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    Clutch slipping? Or needs adjustment?

    Bike: 1982 GS750TZ that has been modified to a cafe racer..... Has been great therapy for son and myself as he readjusts with PTSD back into "normal life"


    We recently have rebuilt the bike so the clutch cable was off and has been reattached to hand lever and the arm release that attaches to the splined bolt sticking up out of clutch case cover on right hand side.. I had turned the splined bolt all the way clockwise then attached the arm release - The clutch works and engages and disengages but I think it might need to be adjusted or tweaked? Or maybe I need new springs from researching other posts on this forum?

    Is there a video or procedure to adjust? I have read the PDF provided on the BikeClifs site but haven't found a really good picture or procedure on what I will need to adjust or tweak.

    any suggestions greatly appreciated.
    Last edited by Guest; 03-03-2020, 10:03 AM.

    #2
    I take out all adjustment at the handlever, then adjust the case-adjustment so it just wiggles loose-IE clutch engaged plus a mm or so...then, the handlever so it also has a a bit of play. If no play, readjust the case-adjustment....

    If you follow the shop manual, it usually works ok....sometimes a manual for a different Suzuki has a different description and clearer pictures that might help....Parts are often the same across suzukis...

    I think the 850 on Bass-cliffs has the clearest pictures...same pull-arm-type clutch as a 650 and likely yours -shaft or not...and the list of contents is actually "linked" and text might be searcheable too...Pictures get smeared on other home-made pdf manuals especially where they are just pngs compressed and called a "pdf"

    The 850manual- It's ABOVE the rest of the manuals- not in the actual list

    I've never needed new springs. If they are are all specified length and the same, they work for me.
    Last edited by Gorminrider; 03-03-2020, 10:53 AM.

    Comment


      #3
      Can adjust cable from either end, Main thing be sure there is slight free play in cable, that assures cable isn't restricting the clutch engagement.
      1983 GS1100E, 1983 CB1100F, 1991 GSX1100G, 1996 Kaw. ZL600 Eliminator, 1999 Bandit 1200S, 2005 Bandit 1200S, 2000 Kaw. ZRX 1100

      Comment


        #4
        Use the adjustment at the case for the primary adjustment, fine tune it at the clutch lever adjustment. My clutch cable has 3 adjustment sites, the case arm, a screw adjuster in the middle of the cable and at the lever. Make sure your case lever arm is at the proper position for adjustment.
        sigpicMrBill Been a GSR member on and off since April 2002
        1980 GS 750E Bought new in Feb of 1980
        2015 CAN AM RTS


        Stuff I've done to my bike 1100E front end with new Sonic springs, 1100E swing arm conversion with new Progressive shocks installed, 530 sprockets/chain conversion, new SS brake lines, new brake pads. New SS fasteners through out. Rebuilt carbs, new EBC clutch springs and horn installed. New paint. Motor runs strong.

        Comment


          #5
          Make sure your case lever arm is at the proper position for adjustment.[/QUOTE]

          Would that be 90 degrees to the clutch cover case?

          Thanks for the advice.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by gkoeber View Post
            Make sure your case lever arm is at the proper position for adjustment.
            Would that be 90 degrees to the clutch cover case?

            Thanks for the advice.[/QUOTE]

            Not sure about the 750, but on the 850 it's slightly outwards past 90degrees. Probably one spline outwards, iirc.
            ---- Dave
            79 GS850N - Might be a trike soon.
            80 GS850T Single HIF38 S.U. SH775, Tow bar, Pantera II. Gnarly workhorse & daily driver.
            79 XS650SE - Pragmatic Ratter - goes better than a manky old twin should.
            92 XJ900F - Fairly Stock, for now.

            Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by gkoeber View Post
              Make sure your case lever arm is at the proper position for adjustment.
              Would that be 90 degrees to the clutch cover case?[/QUOTE]

              The $64,000 question. Now is when you could use photos from before.
              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


                #8
                Several points to keep in mind, then you should be able to work out the details that link them.

                1. Start adjustment at the clutch lever. Turn it IN to give maximum play in the cable.
                2. If you have an adjuster in the middle of the cable (not all do), adjust that for maximum play.
                3. Where the cable attaches at the engine, adjust that for maximum play, as well.
                4. The arm should be just past 90°, so it's right at the 90° mark as you pull the lever.
                5. Adjust the arm on its spline, if necessary, then make adjustments as you go up the cable.
                6. Adjust at the engine mount to take out most of the play.
                7. If that wasn't enough adjustment, take up more slack at the middle adjuster.
                8. Finish and fine-tune the adjustment at the lever.

                By starting with the lever adjuster IN, you will be able to compensate for wear in the cable liner.

                If your clutch still slips, you might need new springs. Just get OEM springs, NOT "heavy-duty" springs. Six new springs and a gasket from Suzuki are usually about $30.

                .
                sigpic
                mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
                Family Portrait
                Siblings and Spouses
                Mom's first ride
                Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

                Comment


                  #9
                  This is the correct position for the clutch arm. 101_0659.jpg
                  sigpicMrBill Been a GSR member on and off since April 2002
                  1980 GS 750E Bought new in Feb of 1980
                  2015 CAN AM RTS


                  Stuff I've done to my bike 1100E front end with new Sonic springs, 1100E swing arm conversion with new Progressive shocks installed, 530 sprockets/chain conversion, new SS brake lines, new brake pads. New SS fasteners through out. Rebuilt carbs, new EBC clutch springs and horn installed. New paint. Motor runs strong.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    regardless of details of which adjuster used, what angle the arm is : if the cable has free play such that not pulling on the arm, and the clutch is slipping, then the problem is not the cable adjustment.

                    Tell us how and when you notice the clutch slipping.


                    The manaul has "free length" service limit specifications for the springs. Measure the length they expand out to when you get them out of the clutch. If longer than the spec, they need to be replaced. If they are original yet, they will probably need to be replaced.

                    The manual has friction plate thickness service limits listed. I guess the thought was if they wear out they get thinner. My experience is that they also get hard and brittle and not so much "friction" anymore, with age and use and heat, even if within the thickness service limit. SO even if the friction plates within the thickness service limit, do inspect the friction material to see if is hard and glazzed over.

                    .
                    Last edited by Redman; 03-04-2020, 05:48 PM.

                    Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
                    GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


                    Comment


                      #11
                      Thanks everyone for the advice on this matter. Problem is resolved!

                      I re-adjusted the clutch cable as per the instructions in this thread and finally was able to take it out and confirm that the clutch was not slipping in 5th gear.

                      The cable previously had been adjusted without enough slack and therefore was engaging clutch partially causing the clutch to slip under heavy load.

                      IMG_4962.jpg

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I usually change gear at 5,000 rpm, but I’ve been trying to test peak hp and torque for my ‘82 GS650G, which means running up to 9,000 rpm. I find at over 6,500 rpm the clutch slips, suddenly roaring the motor to over 9,000 rpm before catching again and returning to 6,500 to 7,500 rpm. It only happens intermittently but it can be a surprise.
                        1982 Suzuki GS650G

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Admiral Beez View Post
                          I usually change gear at 5,000 rpm, but I’ve been trying to test peak hp and torque for my ‘82 GS650G, which means running up to 9,000 rpm. I find at over 6,500 rpm the clutch slips, suddenly roaring the motor to over 9,000 rpm before catching again and returning to 6,500 to 7,500 rpm. It only happens intermittently but it can be a surprise.
                          Do you have free play at the hand lever? If not, you need some. Assuming you have free play and the clutch still slips that suggests that new clutch springs are in order. It's a cheap and easy maintenance task. Hard part is waiting on the parts to arrive. You will need new OEM springs and a clutch cover gasket.
                          Ed

                          To measure is to know.

                          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

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