Before starting on my issue I wanted to mention that I just read Paul Glave's Owners News May 2011 article about the forum and wanted to say thanks to him for all the feedback he offers in the Garage. I have his April 2011 article about camshaft chain tensioners waiting for my next routine service on my 2006 Dakar.
I have a 2005 R1200RT with 40,000 miles on the bike. I have been performing all the maintenance on the bike for the past 3-4 years. Prior to that everything was done much to my satisfaction by BMW of Denver. I purchased a new battery in January 2010 and it quit holding a charge in May of 2011. I bought it from BMW of Denver and I have been diligent about keeping it charged with a Battery Tender when not riding. The dealer load tested the battery, deemed it defective and replaced it at no charge under warranty. But this prompted me to bring in the bike for it's annual service by the dealer. I thought it was prudent to have the pros give the bike the once over, get it on the diagnostic system and verify that the charging system was doing it's job.
The charging system was fine and everything else about the service was routine except some feedback about the clutch. I was told that when balancing the throttle bodies that there was a perceptible amount of "flutter" in the clutch that was diagnosed as worn clutch plates. I was told that this wan't a replace the clutch right on the spot situation but that I should give it serious thought for the very near future. When the clutch goes out I could get stuck someplace less than convenient. I didn't ask too many questions at the time about this flutter and what if any other indications there were that the clutch was worn. I think what they meant by flutter was a noticeable noise that was not normal coming from the clutch. I don't hear anything special but if it developed over time and I don't know what to listen for I can understand there may be something there that I don't recognize.
I do ride a bit aggressively, albeit it not abusively, and the bike has been on a couple of energetic tracks days. I should also mention the bike is one of the demo bikes that BMW Motorad brought into California in 2005 for the press and dealer roll out of the new for 2005 R1200RT upgrades. So it probably did not get the factory prescribed break in procedure.
I am thinking about taking on the clutch replacement myself. I have the factory DVD, have studied it and feel my skills are up to the job. I will need to pick up an engine lift to remove the rear end of the bike but I figure I can either add it to my garage inventory or sell it on Craig's list and recoup that cost (I have already found a couple of used lifts for sale).
But this will be a big job for me. It will drag on a bit due to time constraints and the slow, cautious pace I have performing new work. I have not totally ruled out the option of giving it to my dealer who I am very happy with and ponying up for the expense just to have the bike ready to ride. If only money were not a limiting factor!
So hear is where I would like input. Talking to friends in my club this seems to be relatively low mileage for a clutch replacement. I would hate to go to all the time and effort to disassemble the bike only to find out the clutch is still in pretty good shape. What can you tell me about diagnosing a clutch that is wearing out? Are there any foolproof ways of confirming condition of the clutch plates? I have never noticed the clutch slipping. To the contrary I will admit somewhat embarrassingly that there have been a couple of occasions where I down shifted too aggressively and got a bit of "chirp" reminding me I don't have a slipper clutch. I have not had any issues with clutch fluid levels. I did perform a replacement of clutch fluid last year at 36,000 miles without any complicaions. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I have a 2005 R1200RT with 40,000 miles on the bike. I have been performing all the maintenance on the bike for the past 3-4 years. Prior to that everything was done much to my satisfaction by BMW of Denver. I purchased a new battery in January 2010 and it quit holding a charge in May of 2011. I bought it from BMW of Denver and I have been diligent about keeping it charged with a Battery Tender when not riding. The dealer load tested the battery, deemed it defective and replaced it at no charge under warranty. But this prompted me to bring in the bike for it's annual service by the dealer. I thought it was prudent to have the pros give the bike the once over, get it on the diagnostic system and verify that the charging system was doing it's job.
The charging system was fine and everything else about the service was routine except some feedback about the clutch. I was told that when balancing the throttle bodies that there was a perceptible amount of "flutter" in the clutch that was diagnosed as worn clutch plates. I was told that this wan't a replace the clutch right on the spot situation but that I should give it serious thought for the very near future. When the clutch goes out I could get stuck someplace less than convenient. I didn't ask too many questions at the time about this flutter and what if any other indications there were that the clutch was worn. I think what they meant by flutter was a noticeable noise that was not normal coming from the clutch. I don't hear anything special but if it developed over time and I don't know what to listen for I can understand there may be something there that I don't recognize.
I do ride a bit aggressively, albeit it not abusively, and the bike has been on a couple of energetic tracks days. I should also mention the bike is one of the demo bikes that BMW Motorad brought into California in 2005 for the press and dealer roll out of the new for 2005 R1200RT upgrades. So it probably did not get the factory prescribed break in procedure.
I am thinking about taking on the clutch replacement myself. I have the factory DVD, have studied it and feel my skills are up to the job. I will need to pick up an engine lift to remove the rear end of the bike but I figure I can either add it to my garage inventory or sell it on Craig's list and recoup that cost (I have already found a couple of used lifts for sale).
But this will be a big job for me. It will drag on a bit due to time constraints and the slow, cautious pace I have performing new work. I have not totally ruled out the option of giving it to my dealer who I am very happy with and ponying up for the expense just to have the bike ready to ride. If only money were not a limiting factor!
So hear is where I would like input. Talking to friends in my club this seems to be relatively low mileage for a clutch replacement. I would hate to go to all the time and effort to disassemble the bike only to find out the clutch is still in pretty good shape. What can you tell me about diagnosing a clutch that is wearing out? Are there any foolproof ways of confirming condition of the clutch plates? I have never noticed the clutch slipping. To the contrary I will admit somewhat embarrassingly that there have been a couple of occasions where I down shifted too aggressively and got a bit of "chirp" reminding me I don't have a slipper clutch. I have not had any issues with clutch fluid levels. I did perform a replacement of clutch fluid last year at 36,000 miles without any complicaions. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
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