Clutch jammed while riding

[Mafiera]

Hi
I have a GS750 1977
While riding the other day I had to keep tightening the clutch cable as it was getting really hard to get into neutral
I stopped to adjust again and the clutch got jammed and wouldn't release
I managed to unjam it and rode home
I have burrs on item 6 in the pic where it has worn over the years
Is this the cause for clutch jamming and do I need to replace it
Thanks
Marco

 

[allojohn]

I photo of the burrs might help - upload an image. When did you last set the adjustment screw (item 8) at the clutch?

 

[tatu]

Have you checked the cable itself? When it's on it's last legs it's possible that fraying could jam the cable

 

[Baatfam]

Have you checked the cable itself? When it's on it's last legs it's possible that fraying could jam the cable

Yes....I agree...check the cable...

 

[rphillips]

Yes, sounds right. You said you'd been having to keep tighten the cable. That would be because it was probably fraying & stretching. like said, fraying can get caught up inside the sheath. Hope that's all it is, simplest fix there can be.

 

[Mafiera]

So
I cleaned everything up
Replaced cable
Set up clutch
Everything good drove down the road fine
Went for a blast and thought it was sorted
Stopped at my mates for a quick coffee into neutral no problem

Tried the clutch after and couldn't get neutral
Had to adjust all the way out on handlebar adjustment and still couldn't get neutral
Had to adjust at the bottom so I could get neutral

Went back today and checked the adjustment below and set out a quarter turn
Readjusted clutch - Sweet
Took it out for 15 miles
Stopped for fuel and the same again had to adjust all the way on handlebar etc

Any ideas?

 

[zed1015]

When you adjust the clutch are you having to screw in the pushrod adjuster further and further to get the clutch to release.
If this is the case it's possible that the center nut on the clutch basket is working loose.
This would also explain the clutch release ramp mechanism going over center causing it to jam fully disengaged.
Either that or the threads are stripped on the pushrod adjustment screw allowing it to be pushed back against the clutch spring pressure when you pull the clutch lever.

 

[Mafiera]

The pushrod is out a quarter turn no need to adjust this
Seems to be when it gets hot the clutch needs adjusting quite a lot
Took it out today 10/15 miles and couldn't get neutral
Let it cool down and it was fine again

 

[zed1015]

The pushrod is out a quarter turn no need to adjust this
Seems to be when it gets hot the clutch needs adjusting quite a lot
Took it out today 10/15 miles and couldn't get neutral
Let it cool down and it was fine again

So heat expansion related.
It's possible the lifter mech is worn ( as you summised in your first post) and only lifting the plates just enough to barely disengage when cold and as soon as the pushrod etc expands when warm any clearance you had disappears.
I've had the same happen on a hydraulic clutch conversion that only lifted the pressure plate 1mm instead of 3mm which resulted in the exact same behavior.
It's also worth checking the plain clutch plates too now to see if dragging has warped them which will make the situation worse.