K1300 clutch problems????

[dynajohn]

I did a search for K1200/K1300 clutch problem and read through the results. I still can not decide if the clutch judder problems were resolved by BMW by 2015 which is the model year of my K1300s. From what I found here and at IBMW this was a lack of oil to the clutch pack on the K1200 and earlier K1300 models. Was this resolved with the higher capacity K1300 oil pump and BMW advantec oil or was it still a clutch design problem in the later 2015/2016 K1300s. My K only has 3,300 miles and this is not a problem now. I plan to do some racing next year and was thinking of replacing the OEM clutch with a Barnett kevlar clutch pack. However if the problem is still lack of oil to the clutch pack this would be treating the symptom not the root cause. There is a lot of experience here so what do you think. 

[richtea]

The various clutch types (9 of them!) are in this thread, John - courtesy of Costas:
https://eurokclub.bike/index.php?topic=3006.msg36317#msg36317

I guess yours would be variant 9.

As far as I know there shouldn't be a problem with late K1300S clutches if you're using the BMW oil.
All bets are off if you use something else.

And from a post lower down that thread, again form Costas (good man!):

"It was noted by users that with new BMW branded oil, slippage has been almost completely eliminated.
The negative effect [is that] oil usage for bikes especially 08 09 models 1300 engine was increased."

[Phmode]

And no matter which version of the clutch you have, you need to bear in mind that the oil feed only works when the clutch lever is pulled in.

Those wise and paranoid owners keep the lever pulled in at lights etc. whether in gear or not.

[TomL]

Us old boys didn't like sitting with the clutch lever pulled back to the bar because the extra load was likely to break the clutch cable.

[Blobby]

Cable 

[Sutty]

Another snippet of good info ! thank you..

best regards   Mick

[Swindon Andy]

I haven't held the clutch lever at the lights ever since my AJS clutch push rod and steel ball wore shorter. Is it really beneficial to hold the K clutch?

[raesewell]

I haven't held the clutch lever at the lights ever since my AJS clutch push rod and steel ball wore shorter. Is it really beneficial to hold the K clutch?

In a word, yes 

[TomL]

I haven't held the clutch lever at the lights ever since my AJS clutch push rod and steel ball wore shorter. Is it really beneficial to hold the K clutch?

The oil feeds from the centre of the clutch outwards to wash worn clutch material off the friction plates. It is easier for the oil to pass over the plates with the clutch lever pulled in.

[Swindon Andy]

Thanks for this info. Is there a thrust race to wear? Perhaps not to hold the clutch longer than, say, half a minute?
Apologies for not knowing the mechanical design. It's a long time since I built engines and gearboxes, they have evolved a lot.

[Phmode]

There is a clutch thrust 'adaptor, part 3 in this outline drawing...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=0508-EUR-10-2012-K40-BMW-K_1300_S_0508,0509_&diagId=21_0210

...easy to get to inside the slave cylinder and at £40'odd a lot cheaper than a new set of plates.

The way I see it, the wear imparted to the thrust 'washer' by holding the lever in is more than made up for by the lack of wear using the clutch to change gear with the quick shifter.

[Philip]

The bearings are 2 & 6 on this diagram.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=0508-EUR-10-2012-K40-BMW-K_1300_S_0508,0509_&diagId=21_0209

Bearing 2 takes the thrust force & being a caged race should last well as long as it gets lubricated.

I remember my previous bikes of old just had a push rod with a dished end & a single ball bearing doing all the work.

As Andy said, they used to wear out if under load.
I've seen the ball & rod blue with the heat generated by the friction.

[Lotus26R]

I haven't held the clutch lever at the lights ever since my AJS clutch push rod and steel ball wore shorter. Is it really beneficial to hold the K clutch?

In a word, yes 

That's a fine tip - Having read the various clutch threads I'm now paranoid about my 1200 clutch packing up so was avoiding using it unless absolutely necessary. I'm assuming I'm better off being in neutral with the clutch in rather than in gear?

Thanks

[raesewell]

No need to be paranoid, just ride it and enjoy it and when it blows up the extended warranty will take care of it. 

[Lotus26R]

No need to be paranoid, just ride it and enjoy it and when it blows up the extended warranty will take care of it. 

Mmmmm. My warranty on "wear and tear" items probably extended until I was out of sight, at which point I suspect the buck, or multiple bucks will land firmly on my shoulders.

On the "enjoy" front, we're now cleaned, ACF50'd and ready for anything a Yorkshire winter can throw at me. Bring it on...