hard to shift

[Guest]

Does matter if the bike is running or not.. it is getting easier with time...

Bike sat for a few years...

Anything i can do?

[Larry D]

Does matter if the bike is running or not.. it is getting easier with time...

Bike sat for a few years...

Anything i can do?

These clutches are wet. Old gunky oil will cause this. Change the oil and filter and run the snot out of it. The plates need to be worked in after sitting so long.

Could also be a cable adjustment too, but, I'm guessing that the clutch plates are gunky and just needs to be loosened back up.

[Danjal]

Larry beat me to it. Run a little seafoam in the oil for a short period of time. Like 100 miles or less. Seafoam will clean up your oil, but it'll also shrink your seals and cause leaks. You wont need much at all. If the oil is old id do it now then change it like larry suggested. Seafoam is a general purpose automotive detergent/stabilizer. A little in the gas keeps it stable through the winter and a little in the oil cleans it out too. Just do not let it sit in your oil for too long. You could also switch to a synthetic oil instead of a natural... same problem though. After that its all age related problems or you have a clutch cable going out or needs lubed. Those cables need oiled and the same deal happens to them. Oil gets old and gunks up, in some cases Ive seen it turn into almost a glaze. Luckily once it gets wet again it starts to soften up and come off.

Get a manual of of basscliffs site and do all the general maintenence. Lubing up cables is one of them. You just need some wire/string/tape a plastic bag and oil. Take your cable off and attach the plastic bag at one end. Tape it so the oil can sit in the bag and leak into the cable. Hang it from your bars to it leaks down into the cable housing and let it sit for a while.

[tkent02]

Does matter if the bike is running or not.. it is getting easier with time...

It won't shift if the shafts are not turning.
Rotate the rear wheel by hand, you should be able to shift it as it is turning.
It all works a lot better when it's running.
Is that your question?
The clutch has nothing to do with it.