Clutch!

I started the bike yesterday puled in the clutch and put her in first, she shot forward like a rocket with the clutch still in and stalled of course. Took a while to get her back into neutral and try again but same thing several times. If the clutch is'nt dis-engaging why is there no problem getting into gear? My bike has been standing for 2 or 3 weeks but once warmed up there's no problem. Any ideas ?

Faighaigh.

 

Clutch Plates are clearly sticking together... obviously entertaining but not good in Traffic.
things to try in Order:
Check Cable function,
Change Oil,
Dismantle clutch,
Fit new plates.

 

Did you have any Clutch related problems before what just happened?

 

No Rick, no problem at all. Cable seems ok is lubed and adjustment is good, oil was changed just a short while ago. It has to be plates not dis-engaging for some reason. But why is it ok once the bike has been running a short while, oil warmed up a little? Temperature in the garage this morning was 9c not cold enough to thicken the oil and once the bike was ticking over a few minutes into gear and off up the road with no trouble what so ever.

Faighaigh.

 

My guess is:

The Chill contracts the Clutch Basket ever-so-slightly and you probably have some light to moderate Galling on the Bosses of the Cage. The Plates are getting squeezed by the not-yet-warmed-up and contracted Cage ... so the Plate can't move from their engaged positions.

If you have to go in there and check ... wipe the Channels with Panty Hose and anyplace that the Panty Hose gets "Pulled" is a place you have to smooth-out with a stone or some sanding papers and a ton of elbow grease!

 

Thanks Rick, think for now I'll just leave her ticking over till she's warmed up a bit and if things dont improve when the weather warms up a little I'll have a look inside as you suggest. Meanwhile I think I'll get a new cable just in case I'm wrong about the old one.

Mhic

 

Hi
just read about your clutch sticking. I have this on my 90 xj600 when starting from cold so much so that after 3 months unused the starter will not turn the engine over and the starter solinoid clicks like mad. Had to take plugs out .put in top gear and rock it until it frees its self with the clutch in. I also start it on the centre stand back wheel off the floor in neutral. The wheel starts turning which is the same as jumping foward, after a minute I put the rear brake on and every thing is fine for the rest of the day
Dave DC
Alyesbury UK

 

The symptom of the Clutch sticking in Cold Weather can be related to the condition of the Engine and the amount of Moisture getting into the Crankcase beyond the rings while the Engine is running.

In these cases where the Clutch isn't disengaging although the Clutch Lever is Pulled and/or the Bike is in Neutral ...

Inspect the Crankcase Ventilation Hose for possible obstruction or kinking.
Crankcase gases need to be vented to the Airbox to pull-away the Moisture ladened gases that collect in the Crankcase all the while the Engine is running.

If the Gear Exchange Cover with its baffle is clogged or iced-up ... the gases remain in the Crankcase where the condensation can freeze and also thicken the Oil making it like sludge.

When that happens there isn't enough room for the Plates to separate without the sludgy, cold oil to keep the Friction Plates from rotating the Driven Plates and the Bike acts like the Clutch is out of adjustment.

This usually happens when its REAL Cold out. At or below freezing.

 

Thanks again Rick, have to admit that with the holidays etc I've not thought a great deal about the bike. I expect I'll have to put the battery on charge before I can I'll check that out. Not been too cold here yet though around 8c (45 or so F) in the garage this morning.

Mick Faighaigh.

 

I'd agree with Rick and would recomend flushing the oil out with SeaFoam just follow the recomended amount on the can.
Then change the oil and filter out.

good Luck