Clutch Problems

[sledge]

I have great difficulty selecting 1st gear, I am certain the clutch is dragging. I have been told the bike could have the wrong grade of oil in the engine and this would cause the problem. I havent replaced the oil since I bought it secondhand so I have no idea myself whats in it.  Can anyone tell me the correct grade and spec of oil and if its likely to have damaged the clutch plates in any way.

[Black Snowman]

Could you elaborate on "great difficulty". Does it not go in, does it grind like the clutch is sticking, or does it keep popping back out of gear?

1st thing I'd recommend is make sure your clutch is adjusted properly and try double-clutching to get in 1st at a stand-still. If you're having trouble going into 1st while moving, make sure you either bring the engine RPM up to match your speed as you downshift or wait until you are moving quite slowly to drop all the way down to 1st.

[sledge]

To elaborate I cant get easily 1st gear from a standstill or when coming down the box, I have to stamp on the lever a few times. Its all the more confusing as the neutral light goes out before the gear selects. All other gears are OK. I know its dragging because if start it in gear with the clutch pulled in it wants to roll forward slightly. I have adjusted the clutch in accordance with the workshop manual and the cable is free. I have had a few opinions to suggest the oil, although the right grade may not be suitable for use with wet clutches.

[The Buddha]

Your clutch isn't slipping. Its in fact dragging when you have the thing pulled in. Opposite of slipping where it slips when the lever is let out. adjust it. Your oil will not make it do what its doing however slippery/synthetic it is.
Cool.
Srinath.

[The Buddha]

And BTW change the oil...may not solve your problem but you buy it you change it...
Cool.
Srinath.

[klimber]

confused

so how would you adjust a dragging clutch, i don't appear to be able to find anything on that in the manual

[The Buddha]

Your clutch dragging when you have the lever pulled in means its not slipping. It means your lever is not pulling the plates apart. The lever needs a bit more tightening. With slippage it will slip when the clutch is all the way let out.
Cool.
Srinath.

[sledge]

Sheshardi thank you for your comments, however I am aware of the fact the clutch is dragging as stated in my original posting . I have tried adjustment of the clutch as stated in the workshop manual and this is having no effect whatsoever.  I have been led to believe the oil must be SF minimum rated as otherwise this can effect clutch operation.  The bike has done only 8k miles is a 94 model and has been laid up for the past 3 yrs.

[pantablo]

I have been led to believe the oil must be SF minimum rated as otherwise this can effect clutch operation.  The bike has done only 8k miles is a 94 model and has been laid up for the past 3 yrs.

That is a myth-as long as you don't use oil with friction modifyers (in automotive oil) the only time that oil will have an affect on clutch operation is when the oil level is low. Check the oil level first. Not sure you did that. Good idea to change oil as Srinath says since you haven't since you bought it (good preventative measure as you never know when it was done last). What you are describing sounds like slightly low oil.

if start it in gear with the clutch pulled in it wants to roll forward slightly.

That is normal.

[DrtRydr23]

if start it in gear with the clutch pulled in it wants to roll forward slightly.

That is normal.

Pablo's right, mine does that too.  I think its pretty normal.  If you run it on the center stand and let the back tire spin, when you pull the clutch in it will keep spinning until you stop it manually.

John L.

[Rema1000]

Hm, my '92 doesn't seem to do this; at-least, when I'm waiting at a light in 1st with the clutch pulled-in, the bike doesn't seem to be trying to move; I can duck walk it backwards and forwards, and it seems pretty-much the same as in neutral.

[sledge]

The problem has now been rectified. I decided to pull the covers off and have a look inside the clutch. I found severe damage to the plates, about half of the plain plates showed signs of overheating, and all the fiction plates smelled burnt.  A new set of plates and some  Motul synthetic oil (reccomended by my Local Suzuki dealer) has cured the problem.  The clutch action is now perfect, the drag has gone and I have no difficulty selecting gears. The previous (and original) owner of the bike learned to ride on it and I can only conclude he burnt the clutch out in the process! Thanks to all who replied to my posting for the comments and suggestions.

[kigroy]

Where did you order the plates from?   I am in the market for some new ones too, but it looks like they are going to cost around $100.  Do you have any recommendations for me?

[sledge]

[kigroy]

Thanks for the tip.  I think I'm going to try and get some this weekend and install them.