89 XT600 slipping clutch?? Or just bad re-assembly?

[icehole]

Hi, so my 89 XT600 has developed yet another issue. While bringing her back from her winter sleep, I cleaned the carbs, changed the oil and put on new handle bars. Oil used: fully synthetic, 1st time going to full. I had the throttle tube all apart (1st time in there), and had a few problems putting the cables back in the right order, but eventually got it all working. So here's what's up. The bike runs, but when I give it gas, it won't accelerate like it used to before I had it all apart. It seems to be slipping (in all gears), but when I "ease up" on the throttle and baby the throttle, it accelerates better than if I give it "normal" gas. When I give it "normal to me" gas, it accelerates slowly and just makes noise like I was giving it gas in neutral = more noise & hardly any acceleration. I've tried re-adjusting the throttle cables that go to the carbs, but that didn't really do anything. Could it be wrongly routed throttle cables in the throttle tube? The play in throttle seems fine and throttle twists like it should, so maybe it's because I put in fully-synthetic & loosened things up?? I also changed the rear tire, and though for a minute that it might be wrongly adjusted chain, but chain tension seems fine. Slipping clutch?? I've never ran into this before, and I'm hoping that it's throttle cables related, but I'm afraid that I goofed when going to fully-synthetic and did some damage to the clutch? The bike has 11k miles, accelerated fine until I did the oil change & messed around w/ the throttle cables. Any ideas? Thank you for any pointers.

[Lamin Sambou]

Hi Icehole,

Check out the clutch cable routing & adjustment, sounds like you may have done something when you put the new bars on?

[wrussell]

hello icehole i have the same problem with my clutch when i give it a bagfull of throttle my clutch slips and when i ease off it will drive ok i dont know what oil was in my engine because i have only had it a few months but i have heard/read that the wrong oil can cause a slipping clutch.
so i tried adjusting my clutch cable to make sure it was not tight and causing slipping and it still slipped so then i decided to strip casing off and inspect clutch plates,
which i did and i found that they were reasonably good condition but i thought that while its in pieces i would order new plates because i want a trouble free summer so i ordered a heavy duty dirt bike ebc clutch with heavy duty springs and the plates appear thicker than my originals and i have got some new oil which is made by comma oils and is a 10/40 semi syn and it says it it excellent for wet clutches and i have got a new oil filter this is as far as i have got as of today and i will finish putting it back together by the weekend so i will keep you posted with my findings.

[BlackDogZulu]

Fully synthetic oil often contains anti-friction additives which are not compatible with the wet clutch of a motorcycle. Sounds to me like you have a badly slipping clutch - and the change of oil is the cause. Did you use an oil that was recommended for motorcycle use?

[icehole]

Hi guys, thanks for the feedback. Yup, I talked with a mechanic who's seen my bike a couple of times, and he nailed it...pretty much telling I went way wrong when I added fully-synthetic. That will teach me.

So I'm on the lookout for new clutch plates. Scoping Ebay as I type this. There seem to be plenty of kits available, now I just have to pick the right one.

Everywhere I hear, clutch plates change are not all that hard...I'll find out soon enough, as my guy quoted me in the $400+ range, and I can't swing that. Besides how am I going to learn this stuff unless I tackle it myself, right?

So looking at my German-written manual, I believe I can at least attempt to do this myself. As I've never been inside a clutch, would something like this on Ebay work?
link to clutch plates: eBay Motors: Yamaha Clutch Plates TT/XT600/E 8 pcs NEW (item 200302044897 end time Apr-22-09 16:31:26 PDT)

I'd just need to replace the plates, right? The housing should be OK? What about the friction plates? Any other parts I should replace while I'll be in there? I'll get new spring as well btw.

Thanks guys, gotta love free advice from gear heads. You guys RULE!

[olas altas]

Changing the clutch is easy. Do you have a service manual? The housing should be fine and a clutch kit should have all of what you need to replace what has been compromised.

[BlackDogZulu]

The good news is

a) as olas atlas says, it's an easy fix
b) once you have fitted the new plates and changed the oil, it is good as new
c) you have learned something new

Good luck with it.

[icehole]

Nice, thanks again.
I LOVE Youtube.com. Watched how to do it..looks ALMOST as easy as changing the oil.

I'll report back once I get the project going.
Thanks boys

[olas altas]

Don't forget to soak the plates in oil before installation.

[icehole]

yes, will do so..soak 'em overnight. Here's a thought. If I were to drain the oil and refill with proper oil, any chance I could "save" the clutch, or is it toast as soon as it starts slipping? Thanks

[BlackDogZulu]

You might get away with it. It depends on how much the synth has contaminated the plates. I've heard of people realising what they have done and changing the oil quickly with no ill effects, but I'd guess in 99% of cases the plates have been contaminated with the additives and are U/S. Peace of mind - change the clutch.

[icehole]

You're right. Knowing my luck, it couldn't be that easy. I'll be ordering a clutch in the next couple of days & will report back.
Thank you All!

[olas altas]

Why don't you try doing that first before you buy a new kit? It may do the trick...You'll never know unless you try. If it doesn't fix it, then order the kit.

FYI: You don't even have to drain the oil out of the bike to change the clutch...I take a couple of old tires and lay them next to the bike then carefully lower the bike on to them until it's on its side.

[*Touring Ted*]

Small tip...

When removing the 6-8 bolts on the clutch basket (the ones that hold the springs in), you must remove them a little at a time. If you just take one out at a time, you're liable to break the last 1-2 bolts, as all the clutch spring pressure will be on them..

Another tip, soak the new clutch plates in fresh oil overnight before fitting them. This will reduce initial wear on the clutch and extend its life..

Might as well change the springs while you in there (£8 quid) and check the other plates for warpage.

Have fun

[icehole]

Hi, quick update: I changed the oil and NO improvement. Oh well, that was expected. So, my new clutch showed up yesterday (damn, I just ordered it Friday). It got here so fast that I wasn't able to get a torque wrench yet. I'm picking one up after work, and hope to dive into the clutch soon...only if the downpour would stop for a few hours. No garage, so the operation has to happen in the parking lot & I really would like to stay dry for it. I'll soak the discs in oil the day before installation, and I'll do the -tip the bike over- to save myself another oil change. By this weekend I should know more. Thanks for all your help thumpers.