Quick clutch question

[zoo mob]

My '80 11E has been having some interesting behavior and I'm wondering how to proceed; for a few days, the bike has been very jerky at low speeds/rpms I'd not really made the connection, but now that I think about it, it is much like if you are creeping along in a manual shift car in first gear and the clutch is grabby. Yesterday, I took it out for a ride and for the first time, the clutch has started to slip at 5500 or so. I was going to mess with clutch adjustment, but I'm unclear if this means more or less free play is needed, if it could be symptomatic of a bigger problem or even exactly how to do the adjustment.

I bought the bike last fall, but have only just started riding it. I've ridden it hard a couple of times and gotten on it a bit, but have not redlined it or abused it. Any help would be welcome.

[gs850cafe]

well my clutch springs went weak...replace those first...they was 10 bux from dennis kirk...i got the 10% stiffer ones...cause i like clutches like that...now mine dont slip a bit.

everyone says these clutches last forever...which actually i think is true lol(inspect yours when you do clutch springs)

as far as clutch adjustment.. the freepplay no so important...i put the adjustments all the way in on the handlebar side...on the clutch side i put it all out..then the small rod that comes out of the clucth cover should have a small bit of play(not up an down)...i adjusted it (on clutch side) to where that play was just gone....

someone might be able to clear what i said up a lil

the jerkyness...ill hafta vote a carb issue...mine is kinda like that due to "possible" out of sync carbs...but i ride it anyways

[tom203]

Maybe PO owner put slippery car oil in it- but low speed jerkiness seems to point to carbs- there's a critical transition as the main jet takes over from the low speed circuit.

[Sci85]

Most bikes do well with a quarter width of freeplay at the lever, as measured with an actual quarter. But, it's not super critical as GS850cafe mentioned. Just make sure it's not so tight that it's slightly pulling the clutch in.

However, you mentioned that the clutch is slipping at 5500rpm. If it's truly slipping, then the plates have worn down and adding in additional freeplay is not going to cure it. Gotta pull the clutch and measure the plates.

Grabbiness is much different than slippage. A grabby clutch is usually due to the tangs on the clutch basket having grooves worn in them. This happens over time and results in the inability of the clutch plates to come together smoothly as they ride on those tangs. Here's what they look like. If that is the case, you can sometimes by a little more life by carefully filing the tangs smooth. However, eventually you will need to replace the clutch basket. Best best is to remove the clutch cover and inspect. Post a pic and we can comment on it.

[gs850cafe]

Maybe PO owner put slippery car oil in it- but low speed jerkiness seems to point to carbs- there's a critical transition as the main jet takes over from the low speed circuit.

motorcyclle oil or 15-40 deisel oil...regular oil the clutch will slip most likeley(never tried it only heard)

have you ever dipped/new oringed carbs?

[zoo mob]

Found that there was zero freeplay at the handlebar and adjusted it accordingly. I didn't do any adjusting at the clutch cover, took it for a spin and am still getting slipping.

I'm guessing adjustment at the clutch cover will not change anything. Im going to pull the cover tonight. I suppose a clymer manual might be a good idea huh?

[zoo mob]

Haven't gotten around to pulling the cover yet, but had a couple of further questions:

I recently changed the oil and used valvoline 20w 50 motorcycle oil. Any chance that is the culprit? What should I be using in this thing?

When I adjusted the cable to add some free play, I only did so at the lever on the handlebar. Could some playing with the adjustment at the clutch cover still make a difference?

Assuming the two above are not the cause, what should I be buying and where?

Many thanks in advance.

[tkent02]

They all need new springs, after thirty years of being compressed they get shorter. Heavier springs are not necessary and make the other parts wear out quicker. If it has slipped a lot you may need new fibers, possibly new steel plates. How much free play is not important, as long as you have enough. Too little will make the clutch slip. Redlining a GS is not abuse, lugging it is.

[matt1100]

You can download a manual from bike cliff's site. It's free and they are FACTORY manuals. 15w-40 deisel oil, alot of guys like Shell Rotella T, myself included. Probably cheaper than "motorcycle" oil, likely comes from the same drum...

Good Luck

[1_v8_merc]

If your getting jerkyness around 3k, it's either your Jet Transition, or your Floats aren't set right.