79josh81
XS650 Addict
So I recently replaced the clutch springs, steel plates, and fiber plates on my 81' Special II. The bike grabs a lot better now but I'm still having an issue with hard shifting. While I was in the right side doing the clutch, I checked to make sure that the springs were where they needed to be on the shift shaft assembly and drum and they were both there (in fact I recently replaced both springs). I also examined to make sure that the shift adjustment was set as being "equidistant" and it was. The fingers on my clutch basket weren't worn or anything so the plates aren't catching or anything.
So when I adjust the clutch, I end up with 1 of 2 scenarios no matter where I adjust the worm gear (and yes I'm slacking the lever adjustment first and then setting cable free play after adjusting the worm gear).
1st Scenario: If I set the worm gear to where the clutch plates grab correctly when I release the clutch lever, I end up having a pain in the ass time shifting through gears to the point where I'm not getting enough clutch plate separation and sometimes I can't even shift to the next gear (especially while down shifting).
2nd Scenario: If I try to correct the above clutch separation issue by adjusting the worm gear inward to have a little more clucth separation when I pull the clutch lever, the clutch ends up slipping when I release the clutch lever and get on the throttle. But now, with this setting, the bike will shift through the gears great.
The clutch is either slipping or shifting through gears is ridiculously difficult. THE PROBLEM IS...THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN ON THIS BIKE!!!! (and yes I only have 6 fibers and 5 steel plates in the clutch).
My 79' shifts great. I have no slipping and the gears shift like butter with the engine hot or cold. I use the same oil in both bikes as well. I know it's not a cluch adjustment issue. The real issue is I'm not getting enough clutch plate separation to run the clutch in the right spot where it doesn't slip. Does anyone know what could be causing that problem? The only thing I did find when I searched for issues under the right cover was that there was a little play in the clutch basket once I took the plates and springs out. If I grabbed the basket, I could wiggle it a real little bit. Nothing crazy as far as movement, but I'm not sure if there's supposed to be some play in the basket or if it should be absolutely solid and if this could potentially be the issue. ???
So if you guys have any ideas, please help me out because it really starting to frustrate me. Also, if you have no ideas on what the issue is, is there any way to modify something to give me more worm gear travel which will give me more clutch separation when I pull the clutch lever? Thanks.
So when I adjust the clutch, I end up with 1 of 2 scenarios no matter where I adjust the worm gear (and yes I'm slacking the lever adjustment first and then setting cable free play after adjusting the worm gear).
1st Scenario: If I set the worm gear to where the clutch plates grab correctly when I release the clutch lever, I end up having a pain in the ass time shifting through gears to the point where I'm not getting enough clutch plate separation and sometimes I can't even shift to the next gear (especially while down shifting).
2nd Scenario: If I try to correct the above clutch separation issue by adjusting the worm gear inward to have a little more clucth separation when I pull the clutch lever, the clutch ends up slipping when I release the clutch lever and get on the throttle. But now, with this setting, the bike will shift through the gears great.
The clutch is either slipping or shifting through gears is ridiculously difficult. THE PROBLEM IS...THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN ON THIS BIKE!!!! (and yes I only have 6 fibers and 5 steel plates in the clutch).
My 79' shifts great. I have no slipping and the gears shift like butter with the engine hot or cold. I use the same oil in both bikes as well. I know it's not a cluch adjustment issue. The real issue is I'm not getting enough clutch plate separation to run the clutch in the right spot where it doesn't slip. Does anyone know what could be causing that problem? The only thing I did find when I searched for issues under the right cover was that there was a little play in the clutch basket once I took the plates and springs out. If I grabbed the basket, I could wiggle it a real little bit. Nothing crazy as far as movement, but I'm not sure if there's supposed to be some play in the basket or if it should be absolutely solid and if this could potentially be the issue. ???
So if you guys have any ideas, please help me out because it really starting to frustrate me. Also, if you have no ideas on what the issue is, is there any way to modify something to give me more worm gear travel which will give me more clutch separation when I pull the clutch lever? Thanks.