecked. If they are refitted, you run the risk of the plate shattering, resulting in no drive at all.


My opinion.....

Bikes need to be geared correctly for trail use.
Fully synthetic oils are damaging to clutches of bikes used for trail riding.
Riders excessively dragging the clutch will reduce clutch life drastically no matter what make of plates they have fitted.
EBC clutches are as good as oem. Excessive dragging will result in failure of either sets of plates in the same length of time.


T.

 

[FERRET]

Thanks for the replies, i have no intention of re fitting the plates, they will be renewed, does anyone have any thoughts on the lateral play on the pressure head? should there be any?

 

[Gaz]

Bikes need to be geared correctly for trail use.

That's a reasonable point. I'm down to 13 teeth on the front and can ride the bike really slowy without clutching it, it's now done 10k miles like this, the majority offroad.

 

[FERRET]

Ill have to look at that then , mine as far as i can see has been on 15 tooth at the front and 47 at the rear, Gaz i know that you commute on yours as well, does it make much difference with 13 tooth fron on the road?

 

[Gaz]

Yeah, I did a few months into university on it. I'm completely used to it and so it's no problem. You have to change up from 1st fairly quickly. I rarely ride above 70 on it (due to tyres mostly) so don't miss the bit that you lose from the top end. I was forever stalling on rocky sections beforehand and it was too dodgy for me to go on like that and I knew it was bad form to be dragging the clutch. Perhaps you are unconsciously using the clutch more than you think and so it might be a combination of riding style and gearing that has done for your plates?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'm using 14/47 and find it better .............13/47 would be ideal

Next time I may go 14/49

 

[Timpo]

I'm using 14/47 and find it better .............13/47 would be ideal

Next time I may go 14/49

Watch for the need to extend chain length......

 

[Losttheplot]

I'm using 14/47 and find it better .............

+1

certsinly makes it a little easier to bump the front up to avoid logs/holes in the track etc...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Watch for the need to extend chain length......

I was going to use that combo, to cure a stretched chain

 

[rossi]

I'm using 14/47 and find it better .............13/47 would be ideal

Next time I may go 14/49

No loss of top speed or fuel economy with 14/47. If anything, both are better than stock. I'm happy with this at the moment for all-round use.

Nick was using 15/49 (between 14/47 and 15/47) when we rode to the HUMM last summer and he was doing slightly better on fuel than me on the road. This is perhaps the best gearing for fuel range.

Since I have a spare set of wheels, I'm thinking about getting a new set of chain adjuster blocks made. I want to be able to swap to the spare sprocket carrier with a 49 rear sprocket then reverse the blocks and not have to adjust the chain.

 

[GFJ]

Probably normal for post Hafod Dafyd

There's a common factor here with these clutches . . . . Timpo I went up Hafod Dafydd with him a month or so back and my clutch had gone somewhat slack by the top. Good fun though. Luckily it seemed okay after it had cooled and it's been okay since; bike only done <2000 miles though.

Re the 13 tooth front sprocket - does that work okay without changing the chain and rear socket? I've dropped down to 14tooth front and would like to go lower and they have them at wemoto (a lot cheaper than TT)

 

[AndyT]

I was going to use that combo, to cure a stretched chain

Yorkshireman through and through

 

[Gaz]

Re the 13 tooth front sprocket - does that work okay without changing the chain and rear socket?

Yes.
Talon also do a cheap 13 tooth although you have to ring them to get it.

 

[Drog]

Did you manage to get this sorted Ferret ?

 

[Timolgra]

Tim
do you still have a spare set of clutch plates that you mentioned on the ride?, if so are they for sale?

Had a look, yes I have a brand new set of clutch plates for a f650/Dakar you'll need to cross reference the parts to check if they're the same but I guess this is a bit late for you now

 

[FERRET]

Plates and springs arrived this morning (friday) so guess what ill be doing saturday morning