C600 Clutch Replacement

[kris-p]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and to BMW scooters. Two months ago I bought 2013 C600 Sport second hand with only 5000km on the clock, but I have a feeling that some symptoms of a bad clutch are present since yesterday.

I thought that if I will have to replace the clutch, I will buy Dr Pulley one as I read all good reviews about it. My question is:
- does anyone have experience with this clutch? Would you recommend it?
- how difficult is it to replace the clutch, is it just question of taking the old one out, and putting new one in? Is the coiled spring part of the assembly, or do I need to take the spring out and put it to the new clutch?
- do I need some special tools, or just regular tools (incl. torque wrench) are enough?
- if I put Dr Pulley clutch in, would you recommend replacing rollers in the variator too? I do not need faster acceleration or higher speed, I just want comfortable ride.

Thanks!

EDIT: Looks like this video and also this thread that is showing the whole process, which kind of answers my second question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBaw3hKdP5c https://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/threads/1408-C650-C600-Clutch-Replacement

 

[bicyclenut]

What symptoms are you having? 3100 miles seems very early to be replacing a clutch. When I replaced my CVT belt around 10K miles and inspected the clutch there was plenty of material remaining on the clutch shoes. I would expect the OEM clutch to last at least 24,000 miles and more likely 36,000 miles.

Maybe an issue due to a leaking seal at the shaft or due to glazed clutch shoes. The seal would require disassembly that if you wanted to upgrade to a Dr Pulley clutch, it would be a good time. The glazed shoes can be fixed without any disassembly only some brake torquing of the rear brakes or hard accelerations.


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[kris-p]

Thanks for your reply and info.

The symptoms were extensive vibrations during normal acceleration from a stop followed by a short squeak sound. Once fully engaged, vibrations and squeak dissapear.
However, when I rode the bike to work today, vibrations and noise were gone.

 

[bicyclenut]

Sounds like maybe the clutch shoes were glazed. I have a C650GT at certain times, usually after a long trip or period of riding I get a shudder and some noise on slower speed riding and around town. It can usually be resolved with some quick accelerations or holding the brakes down and rating the throttle, sort of like brake torquing a car. I think this allows shoes to slip and wear off the glazing.




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[kris-p]

Ok thanks a lot, I will try that next time.

 

[davidh]

Kris,

I agree with the comments about possible glazing. I have over 50,000 miles on an original clutch so, unless you got a defective one, should be fine.

I absolutely, do not recommend the Dr. Pulley clutch. I installed one and it didn't last even 10k miles. The shoes wore unevenly and destroyed the $330 clutch bell. I've spent 6 months working with Buggy Parts Northwest (the DP distributor in the US) and DP's answer was to send me new shoes. I will tell you that replacing them is not a DIY job! After finally getting clutch apart, installing the shoes, and ready to install the springs, I discovered that the shoes didnt have the "clips" to which to springs attach. I eMailed BPNW (for about the 20th time) and asked that either DP give me something better than parts -- a discount on a new clutch, some admission of what went wrong (so it doesn't happen again). They merely sent me a second set of pads, this one with the clips. Now I need to disassemble the clutch again, attempt the installation and hope everything is OK. I'm 95% sure I not going to do that; having no trust that they've ID'd the issue -- I can't destroy another clutch bell nor have to think about replacing the clutch every 10k miles.

So...I need to check the condition of the OEM clutch (which I reinstalled 15k miles ago when the DP screwed me). I'll be replacing it with another OEM clutch at the appropriate time.

Here's a link to the pictures if anyone is interested in what happened and comparisons.

 

[Nokey1]

Hi all
Got a 2016 c650 and this is the 3rd time I’ve had bike in for a new clutch
2 nd time they had inserted washer incorrectly and had large clanging sound
3 rd time replaced the clutch
But still get a shudder at first start at low idling speeds
This doesn’t appear if I accelerate hard or take it on a bit of a ride
They don’t know what the problem is
The bike when new was great no problems and when the shudder began they replaced it after12 months when the shudder became unbearable
Had it it again waited by for bmw to confirm they will fix it under warranty
(Warranty has expired but the clutch was reported with a shudder and new clutch completed prior to expiration)
Clutch is an issue with this bike
Shame as threat when running and no shudder

 

[Nokey1]

Hi all,

i purchased a new C650 july 2016..

On my 2nd clutch and the shudder has returned..
I asked for them to install an aftermarket DR Pulley but they fitted the BMW variety(I was hoping they may have upgraded to stronger variety in the two years)
the shudder is normally at low speeds and not has prevalent after a longer ride....
the first 12 months prior to first replacement was great...believe the yamaha tmax clutches are different type and dont experience these problems..
If they get the clutch fixed it would be a great bike...ive just written a product review as BMW service department and customer service arent replying to my emails...
I left the bike with them for two weeks...nothing was done as they were waiting on BMW for authorisation..guess they thought they had spent enough on it so bugger the client...

 

[Skutorr]

Tmax 530...Wet clutch; no problems.
AK 550 ...Wet clutch; no problems.
All the Piaggio 350's...Wet clutches; no problems.

See a pattern here?

 

[Thom Davis]

I guess I'm pretty inured to a little shudder since my first scooter was a little Honda with a dry CVT. It shuddered a LOT. Compared to this, the BMW is smooth. I never expected it to be as smooth as a "real transmission" in a motorcycle (my bikes were honda's, bridgestone, harley). I do think it is interesting that Infinity suv's this year are "introducing" a gear shift feel to their CVT suvs since people "missed" the shift feel. If you are expecting to be in the right gear all the time, you probably shouldn't get a cvt transmission.

 

[Skutorr]

The Honda NC 750x DCT is actually pretty flawless now. My brother got one and it's amazing...