1994 BMW R1100RS - I can smell my clutch, does it mean something's wrong?

[lukaspriest]

I've come to understand that my bike's clutch smells kinda roasty at times. Before owning this r1100 (I've only had it several months), I've only had experience with Japanese bikes that have a wet-clutch system, so you never smell them. When I get home from a ride or sometimes at stoplights, I can catch whiffs of what I'm 99% sure is my clutch. I know the cable is adjusted properly and it seems to work perfectly - it never slips, I don't have any trouble shifting gears, pulling out of gear, or any issues of that sort. In fact, this weekend I did a trip up to Mt. Rainier and Seattle; my buddy and I rode over 1000 miles. We had a blast and our bikes ran awesome the whole way. While we were at a hotel with a garage, I really noticed the smell when I was pulling up and out of the basement of this place - I had to rev the bike more (while working the clutch lever) in order to get it up a super steep ramp with blind corners, and the scent was really noticeable right away.

So, my question is, does the fact that I can smell this mean there's badness going on? Or do these bikes just have clutch material that puts off odor when it gets hot? It's been bothering me and I worry something is wrong.

I'm a very mellow rider and I never rev-bomb it, do wheelies, or anything that would be considered abusive of a motorcycle's clutch system. If the scent means my bike's clutch is about to give up the ghost, I want to get it addressed. Thank you!

 

[robsryder]

You should check to make sure that there is adequate free play at the clutch lever. Adjustments can be made at the handlebar (for fine adjustments) and at the back of the transmission (for larger adjustments - need a 10 mm and 13 mm wrench).

You should also check the documentation for recommended values for free play. Following are links to free and pay manuals -
Factory manual below

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/downloads/BMW_R1100%28RT-RS-GS-R%29_Repair_Manual.pdf

Supplemental instructions generated by early owners of the oilheads

https://ibmwr.org/original/r-tech/oilheads/R11Manual/Oilhead_Maintenance_2-25-02.pdf

More owner generated procedures

Oilhead R-Bike Tech Articles - The Internet BMW Riders

Technical Articles for Type R259 R850, R1100, R1150, R1200 BMWs Disclaimer: All material contained herein retains the original author’s copyright. The material presented here is…

ibmwr.org

Clymer manual (lots of photos) cost money

BMW R850, R1100, R1150, R1200C Repair Manual 1993-2005

This repair manual covers BMW R-Series motorcycles, 1993-2005 including R850, R1100, R1150, R1200C, and many more. Clymer, M503-3.

www.themotorbookstore.com

Haynes manual (more clear procedures in my view) cost money

BMW R850, R1100, R1150 Repair Manual 1993-2006

This DIY repair and service workshop manual covers 1993-2006 BMW R850, R1100, and R1150 4-valve twins. Haynes 3466. Free Shipping. Best Service.

www.themotorbookstore.com

 

[lukaspriest]

Thank you so much for your reply! I checked and I have 8mm of freeplay at the lever before the clutch begins to disengage, and 13mm between the two nuts where the cable meets up with the lever. I will take a look at the back of the transmission.

 

[kinterridge]

Also, check it's not a brake smell, very similar to clutch smell, especially if there is no slippage from the clutch.

 

[cajunrider]

Definitely all good items to check above, but do keep in mind that this is basically the same as a car clutch. If you punish it a little bit, you WILL smell it.

That doesn't necessarily mean something's wrong. However, do that often and you'll eventually run into problems.

In general, for clutch longevity, you want to spend as little time as possible in the friction zone. That's completely opposite of how most motorcycle trainers will want you to use your clutch. So, you basically want to find that happy medium.

 

[fbt80]

Definitely all good items to check above, but do keep in mind that this is basically the same as a car clutch. If you punish it a little bit, you WILL smell it.

That doesn't necessarily mean something's wrong. However, do that often and you'll eventually run into problems.

In general, for clutch longevity, you want to spend as little time as possible in the friction zone. That's completely opposite of how most motorcycle trainers will want you to use your clutch. So, you basically want to find that happy medium.

Cajun is spot on. You smell clutch plate because you slipped it "getting out of the basement" if you don't routinely abuse the clutch stay as "little in the friction zone as possible"...you are fine....but, watch and check your clutch free play at the lever as recommended.
It's a car clutch, try to use it on-off-on-off.