Rolling resistance with clutch in?

[lossfound]

Hey everyone - been a lurker for a few weeks and have just had my account approved. I'm the proud new owner of a '98 GS500E in generally great shape, save for a slightly melted front fender (looks chemical, like a gasoline spill or something, possibly-- let me know if anybody has a black front fender they're disposing of). We just rolled over 6666 miles last night. Her name is Augustina.



This bike is running fantastically for the most part. But one thing I've been noticing is that I have slightly more resistance with the clutch pulled in in first than I do when in neutral-- it's harder to push her around, slide her around at intersections, back her out of spaces, etc., while in gear. I could be crazy, but it feels like I have a little resistance gliding to a stop as well. I'm relatively new to bikes but none of my previous bikes have done this (including the '87 GS450 I started on ). Guessing this isn't normal, although the bike just sits there when I'm in gear and doesn't try to roll forward with the clutch engaged or what-have-you. Am I off in my thinking and if not, what might be causing this?

Thanks y'all. Glad to meet you.

[Absolute Rescue]

Hello and welcome. I think your clutch cable may need to be adjusted a little, you shouldn't have this drag sounds like the clutch isn't fully disengaging. Here is how you can adjust that...its pretty easy http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20468.0

Hope this helps. Good luck and ride safe.

[coll0412]

You will have resistance when the bike is cold, once it is warmed up, there should be very little difference.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

the melted front fender is normal on a GS, it comes from sitting in traffic, the headers warp the fender.

[lossfound]

Absolute: Thanks for the clutch procedure link! I'll try that when I change the oil later this week (finally got me a 21mm socket for the drain plug, what a bear that was to find).

coll: I had her on the road for about an hour last night and it was pretty much the same throughout.

NGFL: Yeah, I wondered if the headers did 'er in, but it's a pretty weird warpage / deformity, definitely looks kind of chemical. Guess we'll find out if I replace it and the same thing happens.

[ohgood]

welcome to the forum lossfound.

I have a very similar 98 gs500. mine is minus the stripping. is yours genuine BLACK, or a very dark midnight blue ?

nice looking bike by the way.

[Suzuk-E]

the melted front fender is normal on a GS, it comes from sitting in traffic, the headers warp the fender.

I wondered how that happened. ha.

[Jay_wolf]

Looks Black to me !

[lossfound]

Ohgood: Yep, she's black. Good thing too. We all know black bikes are faster than blue ones.

I thought about removing the striping decals, but then I noticed last night that both of my jackets and helmets match perfectly. I am not one of these people that color-coordinates their gear with their bike (the jackets certainly didn't match anything else I've ridden). Not sure if that means I should leave the decals, or remove them immediately.

[OgGy]

I have the same probleml, don't know what's causing it though. Might try adjusting the clutch and see if that fixes it

[sledge]

Its totally normal behaviour. With the bike in neutral you are turning one side of the gearbox via the chain and output/shaft when you push it. If its in gear with the clutch in you are turning both sides of the gearbox and the clutch via the chain and o/p shaft, plus you will have oil-drag especialy if its cold and if the engine is running oil-swirl. As a result it will take a lot more effort to push. Try pushing it in a higher gear and it will become even more harder due to the reduction in ratio.

[Oklahoma_Mike]

Hello Lossfound:
I have a 97 (E Same color even) and had to replace my fender for the same reason it was BADLY distorted mine looked heat related. The PO did it so I am not sure what caused it. I put a new one on in spring and haven't had the issue repeat. If you head east give me a shout. I head to OKC about once every 3 months to visit family. Next time I do i'll hit you up.