Mysterious Clutch Issues

[FrankTheTank]

Hello everyone! I recently bought a xs650 and this forum has been a godsend. I ran into a new issue today that I wondered if someone more experienced might have an opinion on before I open things up. Shortly after leaving my house, my clutch lever got very loose and I couldn't change gears. I stalled out on the side of the road and somehow got it into neutral, but when I started the bike back up there was a rhythmic rattle, When I squeezed the clutch it got louder, but still didn't allow me to get it into gear. I had a few friends help me push it home and when I got it home I started it back up again and the clutch magically worked again.

Hoping to not have this happen randomly again, so I'd love to hear any ideas of what may have happened (why it fixed itself) and how to prevent it from happening again. Thanks!

 

[Downeaster]

I'm not coming up with any logical explanation of what happened.

The left side cover is "dry" (no oil behind it) and contains the worm gear that actuates the clutch. I think the first thing I'd do is pull that cover off and check the operation of the worm and position/condition of the pushrod that runs through the transmission and operates the clutch on the other side.

If all is well there, I'd say your stuck with draining the oil and pulling the right side cover to look at the actual clutch. Perhaps a broken spring or loose/broken clutch bolt is the problem.

 

[Jan_P]

If it was me I would try to adjust the worm gear ( Clutch ) having it on the central stand if such is on the Motorcycle
Shifting gear back wheel spinning in the Air
May be wishful thinking but according to the CSF Rule Cheapest Simplest First

Heat can affect the clutch .. Making it difficult when hot tightening the adjustment some helps. Not to much so it starts slipping

 

[NP2650]

Maybe the worm gear is dry and hanging up, causing the loose lever, but not enough to disengage the clutch itself? Pull it out to give it a good cleaning and relube.

 

[gggGary]

Welcome aboard!
is your cable loose? The sleeve on the end can get hooked on the worm gear arm making it suddenly short.

Pull the left side cover and have a look.