Clutch adjustment ?

[Guest]

Thought I had clutch adjusted asper service manual spec. 82 gs550 . Bike doesn't seem to have enough clutch , Bangs when down shifting lower gear's hard to get into neutral , I can tighten cable adjustment and almost adjust the problem out. If I adjust the problem all the way out with cable , clutch slips . Bike has 4600 miles on it , I may be thinking backwards but the clutch should have to much dissengauge if the clutch was worn . help again

[Agemax]

the plates could be stuck together. what oil are you using?
you may need to remove the plates and free them up and clean them if they have been sat in the wrong, or gunky old oil

[bearrocco]

I thought about plates sticking changed oil 2 times , used penzoil 10-40 conventional . I'm more a car guy used penzoil for cleaning properties . Maybe it's the oil I used

[Agemax]

if the bike only has 4600 miles on it then at some point in its life it has not been run for a long period of time.
unless the clutch has been apart recently, i would strip it and clean it up

[bearrocco]

Thanks I will try that 1st , what about the oil , should I get bike oil conventional ?

[Agemax]

i dont know much about the Penzoil oil you have been using but maybe try some more conventional bike specific oil after you have degunged the plates.

[bearrocco]

what's a good brand .

[bearrocco]

What's confusing is I road the bike 90 miles , If clutch plates were stuck would the engine stall at stops with clutch in.

[Agemax]

oil is a widely debated subject on this forum. i will refrain from recommending my usual brand as it will soon turn into another battle of what is good or bad or cheaper or what colour it should be or which one smells the nicest etc. etc.

therefore i suggest you use the search function and browse the numerous threads that have been posted regarding oil and make your own mind up. which ever you decide will be right or wrong in everyones preference so you decide what you think is best. there are certainly many options to choose from.......

[Nessism]

15W-40 diesel oil is great stuff for air cooled motorcycles. Shell Rotella is the forum favorite, although you can use just about any diesel oil.

That said, I doubt the problem is oil related.

Did you adjust the clutch at the helix adjuster? If not, I suggest you do so. Turn in the adjusters at both ends of the cable and adjust freeplay in the system using the helix. Service manual details the procedure.

[Agemax]

What's confusing is I road the bike 90 miles , If clutch plates were stuck would the engine stall at stops with clutch in.

the plates may release just enough to disconnect the drive but not completely, allowing the clunky gearchanges and difficulty engaging gear when at standstill or with a cold engine

[bearrocco]

15W-40 diesel oil is great stuff for air cooled motorcycles. Shell Rotella is the forum favorite, although you can use just about any diesel oil.

That said, I doubt the problem is oil related.

Did you adjust the clutch at the helix adjuster? If not, I suggest you do so. Turn in the adjusters at both ends of the cable and adjust freeplay in the system using the helix. Service manual details the procedure.

I used the helix adjuster 2 times , thought I did it right both times loosened both cable adjustments turned helix in, 1st time till I felt resistance and backed off 1 turn , that's what the service manual said. 2nd time road the bike till it was hot, thought heating it up would expand everything .

[Agemax]

you should only back the adjuster out 1/4 turn. then take up the cable play on the bottom adjuster, using the lever adjuster for fine adjustment

[bearrocco]

the plates may release just enough to disconnect the drive but not completely, allowing the clunky gearchanges and difficulty engaging gear when at standstill or with a cold engine

What's confusing , seems steels are hooked to the engine, and clutch plates are hooked to trans, if stuck one could have broken ?

[bearrocco]

you should only back the adjuster out 1/4 turn. then take up the cable play on the bottom adjuster, using the lever adjuster for fine adjustment

should the bike be hot?