Grabby Clutch

[Paul Carr]

Hi
I just put my tracker on the road
The clutch seems to have a good smooth pull but is grabby , that is, I let it out it does not grab right away then it does

Its not slipping

When I built the bike I put on a new cable, new clutch rod , new springs , checked the plates to make sure they were not warped or warn ,, made sure the pressure plate mark was aligned

I am at a bit of a loss

As always thanks

Paul

 

[TeeCat]

Paul, that sounds like an adjustment issue that I had. I had too much slack in the cable, and my bike's friction point was so small that the clutch would engage seemingly "all at once" within a couple of millimeters of lever throw. Gradually pulling some slack out of the cable, and some patience, pretty much rectified it, though I still have a short friction point. I just have to "know what the bike likes" in terms of first gear engagement.

Did you begin your adjustment by taking most of the slack out at the side cover, and then fine tuning at the lever/perch?

TC

 

[Paul Carr]

Hi
I thought I was careful a setting it up
I did start at the clutch cover ... I will take slack out of the cable next

Someone told me about the thrust washerand bearing behingd the clutch basket

Paul

 

[angus67]

what did they tell you?

 

[dwyatt]

I always think I'm being carefuil when I FU...

 

[Paul Carr]

Just that this bearing when worn would create a grabby conditin

 

[5twins]

You can try it if you like but I think the stated claims that this bearing will improve your clutch action are mostly a sales pitch. It is an improved bearing with more rollers in it than the original but it made absolutely no difference in the way my clutch operated.

 

[Paul Carr]

I am frustrated , you think I would clearly see warped plates , a sticky clutch rod , or something.... nothing jumps out

 

[Belle]

If you are more aggressive with your throttle/clutch the bike handles fine? Because all of my bikes hate pussy footin' around (don't walk on egg shells with that clutch. it is an agressive bike)
May not be right but...if its nothing mechanical...

 

[blackbetty]

Paul Carr,

When I made my footclutch setup I was using a 7 plate clutch pack off a 75. I simply had zero friction zone, it was literally like an 1/8". Swapped in new friction and pressure plates, new HI PO springs, replaced the aforementioned bearing, and experimented across the whole range of adjustment and simply couldn't get it to engage smoothly. I chalked it up to miscalculating the angles of my linkages, but even after trying different configurations it made no difference.

Finally on a whim I picked up a 6 pack clutch from an '81 with the spring loaded boss. WOW, it was like a night and day difference. I can actually shift my bike without being paranoid of stalling it every stop.

If worse comes to worse, I'd suggest picking up a late model clutch. You get the spring loaded boss and you can also make sure to find one with intact cush springs. Lots of times on the 7 plate clutch there's a broken cush spring or two.

 

[Paul Carr]

I have a motor from a 1980 will that clutch bolt onto my 1974

thanks

Paul

 

[blackbetty]

Yes, a direct swap. There were 3 different packs, Pre 73, 6 plate pack : 73-78, 7 plate pack : post 78, spring loaded 6 plate pack. 73 and on should bolt right up.

Swap em out an let us know how it works!

Here's a badass link w everything you need to know:

http://thexscafedotcom.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/xs650-clutch-assembly/

 

[Paul Carr]

This forum has never let me down
I will put the 1980 clutch in
give me a week or two and I will let you know how it works
Thanks
Paul

 

[5twins]

You can just swap the inner basket and plate stack into your current outer basket but I would take this opportunity to remove the outer basket and inspect the coil springs on the back. They can and do break and that may be the cause of your funky clutch engagement.