80 GS850 will not go into neutral with foot.

[Guest]

I have a 80 GS 850 it will not go into neutral with your foot, you have to reach down and mess with it. You have to really use some force to get it into neutral. Any idea on what's going on?

[kdo58]

not enough slack in your clutch cable

[sinkankan]

Gear selector cam might be worn, and there's a spring with two tongs that apply pressure to it, may be old and worn out. These are behind on the other end of the gear selector shaft, on the left hand side sitting on the bike.

[rustybronco]

Will it go into neutral easily when the engine is off?

[bwringer]

not enough slack in your clutch cable

Er... possibly too much slack, actually.

Will it go into neutral easily when the engine is off?

Yes, this is the correct question... could be as simple as adjusting the cable so the plates don't drag as much.

Gear selector cam might be worn, and there's a spring with two tongs that apply pressure to it, may be old and worn out. These are behind on the other end of the gear selector shaft, on the left hand side sitting on the bike.

Actually, the pawls in the photo are found on the right side of the GS850 engine, and are visible after removing the clutch cover and clutch basket. If the bike will shift at all, this is unlikely to be the problem.

[KennyK]

I talked to a a buddy of mine had his friend that is a old school bike mechanic and looked at it. He beloved that the bike needs to be ran. And he knew it had a new Barrnett clutch and the bike had set for a couple of years and he knew that because he installed it and the previous owner just parked it right after that. Because he bought a Goldwing 1200. He said ride it and the Barrnett clutches are stiff.

[bwringer]

If it's a Barnett "extra plate" clutch kit, you'll get some extra clutch drag, which will make neutral very evasive. And the thinner clutch plates are known to wear out clutch baskets much sooner.

Adjust the clutch cable to a minimum of free play so you get the maximum separation when you pull the lever. And use 10W-40 oil.

Ultimately, the best solution would be to install a set of original Suzuki clutch plates and steels (used would be fine -- the clutches on these bike pretty much last a lifetime) and a new set of OEM Suzuki springs. Maybe toss in a new cable and lever, and you've got one of the sweetest, smoothest clutches in all of motorcycling.

There's absolutely no need for an extra plate clutch kit on a GS850, and it causes problems with excess drag, as you're finding. Gee, I wonder why they previous owner parked it...?