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wierd clutch problem

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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 12:07 AM
  #1  
ImYourHuckleberry's Avatar
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Default wierd clutch problem

I was in the parking lot of my shop today, clowning around popping wheelies for about five minutes, and I pulled a really good one. Half dumped the clutch then eased out the rest of the way on it from a slow rolling start with the rpm's cranking, and walked the bike about 30 feet. When I pulled the clutch in turning around, the lever slung back half way before engaging at all. I pulled in and checked things out, and found nothing wrong. Cable was in great shape. So I pulled her inside and let her cool off, and then drained the primary oil to look at it (I changed it a month ago.) Nothing in it. Still loooked new. Nothing on the drain plug magnet. I pulled the derby cover and adjusted the clutch and the cable, and dumped in some more new oil and&nbsp\\;a little more Ford XL-3 friction modifier additive, and did a short test ride. Clutch was awesome. No issues at all. Smooth operation, smooth engagement and disengagement, and no sign whatsoever of slippage.
&nbsp\\;
Any thoughts on what may have broken, because that just ain't right. Now I'm a little worried.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 11:28 AM
  #2  
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grumpy irish again
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Default RE: wierd clutch problem

I am worried also&nbsp\\; popping wheelies in the dealers parking lot??
have no idea what may be wrong with your clutch but you might check the nut behind the bars


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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 01:32 PM
  #3  
ImYourHuckleberry's Avatar
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Default RE: wierd clutch problem

No. it was the lot of the fleet shop I run. There is no hope for the nut behind the handlebars. I'm just wondering what went in my clutch.
&nbsp\\;
 
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 01:43 PM
  #4  
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Default RE: wierd clutch problem

When you ajusted the the screw was it loose. If it was not, then you probably have a rod problem. Pull it out and check it.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 01:50 PM
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Default RE: wierd clutch problem

The mechanism where the clutch cable comes into the transmission on my bike is essentially two plates with three bearings between them, such that when you pull the clutch lever, it separates the plates, and one&nbsp\\;pushes&nbsp\\;the clutch to disengage it.&nbsp\\; The bearings and plates are held together inside the transmission (not the primary drive, which is what it sounds like you took apart) by a large snap ring.&nbsp\\; If I had to guess, I'd think that one of the bearings got stuck, such that the plate that the clutch cable is attached to was stuck in the slightly rotated position.&nbsp\\; I'd drain your transmission oil, and pull off the outer cover of the transmission, and take a look at the plates, the bearings, and the snap ring.&nbsp\\; Oh yeah, do it with a service manual handy, you'll want to get the torques right on the transmission cover, and get the plates and the bearings back together in the right order.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 03:36 PM
  #6  
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Default RE: wierd clutch problem

^^That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks! I'll check it out.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 03:37 PM
  #7  
ImYourHuckleberry's Avatar
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Default RE: wierd clutch problem

Oh, and no, the locknut was tight on the adjusting screw. Nothing was loose.
 
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 05:00 PM
  #8  
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Default RE: wierd clutch problem

Just a heads up, it'll be a pain to get to the transmission cover, you'll probably have to remove your exhaust.&nbsp\\; I'd pull your derby cover off, and pull out the cultch rod (you should be able to do that without draining any oil), and make sure there's not anything funky with that before going through the hassle of pulling the exhaust and tranny cover.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 01:43 AM
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Default RE: wierd clutch problem

The "throw out bearing " came apart in my end cover. Sometimes the cluch would act normal and then sometimes not.
 
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