Topic: Clutch

[DaveInTexas]

I am having trouble setting my clutch up just right.  I rode about 50miles since I got the bike,  but the clutch is not doing what I think it should.

I set it up per manual instructions and rode for a while (the plates were frozen together when I got it), but it was really clunking when I put it into first, and would move slightly if the brake was not fully pressed.  So I cranked in some tension on the handlebar adjuster to reduce the play.  Gradually over several rides, until it did not clunk so much going into first. 

So today the clutch was slipping when at higher rpms... in all gears.  I took off a little tension (giving a slight amount of free play) and it still slips, but really clunks going into first and it is very hard to find N when the engine is running. (its easy to find N with engine off)

Its like maybe the spring tension is too weak, and when I reduce the free play to try to correct in that direction....I end up with a clutch that does not fully release (and then its hard to change gears).
What do you think of this suggestion, thanks.

[jaknight]

Hi Dave,

     Basic question Dave, so please bear with me on this.  Just gotta ask.......

     Do you by any chance know how many miles the clutch has on it?  How about the number of miles on the bike for a possible pointer?

     As I understand it 30,000 to 40,000 can be considered extraordinary; 20,000 to 25,000 if it's been somewhat of a throttle twister...........

     Just a thought......

     ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[DaveInTexas]

I think this bike has 50K miles on it although it does not look it.
I should have mic'd the plates, measured the springs when I had it off - but the only real thing noticed wrong was the siezed plates, plus there were many other things to tend to at that time.
Hint taken.

[Boomologist]

I had the same issue develop over time. Finally removed the clutch pack and buffed the plates on a wire wheel to take the glaze off. Works great now.

[scondon]

    When I broke apart my stuck friction disks the friction material came apart a bit. Stuffed it all back in and rode fine for a bit but the material was no longer any good and clutch began slipping horribly. New friction disks and proper adjustment at the clutch adjusting nut/screw(not the cable adjustment) fixed everything.

    Clunking into first is common. There are ways to minimze this but I don't know if they have to do with adjusting the clutch tension, new disks will help. Difficulty finding neutral while running may go away once you sort out your disks and adjustment. Improper oil can add to difficulty of finding neutral and clunking into first. Heavier weights like 20/50 seem to affect shifting on my bike so I always run the 10/40 and change often.