clutch question

[chiarew]

Hi to all. Well the weather is finally becoming a bit more inspiring here in the Northeast. When I put my 1980 XS1100 away for the winter I did so knowing I have a potential clutch issue.

When I ride for about an hour I notice the clutch seems to engage later. I almost have to completely let the lever out before it grabs. This doesnt happen for the first 1/2 hour or so.

Does this sound like something an adjustment will take care of, or am I looking at something more major?

The bike has 17,000 miles on what I think is the original clutch.

Thanks !

Bill

[mitch]

Clutch

First, and foremost keep clean oil in your bike, i change my oil and filter every 3000 klm or 2400 miles. Synthetics seem to cause clutch slipage in these bikes so most stick to dino juice. To adjust your clutch take the side cover off where your cable goes in to the motor, Hold the screw in the center with a screwdriver and loosen the nut , then turn the screw in till you feel it engage or till you feel a little pressure. then back it off one eighth of a turn and lock the nut to hold it there. Now while you have the cable unhooked check it to be sure its not bindingif its free reassemble the side and adjust your free play at the handle bar clutch lever. Have a great day ...................MITCH

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Bill,

Okay, if you go to the tech tips and look for Clutch Adjustment, you'll find out how to adjust the clutch at the engine case, cause after it wears a bit, adjusting it at the handlebar lever won't do it. As the engine heats up, it expands, and so the lever that "Disengages" the clutch, pushes on the pressure plates and the other parts are getting bigger so it pushes those plates apart more after it warms up.

Also, if you're using totally synthetic oil, you can have a problem with slippage as well, best to use blends or DINO juice!

HTH, T.C.

[Geezer]

This is less likely but disconnect the cable and both end and make sure it moves freely up and down. I've seen a bad cable mimic clutch problems all too frequently.

Geezer

[chiarew]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it goes.

Bill

[chevy45412001]

clutch cable

Just installed my clutch cable Sat. Man does that make for a whole new ride.That was most of my clutch woes.Its never worked better.

[Never2L84Ridin]

Dino juice

What do you mean when you say dino juice?

[Geezer]

Re: clutch cable

Originally posted by chevy45412001
Just installed my clutch cable Sat. Man does that make for a whole new ride.That was most of my clutch woes.Its never worked better.

I'm not surprised in the least. Often the easy fix is the best fix.

Geezer

[mitch]

Dino Juice

Just slang for normal motor oil , a good guality 5w40 or 10w40, i pefer castrol but to each his own. Synthetics are too slippery for our clutches and our starter drives. Has been well documented on this site. .....MITCH

[Badger]

Dino juice

My guess is 'Dino Juice', refers to oil produced from fossil fuels, you know, the remains of little critters that shared the planet with Dinosaurs........just guessing