clutch slipping at high rpms

[james750tz]

I have a 1982 GS750T that I am having issues with the clutch. It pulls fine from lights and around town without any issues, but when I hit high rpms (about 7g) during a hard pull, it slips. Weird or not? I'm not a motorcycle mechanic, but have a lot of experience with cars. My experience with cars is that if you dump a worn clutch from say 2nd to 4th or 5th, that would make a clutch slip for sure. This is not like that. I can dump it into 5th from 2nd and it holds with the throttle twisted all the way back.

The bike has never had the clutch replaced before and it's an 82 and this is the first time I have ever had this problem.

Would you reccommend replacing the springs as well as the plates. How do I check the steel plates?

Thanks guys!
-james

[salty_monk]

You prob only need to replace the springs. Scuff the plates & steels with some emery cloth before putting them back in.

I use 3 of the old weak springs & 3 EBC (Cheaper & much stronger as they have 2 coils less). You could use all EBC but I found that a bit hard on the hand in town after 20mins or so.
You can also replace with all new stock, will give a lighter pull than the EBC but not as much "insurance" against slippage.

Dan

[rphillips]

Like monk said.

[rphillips]

Oh yeah, bike clutches act that way, don't know why, but usually high RPM in high gear is where you will notice it first.

[bonanzadave]

Browse through the search feature for Clutch Slip.

Check the clutch cable freeplay at the clutch lever. Cant be too tight. Adjust accordingly. After that you may need to replace a stretched, worn out cable. probably not a bad idea to remove the clutch cover and have a look see. You will need a new gasket even if you do nothing.

Take a look here....http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...odds_ends.html

[PAULJAC47]

Hi,Are you using Auto oil or bike oil? had the same on my Gs1000 till i used proper bike oil,Auto oil has additives that cause slippage on bikes wet clutches!!!! Cheers Pauljac47

[salty_monk]

You can use auto oil, just not one with "friction modifiers" in it. Rotella 15-40w works well for me.

I would bet money on it being weak springs but do check cable adjustment too, it might be too tight, unlikely but it could be. You should have 1-2mm of free play at the lever (measured at the gap that opens up between lever & clamp when you pull the lever).

You do not have to drain oil to look at the springs, do it on the sidestand. You may well need a new gasket but you may be lucky. Prob need an impact driver to get the screws out too.

Dan