clutch question

I recently put a new clutch cable on my 650 and when I attempted to engage the clutch it would not release the pressure plates. How do I determine if my clutch is bad

 

You take it apart and look.

Not releasing usually indicates a simple adjustment problem.

Not gripping usually indicates a "bad" clutch.

That being said, a 30-year old clutch will need attention, if it doesn't now.

Here's what an XJ clutch looks like inside: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29541.html

This is a 550/600 clutch; yours is simpler in that it has no tabs on the plain plates nor a "clutch boss spring" inside a special friction plate. All your friction plates will be the same. The way it works, comes apart and goes together is the same.

If you take it apart, clean it up and replace the friction plates and springs you can pretty much forget about it for the forseeable future.

 

How woud I check the adjustment, I have the clutcch pulling all the way. I moved the lever on the spline so that it pulls all the way, could the plates be stuck together from sitting for years?

 

They sure could.

Did you read the article I linked you to?

 

Thanks fitz thepplates were stuck from years of sitting, I pulled he clutch and bumped it back and forth several times and it loosened up, I willl warm the engine thendro the oil and see how it does. Thanks