1980 GS550 clutch not releasing .

[Geo]

I have a 1980 GS 550e that was in a garage for apx 15 years. When it was parked by the po it was running well.Before starting the plugs,air filter ,oil filter and oil was changed .

After the engine run for a about a minute the clutch started to drag and it would not fully release in neutral.Adjusting the clutch had no effect(I have a shop manual)Before the motor ran the clutch would release and I could shift gears.It only ran for about a minute because I have carb problems and I cleaning the carbs a third time(carb problem is on a different post).

The oil I used was Valvoline 10-40 motorcycle oil.Is it possible that this oil is causing the clutch to drag and or not go into neutral.Do I have to rebuild the clutch or will replacing the oil with a different oil fix this problem? Is this oil proper for a 1980 engine ?I saw several posts that recommended using Rotella.

This is my first bike and I hope I my questions are not confusing or stupid.
Thanks
George

 

[Nessism]

Oil is not the problem. Rotella is better oil than auto oil but I'd use what you got for now.

I don't understand the issue: how can you tell the clutch won't release in neutral?

 

[Suzuki_Don]

I would pull the clutch covers off both sides of the engine, make sure the plates are not stuck together. check pushrod for free movement. Check the helix gear on the other side of motor for proper operation, i.e. not gummed up. A lot of corrosion can happen in 15 years.

Also don't forget to check the clutch cable, it could be gummed up as well.

Check everything while it is apart, clean everything and check for free movement of each part. You can use the same oil again. And see where you go from there.

 

[Geo]

Sorry that I was not clear with my question.
With the transmission in neutral turning the rear wheel will turn the engine, pushing in the clutch does not disengage the transmission. Adjusting the clutch does not help.

Thanks

 

[Suzuki_Don]

Sorry that I was not clear with my question.
With the transmission in neutral turning the rear wheel will turn the engine, pushing in the clutch does not disengage the transmission. Adjusting the clutch does not help.

Thanks

GEO, I don't believe that it is possible to turn the engine by rotating the back wheel in neutral. I would suggest it is not in neutral or you have some very serious issues inside that motor/transmission.

 

[GabrielGoes]

I would pull the clutch covers off both sides of the engine, make sure the plates are not stuck together. check pushrod for free movement. Check the helix gear on the other side of motor for proper operation, i.e. not gummed up. A lot of corrosion can happen in 15 years.

Also don't forget to check the clutch cable, it could be gummed up as well.

Check everything while it is apart, clean everything and check for free movement of each part. You can use the same oil again. And see where you go from there.

do this and on the sprocket side cover get into the clutch adjustment area and free up the nut thats over a little rod with a flat head slot. loosen it up counter-clockwise, then tighten it up untill the point of high resistance and then back it out a quarter turn. then tighten the nut. Do this and what suzuki don said then come back update us!

 

[tkent02]

Don't take anything apart just yet. Ride it around in first gear with the clutch lever pulled in, at slow speed, cracking the throttle open and closed. Get the timing right so the chain snatch gets going good. Soon the clutch plates will break free, once it does, then run it with the lever pulled in quite a while so fresh oil gets pumped through the clutch and between the plates.