No clutch with only 33,000 miles

[mikek1200rs]

We {wife & I} were on a trip through NS, Cn. Minding our own business, enjoying the landscape on RT 103 east out side of Halifax. Guess what happened, no clutch. Yes, we only got it from a dealer first part of april I asked them if the clutch was ok.
It had felt a little off, went to a track day clutch real bad, dealer was there< he said some magic words,(took the bike to his van to fix??, did more time on the track ok?
a few months later questioned the dealer on problem they test drove it and stated it was ok?
they did a oil change in july plus some brake work told them we
were going on VK later summer. noticed the oil level was high,
rode home, put it in the garage and only used it once (bad weather, new old mg to play with) I called them to ask about the oil level they said tilt the bike & look at the level, that was discussed at length and I was told it was Ok?
In NS. the clutch was slipping again< I check the oil level still high after a 300k ride, I took it apart drained off a quart extra!!?? Put it back together took a short ride it felt ok?
We went for a ride the next day (no rain) on the way back to hotel no clutch, and stranded on the side of the road. got any ideas? do the go this early on a k bike?

[andy45320]

We {wife & I} were on a trip through NS, Cn. Minding our own business, enjoying the landscape on RT 103 east out side of Halifax. Guess what happened, no clutch. Yes, we only got it from a dealer first part of april I asked them if the clutch was ok.
It had felt a little off, went to a track day clutch real bad, dealer was there< he said some magic words,(took the bike to his van to fix??, did more time on the track ok?
a few months later questioned the dealer on problem they test drove it and stated it was ok?
they did a oil change in july plus some brake work told them we
were going on VK later summer. noticed the oil level was high,
rode home, put it in the garage and only used it once (bad weather, new old mg to play with) I called them to ask about the oil level they said tilt the bike & look at the level, that was discussed at length and I was told it was Ok?
In NS. the clutch was slipping again< I check the oil level still high after a 300k ride, I took it apart drained off a quart extra!!?? Put it back together took a short ride it felt ok?
We went for a ride the next day (no rain) on the way back to hotel no clutch, and stranded on the side of the road. got any ideas? do the go this early on a k bike?
Your clutch is toasted with oil, it will need to be replced...high oil level likely created too much pressure and pushed it through rear engine seal on to the clutch would be my guess. Low level is bad, but high level is worse case. You didn't say the age of the bike....if it's still in warranty, when they open it up they can see if the seal failed and cover it under warranty. Also, if you had the extra quart of oil you drained from it, I would put it back in, have it towed with you, and have them drain it with witnesses perhaps :dunno

Think the last I heard clutch replacement if you have to pay full price was around $1300 to 1500. If you are inclined, most of that cost is labor and a lot at that, but the new clymers manual does a good job of walking through tear down and back up. Sorry about your trip.

[mikek1200rs]

The bike is a 1998, I took many pictures etc.

[SweetT]

Yeah, I just did two clutch jobs like this over the summer (on my buddies bikes). They all had the same symptoms; slipping clutch. When I pulled the clutch housing oil started running out. I could tell from the smell and viscosity and the way that it had been flung out from inside the clutch that it was engine oil. Its about a $1500 job if you have the dealer do it. I spent about 20hrs on labor my first time and got it down to 16hrs of labor the second time i did it. Expect to spend about $250-$350 in parts. The ironic thing is that the o-ring that keeps the engine oil from getting into the clutch (which is what has failed on your bike) cost $0.79.

[andy45320]

The bike is a 1998, I took many pictures etc.
Well that is for sure out of warranty...if it is the seal, the dealer might go to bat with NA on a good faith deal on the seal if that is the cause. Worst case you are going to be out about 1500, but I would put up a fight if the dealer does not appear make you some type of offer since they did overfilled it. That is about your only claim against them, so proving it to me at least is critical factor.

[mikek1200rs]

Does anyone know how long the clutch should last in the k1200rs? :banghead

[andy45320]

Does anyone know how long the clutch should last in the k1200rs? :banghead
There is no manufacture stated clutch life expectancy that I have ever heard, probably because the clutch is considered a wear item just like tires. Playing the odds, your problem is not going to be the friction material being worn off it will be because oil has contaminated the clutch plate. Having read several posts of folks over on k-bikes.com that have gone well over 80k+ miles on a single clutch...most however end up eventually replacing them when a seal gives up the ghost. When you/dealer replaces it, you can micrometer the wear of the clutch to find how much it was actually worn down. Hope things work out for your getting it replaced.

[eric2]

The clutch will last 100k if not abused or lubed by engine or tranny oil, or brake fluid from the hydaulic clutch.

Regarding the rising oil level mentioned. I've heard of one case where one of the freeze plugs behind the front timing cover started leaking, but if thats the case the oil will get milky and the radiator level will drop. I had to replace 2 clutches on mine in 93k miles, both times it got soaked by engine or tranny oil.

If it is either the tranny or rear main seal, have them replace both while in there. I would also consider replacing the clutch slave cylinder while its apart to cover all bases.

hth

[mikek1200rs]

So far the bike is at the dealer, on the lift, service said it was the slave, manager said he thought it was the seal? I only care that it will be fixed sometime this month. The delay has already ruined nascar weekend and a fund raising ride this weekend. Life is long and riding makes it longer. :bikes