1100GS Clutch

[sigoodacre]

Hi
Anyone know where i could get new clutch fitted for 1100GS for less than £450,which i have been quoted locally.This was not a BMW dealer either.Sounds like it is a long job,but £450 ?By the time i have finished servicing and replacing parts,changing to Ali panniers etc.I think i would be better off selling bike and spend money on upgrading to 1150 ADVENTURE,for my Americas trip next year.But i suppose a cheapish one would have same mileage as my 1100GS (30000)and would probably need money spent on it.
Keep bike at work so havn't got anywhere to have a go at it myself.(no garage)
It would be worth travelling if it saves me money.
Cheers !

Simon

[Margus]

You mean it's just clutch plates worn? Then it isn't 450 pounds.

Or the gearbox seals let oil into clutch room and making it slippy?

Clutch plate alone is cheap piece 'o kit, no worry.

Margus

[Margus]

And asking £450 for new clutch plate installation is a complete rippoff i think.

Even the Touratech cheramic clutch which is special and expensive one costs less than that.

Any BMW aknowledged mechanics in your area? Or have you asked about this the price from any official BMW motorcycles service to compare with?

Yes, it needs few hours of work to get to the cluch on R1100 engine from backwards to put new one on, but it can't be that high price nohow. Probaly just asking more money from you because you're a "BMW owner".


[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 13 November 2004).]

[sigoodacre]

Hi Margus
I've heard the oil contamination is common on these.I know the part is not expensive but the hourly labour rate is,on this ripp off island of ours.Probably be cheaper to get ferry to France(if i don't get ripped off by P&O too)and have it done there.

Cheers

Simon

[Margus]

First check your clutch lever alignment on the handlebars - it shouldn't have any tight movement (the cable too stressed) - originally the levler on the handlebar should have about 0,5 centimetres of free play. If it doesn't, then it's too much on, adjust it that it has some free play.

Usually that's the reason wearing out the clutch plate more quickly if the cable isn't adjusted correctly on the andlebar (no free play, so the clutch always works).

Alternative way: do you have detailed repair manual for R1100? If you have any technical knowledge, garage with proprier tools and motivation, you can do it your own with manual's assistance. A way lot cheaper than letting it do for someone else.

I haven't done any cluch work on my R1100GS yet, but i've seen some owerview pictures about replacing the the cluch on 1100 boxer - it takes at least some few hours of dedicated work.
On my 1100 so far i've maintained and repaired all the stuff my own. Only thing i couldn't do on my GS so far is the digital CPU controlled injection - i have no special electronics to syncronize them, but everyting else is self-doable for sure, it's simple engine. And i save huge money not going to official BMW for simple routines.

If it's post '97 model, then it's very unprobable that the seal let the oil into clutchroom making it slippy. If it somehow did (the cluch has wet oil inside when you open it), then you need to replace the seals too which is more work of course.

Margus

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 13 November 2004).]

[sigoodacre]

Hi Margus
My GS is 98 model.It started to slip after i returned from Morocco back in May.It was probably caused by riding on pistes.Although i didn't do that much off road as i had pillion and was fully loaded.Still managed to brake a couple of spokes though.
I am hoping to rent a garage and do some work myself such as new rear shock and replace cables etc.I have just ordered a workshop manual.I am not leaving untill July so i have time to 'play around' a bit.So i may attempt the clutch.

Simon

Simon

[Margus]

Yes, the oilhead boxer's clutch tend to overheat on intensive use, unlike other bikes BMW has dry cluch which means it doesn't cool down with the engine oil as wet cluched do, BMW cools just from surrounding air that is not that effective coolant as direct oil contact. And when the clutch is overheated then the disk usage is extremely high, it gets worn out very fast, usually in the matter of minutes on intensive use and gets slippy.

One cure for it is a shorter first gear that makes clutch usage bit less on those extreme conditions (i.e. hot wheather and busy city traffic/difficult terrain).

Mounting Touratech cheramic clutch is the second cure if don't want to put shorter first gear which is probably more expensive. TT says that the cheramic cluch doesn't brake down on the entire motorcycle lifetime.

But probably the most rational way is to be preventive - not to let it overheat on those bad conditions. You may always stop a bit to let it cool on difficult clutch-intensive terrain.

Margus

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 14 November 2004).]

[simmo]

Hi Simon

Why not join a BMW club and convince one of the old hands to show you how to do it yourself. It can be a real eyeopener, both in getting an understanding of how its done but also acquiring any special tools you might need to do it. Most clubs have the tools and in melbourne they have service days where these tasks can be done under guidance. The UK GSer forum may have someone who could help you out.
cheers alec

[Mick O'Malley]

Hi Simon

I did mine last year ('96 1100). Very slightly worn 2nd hand three part clutch £50 + VAT from James Sherlock. Did the job on my front path; it was time consuming but not difficult. I hired an hydraulic engine crane (£10) to refit the gearbox/transmission unit as it's a bit of a lump. I also needed new stretch bolts for the cover plate.

I learned after I'd finished that it's possible to hinge up the rear subframe c/w attached loom rather than cut all the ties and remove it. That would have saved hours!

Mick

[Steve Pickford]

If you want someone else to do the work, Sherlocks are a good bet. Their hourly rate is/was £25.00 + VAT last time I heard. This compares well with BMW dealers £50.00+, + VAT.

Sherlocks also know what they're doing & have a comprehensive spares stock should anything unexpected crop up.

Bit of a trek from Dover though?

[sigoodacre]

Thanks for all the options.If i can i would like to do it myself just for the satisfaction factor.
Where are Sherlocks by the way.They could be useful(just in case)or for any work i need doing in the future.If they are a lot cheaper,it could be worth the fuel cost to get there.

Cheers !

[Mick O'Malley]

www.james-sherlock.co.uk