Clutch issue troubleshooting ideas?

anoopb · July 05, 2015, 06:56:43 AM

Hi Guys.

I'm not really sure what to call this issue because of how strange it is.

I'm really hoping it's as simple as a clutch problem and can be fixed easily.

So here are the symptoms.

I went out for about a 175 mile ride two days ago. When arriving at a red light, I gear down to first but for some reason, I couldn't put the engine into neutral from first.

I pulled the clutch all the way and tried to put it into neutral but had very little luck. Sometimes it would shift into 2nd and then I'd have to try again.

If i were to kill the engine, then it shifted into neutral effortlessly. I'm really not sure what's going on but i'm hoping to get some ideas on figuring it out here.

Any other information I can provide, please let me know. I'd be happy to give anything a try.

I'm so worried about my GS.

thanks!

metatron · July 05, 2015, 07:12:17 AM

When last did you change your oil & is the level correct? It could also be that the clutch is not fully disengaging maybe, is it set correctly?

anoopb · July 05, 2015, 08:17:59 AM

Hi. Last changed about 8-9 months ago. I'll check the oil level today. Maybe it needs more.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "is it set correctly?" how can i tell?

Suzuki Stevo · July 05, 2015, 10:20:45 AM

Change the oil (optional) and do the 3 Point Clutch Adjust

And if you believe the ramblings of a Farm Boys Son?

Once you do the adjustment and change the oil (if needed), take it out and get the oil good and hot, then take all of the free play out of the lever end, then tie the lever back to the grip over nite

anoopb · July 05, 2015, 04:05:27 PM

Thanks very much! I'll give this a try this week. Does a clutch not being set right account for the issue i'm seeing where I can't shift into neutral at a red light but when I turn the bike off, it shifts?

I would think that an issue like that would be impervious to whether the bike was on or off.

thanks again! i'll give it a shot.

Big Rich · July 05, 2015, 04:43:45 PM

Yep - a clutch adjustment might be all that's needed, as it can cause that problem.

And fyi: sometimes when a clutch cable is getting ready to break, it will "stretch out" and cause the same problem. So you might be looking for a new cable soon too.

gsJack · July 05, 2015, 04:58:24 PM

Not a new problem to the GS, some have reported dificulty shifting from 1st or 2nd into neutral when stopped when engine is hot and oil is overfull. Don't know why but I've experienced it myself a couple times in 180k GS miles. Not real common. Still a good idea to make a 3 point clutch adjustment like Stevo
& Rich suggested to get clutch right. Both my 97 and 02 GSs came from the factory with too much clutch pushrod freeplay and worked noticeably better after proper adjustment.

Suzuki Stevo · July 05, 2015, 05:30:27 PM

Quote from: gsJack on July 05, 2015, 04:58:24 PM
Not a new problem to the GS, some have reported dificulty shifting from 1st or 2nd into neutral when stopped when engine is hot and oil is overfull. Don't know why but I've experienced it myself a couple times in 180k GS miles. Not real common. Still a good idea to make a 3 point clutch adjustment like Stevo
& Rich suggested to get clutch right. Both my 97 and 02 GSs came from the factory with too much clutch pushrod freeplay and worked noticeably better after proper adjustment.

I see the word "Clutch" in the Subject Title and I roll out like toilet paper, hoping to be firsty's with the 3-Point Adjust image...just trying to stay one step ahead of you

anoopb · July 05, 2015, 06:48:21 PM

Quote from: gsJack on July 05, 2015, 04:58:24 PM
Not a new problem to the GS, some have reported dificulty shifting from 1st or 2nd into neutral when stopped when engine is hot and oil is overfull. Don't know why but I've experienced it myself a couple times in 180k GS miles. Not real common. Still a good idea to make a 3 point clutch adjustment like Stevo
& Rich suggested to get clutch right. Both my 97 and 02 GSs came from the factory with too much clutch pushrod freeplay and worked noticeably better after proper adjustment.

You're exactly right. It was after riding for quite sometime and the engine was hot. I didn't think the oil would be overfull but that's a possibility since i did the oil change my self.

Thanks again!

anoopb · July 05, 2015, 06:50:40 PM

Are those highway bars for the GS?!?! Do you have a pic of your bike. Dying to see what that looks like. Planning a 1000 mile trip this fall and would love those!

Suzuki Stevo · July 05, 2015, 06:55:03 PM

Quote from: anoopb on July 05, 2015, 06:50:40 PM
Are those highway bars for the GS?!?! Do you have a pic of your bike. Dying to see what that looks like. Planning a 1000 mile trip this fall and would love those!

That's my Boulevard M50...lolz

gsJack · July 05, 2015, 08:04:45 PM

I mounted pegs on the Suzuki oem case guards to stretch a leg but rarely used them back when I was doing 4-500 mile Interstate days on my GSs:

See wiki for case guards:

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.CaseGuards

Suzuki Stevo · July 05, 2015, 08:18:31 PM

Quote from: gsJack on July 05, 2015, 08:04:45 PM
I mounted pegs on the Suzuki oem case guards to stretch a leg but rarely used them back when I was doing 4-500 mile Interstate days on my GSs:

See wiki for case guards:

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.CaseGuards

The only problem with Hi Way Pegs is...they slow your reaction time getting to the rear brake in an emergency, I have had them on a few bikes and seldom use them for that reason.

anoopb · July 06, 2015, 06:41:15 AM

Ah. unfortunately i've got a chin fairing that i love way too much!

Thanks guys. going to do the clutch adjust today. Will report results.

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Clutch issue troubleshooting ideas?