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Message started by whistler2000 on 07/26/09 at 03:00:57

Title: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by whistler2000 on 07/26/09 at 03:00:57

Hi all. New to this so bare with me. My clutch seemed to be slipping on my '87 Savage when cruising at speed and I twist the throttle. The bike shifts fine through the gears, but slips on acceleration in high gear. Using the Clymer Manual, I decided to replace the 6 friction and 5 steel plates along with the 4 springs (which were longer than the ones I took out). Clutch still slipping on acceleration in high gear! Anybody got any idea on this?

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 07/26/09 at 03:21:49

What kind of oil have you been using? Oil with friction modifiers have a tendency to cause clutch slippage.

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/26/09 at 03:34:09

Yep, 1st stop, make sure you arent using oil w/ friction modifiers.

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by whistler2000 on 07/26/09 at 13:48:05

Using 10w40 Suzuki oil. Is it possible drive pulley or belt slipping? Just grasping straws right now.

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by photojoe on 07/26/09 at 15:18:33

Sometimes issues that seem difficult can be really simple to resolve. I'm going to throw this out there because I had the same problem last year. Clutch was slipping when I opened throttle in 4th gear on my '87 and all it took was a simple clutch cable adjustment, and no more slip. I have to thank Tmack for his help with this during the Pa. run in September. Told him about the problem when I arrived at his house, and 10 minutes later it was taken care of. Seemed like he knew exactly how much play the cable needed.

We need that bit of play in the clutch lever. If there's no play, that may be the problem.

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/26/09 at 15:21:23

If the belt is slipping, the vibration would be enough to rattle your teeth out.

If tyhe front pulley is slipping, youll see bits of metal when you pull the cover.

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by verslagen1 on 07/26/09 at 15:56:08

Is your clutch arm between the 2 lines in the case?

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1246935676

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/26/09 at 16:52:40

& how much slack is in the clutch lever?

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by whistler2000 on 07/26/09 at 16:55:37

Couldn't find any marks on the case, but what I'm getting now is it could be a simple clutch cable adjustment or possibly a cable replacement correct? Maybe the clutch rod inside the case?

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by verslagen1 on 07/26/09 at 18:17:25

746B6D6A7770417141796B672C1E0 wrote:

& how much slack is in the clutch lever?

The world wants to know...

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by whistler2000 on 07/27/09 at 02:55:13

I've adjusted the cable to where I have about a 1/4 inch of play in the cable to see if that helps. I don't know about the marks on the case, couldn't find any. My bike is a '87.

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by serenity3743 on 07/27/09 at 10:12:40

There are three lengths of clutch rod, the small pin in the center of the clutch when you open up the case. There was a post sometime earlier this month about this issue and the marks on the engine showing proper clutch play. But my money is on the clutch cable: too tight and it will slip, especially in high gear.

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by serenity3743 on 07/27/09 at 10:16:48

Here's the earlier thread:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1246935676

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by whistler2000 on 07/28/09 at 15:38:16

With 1/4" slack in clutch cable, I was finally able to take it around the block. It seems to be doing fine but will test alittle more later. I think this was my problem though. I will do final adjustments on the cable before testing. Thanks for all the great info!

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by T Mack 1 on 07/28/09 at 18:19:51

Ok..... it seems everyone does the hard way and adjusts so that the arm on the case has so much play. Well..... you really need to adjust so that the clutch starts to grab at a certain spot when releasing the clutch.

Yes, I know that the FSM says adjust the arm. But I also read somewhere in the book that the arm is the course adjustment and the fine adjust is at the handlebar lever. Always adjust the fine first... the golden rule.....

So, I find that when releasing the clutch on the LS650's, the clutch has to start to "grip" at about 3/4 to 1 inch out from the handlebar grip for best operation. PhotoJoe had his out farther, maybe 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch out.

Try this and get back to us....

Title: Re: Clutch Still Slipping
Post by whistler2000 on 08/03/09 at 17:31:08

Sorry guys, rain, rain, and more rain down here in sunny Fla. Did get out and did a little test run with still slipage in high gear. Does anyone think I might have a tranny problem or is it just a clutch adjustment. I tried loosening the cable to ensure the clutch arm is totally disengaged with no success. Maybe the clutch rod needs to be shorter or maybe add another clutch disk and plate? Gaskets not cheap to keep opening her up.