Slipping Clutch ??

[soldiermp]

Hi guys,
Have a 06 SV 650S , and the clutch seems to slip when I'm moving at about 50 MPh and the engine is warm (the needle swing round and the engine screams). It has been serviced at a main dealer, but I have heard that if synthetic oil is used the clutch can slip, and that i should get a oil change with mineral oil which should stop the clutch from slipping and make a huge difference. The bike has only 4.5k on the clock and the clutch should'nt slip !!!! Am in the forces in Germany and am intending to get it in for an oil change asap !! has anyone heard of this prob before !! Jon !

[chunkytfg]

make sure the slucth is set up properly first before you go mad.

MAke sure there is a little slack in the clutch lever. Even the tiniest of pull on the cable can make the clutch slip once wind resistance actos against the pull of the engine.

Secondly adjust the push rod properly.

There is a threaded screw underneath the plastic sprocket cover that has a 12mm lock nut on it. IT looks a bit like thye old fashioned Cam/Valve Rockers from say and mini.

You have to undo the lock nut and then back of the screw until you feel it release off the push rod then turn it back until it just tightens against it again. Then back of the screw 1/4 of a turn and then tighten up the lcok nut.

Your clutch should now be perfectly adjusted and with a bit of luck the clutch will now not slip.

However it has been known for fully synth oil to casue the clutch to slip but you dont need to use mineral oil instead. A good semi synth is fine.

You may find though that you have burnt the clutch out after all the slipping it has done allready but dont worry fitting a new clutch pack is a doddle.

[yorkie_chris]

Depends on the oil, if it's an "energy conserving" one then they're known for making clutches slip.
I'd say adjust it, then if it's still a problem change the oil, after that if it's still giving problems then you might have to strip and clean the clutch, I've heard of this approach being needed to clear additives off the plates if an energy conserving oil has been used.

[jambo]

This adjustment guide should be your starting point:
Slacken off cable adjusters at top and bottom, loosen lifter locknut, back out screw a bit, ensure that lifter arm is as far down as it will go, gently turn screw in until it contacts pushrod, back it out a bit, (~1/8th of a turn), then nip up the locknut, roughly adjust cable with lower adjuster - not too tight - then with top adjuster ensure that there remains a little slack all the way from lock to lock.

[yorkie_chris]

You may find though that you have burnt the clutch out after all the slipping it has done allready but dont worry fitting a new clutch pack is a doddle.

Didn't think of that, it won't have done the oil any good either.

[rictus01]

Didn't think of that, it won't have done the oil any good either.

if money is tight, sometimes you can lightly sand the friction plates to recover them, but it is a judgement call, also worth checking is the heat buildup could well havew buckled the steel plates to, they'll need replacing ( easy to tell as the cluch lever will pulse under your fingers as you apply pressure.

Cheers Mark.