Clutch not having enough oil?

Hi Guys.

I drove from London to Brighton and Back. On my way back, just 5 miles before I was home I noticed that when I took off from an idle position it was as if there was something stuck to my break disc, a piece of grit or so. I could hear 2-3 "tink/tonk"'s, not very loud. But I didn't feel as if the bike was braking or nothing. It sounded as if I drove over a small branch or something like that. Once I had drive 20-30 meters, it was all gone, and I couldn't replicate it unless I had let the engine break as I stopped at a red light. This happened each time I had stopped completely. So all in all maybe 10 times.

Now when I parked the bike, I just wanted to start it up and see if I could see what it was, but as I put it into 1st, it died on me, even with the clutch lever all the way in. I tried this 2-3 times, one of the times the engine shot with a bang, and then I stopped. Put it back in neutral and I have left it now.

I did not have any problem changing gears when I was riding back, so I cannot figure out what the problem might be.
I was thinking it could have been the oil levels that were too low for the clutch to get enough oil, or maybe the cable to the clutch isn't tight enough, or maybe the springs in the clutch have died on my.. (If it has springs?)

Has anyone had a similar problem?

[rictus01]

did you have the side stand down, by any chance ?

Could it be the clutch release? Just strange cause I didn't notice anything when I had build up speed ( changing from 1st to second)

[Biker Biggles]

Clutch oil level is same as engine oil level.I assume you have checked your engine oil level and all is correct?If not best do that.If the engine has no oil in it you will be fixing rather more than just the clutch though.

I haven't checked my engine oil. I will now. Just wanted to let it cool down a bit,

The side stand was my first thought aswelll, but nope, that wasn't it.

I was nauty and went down and started the bike up again..
It idles fine, it changes gears fine, up from neutral, down to neutral and back again... So at the moment nothing is wrong. The engine oil level is just below (touching) the full mark.

The bike has been sitting turned off for about 30 mins..

Any ideas?

[Sid Squid]

No idea what the 'tink' noise is, but the clutch is dragging when it's hot, which is giving you the clunk when you put it in gear. Adjust the clutch.

Thanks Sid. Adjust the clutch? The lever or something internal to the clutch?

[Sid Squid]

Take the front sprocket cover off, (3x8mm bolt), removing the front end of the gear linkage, (1x10mm bolt), will make that easier but it's not strictly necessary, you'll see the lifter screw and locknut, then do this:

Originally Posted by Me, many times.

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.

[Bibio]

if it was a tick-tick and increased interval with speed it could have been a stone/nail in your tyre.