Throttle issue 850G

[BriTXbike]

Ok here's what I found out today, almost an accident b/c of it. Lets take 3rd gear, seems to where it starts to happen.

I'm in third and feel I need to gas it to accelerate to another lane. Ok so I hit the throttle and after a second or two the RPM's jump 3-4 k and will stay there for a few seconds before dropping back down.

Maybe this example will help. Start in first, gas to second, Gas through third but after I shift the RPM's jump from 5 to 8K. Ok so to compensate I shift to forth. Ok so it hangs at 8k for a few seconds and then drops down in RPM's again. Needless to say I lose power when this happens but it only happens when I GET on it.

Hope this is clear, please let me know if you have any other questions and I can try to clear it up.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Actually, your description isn't clear, to me at least.
Hanging RPM's? I'm thinking intake leak possibly.
Depending on type of carbs, sticking slide(s) or throttle plate(s), diaphragm/spring assembly not operating smoothly?
What year 850?

[mark]

Maybe I'm missing the point completely, but it sounds like the clutch to me. My 850 will spin the clutch, rarely in first gear, but if I really gas it hard as I'm shifting the RPM's will "hang" so to speak up high. Its the clutch on my bike.

[bwringer]

Was the engine really racing, or was the tach just acting funny?

Check clutch adjustment (there's no way that clutch should be anywhere near worn out with only 29K miles) for the former.

Lube or replace the tach cable for the latter.

Also, are you sure the engine contains the correct oil and absolutely no additives? I prefer 20W-50 in the heat, but 10W-40 is also OK. 10W-30 could cause clutch slippage in a marginal clutch, and any sort of oil additive can really mess it up.

The other possibility is weak clutch springs. I'm using 3 old OEM and 3 heavy-duty springs in my clutch, but all new OEM springs would also work and wouldn't be too expensive.

Bad rear splines usually don't give any warnings -- they just let go and all of a sudden you have no drive power. So I don't think that's it.

[BriTXbike]

Clarification

Ok I'll see what I can do about clearing up my situation but I think the clutch happens to be the issue now that ya'll mention it. This I worry being a novice GS'r to start.

So I'm driving along and I hit second and keep on the throttle pretty hard to 7-8k. When I pull the clutch and go to third the engine maintains the same RPM and the Tach reflects this at 7-8k rpm. It would make sense it's the clutch b/c after it's engaged for 1-3 seconds it catches and the RPM's drop again till I move through the gear to say forth. Also I may be in a gear and when I gas it in that gear it reeves to high RPM (8-9k) but less power, like the clutch is slipping. After a few seconds it will drop in RPM again and the power is there but it's a little frightening when I'm trying to change lanes on the interstate. One other thing to mention is the last two weeks I have adjusted the clutch cable at the lever, multiple times, b/c sitting at a light the bike wants to move forward when I have the clutch all the way in. I adjust it and the problem is resolved.

Am I looking at allot of money and labor here b/c right now I don't have it to spend and I'll be honest, I wanna reupholster the seat to make it look nice first! Plus I haven't even got my Haynes book yet so I haven't had a chance to analyze the guts of the beast yet.

A correction on the miles also, it has 23500k now and I'm riding it every chance I get. She has her quirts but she is still a workhorse!

[SqDancerLynn1]

I would try a good oil change to Castrol GTX 10/40 or if you prefer a 10/40 motorcycle dino type oil NO SYNTHETIC

[gspaul]

Your clutch cable could be about to go,I Think you better get another.
Repeated adjustment is often a sighn,Who know's you could get lucky it may be the reason for the clutch hanging(binding in the sleeve)

[focus frenzy]

clutch slipping! check the adjustment of the cable, there should be a bit of play at the lever it it is firm with no free play the cable needs adjusting.

[bwringer]

If you do have to get into the clutch, it's very easy, and the clutch plates and springs are not very expensive.

Just put the bike on the side stand (so the oil will run to the left side) and remove the clutch cover bolts (keep track of which bolt goes where), and there you go. Six bolts to remove the driven hub, springs, and clutch plates.

I weould suspect you have a bad clutch cable -- it sounds like it's hanging up at random which is a Bad Sign. And a broken clutch cable is extremely inconvenient at best.

Order up a new one from CRC2:

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/

[BriTXbike]

fixed

Well I found the previous post on adjusting the clutch cable. Thread cable adjustment all the way in on handle and adjust first at engine. I think I had the cable to tight from messing with it.

No more slipping YEAH!

Side note to is the clutch cable looks new so I think I might hold out on buying a new one just yet. There a way to keep the cable lubricated.

Thanks allot guys for the help!