GS650E clutch doesn't engage?

[GreedyRogue]

I am new to motorcycle and got this bike last June. I did all the maintenance that was suggested and it ran fine last year. Put just over 800 miles on it just fine.

I warmed it up and prepared to go for a ride this morning. When I shift into first gear the bike started to inch forward. I tried tightening the clutch cable and no change. Any troubleshooting I can do to figure out what the problem is?

[tkent02]

Inch forward like pulling hard, or just a little bit? Could be several things, I would start with taking it out and riding it for a while, let it get some oil get in between the clutch plates, let the oil and the clutch get warmed up and working. Maybe let it idle with the clutch pulled in for a while, move more oil around in there, then see what you have.

By the way, what you are describing, that it's dragging a little bit, is that the clutch is not quite disengaging completely.

[GreedyRogue]

It is more of an inching forward than a hard pull. I can keep it from going forward without having to apply brakes with my feet pushiing back.

It may be an oil thing like you suggest though. Before I started it I checked the oil and it was really low, like just below the sight glass. I'll try riding it around the block a few times as you suggest and see if It works itself out.

I think I may have burned the clutch out though. When I set the clutch tightness last year I didn't know better. I liked the clutch to engage by pulling the clutch lever half way instead of all the way like it should, so I had the cable really tight, like half engaged I believe.

[tkent02]

Just do all the adjustments as they are in the Suzuki manual, if it still has problems take it apart and see what's up.

Clutches are pretty easy. If you had the cable so tight the clutch was slipping all the time it could need new plates.