Clutch losing all tension

[Tewdiks]

I was riding the other day, and i noticed my clutch was wayy to lose., barely engaging, making shifting rather difficult. So I took off the sprocket cover and cleaned it out real well, adjusted my tension, and noticed that the lock nut was missing. That is the nut that sits on the screw that touches the push rod. I went to home depot and got a new lock nut, put it on, adjusted all my tensions and went for a test ride. Shortly into the ride my clutch lost all tension and stopped engaging. Had to wait for a buddy to bring me some tools. I tightened the nut, and it was enough to get me home, however I can tell that its not staying in place. For one reason or another the screw keeps backing out. Riding a town its fine, but when I run through the gears is when I have issues. I believe its the vibration backing the screw out, and the lock nut isnt doing its job. I'm looking for any helpful suggestions, I could order a new screw and nut from bike bandit, I can keep fiddling with it, adjusting here and there, try to find a setup that will keep it in place, or hand it off to a mechanic. Obviously I don't want to bring in a mechanic, but I'm out of ideas other than to keep adjusting and test riding until it stays. Any suggestions? Its a 91 so issues like this are to be expected, but I'd like to get her back in her glory before winter sets in. Any ideas?

[Soloratov]

Are the threads on the screw ok? Do they look worn at all? You could try getting 2 nuts and use them against each other, but this is kind of the same as a lock nut. Just want to be sure it's the nut itself and not the screw.

Check this:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20468.0

As you can see here in this little "how-to"...well done with pics I might add, the nut is nothing special, so I would be sure of the threads, and then be sure you are properly adjusting things because the nut itself acts as a lock, and if that screw is loose, then the nut has nothing to tighten against.

[gsJack]

Best to make a complete 3 point clutch adjustment to get it setup and when adjusting the pushrod clearance to 1/4 turn loose be sure to lock it tight a most important step not really covered in the how-to or the shop manual.

I take a vice grips and clamp it very tight to a 10 mm deep wall socket and put a long thin screwdriver thru the socket into the adj screw slot with the socket around the loose nut, make the 1/4 turn clearance adjustment, and holding the screwdriver tightly so it won't turn I tighten that locknut properly with the vice grips.

It never comes loose and so far I haven't broken a screw yet.    

From Suzuki Shop Manual:

http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GS500_clutch_adjustment.jpg

[Soloratov]

I like the screw driver through the socket idea, that' just brilliant.