1978 GS1000: clutch engagement issues with cold engine

[Guest]

1978 GS100. After the clutch began slipping during dyno testing a while back, I installed EBC heavy-duty clutch plates with three heavy duty springs and three stock springs, along with a new OEM clutch cable. I followed manual instructions for adjustment at clutch arm and lever.

When the bike is fully warm, the clutch works as designed and as before. When still warming up, however, the clutch doesn't disengage fully and toeing the transmission into first will often stall the motor or cause the bike to lurch forward.

Are the heavy-duty plates the culprit? Thanks for any advice.

[chuck hahn]

What weight oil you using. Seems odd its ok when warmed up well but not stone cold.

[Guest]

Shell Rotella 15W-40.

[hannibal]

I think that sounds right. The colder the engine, the more disengaged (looser) the clutch is. My clutch used to slip when cold but hold when warmed up. I adjusted it top far and had the same issues as jsk. I would suggest loosening the clurch cable a bit til you find the sweet spot where it won't slip when cold but still disenegage fully when warm.

[salty_monk]

If anything you want to make the clutch cable tighter to release it more fully.... Suspect the EBC plates are thicker than stock and cold oil is holding them together/providing enough drive. Mine will lurch going into first when cold (not enough to stall though).

Try adjusting cable first, other than that a thinner oil might help or resort back to stock clutch plates. Springs shouldn't make any difference to this apart from feel at the lever (effort required).

[Guest]

I'll make some cable adjustments this weekend and report results. Thanks for the input.

[Guest]

Had to travel . . . but on Sunday I fired up the bike and before nicking it into first, squeezed and released the clutch lever five or six times. Result: success. I think you were correct, Salty. Thicker plates + cold oil likely impeding the separation of plates.