• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Clutch cable sticks when engine is hot

  • Thread starter Thread starter bmlbytes
  • Start date Start date
B

bmlbytes

Guest
Once again, I come to the GS Resources for help with my bike's problems.

A while ago I was having issues with the cable sticking all the time. It would kind of jerk into gear, making it a bit difficult for a new rider to use it. I replaced the clutch cable and things were good again.

Now I am having a bit of a different problem. The clutch cable will work good for 1 to 3 miles. When I pull the clutch, it disengages like it should, but when I release it, the clutch lever does not go back to the normal position, and the clutch doesnt engage. If I play with the clutch cable adjustments, I can squeeze the clutch lever in further, and that will usually unstick it. This has been going on for a couple months, a little while after I had a mechanic change the chain and sprockets (if that would make a difference).

If anyone has any ideas about how to fix it, I would greatly appreciate it. Having to worry about the clutch all the time takes the fun out of a motorcycle ride.
 
check your chain tension, new chains will stretch and a slack chain will cause gear change problems.check the clutch cable routing, make sure it is right, otherwise it sounds like a problem with the clutch itself,you may need to pull it apart to find the problem
 
Some GSes are actuated on the clutch cover, some go down into the sprocket cover and use a rod that crosses the engine to actuate the clutch. Since we have no clue as to which bike you have, it will be difficult to advise any further.
 
Oh sorry, my bike is the '79 GS550L. How did I forget to mention that? Koolaid, I think that my bike has the rod that crosses the bike, since I pulled it out once. I'm not really sure how that would cause any problems though, as the spring that returns the clutch lever is where that rod connects with the cable. Maybe the plastic screw thing that connects the cable to the rod is sticking?
 
O.K., on that type of clutch actuator the first thing I would do is clean it. You need to remove the sprocket cover (probaby the shifter, footpeg first, IDK) remove and disassemble the screw mechanism. Clean it thoroughly, use some waterproof grease on it (I use marine grease from TSC) and reassemble it. While you have everything apart, go ahead and lube the clutch cable. You might also want to remove the pushrod and check it for straightness. I usually put it on a very flat surface like a sheet of glass and roll it.
Assemble carefully, as this type can get bound either at the cable or the screw mechanism during assembly. This gives you a good clean slate to start with.
This only takes a couple of hours, and may solve your problem. If not, report back with your findings. Best of luck.
 
Koolaid kid, you are an absolute godsend. I did exactly as you instructed, took apart the screw mechanism, cleaned it up (it was dirty as hell) and greased it with marine grease. After I put it together again, I was extremely happy to find that the clutch works as good as a brand new bike. The clutch has not worked this good the entire time I've owned this bike. Not only did it fix the sticky part, but it made much less tension when I pull on it.

Thank you very much for the suggestion.
 
Yeah but now what do I do with a full tube of marine grease? Haha
 
keep it around and use it on other stuff. I'd say its good for lubrication of moving parts(obviously) but what do I know?
 
koolaid_kid said:
O.K., on that type of clutch actuator the first thing I would do is clean it. You need to remove the sprocket cover (probaby the shifter, footpeg first, IDK) remove and disassemble the screw mechanism. Clean it thoroughly, use some waterproof grease on it (I use marine grease from TSC) and reassemble it. While you have everything apart, go ahead and lube the clutch cable. You might also want to remove the pushrod and check it for straightness. I usually put it on a very flat surface like a sheet of glass and roll it.
Assemble carefully, as this type can get bound either at the cable or the screw mechanism during assembly. This gives you a good clean slate to start with.
This only takes a couple of hours, and may solve your problem. If not, report back with your findings. Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Would this be the same on a 450?

And is the screw mechanism in the sprocket cover?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

roy826
New clutch in my 1982 Kat 1000
Replies
17
Views
227
first timer
first timer
D
4th clutch cable in 10 months
Replies
3
Views
99
Nessism
Nessism
E
Stuck clutch - oil issue?
Replies
12
Views
265
tobaccorancher
T
Chuck78
GS750B won't downshift when hot. Oil, springs, swell, shift forks?
Replies
3
Views
103
Rob S.
Rob S.
bobtail84
Starter Clutch Upgrade
Replies
5
Views
122
dgates1
dgates1
Back
Top