Clutch problem

[badboy2003]

Hi, I have an 82' XJ1100 and I've had a problem with the cluch not working. I don't know much about a bike but rode for a long time. Well now for the problem..... When I pull the clutch lever and shift the bike into 1st gear the bike trys to take off. I've changed the oil thinking that would help, and no it didn't. I have adjusted the cable at the handel and adjusted the adjuster screw under the clutch cover and to no avale it still dosen't work. Like I said I don't know much about bikes. I've downloaded the mannual from here and think I've done it right. So do I need a new cluth or do I do something with the springs?

[Bigleo]

clutch problem

Hi, is this a new bike you have just acquired? If it has been sitting for several years the clutch plates sort of get stuck together. If you can get it rolling down a hill or get pushed fast enough to be able to pop it into 1st gear, you can usually then break the clutch plates loose by pulling in the clutch and hitting the throttle. The clutch should then work normally.
Leo

[CatatonicBug]

You could always put it on the side stand and remove the right engine cover and the clutch basket. The worst part about that process is cleaning the old gasket off and sealing the cover back on the engine. The clutch comes off with an impact socket or breaker bar, and goes back on at some incredibly high torque spec too. More details on that process in the "2nd gear fix" tech tip.

[dbeardslee]

Are you saying the clutch is fully engaging when you put it in gear with the lever in? When I first got Betsy she had been sitting for three years, and the clutch was locked up. I put it in gear, held the foot brake on, and hit the starter. The clutch broke loose immediately. The I ran some seafoam in the engine oil (20 minutes at idle) and changed the oil. Some stuff that looked like kitty litter came out of the drain hole - probably the deteriorated lining from the friction plates. The clutch worked after that, but it slipped and I wound up replacing it. My advice is do the simple stuff first - make sure the clutch is broken loose and properly adjusted. The adjustment at the handlebar is just for the freeplay in the cable - 2mm recommended. It has to be adjusted properly at the clutch to work properly, and the tech tips can tell you how to do that. My $.02.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey BadBoy,

Instead of SeaFoam, I would suggest Marvel Mystery Oil, about a half bottle in the oil, run it at idle, NO LOAD, NO riding, just for about 5 minutes once it gets to normal operating temps. Then drain oil/filter and refill with appropriate brand/grade/quality of oil..ie. 20-50 ..with bottom half of API seal blank..no friction modifiers if auto oil, only 1/2 synthetic blend at most...synths contribute to Xsive clutch slippage with aged components.

Also, pull cable and LUBE IT. Then recheck and set the engine side adjustment. This should help remove the sticky varnish that's probably causing your frictions to stick causing your bike creep when stopped in gear.
T.C.

[mxmikie]

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24056&highlight=lazy

[badboy2003]

Clutch problem

Well I have tore down the clutch housing and found a large nut (about an 1an 1/16" and washer off a treded bolt. How this hapened I don't know, I'm thinking that this is why my clutch felt tight and would not let it engage. Is this right? I still have to put it to getther to know for shure.....

[DGXSER]

WOWW, that seems like you found the clutch retaining nut and washer!! Umm...yeah, that might be a problem.

[mro]

"Washer" should have tabs that you bend up to lock the nut in place after it's torqed down (50 ft pounds).
Did the washer have these?


mro

[foreda]

Nut

That would definitely do it!!!

[badboy2003]

Clutch problem

Thanks guys for all your help, clutch works fine now...... Awsome I glad someone got the great idea to start this forum.... with out it some of us non gear heads would be lost and sitting in our driveways whatching the outher ride on by... Thanks again