K11 Owners Group

croman · Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 10:31 am Post subject: clutching at straws

I have a small irritating problem with my 93 K1100 RS. The clutch is sticking but not when cold.
Get it warm on the other hand and after about five miles the lever will go stiff and the clutch sticks in. Rev it up a bit and it will come back but only for a squeeze or two.
I have had the box out and lubed the actuating mechanism and the bucket on the end of the rod going through the gearbox. The shaft is as free as you like and there were no broken finger springs on the pressure plate.
The bike has been stood for about a year and did not have this problem before.
I know it is a simple problem but it is doing my head in, and i only want to take the box out once more for a proper fix because my legs wont take another weekend on my knees.
Plus it is supposed to be taking me to Belgium in two weeks but i fear i may have to take another instead.

whyoldbill · Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 11:12 am Post subject:

Croman,
Sounds to me like the clutch cable may have been lubricated by a previous owner.
They are lined with some sort of silicone sleeve, so they do not require lubrication, in fact they get sticky when lubed.

Regards,
Bill
_________________
'02 - GL1800

The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton

croman · Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 3:09 pm Post subject: clutching at straws

sadly it is not the cable as that is free as you like and flapping about at the actuation end( gearbox). no i fear it is something else that is as simple. just what?

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 6:48 pm Post subject: clutchy clutch

The cable will act differently under pressure than just free. This is especially true if a PO had lubed said cable.

Odd about how it's fine cold, but not hot.

The RS is densleyy packed where the routing goes though the head stock, then down under the tank.

Check the routing again to see what may be heating it up as the bike runs.

Wish I had a magic bullet for ya, but I don't.
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

croman · Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 4:24 am Post subject: A result

I thought you ought to know that the issue is fixed.
It turns out the bush that sits on the end of the push rod in the gearbox is made of nylon and over the years puts on weight and grows slightly. Throw in a bit of heat and presto it gets stuck.
The good news was that after £41.00 and a new one it goes in without having to drop the swing arm or final drive. Apparently it will need doing again in 50,000 miles,so something to look forward to then.
Belgium next weekend after all.