dragging clutch...

bike: '80 kz1000LTD chain drive

the clutch started to drag a little bit, like when i start if i try and start it in first gear with the clutch lever all the way in it jerks the bike. i did a full clutch adjustment and it didnt help. clutch release mech next? ideas? thanks!

back your cable right off and then go down to the main clutch adjuster and start there if you have a good manual it will tell you the proper procedures if not i have the factory manual also remember the cable is only for fine adjustment. there are two adjustments on the cable as well. also what type of oil are you using grade and type that might be causing the problem as well also are the plates stock and is the bike just a regular ride or do you ride it fairly hard.

Ditto on making sure your adjustment down at the releaser is correct first, then do the lever.

Then do an oil change.

Mine does the same. I adjusted down on the case, then the handlebars. I had mine too tight at first as the clutch would slip at upper RPM's. Now in gear it pulls a little when I start the engine.

I changed the oil and put in a 5-30 (yeah I know, 10-40 next time) partially synthetic blend. On plain old 10-40 Pennzoil I didn't have the slipping syndrome. I am interested to see what it may be. Also, 17K on I am assuming stock plates.

B,You don't mention if this is your regualar rider. when bikes set for prolonged periods the clutch plates often stick to each other. some break free under inital load, and others follow with heat & use. Heavy duty/racing clutches (say Barnett) will do this overnight and change engage point as they warm to boot. If clutch continues to drag with lever properly adjusted and eng up to temp, the next (most common )cause for drag is in the cluch pack, warped steel plates or cracked/broken frictions. a trip to clutch land is no big deal, if you need to go there, be sure to check cl. hub nut and throw-out assy while there. hope this helps G

kawiconvert i know everybody thinks that synthetic oils are the way to go but in my somewhat limited experiances i have found the old air cooled motors don't like easy flowing synthetics in fact i run 20-50 in all of my air cooled engines especially my kawis there clutches absolutly hate any thing but. and i know this will spark an arquement but what the hell i'm going to say it use only motorcycle specific oil because of the friction modifers that are in car or truck oils look on the back of jug and if the api rating is anybetter than sj don't use it i actually prefer sg rated oils if you can find it .late model bikes don't have a problem using synthetics because of there clutch designs, use it in them not the old bikes use straight convential oils your bike will like you for it.

TB,

I actually picked up a jug of 10-40 conventional last night. Talking to a friend and mentioned it and he recommended the same. I didn't think to look though about the SAE rating. Mainly I am trying to find oils with detergents to help clean out the sludge that has most likely built up in this engine. Of course with its soon to be 3rd oil change in 200 miles I am sure this can't hurt. .

On a seperate note, does anyone run Seafoam in their oil? Does it help at all or is it more of a problem?

Thanks,
KC