Not a GS but Hopefull

[machinest]

Girlfriend's sons 1981 Yamaha XS850 Shaft drive
Reluctant to shift into 1st particularly when cold and a decided clunkyness going into 2nd .I have tried adjusting the clutch both at the handle and the screw thingy on the engine end . some improvement but looking for any suggestions?

[Clone]

Is it only when it is cold?
How does it shift when it is hot?
Does the clutch drag at temp, or when cold?
Does he have trouble finding neutral?

[machinest]

not only when cold but moreso than when hot
it shifts OK when hot a little rougher than my gs but that may be just unfamiliarity
the clutch dragged both at temp and when cold but I seem to have adjusted it to not do so as much.
no particular problem finding neutral

[chef1366]

What condition is the oil in and what weight is it.

[Steve]

How OLD is the oil?

.

[cyclefvr2]

hi- you might havea wore clutch basket, the part where the plates slide in might have grooves wore in it, this will keep the plates from opening and relesing, so you can shift of while stopped
you can file them flat again if not too bad,eventually you'll need a new basket
i have 2 xs 850 bikes im parting out if you need anything
1 is a special, the other is a xs

[machinest]

OK this weekend will do an oil change and see if that helps

[first timer]

i would pull the clutch pack and take it apart inspect and cleaning all off with some carb cleaner, resoak in fresh oil and put it back together. should only cost a clutch cover gasket.