Clutch life (CARC bikes)

[ohiorider]

I'm at 60,000+ miles on my 1200 Sport.  Clutch is still good.  Since I've owned several BMW dry plate bikes, I appreciate the fact that (a) these bikes are putting power to the road through one (maybe two) clutch plates vs a multi plate wet clutch pack.  So, I tend to treat them with respect, since (b) on either a BMW or Guzzi, there's a lot that needs to come off to replace the clutch.

So the question.  What kind of mileage are you experiencing with your CARC twin plate clutch bikes?  I know I have to be thousands of miles lower than the higher mileage riders that bought CARC bikes in 2006-2007.

I'm hoping that the Sport is a 100,000 mile bike.  So far, the bike has done nothing to make me think it is anything but a 100k machine.  I only worry about dry plate clutches located in the innards of the bike.

Re the 2v pushrod engine ..... if it'll go 60k, its probably good for 2x - 3x that before a rebuild .... though it'll probably be a bit noisy by that time.  She gets nothing but the best 10w60 Agip 4T Racing Oil.

[Vasco DG]

Bob, as long as you don't abuse it too much the clutch will last a very, very long time. It's the same unit used in most big twins since, well, forever. The last of the pushrod twins are better built and better balanced than anything that came before them and while they make a bit more power than the earlier motors they are still stone-axe reliable. Maintain one well and there is no reason that it won't go 200-300,000 before needing major work. Yes, it will benefit from a top end freshen up before then and will of needed a camchain but it's unlikely to need much else.

As for the clutch? The most likely problem is going to be wear on the teeth of the input boss to the gearbox. This can be minimised by not sitting with the clutch pulled in while stationary. While replacing a clutch on a Sport is a bit of a palaver it's no worse than doing a Tonti. ABS makes it harder due to the location of the pump but really it's no big deal. I had a 1200 Sport 8V that had a repeatedly leaking rear main flange. The gearbox in that thing went in and out like a rabbit's cock on the vinegar stroke! I could have the box on the floor and the flywheel off in about an hour by the time I finally got it sorted! 

Pete

[ohiorider]

Pete, so far, so good!  I'm encouraged by your positive words about the last of the twin plate, 2 valve big block bikes. 

I've been chastised on WG in the past for overly-praising the 1200 Sport, so I'll just say, it's as good a bike as I've owned over the past 30 years.  Now, this may not be high praise to some, but to me, IF BMW had built a V twin K100/1100/1200RS during the 1985-2000 period, they could have done no better than build a German version of the 1200 Sport.  I think perhaps why I like the Sport so much is that it reminds me of the earlier K-RS bikes, but with a V twin that really has some soul.  And I believe it handles better, and the 6 speed Guzzi tranny is surprisingly smooth on these bikes.

May she roll on for several more years!

[Vasco DG]

They're even nicer with the 8V in, albeit with the flat tappet top end which will eventually need changing. I think your importer screwed the pooch there, I reckon it would of sold well. Over here we don't even get the Norge any more and guess what many dealers are getting enquiries about?

Pete

[bad Chad]

Well of course.  It's almost a certain with MG, as soon as a model  becomes unavailable, people "claim" that they are ready to buy.

[twodogs]

I'm with you about the 1200 sport being a nice bike, I bought mine used last year from a member and only have put 8000 great miles on her so far, has 20000 now, had some issues getting the valve cover gaskets to seal and so far this last set has made about 3000 miles, fingers crossed, the only issue I really have with the bike is the oil line going to the left head seems to leak and run down the left cyl. and so far short of replacing the fitting and oil line nothing I've done has stopped the leak, do you know if I replace the oil line can I remove the bolt to the oil line under the alt. without removing the alt.? I'm really glad that you have the trouble free miles on yours and I'm looking forward to catching up to you Don't mean to steal your thread and thanks for any help you can give.
Bruce

[nick949]

"The gearbox in that thing went in and out like a rabbit's cock on the vinegar stroke!"

There's always something new to learn on this forum.  I had to look up 'vinegar stroke' in the Urban Dictionary.  Keep it up Pete - ain't the English language wonderful?

Nick