Cant get clutch to fully release with full pull in

[Rust_to_Redemption]

Testing my rear brakes today after a caliper swap, with the bike in 1st on the center stand and the clutch fully pulled in the rear tire is still very slowly rotating. I tried adjusting clutch play but it seemed to do it regardless of clutch free-play. I'm worried this means my clutch is going to be dragging and burned up prematurely. I'm at my wit's end on this, spent close to an hour adjusting the clutch to no avail.

[Steve]

With the clutch pulled in, try to carefully stop the rear wheel with a board, or something other than your body parts. You will likely be able to stop it. There is a certain amount of drag in the drive system that will keep pulling on the wheel. It's sorta like your car with an automatic transmission that lets you come to a stop with the transmission "in gear".

.

[zbodan]

I have noticed this is the case on my bike. Haven't had the bike very long. It makes trying to back up with the clutch pulled in difficult at times, and very difficult sometimes. I've learned just to shift to neutral if I need to back up. Not sure if this is considered normal with these bikes.

[Steve]

Yes, it is somewhat 'normal'. It's also probably true for any vehicle that has a clutch that is bathed in oil. The engine spins the clutch basket, which has several plates. Interleaved among those plates are even more plates that are connected to the transmission. As the engine spins, even though you have pulled the clutch lever and separated the plates, the film of oil still drags them along just a bit. Unless you could separate them far enough to break that film of oil, there WILL be some drag. It's only a "problem" when trying to push the bike. Otherwise, it works just fine.

.

[Rust_to_Redemption]

With the clutch pulled in, try to carefully stop the rear wheel with a board, or something other than your body parts. You will likely be able to stop it. There is a certain amount of drag in the drive system that will keep pulling on the wheel. It's sorta like your car with an automatic transmission that lets you come to a stop with the transmission "in gear".

.

I was indeed able to stop it very easily with a piece of 2x4. I guess I've never had a bike with a center stand, so I would never have a chance see this before now. Learned my new bit of info for the day and its barely past 9am.

[Steve]

Learned my new bit of info for the day and its barely past 9am.

You can go home now.

.

[DougieH]

I’ve noticed this on my 78 GS550E after changing the oil from 10W40 to 15W40. Is it the thicker oil dragging the plates in this case. The bikes only been back on the road since November. Changed the 10W40 after 150 miles, going to change this oil after about 500 miles. Sort of running it in. Thanks for reading

[Steve]

Yes, thicker oil (you can also read that as "cold" oil) will drag more.

.

[DougieH]

Thanks Steve.

[Steve]

.