Hard shifting and dragging clutch. Need help

[Guest]

I finally got my bike running about a week ago and have been riding it but the clutch drags even after adjusting it (at both ends... tirelessly). I've even pulled the basket out and filed down the grooves in the outer driven basket. The metals look good and not warped and I trued up the dogs on the fibers. The only thing I didn't do was file down the grooves on the inner drive basket because the teeth are too small and I didn't want to mess them up, plus the grooves weren't as bad as the outer basket.

I thought I would put it back together and have a whole new bike! But no difference... has anyone experienced this or have any idea why it's happening? I would love to have a bike that I don't have to slam the shifter to get it to shift. It also won't shift into neutral while running.

[mmattockx]

Does it shift OK without the clutch once you're rolling? Can you hit neutral while rolling? From both 1st and 2nd or only one side?


Mark

[huntb]

Does it shift OK without the clutch once you're rolling? Can you hit neutral while rolling? From both 1st and 2nd or only one side?


Mark

It almost seems like it shifts better without the clutch once rolling and I've only hit neutral on accident while rolling while trying to jam between 1st and 2nd

[OldVet66]

There should be a third adjuster (at least there is one on my GS1000) in the middle of the clutch cable that needs to be correct to get the proper end adjustments, it effectively adjusts the cable length by adjusting sheath length. It's going to be a PITA to adjust if the cable is effectively too tight and definitely affect shifting.

[huntb]

There should be a third adjuster (at least there is one on my GS1000) in the middle of the clutch cable that needs to be correct to get the proper end adjustments, it effectively adjusts the cable length by adjusting sheath length. It's going to be a PITA to adjust if the cable is effectively too tight and definitely affect shifting.

I don't see anything in the repair manual and didn't see anything when I replaced the cable but I'll check for it.

[mmattockx]

It almost seems like it shifts better without the clutch once rolling and I've only hit neutral on accident while rolling while trying to jam between 1st and 2nd

I never use the clutch for shifting aside from jumping the 1-2 gap going up and down on light throttle settings. You should never be jamming any gear change, they will always go easy if you are using good technique, matching revs and unloading the transmission when you shift. It sounds like all your problems are related to the clutch and there really isn't a separate hard shifting problem. Do you have a manual? There should be a clutch cable adjusting procedure in it, maybe start from scratch and see if that helps you. Are you sure that everything relating to the clutch is assembled properly?


Mark

[huntb]

Mark, I've tried adjusting the clutch cable several times. It's something internal, but I have no idea what it could be.

[Chris G]

How much free play have you at the lever ? they also seem to be pretty specific with cable rooting, does the lever feel smooth when pulled, is the arm release parallel with the engine. Had issues with mine when I got it started with the adjuster at the release lever as per manual, then fine adjust at the bar lever, it only needed a few small turns at the bar adjuster to make a difference from slightly dragging to no drag.

[bluewool]

Check your lever pivot. The bushings or lack of, wear oblong preventing full engagement and release, I went through replacing a cable and a clutch before finding this simple solution. It doesn't take much wear and it's worth a look.

[huntb]

The actual lower pivot arm that the cable connects to? Or the pin that the lever arm connects to?

[tirebiter]

I'm having similar problems with my 1980 850 shaftie. Have you gotten anywhere on fixing yours ?