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Message started by toro on 05/19/08 at 15:07:32

Title: Clutch question
Post by toro on 05/19/08 at 15:07:32

I am at 250 miles on my thumper (two weeks old). I have noticed that when the motor is off, the bike is in first gear, and with the clutch disengaged, I can feel resistance to move in either direction just needs some extra muscle to push. Is this normal? I thought maybe I need to adjust the clutch, but the dealership shop said I should wait a while for the clutch to "burn in". I can see something like that at first like with new brakes, but with the clutch? Anyone have a better idea?

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by Reelthing on 05/19/08 at 15:26:24

Did you check the gap at the hand control?

After it is warmed up is it still just as hard to push?

When you stop in gear with the engine running and clutch pull does it
keep try to pull foward?

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by Brandon on 05/19/08 at 15:42:45

There is always a little resistance with the clutch disengaged, but it shouldn't be where you have to put your weight into it to move the bike, there should be about a 1/8 inch gap at your clutch lever. Does it try to pull you around when you are holding in the clutch while at a stop light?

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by verslagen1 on 05/19/08 at 18:27:17

415A475A350 wrote:

yes, it's normal.
just as long as brandon says, it don't pull you around when at a stop.

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by toro on 05/19/08 at 18:32:49

I have not checked the gap at the handle, do you mean in-between the thumbwheel and the grip or with it depressed?

It is the same warm or cold, it does not try to pull away at a light.

I thought about that last part myself because I can sit at the light in first with the clutch in, no problem just when the machine is off and trying to move it.

It's not my whole body weight required to move it, just a bit more effort than if it was in neutral. I thought that it should be the same effort with the clutch in.

Thank you for taking the time to answer this.

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by Brandon on 05/19/08 at 18:52:44

Far as I can tell, you have a perfectly normal new bike, there is always some resistance when the tranny is in gear. This goes for motorcycles, dirtbikes, and everything else I've associated with. If it starts pulling you while at a stop, you have a problem.

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by Dj12midnit on 05/19/08 at 19:46:13

What if it pulls at start up?

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by verslagen1 on 05/19/08 at 20:21:49

48461D1E4145484245582C0 wrote:

What if it pulls at start up?

clutch in, gear in neutral and it pulls on start up?

I've heard of people having soap box derby on bikes. Not sure if it was engine on or off, but had to be in neutral.

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by Dj12midnit on 05/19/08 at 20:28:07

Clutch in gear in first.

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/19/08 at 23:18:18

If I park it in first, when I get on & pull the clutch in & try to roll it, it will hang for a sec, then break loose & roll on. Its still harder than in neutral, tho. Mine never tries to drag me around,

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by skrapiron on 05/20/08 at 05:18:54

Treat it like older bikes. Park it in first, start it in neutral.

You're going to feel some grab when clutching in gear. Its perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. You won't hurt the bike running it like that or starting it like that either.

I prefer to start and move mine in neutral. Less resistance means less stress on my already aching back.

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by toro on 05/20/08 at 05:28:14

That is pretty much what I have been doing, because I thought maybe I was causing extra wear. Now that I know it's normal I feel better about it.

Being that mine is newer (I don't know when they incorporated this) It won't start unless it is in neutral, and there is a ignition kill switch if you drop the side stand while it's running without putting it in neutral first..

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by SuziQ on 05/20/08 at 05:47:02

If you had a center stand and lifted the rear wheel off the ground, engaged neutral and started the engine you will notice the rear wheel will rotate slowly but not under much pressure, in fact you could stop it with your hand, so I would think the enertia you are seeing is normal. It's the plates and discs in the clutch pack playing "boss".

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by Dj12midnit on 05/20/08 at 19:01:16

if I turn my handlebars all the way to the right the clutch will not engage.

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by verslagen1 on 05/20/08 at 20:08:39

404E1516494D404A4D50240 wrote:

if I turn my handlebars all the way to the right the clutch will not engage.

your cable is bound up on the head, pull some through toward the front and readjust your cable.

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by Dj12midnit on 05/22/08 at 07:04:56

Do I need to pull the tank first or just yank it from the top?

Title: Re: Clutch question
Post by verslagen1 on 05/22/08 at 07:45:26

I think mine has a couple of cable ties, but what ever works.