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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Verification of bad clutch?
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Message started by beachedsquid on 12/05/08 at 18:47:10

Title: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by beachedsquid on 12/05/08 at 18:47:10

I've been lurking here since I got my '99 LS
650 about 2 years ago. I finally registered today because I've finally had a real problem with the bike.

Lately I've noticed what, in retrospect, seems like clutch slippage in 5th gear (roll back on throttle, RPMs thru the roof, no increased power.) Today, running 80 in the left lane of the interstate (did the chain mod thanks to your guys) she slipped, slipped, slipped some more and I flat lost power in all 5 gears. Now, with the engine running, I can shift thru all the gears without pulling in the clutch lever.

That means I need to get a kit and replace engine side discs in my clutch basket, right? Is there something else that could possibly cause this, and how should I differentiate?

I just want to ask before I shell out $60 on a clutch kit.

Opinions?

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/05/08 at 18:54:06

Id be curious to know what oil you are running.
Sounds like the clutch is done.

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by verslagen1 on 12/05/08 at 19:00:02

Do you got at least 1/8" gap at the clutch lever?
If it's too tight, a turn can pull on the cable and cause it to slip too.

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by beachedsquid on 12/05/08 at 19:08:37

I'm using the same synthetic auto oil without friction modifiers I've been using since I bought the bike. I run w50 or w40 depending on the season.

I have almost 23,000 miles on it. I'll be getting an extra tab added to my cam tensioner while I have that cover off for the clutch.

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by beachedsquid on 12/05/08 at 19:12:10

verslagen,

Its not just slipping in turns. It has flat slipped. I guess I should try adjusting the cable in the AM though.

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/05/08 at 19:24:24

Seems you would know if thers any free play in the lever or not. I know mine has a lot of slack. If( I know its this way on a car) the clutch wears, the "Toe PLay" goes away. I suspect its the same on the nike. If the clutch is adjusted so there is No Free play, then as the clutch wears, the rider wont feel the clutch change, It'll just slowly cease to have the full clamping power of the clutch pack applied to the disks, some will be "felt" on the cable, then it will start slipping.
Your description makes me think its fried.Maybe you'll get lucky, Now is a good time for such "Minor Miracles". Hope you get away cheap & easy.

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by beachedsquid on 12/05/08 at 19:34:14

What do you mean when you say fried? Something worse than replacing the plates?

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/05/08 at 19:52:06

Naaah, Sounds like thats what youll be doing. No big deal, I expect youll be back on the road soon. Do you remember if your clutch was adjusted with some slack in the lever?

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by beachedsquid on 12/05/08 at 20:08:59

There was some slack, now that you mention it, when I got the bike. And there's was no slack at all the last few months.

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by verslagen1 on 12/05/08 at 20:30:04

well bud that's your problem you gotta have slack.

Title: Re: Verification of bad clutch?
Post by Rockin_John on 12/05/08 at 22:05:27

657661607F7274767D22130 wrote:

well bud that's your problem you gotta have slack.

That's the ticket. Had you adjusted your clutch/cable when it first began slipping you might have been able to save it. I did that on one of the Savages's I bought. It was slipping under hard acceleration in 4th and 5th gears. A little adjustment and the slipping stopped. Clutch has been good for months now. One of the other Savages I bought had the clutch adjusted where it just barely released when the lever was squeezed tight on the bars. That will wear on them too. Good luck with it!