BMW Service - R1200C Roadside Clutch Bleed

The R1200C with buck-horn type handlebars places the clutch master cylinder intake port in a position where air can be ingested while the motorcycle is in a parked position. When air is ingested the clutch lever becomes spongy and ineffective. This tip could help get you on the road again. Chris R. Harris - BMW technician - Team Monkey Productions

[@n1ydy]

Chris, it's GREAT to see both you, and your lovely assistant, making videos again! Welcome back, and as a survivor myself, congratulations!

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+n1ydy Thank you

[@CarlosGonzalez-lp1de]

Thank you Chris for this very helpful video, I just got in panic having my 2001 GS1150 (with 11,000Miles only) without clutch and 230 miles away from a BMW dealer....I will try to fix my self according to your tips on the video, thanks again!

[@wilkovanvegten5458]

Nice shop Chris. Good to see you up and running again.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+Wilko van Vegten Thank you

[@mariowozniak7942]

i just want to thank you for your video, I was able to clutch bleed in my R1200CL. I feel very accomplished by doing it my self, I would have to wait like a month for the BMW service in the Cleveland area, thanks again!

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Great work! Thanks for writing, Chris

[@feltonwem]

My fluid was a little low and a little brown. Good to try this to get home and before plunking down for rebuild. That res is at a rough angle for sure. Thanks for posting.

[@44hawk28]

I have a 98 1200 C and it has a slightly low clutch Reservoir. It is not as low as the one pick you demonstrate their, I only use the clutch when I downshifting or in first gear anyway. Almost all of the time I shipped it without using the clutch. I bought this bike with 3300 miles on it and they told me that that would be very difficult to do until the transmission broke in it about 27,000 miles, it's working pretty good. It is very touchy. You have to get that timing exactly right to upshift this transmission without using the clutch. Thank you for the look-see at the system. I cannot figure out for the life of me without studying it a bit more how in the world the clutch Reservoir increases fluid as the correct where's. That doesn't seem to make any sense to me. But perhaps the way the slave cylinder is set up it will make sense when I look at it closer. Thank you very much. I am going to be looking for a pair of wheels that do not have spoke in them, I think they would be cleaner looking and serve me better.

[@TheRacerRich]

Valve grinding compound trick - genius, can't believe I've never head it before. I think it's notable that at the BMW Rider Academy they instructed us to lock the wheel facing away from the lean when parked, baring a compelling reason to do it into the lean.

[@bentleyhar]

great info and great to have you back hope all is well

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+bentley harris Thank you

[@Aaron-zc8bt]

+Chris Harris I let it pass, could not verify engine condition.

[@mikechupa]

Thanks. I was able to sit on it and lean it far enough to get the air out. Local guy wanted to change slave cylinder.

[@jtreg]

Good to see you back mate!

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Thanks jtreg!

[@robertotto3983]

Thanks for the tips.Bleeding the brakes can give me headaches

[@ruairioneill9393]

Great video and great advise. Looking forward to trying this technique!

[@verticalgyno]

Hi Chris, i have a 1150 GS Adv, just in case better know a "trick" like this ;) Thanks a lot. The sound of the bike is lovely, report this to the owner. I wish you as well a lot of good road. Ciao

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+verticalgyno Thank you

[@fattyman9133]

Great to see you back. Even better to see you enjoying yourself! Although I enjoyed seeing you get pissed at bikes too. Ride safe.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+Fattyman Mc Fatty Thanks!

[@mikebeveridge1715]

Chris glad to see you are back making videos. Where can i buy your clutch video?

[@ChrisR.Harris]

You can't, it is free! e-mail: nhbmwshop at gmail.com and I'll send the info. Thanks.

[@wildwespocketbike]

Oh my god , thank you, you save me a lot of hassle and headache from getting underneath the bike and bleeding it from the bottom thank you thank you thank you

[@vitobonafede2497]

this such a great VIDEO, man its all about the physics....thats so clever thanks

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Thank you!

[@rodx5571]

2:00 damn. too late, 3 easy. 4th, yep, drill and vise grips. EDIT: Awesome vid. big help. Something i have done is use my mightyvac to pull a small vacuum and it pulls out air and the vac is displaced by fluid.

[@peterricho232]

Thanks Chris, worked perfectly 👍😊

[@Jaybird289]

Welcome back

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+JAY CANNON Thank you

[@jamesmills9158]

hi Chris..great to see you back. Is that your missus ? you lucky dog .

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Yes James, thanks!

[@goober650NX]

Excellent. Thanks Chris. "Keep 'er lit!"

[@flyingdutchman4you]

Nice throaty exhaust note, for a Beemer...

[@peerplaut]

I had no clutch. Barley got 'er home. I had gray in the upper cylinder. I removed the slave cylinder and there was a bunch of red think gunk in the cavity after I removed the slave cylinder. I did notice when pumping the lever, there was some fluid weeping out of the slave cylinder. I am ordering a replacement slave cylinder tomorrow. My main question is. What can I use to safely clean the gunk out of the slave cylinder cavity? Thanks! ~P.

[@tclaz991]

Very helpful, Thank You!

[@frazbmw]

Missed you.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+JUSTIN D Thanks!

[@camillanugent]

Hi Chris, Thank you for so much content, quick question. I have open the box, the color is not brown but not clear either. What is your recommended fluid brand for the fluid replacement? Mine is a 2002 R1150RT and has 46K miles. Just doing the 50K maintenance since I had a busted starter last season.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Hi Camilla,, I use Spectro DOT 4 fluid: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/spectro-golden-supreme-dot-4-brake-fluid?sku_id=1776777

[@meanieband]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing this.

[@MrMrob92]

Wow this just saved my butt. Thank you!!! Great video!

[@ChrisR.Harris]

You're welcome but put a helmet on that thing! ;) There will be more R1200C material coming, MrMrob92.

[@dukester5419]

Thanks Bro, I will try this in the A.M.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Good luck.

[@nickheinz3737]

Nice video!

[@marcschultz01]

I have had this happen to me a couple of times, with my R1150RT.

[@stevenhumblet8495]

THANKS THANKS THANKS

[@mattbillenstein]

My 2007 R1200R specifies mineral oil in the clutch system -- do earlier bikes use brake fluid? Does it matter which one you use?

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+Matt Billenstein Yes they did and yes it does. Use the type of fluid specified on the reservoir cap at all times.

[@gsxrjeff]

nice thx

[@melrosemediaonline]

Chris I have the r1150r and fluid is grey metallic color. So I need a new slave cylinder?

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Yes.

[@melrosemediaonline]

@@ChrisR.Harris HI Chris thanks for this, can I safely still use the bike with a noisy clutch bearing or do I need to replace immediately?

[@Aaron-zc8bt]

Chris I am looking at a 95 R1100RS with 30k mi on it. It is salvage title and is basically a parts bike. ( missing bags and faring) Is $1000 a good deal?

[@ChrisR.Harris]

+Aaron D Perhaps.