How long to work in new clutch plates?

Hi again, I have a 1983 XJ550 Maxim. I just got a certified Yamaha mechanic to put in new clutch plates and pressure plates and I am working them in. I was wondering approx how long does it take to actually work in a new set of clutch/pressure plates? Also is there a better way to do it as in city driving versus on the highway or does one just drive normal as one would drive? Thanks
p.s. I put in the plates as I was having a hard times with the gears. here is what is and what would happen:

- Start off in 1st (the only way to get to neutral or first is to manually bend down and put the gears into neutral with the bike off)
- Get up to 2nd and then I could go back down to 1st and then back up to 2 nd over and over again but...
- Once I got up to 3rd I can only go down to 2nd again and I can not find 1st and I would have to pull over again to manually find neutral again and start over.
- Once I go from 3rd to 4th,5th, and 6th then shifting down I can only go to 3rd and 2nd and 1st is lost again.
*** does anyone know whats going on and if the new clutch and pressure plates

 

Are you sure your clutch cable is properly adjusted?

 

work in new clutch plates? about 5 minutes.
sounds like there may be some spring problems under the shifter cover

 

You do not have a clutch problem - the xj (and all bikes for that matter) afaik, have dog gearboxes, and can change gear up or down without a clutch while on the move, all it takes is a little RPM matching and quick movements of the selector.
So you have a selector problem, usually caused by a chain guide breaking up if I recall? Maybe there is another possibility, and you should be able to open up the casing to have a look see.
@Polock beat me to it....

 

The cable was adjusted by the mechanic. I rode for a couple hours today in all the gears and I think the clutch was slipping more at the end of the ride then at the beginning. Is there pics or videos anywhere to how to open the gearbox and what it should look like? Thanks for your help. Appreciate it.

 

The mechanic may have adjusted it, but odds are that he didn’t adjust it properly.

Proper adjustment is covered here.
https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/clutches-101-part-1-the-400-550-600s-with-pics.29541/

 

So both of my problems of a slipping clutch and not finding gears is caused by a shifter problem and I don't have to go into the clutch itself anymore?

 

Thanks K-moe for the good reading

 

So K-moe you are saying start from the proper set up adjustment of the clutch cable? Then go from there.

 

Yes eliminate the easiest possible potential causes first. Chances are the cable is not adjusted correctly and following the correct procedure with fix the bike.

 

Thanks Franz

 

Just checking did the mechanic fit new springs and bolts when he fitted the new clutch plates? These should be replaced.

 

No he never. I just got the clutch and pressure plates thinking this would fix all of my shifting problems.... lol

 

And did the mechanic confirm he was an expert in Yamaha xj bikes, and did he have a tee shirt and baseball cap with Yamaha XJ on them?
No? Well that's the problem then....
Get him to strip it again, in the right dress, fit all the recommended bits, amd let us all know if it fixed your problem?

 

Highly unlikely, one eliminates the other, ignoring the fact that you don't need a clutch to change gears.

 

Yes he is a mechanic at our yamaha dealer here in the city. No XJ hats or t-shirt....lol. I just redid the cable and the clutch mechanism so tomorrow I will take it for a spin and let you guys know

 

Yes.

 

If he's under 50 he would have never worked on an XJ, let alone enough of them to be familiar with their quirks.

 

I'd totally be down for some xj4ever t-shirts. That would be the true identifier of XJ fan.

 

That sounds like a great idea Eric but how does that help me fix my bike....lol That's true K-moe but I bet there are a few of them. There are a few XJ's for sale here for a good price and fixed up. People are still loving them.