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Clutch does not fully disengage - GS850

  • Thread starter Thread starter ghiebert
  • Start date Start date
G

ghiebert

Guest
This is an 82 GS550 that I recently bought, history unknown. In first gear, with the clutch lever pulled in the bike will surge forward when starting. When either hot or cold, it is difficult to shift from neutral to first when standing still, yet sometimes it slips into first gear flawlessly, I never know when. It is much easier to shift into 2nd from a standstill as I recall, though that's not something you do. When moving there are no issues at all at any time in any gear. In fact, then it is a dream.

I finally decided the clutch was not fully disengaging, so I adjusted the cable as best I could. It appears to grab about halfway now, which is too loose I know, but it was a way to help find what was wrong. However there is not much difference in the symptoms. Is there another adjustment other than at either end of the clutch cable? Is oil a big factor? The oil was recently replaced with the recommended weight, but not any special brand.

I have tried searching around but most problems are about slipping.
 
The 550 clutch has a helix adjuster in the sprocket cover (LH side of bike). Proper adjustment technique is to turn in the adjusters on the end of the cable, both sides, to add slack. Then adjust the helix per the factory service manual process. Basically, tighten the adjuster until all the cable slack is removed, then back off the adjuster about 1/8" or so and set the lock nut.

Get your free service manual download here. http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

The clutch lever should have a small amount of movement (freeplay) before you feel resistance against the clutch springs. Adjusting the cable to remove slack will make the clutch disengage more completely. If you adjust the cable without any freeplay however, your clutch will likely slip.

If the clutch both drags and slips, it's time to pull the clutch plates and measure everything.

Good luck
 
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Definitely it does not slip, ever. This description is clear and direct, the adjustment sounds doable, I will post my results later. I do have the manual, but mechanese is nothing like computerese which is what I speak!
 
ghiebert said:
Definitely it does not slip, ever. This description is clear and direct, the adjustment sounds doable, I will post my results later. I do have the manual, but mechanese is nothing like computerese which is what I speak!
Click to expand...

are you any good at translating as well? :confused:
 
I am having the same problem on a GS750 L
I have adjusted the cable tension I can see the clutch plate move back but it is still engaged. any ideas what might be going on.
 
Gs850

Gs850

I realized after all this time, that I typo'd. It is a GS850 that I own. Is the procedure still the same?
 
ghiebert said:
I realized after all this time, that I typo'd. It is a GS850 that I own. Is the procedure still the same?
Click to expand...
No problem, we thrive on confusion. Why don't you go to USER CP in top left on this page and edit your signature to show your bike/model/year whenever you post.
Anyways, yeah, the procedure for 750 and 850 is similar, so go to that link and head to first post .
 
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