Clutch Sticks

arbakken · September 23rd, 2009, 11:32 AM

I know it's a fairly common 'feature' of our bikes, but mine does it really badly. I can barely break the clutch loose without the help of the engine and 3000+ RPM. FWIW I have mobile 1 10w40 synthetic in it, and the bike has 4k miles.

How do I fix it? I took the clutch apart, cleaned it, and put it back together but it didn't help. Do I have to replace the clutch discs?

Thanks

kkim · September 23rd, 2009, 01:25 PM

how many miles since the last oil change and did you use a MC specific oil?

what's the ambient temp when you're having this problem? I assume once you "break" it free, it's good until the next cold start up?

arbakken · September 23rd, 2009, 02:30 PM

i bought the bike at 2300 miles, and changed the oil at 3k miles. Its a little over 4k now. It has had the problem since I got it, and i heard synthetic would help, so I changed to mobile 1 10w40 synthetic (which is not energy conserving, so it should be good for MC use). In the past few weeks its been getting worse. Once it breaks free, it won't do it again until the next cold start (as soon as a couple hours) it does it at ambient temps from 50-95 (the only temps we've had)

noche_caliente · September 23rd, 2009, 05:29 PM

welcome to ninjette Alan! Did you notice anything funny about the oil when you changed it the first time?

OldGuy · September 23rd, 2009, 07:09 PM

Assuming you've checked at the end of the DIY for clutch cable replacement (how to adjust the cable http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16000) it's sounding like internal.

Verus Cidere · September 23rd, 2009, 08:20 PM

My bike has a lot of trouble with this too. What I've found that fixes it (I think I read this on the other site

) is to hold in the clutch lever for about 10 to 15 seconds while it's running when you first start it. If that doesn't work, try a little longer. If it still doesn't work, I can't help you.

krbreton · September 23rd, 2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arbakken

FWIW I have mobile 1 10w40 synthetic in it

If the clutch cable is adjusted, I would start suspecting that oil. Even non-energy conserving car oils contain things like moly, which may not be the greatest thing in a wet clutch system.

This is mostly anecdotal, but all of what I have read comes out against mobil 1 synthetics for wet clutch use. Most of what I read, however, suggests that the clutch will start slipping, not stick. Just to be on the safe side, and because it is so easy, try changing the oil again and put in a decent moto oil (Motul 10W40 Syn for example), to rule this out as the problem. I would suggest draining the current stuff, dumping about half a quart of the moto oil through the system to flush, and then refilling with the moto oil. Then see if the problem persists.

Good Luck.

-Kyle

arbakken · September 23rd, 2009, 09:04 PM

it was doing it before the synthetic went it, I used synthetic to try and cure the problem, which didn't work. If replacing the clutch discs will fix the problem, i'd do that, but I'd hate to put $50 into it and not fix the problem.

BTW: this forum is WAY better than the "riders club"

September 23rd, 2009, 11:32 AM	#1
arbakken ninjette.org newbie Name: Alan Location: SD Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250 Posts: 5	Clutch Sticks I know it's a fairly common 'feature' of our bikes, but mine does it really badly. I can barely break the clutch loose without the help of the engine and 3000+ RPM. FWIW I have mobile 1 10w40 synthetic in it, and the bike has 4k miles. How do I fix it? I took the clutch apart, cleaned it, and put it back together but it didn't help. Do I have to replace the clutch discs? Thanks

September 23rd, 2009, 05:29 PM	#4
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	welcome to ninjette Alan! Did you notice anything funny about the oil when you changed it the first time? __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

September 23rd, 2009, 07:09 PM	#5
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Assuming you've checked at the end of the DIY for clutch cable replacement (how to adjust the cable http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16000) it's sounding like internal. __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

September 23rd, 2009, 08:20 PM	#6
Verus Cidere ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Michael Location: Southern NM Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '91 Honda CBR600 F2 Posts: A lot.	My bike has a lot of trouble with this too. What I've found that fixes it (I think I read this on the other site ) is to hold in the clutch lever for about 10 to 15 seconds while it's running when you first start it. If that doesn't work, try a little longer. If it still doesn't work, I can't help you. __________________________________________________ 1991 Honda CBR600 F2, White/Gray, D&D slip-on exhaust, tail integrator, gel grips, Custom undertail.

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September 23rd, 2009, 01:25 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	how many miles since the last oil change and did you use a MC specific oil? what's the ambient temp when you're having this problem? I assume once you "break" it free, it's good until the next cold start up?

September 23rd, 2009, 02:30 PM	#3
arbakken ninjette.org newbie Name: Alan Location: SD Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250 Posts: 5	i bought the bike at 2300 miles, and changed the oil at 3k miles. Its a little over 4k now. It has had the problem since I got it, and i heard synthetic would help, so I changed to mobile 1 10w40 synthetic (which is not energy conserving, so it should be good for MC use). In the past few weeks its been getting worse. Once it breaks free, it won't do it again until the next cold start (as soon as a couple hours) it does it at ambient temps from 50-95 (the only temps we've had)

September 23rd, 2009, 09:04 PM	#8
arbakken ninjette.org newbie Name: Alan Location: SD Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250 Posts: 5	it was doing it before the synthetic went it, I used synthetic to try and cure the problem, which didn't work. If replacing the clutch discs will fix the problem, i'd do that, but I'd hate to put $50 into it and not fix the problem. BTW: this forum is WAY better than the "riders club"