Clutch didnt clutch and engine wouldnt start

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  • Guest

    #1

    Clutch didnt clutch and engine wouldnt start

    So this morning I was going on a long trip with my bike, so I was up early. When I tried to start it, the bike moved forward (I had the clutch fully pulled). I couldnt get it into neutral either.

    While running the starter I was able to shift (without I couldnt get it out of first). So I put it in second and waddlefooted it down a nearby decline while pressing the starter intermittently. It fired but died. I figured out the choke wasnt fully out. Then I managed to start it in scond by rolling down and pressing the starter.

    Since I was able to get it out of the driveway I must havemanaged to disengadge the gear somewhat....

    Then I drove around for a bit and the bike was normal. No trouble shifting, gears work, can put it in neutral. I rode more than 600km today without any trouble.

    The bike was parked on an incline (front wheel higher than back wheel) and it was probably barely over freezing. It was frezing during the night.

    It is always harder to start at home than when its parked in the heated work garage.

    Any thoughts?
  • Rob S.
    Forum Guru
    Past Site Supporter
    • Dec 2013
    • 9393
    • New York City

    #2
    Originally posted by Noreg
    Any thoughts?
    If you're over 40, always park on a hill.

    If you were already rolling down a hill, why did you even bother with the starter? (Key on, choke on, put her in first or second and pop the clutch.)
    1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

    2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

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    • Guest

      #3
      Originally posted by Rob S.
      If you're over 40, always park on a hill.

      If you were already rolling down a hill, why did you even bother with the starter? (Key on, choke on, put her in first or second and pop the clutch.)
      Low angle. So it was too slow, I assumed. And short hill so I wanted to not run out (then Id have to push it back up...).

      Problem is I cant reverse it into the driveway (I dont think I could pull it in backwards). If I cant get it in neutral or get the clutch to disengage, Im trapped.

      I will test tomorrow and see if it does the same.

      Comment

      • Grimly
        Forum Guru
        Past Site Supporter
        Super Site Supporter
        • Sep 2012
        • 5764
        • Ireland

        #4
        Cold clutch drag.
        This is why I now use 5wXX oils.
        Dave
        '79 GS850GN '80 GS850GT
        Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

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        • Guest

          #5
          Originally posted by Grimly
          Cold clutch drag.
          This is why I now use 5wXX oils.
          So I need 5w40 mineral motorcycle oil?

          Comment

          • cowboyup3371
            Forum LongTimer
            Past Site Supporter
            • Apr 2010
            • 13996
            • In Ohio Now

            #6
            No you?re fine; just remember that initial couple of miles will be hard to shift but once the oil warms up it will be better.
            Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

            1981 GS550T - My First
            1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's - Now Sold
            2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

            Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
            Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
            and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

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            • Guest

              #7
              Originally posted by cowboyup3371
              No you’re fine; just remember that initial couple of miles will be hard to shift but once the oil warms up it will be better.
              But for starting it initially, how do I get it in neutral?

              I have it in first so it doesn't roll (some angle in the driveway).

              Comment

              • Rob S.
                Forum Guru
                Past Site Supporter
                • Dec 2013
                • 9393
                • New York City

                #8
                Originally posted by Noreg
                But for starting it initially, how do I get it in neutral?
                Clutch adjustment called for?
                1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                Comment

                • Gorminrider
                  Forum Sage
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • Aug 2012
                  • 4803
                  • British Columbia, Canada

                  #9
                  Rock the bike backnforth if 1st won't disengage. It's a feature of these gearboxes, especially the 6speed I think. If the engine and drive are moving ahead, gearchanges are fine. But stopped, the "straight-cut?" gears sometimes don't seem to mesh so easily.) Just don't force it with the footlever.

                  If you park the bike sideways on the steep driveway, maybe you can leave it in Neutral

                  If you can roll the bike with clutch in, then the clutch is not the problem, but sure, check adjustment per manual is something you should do.

                  Comment

                  • Guest

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Gorminrider
                    Rock the bike backnforth if 1st won't disengage. It's a feature of these gearboxes, especially the 6speed I think. If the engine and drive are moving ahead, gearchanges are fine. But stopped, the "straight-cut?" gears sometimes don't seem to mesh so easily.) Just don't force it with the footlever.

                    If you park the bike sideways on the steep driveway, maybe you can leave it in Neutral

                    If you can roll the bike with clutch in, then the clutch is not the problem, but sure, check adjustment per manual is something you should do.
                    I find it hard to rock it forth uphills. But parking sideways shouldn't be an issue. I believe mine only has 5 gears?

                    I stared it today and there were no issue. So I think its only when its bellow freezing, if thats true the issue will solve itself (as the temperature increase). I might just have to keep the bike in the work garage if I plan long trips (its heated so then it wont be cold.

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