Clutch Sticking - SV650.org

11-03-08, 07:16 PM

I've run into some apparent clutch problems with my 2001 SV 650 (unfaired).

Went out for a run last night and upon returning home commenced to make a few adjustments to the clutch cable at the lever as it felt as though the clutch was catching a little late. After the quick adjustment, shifted into first and the bike stalled as soon as the gears touched. Hadn't had an issue like this the entire ride and the adjustment made was so miniscule that it shouldn't have killed the engine so abruptly.

Got out the tools and commenced a thorough clutch cable adjustment but to no success. Tried over compensating and taking up all the slack, but the clutch seemingly won't disengage. Tranny and engine are turning freely, but when in gear with the clutch in, the rear wheel is dragging a lot (little to no movement even in high gears). Engine fires freely and readily, but putting it in gear kills the engine.

Didn't notice any slipping or anything during the ride, so I'm not sure if a clutch plate is warped or what's going on. I'm going to try re-adjusting the cable again in daylight to see if I wasn't all there last night.

Beyond that, any suggestions on sourcing out the problem?

Thanks,
Ashton

Biker Biggles · 11-03-08, 08:10 PM

Have you adjusted the clutch actuating mechanism(worm gear)under the sprocket cover?And if so is the worm gear still working OK?I had one where the ball bearings fell out and it no longer actuated the clutch!

embee · 11-03-08, 08:32 PM

Are you sure it's not the sidestand switch playing up?

yorkie_chris · 11-03-08, 09:08 PM

+1 if you've disturbed it then that'll be the cause of it, try bypass it.

11-03-08, 09:44 PM

I've checked the side stand kill switch, and that's not the case, as I can start and run the engine with the stand up and down. I just started it with the rear wheel off the ground and it engages into first gear and turns the wheel. If the bike is on the ground, then the resistance kills the engine.

I've removed the worm gear and checked the action of it. It's smooth and is pushing the rod that goes into the case. It feels as though there is very little play in it. I've tried re-adjusting the cable and worm gear again, but to no avail.

Ashton

12-03-08, 09:58 AM

How long have you had the clutch cable on there? Could it need replacing?

12-03-08, 03:00 PM

This is what gets me... The entire bike has only about 4000 miles on it (original, not rebuilt). I would expect the cable to last longer than that. As it is, it seems like everything is functionally normal with the clutch cable and the actuator, but the clutch is not disengaging.

Ashton

12-03-08, 03:05 PM

The SV engines are prone to clutch slip if someones put the wrong oil in the bike, to the point that if you have first gear engaged and the clutch in it still pulls. In some cases causing the bike to stall.

Or have you got the gear selector rod on upside-down and really your engaging 5/6 gear and it stalls. (know this cus I've done it by mistake myself)

Viney · 12-03-08, 03:09 PM

When you adjusted the cable, you did turn the little screw in the middle of the worm drive didnt you? If not, slaken the clutch off completely, at lever and worm drive. Adjust clutch to the correct point, then Undo the 10mm nut and turn the screw clockwise until you feel resistance. Tighten all nuts up, then adjust at lever for correct gap.

If this fails then....

Ok, you have an old Sv, good. This means you can pop the clutch cover off to have a look around. Put the bike on its sidestand and pop off the 8 bolts that hold the cover on. Then with a 10mm socket on a cordless drill (You can do it by hand of course, a drill is easier) remove the pressure plate springs and bolts. Pop off the pressure plate and use a bent piece of wire, maybe 2, and remove the plates and steels. Check to see if all is well, then replace one plate at a time checking for damage. then put it all back togenter and kick it!! (The last part is optional, and i for one will not accept any resonsibilty for any harm to you or your motorcycle whatsoever

)

yorkie_chris · 12-03-08, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viney

(The last part is optional, and i for one will not accept any resonsibilty for any harm to you or your motorcycle whatsoever

)

Or your toes. HTH

11-03-08, 07:16 PM	#1
k9trainer Guest Posts: n/a	Clutch Sticking I've run into some apparent clutch problems with my 2001 SV 650 (unfaired). Went out for a run last night and upon returning home commenced to make a few adjustments to the clutch cable at the lever as it felt as though the clutch was catching a little late. After the quick adjustment, shifted into first and the bike stalled as soon as the gears touched. Hadn't had an issue like this the entire ride and the adjustment made was so miniscule that it shouldn't have killed the engine so abruptly. Got out the tools and commenced a thorough clutch cable adjustment but to no success. Tried over compensating and taking up all the slack, but the clutch seemingly won't disengage. Tranny and engine are turning freely, but when in gear with the clutch in, the rear wheel is dragging a lot (little to no movement even in high gears). Engine fires freely and readily, but putting it in gear kills the engine. Didn't notice any slipping or anything during the ride, so I'm not sure if a clutch plate is warped or what's going on. I'm going to try re-adjusting the cable again in daylight to see if I wasn't all there last night. Beyond that, any suggestions on sourcing out the problem? Thanks, Ashton

11-03-08, 08:10 PM	#2
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	Re: Clutch Sticking Have you adjusted the clutch actuating mechanism(worm gear)under the sprocket cover?And if so is the worm gear still working OK?I had one where the ball bearings fell out and it no longer actuated the clutch! __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

11-03-08, 08:32 PM	#3
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,804	Re: Clutch Sticking Are you sure it's not the sidestand switch playing up? __________________ "Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

11-03-08, 09:08 PM	#4
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Clutch Sticking +1 if you've disturbed it then that'll be the cause of it, try bypass it. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

11-03-08, 09:44 PM	#5
k9trainer Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Clutch Sticking I've checked the side stand kill switch, and that's not the case, as I can start and run the engine with the stand up and down. I just started it with the rear wheel off the ground and it engages into first gear and turns the wheel. If the bike is on the ground, then the resistance kills the engine. I've removed the worm gear and checked the action of it. It's smooth and is pushing the rod that goes into the case. It feels as though there is very little play in it. I've tried re-adjusting the cable and worm gear again, but to no avail. Ashton

12-03-08, 09:58 AM	#6
thedonal Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Clutch Sticking How long have you had the clutch cable on there? Could it need replacing?

12-03-08, 03:00 PM	#7
k9trainer Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Clutch Sticking This is what gets me... The entire bike has only about 4000 miles on it (original, not rebuilt). I would expect the cable to last longer than that. As it is, it seems like everything is functionally normal with the clutch cable and the actuator, but the clutch is not disengaging. Ashton

12-03-08, 03:05 PM	#8
Grinch Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Clutch Sticking The SV engines are prone to clutch slip if someones put the wrong oil in the bike, to the point that if you have first gear engaged and the clutch in it still pulls. In some cases causing the bike to stall. Or have you got the gear selector rod on upside-down and really your engaging 5/6 gear and it stalls. (know this cus I've done it by mistake myself)

12-03-08, 03:09 PM	#9
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	Re: Clutch Sticking When you adjusted the cable, you did turn the little screw in the middle of the worm drive didnt you? If not, slaken the clutch off completely, at lever and worm drive. Adjust clutch to the correct point, then Undo the 10mm nut and turn the screw clockwise until you feel resistance. Tighten all nuts up, then adjust at lever for correct gap. If this fails then.... Ok, you have an old Sv, good. This means you can pop the clutch cover off to have a look around. Put the bike on its sidestand and pop off the 8 bolts that hold the cover on. Then with a 10mm socket on a cordless drill (You can do it by hand of course, a drill is easier) remove the pressure plate springs and bolts. Pop off the pressure plate and use a bent piece of wire, maybe 2, and remove the plates and steels. Check to see if all is well, then replace one plate at a time checking for damage. then put it all back togenter and kick it!! (The last part is optional, and i for one will not accept any resonsibilty for any harm to you or your motorcycle whatsoever )

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