F800GS clutch basket material

jttele · 09-06-2012, 04:28 PM

Anybody know for sure what the material the clutch basket in the 800GS is made of? Reason for asking is that I've had the oil analized twice now on my bike, and both times it showed up as high in aluminum content. I'm pretty sure they don't regularly analize oil on wet clutch bikes, so I'm guessing it might be normal what they're reporting for the wear from the clutch basket.

MikeMike · 09-07-2012, 04:20 AM

Why would the clutch basket be wearing and not the clutch plates?

JRWooden · 09-07-2012, 05:42 AM

I've not had mine apart yet on this bike, but from pictures I've seen of others I am 99% sure the basket is made from some aluminum alloy.
And now that I've said that I wonder why bike mfg. make it out of aluminum ...

... I'm sure they have a reason,
It might just be "cost".... I think it's a die-cast part and a nice aluminum alloy is always a good choice for die-casting.

Nice set of pictures here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=37

Anyway, I've had occasion on other bikes I've owned to have the "fingers" of the clutch basket get worn even when disks are working as designed. Here's an article on basket wear ... the first picture at the bottom shows a pretty badly worn basket:

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/824...how-to-fix-it/

So ... you may be on to something!
I'd ring up the company that did the analysis -- you're sending them your money, they should be willing to thake a few minutes to help you "interpret" the results of your tests!

jttele · 09-07-2012, 08:10 AM

Thanks for the links. I'll check with the lab for more info, and re-check it in 2-3K miles I guess.

jttele · 09-07-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMike

Why would the clutch basket be wearing and not the clutch plates?

I guess if the basket is aluminum and the plates are harder steel, the aluminum would show more wear. There was some iron wear showing as well, but not to an extent that it was a problem as far as the lab was concerned. The aluminum was at 89ppm and the iron at 38ppm after about 3k miles. The lab said that aluminum should be 25ppm or less and iron 50ppm or less, but I'm not sure if they were actually comparing this to the same type of vehicle with a wet clutch or just a general classification.

GH41 · 09-07-2012, 02:39 PM

I'll say the same thing I said the last time this was discussed... It would surprise the shit out of me if the lab has sampled enough BMW twins to have a clue what is or isn't normal!!! GH

MikeMike · 09-08-2012, 06:19 AM

I've seen one of the clutch baskets break.
I wasn't sure if it was strictly aluminum or some sort of aluminum alloy. I would recommend having a really good clutch basket holder if you tear it down, the basket is not something that is going to inspire a whole lot of confidence when you see it.

JRWooden · 09-08-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMike

...the basket is not something that is going to inspire a whole lot of confidence when you see it.

That sounds like something I would say

09-06-2012, 04:28 PM	#1
jttele ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Alexander, NC Oddometer: 124	F800GS clutch basket material Anybody know for sure what the material the clutch basket in the 800GS is made of? Reason for asking is that I've had the oil analized twice now on my bike, and both times it showed up as high in aluminum content. I'm pretty sure they don't regularly analize oil on wet clutch bikes, so I'm guessing it might be normal what they're reporting for the wear from the clutch basket. __________________ Jttele

09-07-2012, 05:42 AM	#3
JRWooden Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2008 Location: The great state of confusion Oddometer: 3,441	I've not had mine apart yet on this bike, but from pictures I've seen of others I am 99% sure the basket is made from some aluminum alloy. And now that I've said that I wonder why bike mfg. make it out of aluminum ... ... I'm sure they have a reason, It might just be "cost".... I think it's a die-cast part and a nice aluminum alloy is always a good choice for die-casting. Nice set of pictures here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=37 Anyway, I've had occasion on other bikes I've owned to have the "fingers" of the clutch basket get worn even when disks are working as designed. Here's an article on basket wear ... the first picture at the bottom shows a pretty badly worn basket: http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/824...how-to-fix-it/ So ... you may be on to something! I'd ring up the company that did the analysis -- you're sending them your money, they should be willing to thake a few minutes to help you "interpret" the results of your tests! JRWooden screwed with this post 09-07-2012 at 05:53 AM

09-07-2012, 08:10 AM	#4
jttele ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Alexander, NC Oddometer: 124	Thanks for the links. I'll check with the lab for more info, and re-check it in 2-3K miles I guess. __________________ Jttele

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-07-2012, 04:20 AM	#2
MikeMike Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: South east Mexico Oddometer: 2,412	Why would the clutch basket be wearing and not the clutch plates?

09-07-2012, 02:39 PM	#6
GH41 Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Oddometer: 626	I'll say the same thing I said the last time this was discussed... It would surprise the shit out of me if the lab has sampled enough BMW twins to have a clue what is or isn't normal!!! GH

09-08-2012, 06:19 AM	#7
MikeMike Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: South east Mexico Oddometer: 2,412	I've seen one of the clutch baskets break. I wasn't sure if it was strictly aluminum or some sort of aluminum alloy. I would recommend having a really good clutch basket holder if you tear it down, the basket is not something that is going to inspire a whole lot of confidence when you see it.