Hi All.

I'm new with the K1200, very new, and already having problems.

Rode it home last month and put it into the barn. It's been snowing up until last week and now we got a little thawing on Christmas. So, rolled it out of the barn today to run the engine, and everything seems fine. Then went to put it into gear to ride it back into storage--and nothing.

Shifted between first and second gear, all indicators are correct, except when I release the clutch lever the bike doesn't move! The kick stand is up. I can't figure out why the clutch is not dis-engaging (if that's what the problem is).

Anyone have any ideas?

At least it's the right time of the year to have a problem.
Have heard of the 1200 brick having clutch plate oil/hydraulic fluid contamination but I think you would have some drive when you released the clutch.
Not that familiar, but could one of the clutch plates have seized on the shaft when you pulled the lever in?
Means the plates aren't coming back together when the lever is released.
It may free again but does sound like it's going to need looked at.
I'm sure someone more knowledgeable may have a better idea what the problem is.

Comberjohn wrote:
Means the plates aren't coming back together when the lever is released.
It may free again but does sound like it's going to need looked at.

Thanks. Well, it was 50deg out--and the engine had been warmed-up to 1/3 on temp gauge.

There is noting in the Clymer about this problem.

I'm wondering if the solenoid is stuck. Did notice some small rust contamination in the reservoir. If the solenoid is stuck it may not be allowing the clutch to return.

AJ, its a bugger to get at (I assume with solenoid you mean the hydraulic piston on the clutch push rod). Was just watching a video where they were drilling a telltale hole in the housing....

Can you play with the rear wheel, spinning it? If the friction disk is stuck it'll be on the input shaft of the gearbox, so little you can do with the engine/starter etc. The clutch piston is spring loaded - did the clutch handle return easily? Enough oil in there?

I have a 1200 as well now, everything seems to need a lot of removal of bits/parts.....

I'm with Renez try turning the back wheel with motor off and if you have an assistant let then play with the clutch lever to see if it makes it release, a little shock somewhere on the clutch housing may speed things up. But try rocking the clutch from the back wheel

OK, so back in the barn a couple days later . . .

Engine off. On center stand.

Shifted to 1st gear and tried rotating the back tire--it locked in gear! So, shifted to neutral and rear well spins free.

Go figure!

What I think happened is the hydraulic return port was partially blocked. I did see some rust/corrosion in the reservoir. Like the old K100 rear brake, if the port becomes  blocked by rust the brake will lock-up. That's what I think happened here to my clutch. Might not be total blockage as the pressure eased after a couple of days allowing the clutch to return to the engaged position. 

I'm glad this happened now because previously I was only planning on a fluid change. Now I've decided on a new/rebuilt clutch piston assembly too.

Thanks all for your contributions.