K1100LT Clutch - help!

[Mr Pom]

Hello,
New to the forum and looking for some advice and inspiration. I had noticed that my K1100LT clutch began to slip some time ago, this was initially only obvious when attempting ‘hard’ acceleration, also on the motorway if I was cruising and wound the throttle fully open the clutch would slip and after a few seconds the engine would catch up and the bike would accelerate (sling-shot effect). I had adjusted the cable (relatively new) on several occasions and it was at full adjustment. Hindsight is fantastic and I know that I shouldn’t have ignored the problem, but I needed the bike for my daily commute and the slipping was not too much of an inconvenience. This morning, 60MPH going up a long incline I realised I could not accelerate and when I tried I could hear the engine increasing revs with no increase in speed, before I realised what was happening I got the lovely smell of a burning clutch (burnt out clutch plates I hear you say, read on!). As I made my way to the hard shoulder, I went to change down and the clutch lever was ‘limp’. On inspection I could see that the lever was correctly operating the cable, which was correctly working the clutch arm at the back of the engine (with limited friction). After some mind searching I decided to see if I could get the bike home, which I did by putting in 1st gear, hitting the button and off we went. Now here’s the thing, whilst on the motorway (changing gears using engine revs) there was absolutely no sign of slippage and when I gave it full throttle it took off like the proverbial rocket (or at least as fast as a K1100 can!).
With my limited knowledge I have concluded that the clutch plates must be ok (or at least functional) but it is what engages/disengages the clutch which has gone. So what I need to know is has anyone experienced similar symptoms? What was the cause? Was it a major undertaking to repair? If so, can it be done by a relatively competent person, with no experience in this particular field? Anything else that you can add will be gratefully received. Thanks.

[RobP]

Maybe the center spline section of the clutch disc is binding on the transmission input shaft (?).  How long ago was the last spline lube?

[rbm]

Are you noticing any fluids leaking out of the weep hole on the bottom of the bell housing?  If so, it might indicate a oil-fouled clutch (possibly caused by a bad O-ring or main seal on the output shaft.

[Red]

I've got a '97 K1100LT. At around 96K I noticed a slight slip in third gear,(that was unusual and different from what I was used too), but... I had pulled extra hard to speed after stopping along side the Highway. Otherwise I really was not seeing, feeling any issues with my clutch, slipping etc. I noticed a slight oil drip under the bikes engine when at rest, and since I was due for a spline grease job I took the bike apart. I found that my clutch plate material was contaminated with engine oil that had been thrown around the bell housing and clutch. The oil leak was from the rear mail seal. I replaced the rear main seals, new clutch, etc., did a spline loob job and performed basically what I thought to be a full maintenace all the way back thru the rear drive.  :dunno I believe I was close to having a failure with the clutch...just a matter of time. I put the bike back together and rode around 100 miles or so and noticed another oil drip under the bike. This second oil drip was a bit different, upon closer inspection and it turned out to be oil coming from the front main seal of my transmission. I took the bike apart again and (did some research and found that I could get to and take out and replace this oil seal from outside, (versus popping the transmission plate and attacking the oil seal from the inside the transmission). Much easier, thank goodness. The oil from the transmission had contaminated my new clutch material and I had to replace with new clutch material again, replaced the front transmission oil seal. I put the bike together. I've ridden approximately 10K and I have experienced no issues.    :clap:

[KCinSB]

Mine was oil comtamination from the leaking O-Ring under the large clutch nut and special washer, as suggested below in my thread.  That O-Ring is a perfect example of a small inexpensive item causing a ton o work and exponential cost!  You haven't mentioned replacing it, but I think you had to the 1st time in there. Fun isn't it ?     :yes

[Mr Pom]

Thanks for your input. RobP, I have no idea when the centre spline was last lubed, certainly not during my 5 years ownership. There are no leaks at all as I have been monitoring this since the original 'slipping' began, garage floor spotless.
I fear that we are beyond the clutch adjustment option as there is no more adjustment left on the cable and adjusting the arm has no effect. Currently the lever and arm visibly function as normal, the only resistance is the spring pressure from the arm, the clutch does not work at all. Suggestions for next step most welcome as I am hesitant to take something on that may be outside of my ability.