83 GS850G Clutch issue

[BriTXbike]

My bike has 22500 miles and everything is running fine but I had a question about my clutch. I'm new to motorcycles and it seems there is wealth of knowledge on this site.

When I start my bike and it's in 1st gear the bike tries to slowly move like the clutch is not engaged. It's not hard enough that it jerks but the first time it happened I about dropped the bike. Luckly I had my foot on the brake. Also it seems that issue is not as apparent when the bike is good and warmed up. Any ideas

[Guy]

Clutch might need adjusting, or oil might be the wrong viscosity (too thick).

[BriTXbike]

I'll go with the adjustment idea but I need to get a repair manual to figure that out unless you know how, off the top of your head. I'm using 10W-40 Synthetic right now. The previous owner used Syn. so I did want to change it up on the engine.

[Macmatic]

It may not be the same on the 850 but on an '83 GS750 to adjust the clutch you:

Loosen the lock nut and turn the adjuster at the bar lever all the way in.

Adjust the case end adjuster for 4mm of free play at the handle.

Remove the adjuster cover on the case. Three bolts and they were pretty tough to pop loose on mine for the size.

You'll see a slotted screw head and a 10mm lock nut. Loosen the lock nut and turn the slotted screw in 'til you just start to feel resistance then back it out 1/4 to 1/2 turn and tighten the lock nut while holding the screw from moving. I myself turn the screw out several turns before turning it in so that I know its very free. You should feel pretty much no resistance and then very slight.

Again this is for an 83-84 >750< but should put you on the right track.

/\/\ac

[Redman]

Yah, most likley you need to adjust clutch cable. The concern being if the cable is too loose, then it may not pull enough to competly dissengage the clutch. Adjust the adjustment on the hand lever and down on the clutch so that the cable has only a vary little slack when lever is relaesed, well not really slack but just loose - not tight. And so that dont have to pull lever much at all to take up that slack.

You said that it does it less when engine warms up. Good observation. That is because the clutch plates are in the engine oil (unlike automotive).

You didnt say where you are from. If you are from someplace cold and you are refereing to, say 40 DegF, then its less lilkey that you need to adjust clutch cable. I have found that the clutch will drag a little bit at cold temperatures like 35-40-45 DegF untill the engine oil warms up some.

Other possiblilty may be other parts worn in the clutch assembly (namley the basket), but check out the clutch cable adjustment first.

[Redman]

Here is a recent discussion of clutch adjusment.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=36916

[BriTXbike]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll take a look at that tomorrow and see what I come up with. I forgot one of the cardinal rules in posting. I'm in Dallas Texas. Right now it's about 75-80F in the monrings when I leave for work. Those that post on this site are very dedicated. I feel like I got free technical maint. with the purchase of my bike