Clutch won't catch

[casey]

Hello,

I'm having a problem with my;
1980
GS 550
with mad miles on it.

I'm new to repairing motorcycles, but generally handy when it comes to dismantling and repairing things. My GS 550 doesn't engage any gears when I put it in 1st or 2nd. Like, I put it in gear, but then i can still push it, as if it were in Neutral. I opened up the cover on the left side of the bike, and found the Clutch Cable still intact. There was a little plate in there that was connected to a spring, and that plate was kind of worn down and everything was full of crud. I scraped about a pound of old crud from the inside of that aforementioned cover, and cleaned the plate hoping that some magic would make the gears work again. The bike, prior to this, ran fine. It was one day a couple weeks ago that the clutch stopped doing its job, and I had to push the bike home. What's the deal? Why don't the gears catch? I can't see/understand if that plate (sort of oblong with 2 teeth facing into the bike) is the culprit. Please help.

Thanks.

Casey

[bonanzadave]

Hey Casey,

Welcome to the GSR.

We would like to see that pound of crud if you have a camera and could take a picture. It might also help us troubleshoot your clutch issues.

[casey]

crud

Believe you me, I wanted to photo the crud. But, as I was the only person around, and thusly, covered in crud, I could not. I think it was just a couple years of dirt and grease.

[Redman]

Welcome to GSR Casey.

You say it doesnt engage in 1st and 2nd gear. Is problem only in 1st and 2nd gear? Or that all you tried?

I suspect the probelm is in all gears. And problem is related to the clutch (and not the transmission).

There is more than "a plate" in there. There are about 6 plates like you described, and as many other plates inbetween each of the ones that are like what you saw. If you open the oil fill plug and look in thru there and maybe you can start to get an idea about this. Better yet, get a service manaul (can find Clymers on ebay most all the time) and learn more about it. The plates (well, half of the plates) are suppose to have friction material on them (kinda like brake pads have friction material). Half of the plates have tabs on the outer edge that drive the clutch basket, and the other plates have tabs that drive the shaft in the center. The clutch springs try to hold the plates all togeher, and the cluch lever should release the spring pressure so the plates can come apart.

Tell us more what you find.

Changing out the clutch plates is a good first project. Well, maybe first after changing oil or taking off a wheel.

[Redman]

Casey,

Dirt and crud inside the clutch case?

On my GS650 and GS850 and GS1100 the cluch case has engine oil in it. So I am not following what you are saying.

.

[casey]

it's on the left side of the bike, its not the clutch case.

[Guest]

chain fall off?

[Guest]

chain fall off?

You sir are the master of the obvious.
LOL

[Nessism]

The 550 use a helix mechanism on the LH sprocket cover to push the clutch pushrod. Casey, after you cleaned off the crud and put the cover back on does the clutch feel normal? BTW, there is a grease nipple on the cover so you can lube that helix.

Assuming the clutch is working properly, there might be a problem with the shift linkage behind the clutch hub. Not the easiest job getting acces to that but not super hard either.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!n

Hi Mr. casey,

The wise Mr. Nessism has minted out two very nice 550s in recent memory. I bow to his expertise. Let me just roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff _________