Do I have a clutch problem?
 

Pushed my XT600E (2002 4PT with 10,000 miles) out of the garage in first gear with the clutch lever pulled into the bar and noticed a problem

1. Engine stopped, in neutral, bike can be pushed freely.

2. Engine stopped, in first gear, clutch lever fully pulled in. Clutch is not disengaging and the bike is very difficult to push, with the occasional turn of the crack and piston.

3. Engine running, clutch seems to be operating perfectly. Bike can be pushed around in gear with the clutch disengaged no problem. The bike does not seem to be dragging the clutch or creeping forwards at all.

4. Stop the engine again, the problem returns. Same as 2 above

5. Go for a ride, come back, problem has disappeared.

6. Check bike again next day when it is cold, problem has still disappeared.

Does this indicate a clutch problem developing?

I am taking the bike from the UK to Portugal this summer and don't want to have clutch problems on the trip. Happy to replace the clutch before the trip as a preventative measure if necessary.

It's perfectly normal. The thick cold engine oil sticks.

You could tighten the clutch cable a little.. Will probably help.

My XT600E would roll freely hot or cold in gear with the clutch pulled in but every bike is different, especially with a component with so many factors such as the clutch.

At such low mileage, I seriously doubt you have a problem unless the bike has been seriously abused.

Let your bike stand for a week, put it on its centre stand or bike jack so the rear wheel is raised. Start her in neutral and leave to idle. Your back wheel spins quite vigorously at first but slows down and eventually stops as the engine and oil warms up. This is quite normal and probably what you were experiencing. If the clutch dries out slightly it'll stick a bit until lubed again. If your clutch slips under load in high gear your clutch is going. Clutch cable must be tensioned correctly first goes without saying.

OK, thanks guys, just not something I've noticed before or experienced on my other bikes. So long as it's not a sign of a potential problem on my Portugal trip.

How cold is it there and which oil weight are you using? 10W30, 10W40?... mineral, semi, full synthectic?

Low temps can cause oil to "coagulate" (get too thick due to the low temps)..

It can be as simple as just a not appropriate oil weight. ;)

And yeah, you could adjust your clutch too a bit


BTW, when you comming here to PT?


Vando beer

Hi Vando

I'm using this oil

Halfords | Halfords Motorcycle Engine Oil Part Synthetic 10W/40 - 5ltr

It can be pretty cold here at the moment, anything between freezing and 10 degrees.

I'm coming to Portugal in August for a week, will be staying half way between Penamacor and Covilha with a friend and will be playing in the local area and on Serra da Estrela. Will also do a route via Fundao down to visit another friend in Pombal, following the mountain ridge route of the new wind turbine maintenance roads, north of Pampilhosa da Serra.

humm yeah.. you should lower the oil weight next time.. 0w30 or 5w30 semi synthetic (part synthetic however they wanna call it lol) should be good for you with those winter-like conditions..

the maximum kinda depends on the maximum temperature out there in the summer time....


August is a great time to come here to PT! but from what you've mentioned it looks like you'll be staying at the north of the country most of the time :P


A couple of weeks sooner (14 of july )and ya could catch the motorcycle parade down at Algarve :P

Ya should try out the south! very nice hot weather (kinda cold water lol) but a lot of hot chicks!


Vando beer

Castrol GPS motorcycle oil is the best I've used. Halfords would have you believe that their oil is just rebadged good stuff. :nono: It aint.