Clutch Problems?!

This has happened twice in the last week now, but through general slipping *cough* abuse of my clutch it gets really tight and locks itself in "slip" so to speak, and i end up riding home on a twist and go bouncing off the rev limiter everytime i try to accelerate.

The only way ive found to solve this is to undo the clutch cover, slacken everything off at the bottom end and re-tighten the lot, ive had my SV for 8 months now and no problems like this until last weekend..

Any ideas on the bigger picture??

Thanks in advance

James

[Biker Biggles]

Have you adjusted it properly as per the manual?If not thats where Id start.

Done it all by the haynes manual

[andrewsmith]

try testing the clutch doing about 40mph, knocking it into top gear upping the revs to about 6500 and letting the clutch out fully.

If the revs stay high the clutch is slipping

If clutch lifter is adjusted correctly and clutch is still slipping, most likely problem is friction plate wear or spring wear. crack open the clutch and measure both against the service limits in the manual.

[Jayneflakes]

When my Worm Gear Jammed, my clutch was slipping so badly, I thought the plates had gone. Turned out to be crud in the worm, preventing it from working properly.

If the plates are shot, it should be fairly simple to replace I imagine, although I think you may have to do some major stripping of bits to get to there to start.

mjc i need to wait until the 28th when i get paid before i can even think about cracking open the clutch to take a deeper look unfortunately, and nice DP ^^

Jayne i presume by the "worm" you mean the mechanism at the bottom end of the clutch cable, i cleaned it all up when i had to adjust it the first time.

The first time it went i was having a tear around with my mate involving alot of heavy clutch slipping, and the second time the same situation, its ok in general bimbling around but i love opening her up

Originally Posted by Jayneflakes

When my Worm Gear Jammed, my clutch was slipping so badly, I thought the plates had gone. Turned out to be crud in the worm, preventing it from working properly.

good point, didnt think of that

Originally Posted by Jayneflakes

If the plates are shot, it should be fairly simple to replace I imagine, although I think you may have to do some major stripping of bits to get to there to start.

yeah its pretty easy. If you have a haynes manual dont try making that clutch holder tool they suggest, just stick it in 1st and hold the back brake on.

i had to help a fellow sv over change his clutch plates a few weeks ago, so ive got a rough idea on changing them.

i think i'll have to put up with bimblin around until i can afford to open her up and take a serious look and see if bits need replacing