clutch

[bdw72]

I am now having some trouble with my clutch. It was running and riding great. Then it started slipping in 2nd and 3rd a few times. I parked it and after a week or so went to crank it and clutch lever is real loose. I took the plate off and it appears the clutch lever is being pulled up. With it running I can't get it into gear, grinds. after reading I figured out I used wrong oil. I used 20/50. If I replace oil or is there anything else I should do? Is there a way to adjust the clutch?

[Incubus]

Wild guess, but it kinda sounds to me like your clutch cable seized. Try disconnecting it and see if the cable moves smoothly in the sleeve.

Patrick

[BigRed]

Lots of people use 20/50 oil with no problems. If your clutch handle is loose, then you've got at least one problem that is not related to your oil.

[smitty57chevy]

With it running I can't get it into gear, grinds. after reading I figured out I used wrong oil. I used 20/50. If I replace oil or is there anything else I should do? Is there a way to adjust the clutch?

Are you joking?

[dbeardslee]

That's no joke. XS's have a wet clutch, so your engine oil also lubes your clutch. It's generally recommended not to use oil with friction modifiers as they're too slick, and can cause the clutch to slip. If you look on the oil container, there should be a little sae circle on it - shouldn't be any writing in the lower part of the circle.

[Incubus]

The wrong oil can make your clutch slip under load, Smitty. It would not, however, explain the issues that BDW is having with HIS clutch.

Patrick

[cywelchjr]

I am now having some trouble with my clutch. It was running and riding great. Then it started slipping in 2nd and 3rd a few times. I parked it and after a week or so went to crank it and clutch lever is real loose. I took the plate off and it appears the clutch lever is being pulled up. With it running I can't get it into gear, grinds. after reading I figured out I used wrong oil. I used 20/50. If I replace oil or is there anything else I should do? Is there a way to adjust the clutch?

As others have said, oil will NOT cause your symptoms, and 20/50 is the right oil for these bikes except in cold weather.

If the lever is loose, then you need to do the clutch adjustment, only after a good adjustment can you determine if there is or is not something wrong.

And if it's just 2nd and 3rd that it was slipping in, and it made a ratcheting noise, it's likely that it's gear problems, which would mean doing the dremel fix on the gears, not too hard I hear. Catatonicbug did it successfully which points out that it's not lots of mechanical training and experience that are needed to do the job, but just decent mechanical aptitude (by his own admission).

But, first, make sure it's properly adjusted, and if it's the clutch slipping it will slip in every gear above the first one it slips in as well, and do so without any extra noise.

[smitty57chevy]

Incubus,

Exactly. The joke was not knowing if the clutch was adjustable? Haven't met one yet that ain't, except some hydraulic ones. Even some of those have a pushrod adjustment.

BTW, the issue as Incubus pointed out was NOT slipping under load, it was the opposite, the clutch was not disengaging.

[CatatonicBug]

Exactly. The joke was not knowing if the clutch was adjustable? Haven't met one yet that ain't, except some hydraulic ones.

Just remember that around here, there are no stupid questions. Many of us have never ridden a bike before the XS11, and definitely never worked on one. Those of us who have spent some extended time slogging through the grease or memorizing the manual would have picked up on these small things, but it takes time to learn, and this is the place to learn it from. The only way to do that is to ask the questions.

BTW, welcome to the forum, Smitty.

[smitty57chevy]

catatonicbug;

On that we disagree. There ARE stupid questions. Met plenty of book-smart folks without a lick of common sense. Tires need air? These things need oil?

Amazing how some people will cluelessly jump into something deadly and wonder later why they got hurt. IF they wake up.

That's why I won't bungee-jump or skydive. What I don't know about it can kill me. If I did choose to do either, I would at least have the sense to learn about it before i jumped.

[CatatonicBug]

If I did choose to do either, I would at least have the sense to learn about it before i jumped.

Asking questions (however stupid you may think they are) is how we all learn about things. This forum is about sharing information about the XS1100. If someone has taken the time to ask a question, it means that they haven't yet "jumped" into anything except purchasing a classic machine that might need some attention. It is the responsibility of the more knowledgable forum members to share what information they have, and to educate the person asking the question (as well as anyone else who happens to read the thread).

You didn't always know how a motorcycle works, and I imagine you've asked many questions to many people over the years to get to the point you are now. All I'm saying is that you need to allow other people to do the same thing and not criticize others for asking questions about things that you happen to already know the answers.

[smitty57chevy]

Sure, I see your point...to a point. But if you get jollies teachin' people how to walk, have fun.

Last time I checked, I'm not responsible for anyone but me, so hold your lectures.

[cywelchjr]

Sure, I see your point...to a point. But if you get jollies teachin' people how to walk, have fun.

Last time I checked, I'm not responsible for anyone but me, so hold your lectures.

Absolutely your choice. If you don't want to help people learn, that's fine, but those of us who are willing to help will do so, and don't consider there to be any stupid question, as ignorance can be fixed, stupid is forever.

[b.walker5]

There is no such thing as a 'Stupid Question' if the one asking genuinely doesnt know the answer. There are plenty of stupid answers, but these mostly come from people who know the right one but cant be bothered helping others by providing it.

Most people are greatful to have found this site, and we try to help them out whatever the question, but there seems to be an increasing number of "new" members just lately intent on rocking the boat. One cant help but wonder if theyre hiding behind proxies to join because they've been here before. JAT.

[TopCatGr58]

Sure, I see your point...to a point. But if you get jollies teachin' people how to walk, have fun.

Last time I checked, I'm not responsible for anyone but me, so hold your lectures.

Hey there Smitty,

As several folks have stated, this site is for folks who want or need to learn about their bikes. Occasionally we do tease the veterans about certain things, but we do NOT belittle newbies trying to learn. I see from your profile that you haven't found an XS/XJ yet, but are probably interested for possibly a variety of reasons. Possibly you had seen them years ago when they first came out, or just know you want an older classic machine with a 1000+cc size that you can work on without having a computer or engineering degree?

The site has lots of tech tips and info about maintanence, repairs, mods, etc. for easy reference. Then there's the search feature for the Forums where lots more info can be found with a few keystrokes.

So....anyways, if you have information to provide someone asking for such help, then please feel free to pitch in to the collective knowledge base that makes this site work. But if you feel the need to ridicule a neophyte, we would prefer you not post anything at all, just sit there at your computer and have a good laugh if you like. At this time, I would like to direct your attention to the STICKY thread at the top of this forum, the forum participation guidelines at the bottom/end.

Good luck in your search for the bike you want, hope you do find an XS/XJ11, you'll have lots of resources here to assist you in putting it in tip top shape.