Clutch is a little too clutchy.

[Crescentius]

So I was doing a compression test after changing my valve shims over the weekend, and stripped a %$#&ing spark plug thread putting the last plug back in. Fantastic. After saying some swear words, I went online and ordered a back-tap, waited a couple days, tapped the threads. Yay. The grease I put on the tool got in the combustion chamber, so It smoked like a chimney when it started, no big surprise there, except I notice the smoke is not all coming out the end of the muffler, but rather out the header gasket with rather much gusto. .

As I'm playing with the bike to get an idea just how bad the leak is, I kick the shifter down into first, whoops, I pull the clutch in. The wheel keeps spinning. Turn it off, tighten the cable a bit, try again, rinse, repeat. .

I just adjusted the clutch like two weeks ago (bike hasn't seen road in that time though) per the 'zuki manual and it was working perfectly, what happened? Tired springs would cause slippage, no? Just having a bit of rotten luck today .

 

[Macmatic]

Do you mean that with the engine running and the clutch in the tire spins when the bike is up on the center stand? Normal I think. There is VERY little space between the clutch plates and there is oil in there. I imagine it acts kind of like a torque converter in a can in this case, no direction connection but power is transmitted.

So if the bike isn't trying to roll away on your and you can get it in and out of gear normally I don't think you've got anything to worry about.

/\/\ac

 

[Crescentius]

Yes, I've got it on the center stand watching the tire. I assure you, however, it is NOT normal, as the bike did not do this two weeks ago when I adjusted the clutch, or before I adjusted the clutch. Also, through the full range of the lever the tire speed does not change, where before I could easily control the speed of the tire by slipping the clutch gradually between fully engaged and disengaged. Right now it appears to be fully engaged ALL the time.

A further test I didn't think to do was to see if it stalls the bike when put in gear. I guess I'll try that tomorrow, but it sure seems like the clutch grabs hard as soon as it shifts, as it shifts very roughly into gear and jerks the tire.

 

[Macmatic]

What year and model is your bike? Different bikes have a different clutch setup and we'll need to know what you've got to help you troubleshoot. For example my bike has a preload adjuster on a rod that crosses inside the trans and acts on the clutch and you can play with the cable all day if that isn't set and never get it right.

I see you said its been off the road for two weeks, that isn't very long but I suppose its possible that some of the plates got stuck together (not uncommon on bikes that have been sitting a looong time) so if you're sure the clutch is adjusted per the manual I'd try hitting the brake with the clutch pulled in.

/\/\ac

 

[Crescentius]

Ah, right, sorry :|. It's a '78 GS750, no fanciness there, I'd expect. I guess I could try shifting her at a standstill, worst case I stall the bike.

EDIT: Just realized what you were really suggesting, easing on the brake while still on the centerstand sounds a lot easier to control than just jamming it into gear while on the ground, I'll definitely try that.

 

[Crescentius]

So I finally got around to playing with the clutch a bit. Sure enough, if you pull the clutch in and hit the brake with it in first, bike stalls right out. I tried using the adjuster bolt to push the clutch aaaallll the way in so it would never even engage, no dice, still stuck engaged. The clutch lever feels as good as it ever did, nice smooth pullback, right amount of tension and play, but no actual release. I guess I'll pull the kickstarter and the cover next, unless anyone has any better ideas.

Edit: It occurs to me that I have kicked the bike over several times in the few weeks since I last knew the clutch to be working, could that have arsed something up?

 

[Adler]

I'd like to know how this played out, as I believe I may have the same problem.