I have developed a problem with my clutch recently (2015 Multi 1200S). When in motion, everything works perfectly well and there are no problems at all. However, when pulling away from a standstill there is a substantial clunk, just as the biting point is being reached. After the clunk the bike pulls away and there are no further issues. Can anyone advise me or give any pointers as to where I should be looking, so as to find and fix this please?
My only concern with draining the oil and pulling the cover, is that I have never even seen the inside of a clutch before and I probably wouldn’t have a baldy if it looked alright or not
I would have a check of the chain and sprockets along with the hub. If all of that's OK, then you will need to poke around the clutch. If it's a big clunk then it might be easily obvious ( i have seen clutch hubs with the spring bolt posts coming loose) even if you aren't too experienced. Failing that you will have to pay someone to investigate.
Yeah ducv2, the sprockets are as new, as is the chain and it is also properly tensioned. It is a very noticeable clunk/judder alright. Think I will go out for a play on it tomorrow again and try to figure out more about it, as it does it most times but not every time.
Could be the one or more of Cush drives on the way out. That could cause a clunk in the way you describe. You can get an idea of it by grabbing the rear sprocket and trying to rotate it (with engine off in neutral obviously).
I don’t disagree Andy. I’ve one customer with an ST3 with a wet clutch which has done 80,000 miles which he swears is still the original clutch. I’ve another with a 1200 multi where the friction pack had to be replaced at just over 30,000km. It all depends what life they’ve been through and how they’ve been treated. By rights it should be fine but something inside there is making that noise so it warrants inspection.
Agreed on the cush drives, they are a perishable part and if the bike hasn't been loved, they are likely starting to fail. Even a small degrade can feel sloppy. As said above, put the bike on the side stand, neutral with engine off and move the sprocket by hand to see if it's moving freely (it shouldn't).
Everything else has been checked, including the cush drives and everything is grand. It looks like the cover will have to come off and everything inside checked over.
If the bike is on the side stand, you don't have to drain the oil. Before you start pulling the clutch apart, make sure the main nut is torqued correctly, 10nm I think and the springs are done the same. You'll have to check the nm rating. It's pretty easy to remove the cover but you will need the right type of sealant to when you refit it as they don't have a gasket.
Plus, you'll see once you get the cover off, it's really not a risky job. Just be sure to be in a clean area, don't leave it open for ages and wear rubber gloves. If you decide to remove the clutch pack, try to keep them in the right orientation and order. It's not critical but it's advice I was given and have followed for years. As for oil, I'd strongly suggest changing it if you're opening up the clutch, simply because you're already there and it doesn't hurt. Plus, you may find some answers in the oil (I'd hope not).
Put it back together and give it a go. If that doesn't clear it, plates and basket out. If you get that far, you might as well fit new plates and springs, but I'd be looking for signs of wear on the basket. It would be unlikely given the mileage, but you never know. My mate's Mum could burn a Morris Marina clutch in less than 10k miles, but I'm assuming you are more mechanically sympathetic than her!
It's not the chain slapping on the underside of the swingarm is it? I had this due to a tight spot on a chain, not a Multi, would give a clunk as it hit the arm when the chain went past the tight spot on initial take off.
