I just got my 89 GS500.It has 4900 miles on it.I got it from an active  armed service man.You know Army.The bike had sit for the winter,he changed the oil and used 10-40 Castor Oil.Same as car oil.After riding it for a week,I noticed the clutch was engaging to close to the end of the lever throw.So I adjusted the cable.Now it starts pulling after the lever is about a quarter inch out from the grip.I rode for a week and all the sudden,I pullin the clutch to down shift into first to wait at a stop sign.The bike kept trying to pull.I had to hold the rear brake to remain stopped.After a minute at the stop sign,the engine stalled.It wouldn't start sitting in first gear with the clutch pulled.The starter would even kick in.I had to go to neutral to restart the engine.What should I try first oil change and another clutch adjustment starting from scratch?Or,should I just replace the damn thang and ride?Anyone advise on a good brand clutch kit and where to purchase it?I am not a real hard rider,but I do give it hell from time to time.Thanks.

Your cable's prolly stretching. Or adjuster nuts are slipping, first fit it right at the case and then the bar.
Cool.
Srinath.

Yeah. Somewhere along the clutch actuation system something isn't right. Start at the lever, make sure that end of the cable is secure in the perch and check that the adjusters are not stripped out.  Then look at where the cable goes into the counter-sprocket cover.  Take cover off and look at the actuator mechanism. It is supposed to convert rotory motion into lateral to push the clutch release rod to the right. Easy way to see if its working or not is to put the cover in place without the bolts and then sqeese the lever. The cover should move away from the engine.  Look at the end of the shaft and the socket in the actuator mech. for wear. If none of those show any wear or breakage, and it won't stay adjusted, then its the cable giving up the ghost.

Good news is that its not the clutch. If it or the oil were wrong it would be slipping, not gripping.

Thanks for the input. :thumb:I think it maybe the actuator in the clutch cover.

Yeah, usually when the clutch goes bad, it's the other way around.  It catches later and later until it's not catching anymore.

And are you sure he didn't use Castrol oil, because if he used Castor oil, well, shaZam!....

Quote from: Egaeus on May 18, 2007, 04:04:33 PM
Yeah, usually when the clutch goes bad, it's the other way around.  It catches later and later until it's not catching anymore.

And are you sure he didn't use Castrol oil, because if he used Castor oil, well, shaZam!....

Yes your right.I left the L off of Castrol.