quick question

[DanTheMan]

Let me chime in here before you go too far. Questions first: How old is your oil? (important) Do you have any gas in your oil? How long are you allowing for warm up? very important)
The reason I ask these questions is if your oil is too cold, the clutch plates stick, causing the exact symptoms you describe. Gas in the oil will also do it, and dirty old oil makes the plates stickier also. Any or all of the above could be causing your problems.

[1_v8_merc]

Dude, just replace your clutch cable and throttle cable anyways.

Probably the cheapest underrated mod you could do!


Good thing I replaced my clutch line, because it was Literally hanging on by just a few strands!!!

I can't believe that I kept putting it off!
I "assumed" my clutch was OK....because it worked, just like everyone else!

That's the stupidest thing you can do with these bikes....is Assume!

My clutch feels awesome, and throttle, brand new!

[49er]

hey guys is it normal for the bike to lurch forward when going from neutral to first? also yesterday i was having trouble shifting into second every once in a while, it was like hard on my foot to shift.

You've correctly adjusted your clutch cable and it's still dragging!

The problem lies within the clutch design of the '79 850's.

The oil supply into the clutch basket is excessive, with insufficient outlet holes. The problem is further exasperated when owners run 20w50, instead of the recommended 10w40.

Suzuki issued a service bulletin listing a replacement release rack with a smaller diameter oil hole to reduce the flow through the clutch basket. This caused another problem in that the increased pressure upstream now pushed oil past the clutch lever pivot seal. Their response to this was to modify the supply passage that feeds the oil from the engine case to the release rack. They fitted a restriction jet to the later models.

I have have done these mods to my engine, plus drilled extra holes at the rear of the basket, and the front pressure disc.

Was it worth doing? YES.

I run only 10w40 fully synthetic oil, changed regularly. I find that if I fill the engine to the full mark, I do get some minor drag, when the engine is cold. So, I run mine between 1/2 and the low mark, I have no drag at all. I allow a 2-3 minute warm up before riding off. Very important during our winter months.

[Evilbassp]

i readjusted the cable and it doesnt seem to be doing it near as bad. Also to answer a few of the questions on asked, brand new oil. Im changing my gearbox and shaft oil tomorrow. Im still getting a bit of a lurch forward when i go from neutral to first. However it is extremely minor.

[Nessism]

Tighten the cable until there is only a small amount of freeplay at the lever. You can adjust it at the lever or at the engine case, doesn't matter. This is a really basic motorcycle maintenance task. Do you have a manual and take care of other maintenance like adjusting the valves?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

This is from your manual. You did download the manual from my site, right?






Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Evilbassp]

Thanks again guys, i adjusted it and it only pops a bit going into first. I talked to some of my friends and i guess this is to be expected with an older bike.

[cowboyup3371]

No it is not to be expected with older bikes. Look at it some more and see if something still isn't adjusted quite right. I've ridden three so far (mine and two of Tkent's) and both of his are very very smooth and easy on the hand. Mine is a little stiff at the handle but I'm replacing the cable once it gets here on Thursday (ordered it yesterday)