1150GS Clutch

[samih]

Dave it is highly unlike that the clutch is knackered at 13k miles. Change the fluid and check it again.

As the GS clutch is dryplate it could also be contaminated by gearbox or engine oil. Seal failures are not unknown on oilheads. Isn't there a way to inspect the clutch assembly on beemers via starter motor mount or something..?

[Maverick]

As the GS clutch is dryplate it could also be contaminated by gearbox or engine oil. Seal failures are not unknown on oilheads. Isn't there a way to inspect the clutch assembly on beemers via starter motor mount or something..?

That is correct mate, you can take the starter motor off and have browse around. I prefer the "proper" way

[samih]

Hey Maverick, there's something wrong with that bike in the picture... The rearend has snapped off

[Maverick]

I saw some post of making the GS lighter and got carried away Recall taking that pic and thinking how am I ever gonna get this lot back together again. Was actually alot easier than it looks

[robelst]

Dave it is highly unlike that the clutch is knackered at 13k miles.

O yes it can. Easily. I lost count how often the clutch has been replaced on both my '94 R1100RS and '97 R1100RT (luckily under warranty at the time: you either pay a small fortune at the dealer or spend a whole weekend as a DIY job: rear-wheel, swing and gearbox need to come off).

What happens is that oil-seals start leaking and then the clutch oils up. It has been improved on later incarnations of BMW 4 valve boxers (like the 1150), but a colleague of mine just suffered the same problem on his R1200GS (around 25k).

It's a silly old problem that BMWs have suffered from since they started in the twenties, however, it's mainly the 4 valves on which the problem immediately affects clutch operation (I have driven years on leaky 2 valve boxers: messy, but never a real problem).

Frankly, I can't see how hydraulics can prevent clutch engaging (it could of course make dis-engaging troublesome).

Still, hopefully it is something simple and the bike doesn't need to be taken apart.
Good luck!

[DaveS]

I'd certainly read that if you off-road the GS it can stress the clutch too much and fry it.

And I don't think mine's anywhere near that bad yet. It just seems difficult to slip the clutch at high rev's its a little bit sort of on or off. Again we're talking subtlety here.... degrees of difference, nothing major, and possibly most of it in my mind.

[Sharribee]

Dave, Jason wanted to know if you had tried changing the clutch fluid, I think he is planning on trying it on bolts

[DaveS]

Not yet its not top of the list of priorities at the moment. Jo seems to think decorating is for some reason. Will get round to it soon though.

[Rubberchicken]

Yeh those round tuits are hard to come by aren't they...

[robelst]

And I don't think mine's anywhere near that bad yet. It just seems difficult to slip the clutch at high rev's its a little bit sort of on or off.

If the clutch seems fine and not slippery once engaged but disengaging seems sticky then maybe it is just a matter of bleeding / refreshing the hydraulics indeed? Is gear-change more difficult and engaing 1st gear from neutral more cluncky as well perhaps? (even for BMW standards I mean ) Definitely worth a try before taking the bike apart

I just remember leaving a R100RS in a wet shed during a winter and on that bike the clutch got sticky as well. Simply riding it solved the problem in the end.