I think I cursed myself picking my username! My Clutch Won't Disengage!

So I hopped on the bike when I got home from work and was going to ride to the bar around the corner for a quick beer (Only one I promise). Got it in first and started down the driveway, turned onto the road and when I went to shift to second, it wouldn't! Earlier today, I had to tighten the cable because it became VERY loose while riding....any thoughts here? I can see that the lower lever is moving when pulling the clutch lever, but it seems really loose and is obviously not disengaging!

What should I check when I try to figure it out tomorrow? Will be tearing it apart trying to fix it. Anyone else had this happen?

Thanks,

Clutch

Yea automatic...whoops, I mean clutch!:woohoo: Anyway, my bike WAS shifting but it was really clunky and my freeplay would suddenly get real loose or would tighten up. Come to find out, my clutch cable was unraveling at the clutch lever, also found pieces of wire sticking out of my cable halfway down. When I removed the cable it was so bound up I could barely move the inner cable inor out. Check yours carefully...

Well, pulling the clutch lever does move the clutch release lever, it just seems REALLY easy to do, like it's got no resistance from the clutch springs or something. It's definitely not moving the clutch, so I guess I should just do a tear-down and rebuild to hopefully come across whatever the issue is.

In any case, if it needs a new clutch, springs, etc., what would be the best online store to try to find it all (other than ebay if possible...)?

Is there any possible chance that the last time you adjusted the clutch the end that goes into the side cover was hanging up on the cover itself and it finally slipped in and changed you adjustment giving it too much slack?? It HAS happened before,,, :blush: :blush: :blush:

I have only had the bike for about a week and a half. Was working fine until today, so it's possible that whomever adjusted it last may have done that. I've been looking at the repair manual to familiarize myself with the workings and what I should check when I take a look at it tomorrow during the day (better light than trying to work on it in the garage tonight).

Actually, after studying the repair manual and looking at the bike again, it looks like the clutch release lever is the problem. It appears to be loose and possibly has come disconnected from the workings it should be connected to inside the engine compartment. I will be starting there tomorrow before messing with the clutch side....

Will post my findings tomorrow

~Clutch

clutch wrote:

... Got it in first and started down the driveway, turned onto the road and when I went to shift to second, it wouldn't!....

Tranny gears should shift up and down, even without a clutch cable.

I just didn't shift it when I realized the clutch wasn't going in. I easily shifted into neutral when I got back in the driveway. It's not the tranny, pretty sure it's that release lever or something connected to it.

I was right. The clutch release lever became unaligned somehow. All fixed and rideable again! YAY ME!

Ok, went for a test drive and it did it again...had to drive back to the house (about 3 miles) without a clutch! Good thing I didn't have to stop!!!! But this time, the release rack has noticeably dropped down from the correct position. I think the guide bolt is loose. Once it cools down a bit I will pull the sprocket cover back off, put everything back in position and make sure the guide bolt is tight (looks kinda tricky to get at from the pics in the repair manual).

Yes! I successfully tightened the bolt and went for a nice ride. I think I will be pulling off the sprocket cover whenever I lube the chain and checking that guide bolt to ensure it's not coming loose on me again.

Next time you are in there, lubricate all the moving parts of the clutch mechanism with some high temperature grease. Just a small dab on pivot joints is all that's needed.