Clutch slipping/won't select neutral - SV650.org

joshodonnello · 22-09-20, 01:45 PM

Hi.
I have a 1999 SV650 x.
I have had it for around 10 months (first bike). And only has 14k miles on it but
but is old so i suspect it has done a lot of sitting around over it's 20 year life.

I had an issue where the clutch became light and was slipping when I opened the throttle, no power and not gaining revs as it should. This seemed to get worse the longer I was riding.
I followed the clutch adjustment methods on this forum but the problem still persisted.

So I took apart the clutch. Plates were within minimum limits but springs weren't so I changed the lot as well as the clutch cable.
Problem still persists but on top of that it now won't select neutral when stationary with the engine on as well as the original slippage under speed. Bike shifts fine whilst riding but has the slippage problem when you open it up.

I have adjusted and readjusted everything in different positions. It has fresh oil at the correct level and the chain is recently cleaned and within the 20-30mm slack specified in the haynes manual.

My thoughts now is that it is the clutch release mechanism is worn. I have cleaned and re-greased this. There is a bit of play in it but I am not sure what the limits are.
Can someone please point me in the right direction. I'm hoping it is the mechanism as I am all out of ideas!

Thanks

embee · 22-09-20, 02:20 PM

What oil is in it, the type and what level is it set at? Too high oil level often can make it difficult to select neutral.

Also some clarification sought, when you say no power and not gaining revs do you mean the engine is lacking power yet the clutch is still slipping, in which case the engine revs will rise but the bike doesn't go faster.
Is it actually firing on both cylinders? Are the plugs wet/sooty, which would be a sign of sticking chokes.

R1ffR4ff · 22-09-20, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshodonnello

Hi.
I have a 1999 SV650 x.
I have had it for around 10 months (first bike). And only has 14k miles on it but
but is old so i suspect it has done a lot of sitting around over it's 20 year life.

I had an issue where the clutch became light and was slipping when I opened the throttle, no power and not gaining revs as it should. This seemed to get worse the longer I was riding.
I followed the clutch adjustment methods on this forum but the problem still persisted.

So I took apart the clutch. Plates were within minimum limits but springs weren't so I changed the lot as well as the clutch cable.
Problem still persists but on top of that it now won't select neutral when stationary with the engine on as well as the original slippage under speed. Bike shifts fine whilst riding but has the slippage problem when you open it up.

I have adjusted and readjusted everything in different positions. It has fresh oil at the correct level and the chain is recently cleaned and within the 20-30mm slack specified in the haynes manual.

My thoughts now is that it is the clutch release mechanism is worn. I have cleaned and re-greased this. There is a bit of play in it but I am not sure what the limits are.
Can someone please point me in the right direction. I'm hoping it is the mechanism as I am all out of ideas!

Thanks

Have a read here,

https://cx500.000webhostapp.com/SV650ClutchLifter.html

HTH

SV650rules · 22-09-20, 06:20 PM

Assume the bike has JASO MA clutch friendly engine oil in it, normal car engine oil has friction modifiers in it that are not good news for a wet clutch.

johnnyrod · 22-09-20, 09:15 PM

Sounds like the lifter under the sprocket cover isn't set right. Follow the adjustment instructions and don't over-tighten the centre screw. Slacked the cable right off, hold the lever on the lifter down and adjust the screw until it only just touches, before you back off 1/8-1/4 of a turn and lock it. It's easy to screw it in too far. Also presume the clutch cable is moving freely, not kinked?

joshodonnello · 23-09-20, 08:35 AM

Thanks guys.
The oil is at the correct level. It is the correct weight but may not be the correct spec. I will change it out to make sure. Do you have a recommended type/brand to use?
I will follow that guide and have another look at the lifter. It seems to me as if the clutch isn't disengaging all the way but also isn't engaging all the way because of the slippage.
The engine seems to be running fine. I will take a look at the plugs.
As for getting power down. Overall it is down on power. It seems like it is struggling to gain revs and has the feeling of wanting to gain speed but you can feel the bike pulling back as i'm trying to gain speed. Hope that makes sense.

R1ffR4ff · 23-09-20, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshodonnello

Thanks guys.
The oil is at the correct level. It is the correct weight but may not be the correct spec. I will change it out to make sure. Do you have a recommended type/brand to use?
I will follow that guide and have another look at the lifter. It seems to me as if the clutch isn't disengaging all the way but also isn't engaging all the way because of the slippage.
The engine seems to be running fine. I will take a look at the plugs.
As for getting power down. Overall it is down on power. It seems like it is struggling to gain revs and has the feeling of wanting to gain speed but you can feel the bike pulling back as i'm trying to gain speed. Hope that makes sense.

This is the oil I use in my 99

https://www.smithandallan.com/produc...otorcycle-oil/

Around £19 delivered. I get two oil changes out of this amount.

A bad plug or Plug cap can limit power. Some more info here,

https://cx500.000webhostapp.com/SV65..._And_Caps.html

joshodonnello · 23-09-20, 08:53 AM

Also do you guys have a recommended site to get spare parts from?
Cheers

R1ffR4ff · 23-09-20, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshodonnello

Also do you guys have a recommended site to get spare parts from?
Cheers

It depends on what you want/need?

There's several sites but I usually have to shop around. For some things eBay can be fine. I recently did a full fuel system service including fuel lines and added an inline fuel filter. All parts from eBay including the Carb service kit @ around £16 for complete Carb kit

Robinsons can be useful,

https://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/s...650xaircleaner

You'll find more as you go along.

joshodonnello · 23-09-20, 09:23 AM

Just for future reference, wasn't sure if there was a "best" supplier to go to.

Thanks so much for your help. I'll get some new oil ordered and test the spark plugs/caps when I can. I have done a visual check on them before and remember them being a b**** to get access to so i'm not looking forward to that.
I'll report back with my findings.

22-09-20, 01:45 PM	#1
joshodonnello Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 4	Clutch slipping/won't select neutral Hi. I have a 1999 SV650 x. I have had it for around 10 months (first bike). And only has 14k miles on it but but is old so i suspect it has done a lot of sitting around over it's 20 year life. I had an issue where the clutch became light and was slipping when I opened the throttle, no power and not gaining revs as it should. This seemed to get worse the longer I was riding. I followed the clutch adjustment methods on this forum but the problem still persisted. So I took apart the clutch. Plates were within minimum limits but springs weren't so I changed the lot as well as the clutch cable. Problem still persists but on top of that it now won't select neutral when stationary with the engine on as well as the original slippage under speed. Bike shifts fine whilst riding but has the slippage problem when you open it up. I have adjusted and readjusted everything in different positions. It has fresh oil at the correct level and the chain is recently cleaned and within the 20-30mm slack specified in the haynes manual. My thoughts now is that it is the clutch release mechanism is worn. I have cleaned and re-greased this. There is a bit of play in it but I am not sure what the limits are. Can someone please point me in the right direction. I'm hoping it is the mechanism as I am all out of ideas! Thanks

22-09-20, 02:20 PM	#2
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,801	Re: Clutch slipping/won't select neutral What oil is in it, the type and what level is it set at? Too high oil level often can make it difficult to select neutral. Also some clarification sought, when you say no power and not gaining revs do you mean the engine is lacking power yet the clutch is still slipping, in which case the engine revs will rise but the bike doesn't go faster. Is it actually firing on both cylinders? Are the plugs wet/sooty, which would be a sign of sticking chokes. __________________ "Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity" Last edited by embee; 22-09-20 at 02:25 PM.

22-09-20, 06:20 PM	#4
SV650rules Member Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Shropshire UK Posts: 1,363	Re: Clutch slipping/won't select neutral Assume the bike has JASO MA clutch friendly engine oil in it, normal car engine oil has friction modifiers in it that are not good news for a wet clutch. __________________ 2016 SV650 AL7 Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear - Mark Twain

22-09-20, 09:15 PM	#5
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,122	Re: Clutch slipping/won't select neutral Sounds like the lifter under the sprocket cover isn't set right. Follow the adjustment instructions and don't over-tighten the centre screw. Slacked the cable right off, hold the lever on the lifter down and adjust the screw until it only just touches, before you back off 1/8-1/4 of a turn and lock it. It's easy to screw it in too far. Also presume the clutch cable is moving freely, not kinked?

23-09-20, 08:35 AM	#6
joshodonnello Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 4	Re: Clutch slipping/won't select neutral Thanks guys. The oil is at the correct level. It is the correct weight but may not be the correct spec. I will change it out to make sure. Do you have a recommended type/brand to use? I will follow that guide and have another look at the lifter. It seems to me as if the clutch isn't disengaging all the way but also isn't engaging all the way because of the slippage. The engine seems to be running fine. I will take a look at the plugs. As for getting power down. Overall it is down on power. It seems like it is struggling to gain revs and has the feeling of wanting to gain speed but you can feel the bike pulling back as i'm trying to gain speed. Hope that makes sense.

23-09-20, 08:53 AM	#8
joshodonnello Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 4	Re: Clutch slipping/won't select neutral Also do you guys have a recommended site to get spare parts from? Cheers

23-09-20, 09:23 AM	#10
joshodonnello Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 4	Re: Clutch slipping/won't select neutral Just for future reference, wasn't sure if there was a "best" supplier to go to. Thanks so much for your help. I'll get some new oil ordered and test the spark plugs/caps when I can. I have done a visual check on them before and remember them being a b**** to get access to so i'm not looking forward to that. I'll report back with my findings.

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