I was riding today (showing a friend how to ride) and my clutch seems to not want to fully disengage. When in neutral, bike rolls like butter, but when in gear with clutch in, the bike rolls like the brake is on a bit. I adjusted the clutch cable to pull way past what was ever needed before, just to check, but that has no effect, still the resistance rolling.

A month ago or so, I replaced the plates and springs for the clutch.

Any ideas what Might be causing this? I would just look at the clutch, but since I need a gasket, I'd love to have an idea of what could cause something like this. Thanks again all

Brian

start the bike and warm it up. After that do the same test and see what will hapen.

When you changed the clutch plates and springs, did you also replace the clutch cable?

It sounds like cable stretch to me.

Metri,

From your description it seems obvious that the clutch plates either aren't fully disengaging, or there is something between the plates causing friction. Since this is a wet clutch I'd be betting on the first. So why aren't they disengaging.

As everyone is pointing the most likely culprit is the cable is not moving the clutch plates far enough. If you are absolutely sure that the cable is moving the plates far enough (check at the clutch not at the lever) - there should be a spec for how far the plates should move to be completely disengaged, then the problem has to be in the clutch itself. Don't have a manual anymore for a Savage but other manuals give this specification, so I'd expect to find it in the manual. Possibilities for problems in the clutch itself range from something assembled incorrectly (likely) to the wrong tolerance on a new part (unlikely).

Second possibility is that something is causing the plates to torque even with adequate clearance - oil that is too viscous or something physically between the plates that isn't being thrown out. If I didn't find something wrong with the throw, I'd change the oil and look for a problem.

Final thing to do is suck it up and take things back apart and start looking for a problem. Most likely a problem with improper assembly.  

Good luck! Keep us informed.

idle speed up e nuff?? 1000> 1200 rpm

Thanks all for the advice. I will triple check the cable, but really I know it's not that. The explanation that a little resistance is normal is the hope I cling too . I'll see how it goes when the bike is warm and possibly change the oil alos. Unfortunately I've got rain today and possibly for the next 3 so it may take a bit to check.

Thanks again for all the advice. This forum has helped me out so much with my savage. I can't imagine what I would have done without this resource.

Brian

Since I switched to the 20w50 oil, mine lurches a bit on a cold start (while in gear).  It never did that with the thinner oil.

So I treat it like my old RD350 and put in Neutral to start (Oh memories......)

Since it's not listed and since it is an add on to Mornhm's reply,  

You describe low oil symptoms.........   I was going to say old oil too , but you just replaced the clutch last month so it should be new oil.

I assume you checked the oil level and that you're using motorcycle grade oil.  

If so, and you swear that the cable is fine,  you may need to pop the cover and check plate alignment within the clutch basket to make sure they aren't rubbing the basket which may cause them to seperate a bit crooked  and touch too much.

PS: This morning 55 deg F, bike warmed up five minutes, there was no difference (or maybe I should say no noticeable difference) between a neutral roll and a 1st gear with clutch lever pulled in roll.   I'm using Mobile One V-Twin MC oil.