Clutch Control

[conoral11]

Hi there,

Got my bike on the road now, been working on it since January.

My last little niggle now is the clutch. I've adjusted it as descirbed in my Haynes manual and on here just to make sure.

Free play in the handel is correct, and i've setup the clutch adjustor on the engine to just touching - half a turn out.

When I place the bike on its center stand, pull the clucth in and select first gear, the rear wheel starts to move. If you apply the rear brake, whilst still holding the clutch in, the wheel stops. There is no decrease in rpm from the engine, and releasing the brake the wheel remains stationary.

This happens for all gears. Its not a problem when sat on the bike, it doesn't creep, just on the center stand

The other symptom I'm having (might just be me used to different bikes) I only have to pull the clutch in a tiny bit to be able to change gear, and I have to release it almost all the way to find the bitting point.

But i'm not experiencing clutch slippage, the revs always match the bikes speed when accelerating and engine braking is very good too. So i'm all out of idea's.

What are you thoughts?

And thank you for all the help you've given me already.

Regards

Conoral11

[bassmechanicsz]

I dunno but it sounds like you might need to readjust the clutch again if you only have to squeeze it in a little bit to shift gears and let it all the way out to engage.  I am no expert but i would try to adjust the clutch again cause something sounds wrong to me there.

[ineedanap]

the wheel spinning on the centerstand is normal. 

When the clutch lever is pulled in, it forces the clutch plates away from eachother.  There's still a little drag between them from oil and grooves in the clutch basket and lots of other reasons.  It'll cause the wheel to turn slowly if it's on the center stand.  As long as it acts normal when the wheel is held stationary by the brake or the ground you're good to go. 

[NF11624]

Did you adjust the clutch at the lever? 

[conoral11]

Thanks for your quick replies everyone:

I have adjusted the clutch on the lever as well, so it has a little bit of freeplay. I tried it with too much free play and I still have the spinning wheel problem. The wheel isn't spining slowly, its acting like its in gear untill you you apply the brake, then its free wheeling. Slowly releasing the clutch and it behaves normally, but if you relase it all the way then pull it in, it behaves like its in gear.

Haven't tried with too much freeplay on the road, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be a good idea  .

The only thing I haven't checked is the clutch plates, haven't had the time to take it appart.

Regards

Conoral11

[bill14224]

ineedanap is right.  From your description there's nothing wrong with your clutch.

I like the clutch adjustment a little looser than what you describe.  The GS 500's clutch engages and disengages with so little lever movement you can afford to loosen it until that point is closer to the middle of the lever's throw.  That's where I like it.  Try it, you may like it too.

I can't do that with my XS 750.  The clutch is properly adjusted under the cover but if I have any measurable play in the lever and cable it won't disengage fully when I squeeze it all the way to the grip.

[conoral11]

bill14224:

You've given me the perfect answer  , thank you very much, will go and play with in a few minutes and let know how it goes.

Regards

Conoral11

[conoral11]

Yup, its done the trick, and its has for some reason fixed my other problems too!

Thanks for th help guys

Conoral11