Clutch not fully engaging?

[BigTwin]

It doesn't feel like my clutch is fully engaging when I give it gas. When I try to roll on the throttle in any gear, it feels like it is slipping and it seems to catch up after a second.

Is there anything to do to try and solve this problem? I don't know what that cover w/2 bolts is on the front sprocket cover, is there anything I can do to that? I adjusted my clutch play to have 4mm of play b/w the lever and perch and I don't know what else could be going on?

Keep in mind that the bike only has 1200 miles on it.

THANKS, BigTwin

[red_phil]

As I posted last time someone asked


OK, I'll try and explain what I know, the terms may not be quite what is used in the books I'm afraid.
The clutch control is in 3 main parts.

1st part; the clutch push rod.
This should be fully out for the clutch to engage properly, this rod is pushed by the clutch pusher mechanism. When pushed in the plates are seperated and the clutch disengaged.

2nd part; the clutch pusher mechanism.
This is what is under the sprocket cover. It is pulled by the clutch cable
and pushes on the clutch push rod. when fully released it should allow the clutch push rod to come all the way out otherwise the clutch will not fully engage and you'll get clutch slip. The screw under the little cover on the sprocket cover can be used to adjust how much clearance this mechanism gives to the clutch pusher rod.

3rd part; the clutch cable/handle.
This is the part most people adjust, it controls how much the cable pulls on the clutch pusher mechanism. If this cable is slack then the clutch pusher mechanism is fully released. NOTE this does not mean that the clutch pusher mechanism has necesarrily allowed the clutch pusher rod to fully disengeage the clutch.  If the cable is too tight it will not allow the clutch pusher mechanism to be fully released, this will also result in clutch slip.


I hope this helps you understand how you can have a properly adjusted clutch cable yet still get clutch slip.

The screw under the small cover adjusts the clearance on the clutch push rod.
To adjust this , 1stly you should loosen your clutch cable to allow the clutch pusher mechanism to fully release.
Next you should back the screw under the cover off, then gently screw it back in again until it just touches the end of the rod.
Finally replace the small cover and adjust the clutch cable to the desired settings.


I think the Haynes comic covers this but doesn't really explain what the bits do.

[joedude]

What he said.... ^^^




Good post Phil