Hard to push

[oldyam80sg]

My 80 SG wont move easily. I checked tire pressure front and rear-added some air and still I cant push it easy. Last year I rode the bike no problem but in October, my season came to an end as I have kidney issues and it got cold outside. I also checked the brakes and dont believe they are dragging.Any ideas?

[Socer4m]

Hi Old Yam,,,,,if you have a car floor jack, try lifting up the front end just enough to clear the tire to ground,,,,give the wheel a spin, if tight, take off brake line at calipers, if still tight its the caliper sticking,,,,if spins easily try same thing with rear,,,if still sticking its probably the dreaded spooge hole in the master cylinders, an easy fix,,,just poke with a needle,,,keep us informed, anyone else chime in?? Mike in S.Diego and PA.

[oldyam80sg]

I'm thinking maybe spray PB blaster as my storage unit the bike is stored in gets super hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The bike could stand a good lubrication as it sat too long as I have had shoulder rotator cuff issues. Mike-if it was warmer out,I will do that also-good suggestion !! The bike started up no problems today as I have not started it up since December.

[Larrym]

Mebbe them wheel b e a r ings?? ʕ ﾟ ● ﾟʔ

Last year my special just din't wanna dip in-and-out of the turns like I remembered from the season befoar. Like trying to steer a car but wit' no power steering. A real B e a r....ʕ´• ᴥ•̥`ʔ

Had to R&R the steering headset to clean and grease'em. Wut a bear....ʕノ•ᴥ•ʔノ

Wheel bearings were done (by me....) when I swapped the old Kendas fOaR new Shinkos. Not such a big deal. ʕʘ̅͜ʘ̅ʔ

I mean iffin' the brakes ain't dragging and the middle/final drive (and shaft) ain't bone dry then that leaves little else. ʕ ◕ᴥ◕ ʔ

[LAB3]

If the wheels and brakes aren't the issue it could very well be clutch drag. When the bike sits the plates will stick a bit and having old oil in there only compounds the problem. Try starting it up and give it a short ride, that should take care of it.

One particular bike I rehabbed sat for 18 years and despite the transmission being in neutral it still acted like it was in gear, turned out the problem was what I just described. Gave it a good push as if to bump start it, jumped on and mashed the gear selector down into first. That broke it free and the clutch never gave me a problem after that.

[Socer4m]

good call Lab3,,,,,you are right sticky clutch plates cause drag,,,also I forgot to mention that the center stand is all that is needed to check the rear wheel for a spin,,,,also can put on center stand and just a little lift is needed to elevate the front wheel for a spin. Anyway hope its just sticky plates,,,,after a warmup and ride then try to push it and let us know ,,,,,,good luck, Mike S.

[oldyam80sg]

No center stand so will have to get my floor jack to see what is going on. It is definitely not in gear. Can't wait until the weather warms up some.

[Socer4m]

be careful with the jack and how it raises up the Xs,,,,these big ol heavy bikes tip Very Easy, had mine tip over when I raised it too high to take off the rear wheel to clear the fender and over it went. Pain ini the arsss to get upright again,,,Mike in S.Diego and Pa.

[cajun31]

I'm thinking maybe spray PB blaster as my storage unit the bike is stored in gets super hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The bike could stand a good lubrication as it sat too long as I have had shoulder rotator cuff issues. Mike-if it was warmer out,I will do that also-good suggestion !! The bike started up no problems today as I have not started it up since December.

Peter when was the last time you completely changed the brake fluid? I mean full drain? There have been many threads concerning the nature of DOT 3 brake fluid. Or any of the different levels of glycol based fluids. The only one that is not glycol based is DOT 5 which is silicon based. All of them are hygroscopic and absorb water over time. The owners manual states that all brake seals should be replaced every two years. As we all know that was never followed by anyone as the seals are not generally the problem. It is the contamination of the fluid that causes the problems. At this point I suspect that you need to go through the calipers and the master cylinders and do a complete and thorough cleaning refresh. I have stated in many previous posts that purchasing something like the mity vac system will greatly aid you. You know your bike better than any of us. Ask yourself the question of what you have done as preventative maintenance over the years. Proceed accordingly and do what is necessary. Not having the brakes in impeccable working condition is not an option.

[oldyam80sg]

Brake fluid was changed within the last 2 years. I run stainless brake lines up front and never had a brake issue. They could be dragging though and will look at it as the weather warms up.

[Schming]

My 80 SG wont move easily. I checked tire pressure front and rear-added some air and still I cant push it easy. Last year I rode the bike no problem but in October, my season came to an end as I have kidney issues and it got cold outside. I also checked the brakes and dont believe they are dragging.Any ideas?

Have you inspected, greased or replaced all the wheel bearings? Have you had the rear diff. off to clean the old grease out an replenish with new? Especially when cold 44 yr. old grease loses it's lubricity and becomes cakey and stiff. You also have cold thick 90 weight gear lube in the primary and final drives that aid the stiffness.

What type of "PB Blaster" would you be applying and to where?

Starting an engine, even when the temperature is 60 degrees, causes moisture in the crankcase that takes some time to burn off.

The stiffness may just be micro-rust on the disc rotors from sitting in an uncontrolled climate.

[DEEBS11]

Oldyam your problem lies here. Clean out the aluminum oxide build up under the seal.

[LAB3]

Talk about rabbit hole diving!

Here's what we KNOW:

1) The bike rolled into it's winter storage spot with no known issues

2) The owner tried to move the bike while it was relatively cold outside and noticed the problem for the first time

3) Clutch drag due to cold oil makes the most sense barring any other further evidence

If this thread continues it will eventually lead to other theories such as Bigfoot and Aliens. Given enough time it will decay into political motives at which point the forum will completely fall apart!

Stick with the basics! KISS

[Schming]

Talk about rabbit hole diving!

Here's what we KNOW:

1) The bike rolled into it's winter storage spot with no known issues

2) The owner tried to move the bike while it was relatively cold outside and noticed the problem for the first time

3) Clutch drag due to cold oil makes the most sense barring any other further evidence

If this thread continues it will eventually lead to other theories such as Bigfoot and Aliens. Given enough time it will decay into political motives at which point the forum will completely fall apart!

Stick with the basics! KISS

Unless He's trying to push the bike in gear there is no clutch drag.

[DEEBS11]

Fair enough. Unbolt the calipers and then try to roll the bike.