Think my clutch might be on the way out.

Changed my chain and sprockets last night. There seemed no way of getting to the front sprocket nut without taking off the clutch release mechanism so I took it off. All seemed well until a few minutes later I looked down. My thought process went as follows...

That didn't look like that just now.... where's the rest of the clutch release mechanism?... oh shag! it's not actually one piece after all... the outside part has come off and there are ball bearings everywhere!!! Why would suzuki do that?!?! surely there must be a better engineering solutution than this arcane device?!?!?! I wish I hadn't done this on a gravel driveway!!!

Well I managed to gather up most of the ball bearings and get it back on so that it seemed to be working. However when I engage the clutch the bike still wants to creep forward. with the engine off and the bike in gear you can barely turn the back wheel. Surely that's not right? I followed the reinstallation process for the clutch release mechanism and it operates the clutch as it should. I've recently done an oil change so that's not causing a problem (same semi synthetic I always use).

Is this the clutch slipping (or dragging) don't really understand the terms.

Cheers

Stu

p.s. front sprocket nut came off easy as anything which surprised me as I think it might be the orignal set which means it had 25,000 miles on it!! Bad, I know!!

[jambo]

The clutch is dragging.

First off try re-adjusting the lifter / worm drive again, it may just not be screwed in quite enough.

From memory there's 10 ball bearings. When the lifter is new they won't fall out because they're held captive by the cage that sits in the main body, but as this wears the holes get bigger and the ball bearings can fit through. If you've lost some, part of the movement is probably now letting the mechanism move side to side, rather than straight back to push the clutch plates apart.

The part seems to be ~£35 new.

Jambo

[Viney]

Is the clutch adjust PROPERLY? (Do a search on here) None of that, adjustment at the lever type stuff? If not, then do that 1st. After that, get yourself a new acuator (the thing with the ball bearings) as in the long run this can cause problems (Theya re about £30 iirc)

Once all this is done and you still get drag then it could be a few things. Worn clutch plates, Worn steels, or as found before a loose clutch basket nut (The one under the clutch plates). In the worst case scenario it could be the clutch basket. Start with adjustment and see where you got form there.

[Spanner Man]

Good morning.

A pain indeed! I've spent many a time chasing balls around (MATRON)!

Sometimes when after taking the mechanism off it need re-adjusting. Slacken the cable off at both ends, undo the lock nut in the centre of the adjuster, & whilst holding the lock nut screw the little screw inwards until you feel a little resistance, & then back off the screw something between 1/8 & 1/4 of a turn. Hold the screw & nip up the lock nut.
Then re-adjust the cable slack starting with the bottom adjuster.

The symptoms you have are clutch drag, whereby the clutch isn't disengaging fully.
You may find that if you didn't manage to retrieve all the balls the mechanism is twisting within it's housing & therefore not lifting correctly despite being adjusted correctly.
New mechanism time, unless you can find some of the correct sized balls.


Cheers.

I reinstalled the clutch release mechanism a few times (nip it up then turn 1/4 turn as the manual says) to see if that helped but it didn't.

Sounds like I need a new clutch release mechanism - It is very worn. I'll try that then look at the actual clutch if it doesn't help.

Thanks for all the help

why do people keep saying 1 - adjust locknut screw then 2 - then adjust cable slack with bottom and top adjusters?

should it not be as per manual ie. 1 - loosen everything, 2 - get lever arm to 80-85 degrees, 3 - adjust locknut screw 1/4 turn, 4 - tweek cable slack/feel with lever adjuster.

you get a totally different clutch when you do it either way. when i was learning how to do mine people kept saying the top one all the time and it poxed me right up for ages

I now have further symptoms. When the bike is cold, when first operating the clutch (trying to pull away) I get a horrible screeching noise and the bike lurches. Clutch feel like it's getting stuck then releasing suddenly. It also creeps forward with the bike in gear and the clutch in.

Although I still haven't got a new clutch release mechanism (waiting for payday) I don't think that's the problem. Could this be worn or distorted clutch plates?

Cheers

Stuballs.... Im afriad this has nothing to do with your post but just noticed you are from Tonbridge... Im in Tunbridge Wells. Nice to meet you! Quite often see a yellow sv around, thats not you is it?

Originally Posted by Stuuk1

Stuballs.... Im afriad this has nothing to do with your post but just noticed you are from Tonbridge... Im in Tunbridge Wells. Nice to meet you! Quite often see a yellow sv around, thats not you is it?

Hi. Mine is a blue curvy. Rarely go into Tunbridge wells or, I'm ashamed to say, ride my bike other than to and from work in the city. after 400 miles during the week I've pretty much had enogh of riding by the weekend!

Ha, thats fair enough. Im quite envious of all those bike commuters if im honest, when im sitting in the blackwall tunnel traffic and see everyone going past!