This is an archived version of the Road Star Clinic. The Road Star Clinic can now be found at www.roadstarclinic.com. Please join us there!

Road Star Forum
Welcome, Guest
Please Login or Register.    Lost Password?
Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot
Go to bottom Post Reply Favoured: 0
TOPIC: Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot
#979167
tmy23 (User)
Fresh Boarder
Posts: 37
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot 1 Year, 7 Months ago  
Greetings and thanks in advance for any advice. I can replace just about anything, but am not strong on the theory of bikes, (although you guys have taught me a lot) so I am trying to determine whether I should take this repair on, or take it to the shop.

I have a '99 Roadstar 1600, with 16K miles on it. I've noticed that when first starting a ride, the clutch operates normally. So for example when approaching a light , i.e. I can hold in the clutch, down shift to 1st while decelerating. Once the bike is hot, definitely after a few hour run, I have to release the clutch a bit to get the next lower gear in position to down shift, so I have to partially downshift through each gear to get to first. No problem upshifting, runs great, no slippage. I was looking through my Clymers and noticed there is an external and internal spring on the linkage and was wondering if the springs might be shot? (Obviously I am hoping for the simple repair).

Another question, I know everyone rides differently, but in general, how many miles should I get on a clutch?

Thanks for all for the advice!
 
Logged Logged  
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#979170
TheSheepdog (User)
Famous last words Watch this S*&^
Platinum Boarder
Posts: 1450
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male Location: Reno, NV Birthdate: 1969-03-19
Re:Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot 1 Year, 7 Months ago  
That almost sounds like it needs to be adjusted. I found when I did my spring replacement. It took a lot to get it just right where it shifted correctly.
 
Logged Logged  
 
The Sheepdog

The most dangerous thing on the planet.......
a 2nd LT saying \\\\\\\"based on my experience\\\\\\\"
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#979172
tmy23 (User)
Fresh Boarder
Posts: 37
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Re:Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot 1 Year, 7 Months ago  
Sheepdog,

Thanks. So what you're saying is the clutch adjustment can change when the bike is hot? So should I run the bike for a while before I try to adjust the clutch, because it downshifts fine for the first hour or so?

Thanks.
 
Logged Logged  
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#979174
mmrider (User)
Junior Boarder
Posts: 170
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Re:Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot 1 Year, 7 Months ago  
You're plates should last a long long while. however, many here, including myself have upgraded to the barnett pressure plate. Before I made the change, I had bad slippage through all the gears, I have none now. Best of luck.
 
Logged Logged  
 
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#979182
texasscott1 (User)
Two of a kind
Platinum Boarder
Posts: 4486
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male
Re:Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot 1 Year, 7 Months ago  
Always adjust the clutch when the bike is cold. Leave a little play at the lever, some have said a nickels worth, I leave a little less. There'll be more play when it's hot but that's normal. Adjust it hot and there won't be any play when it's cold which puts constant pressure on the bearing until things warm up - not a good thing.

As far as clutch life goes mine (spring also) is currently at 80,000 miles. Just depends on how you ride.
 
Logged Logged  
 


My 99 Standard Test Mule
Scott B.
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#979227
TwoEagleStar (User)
Fresh Boarder
Posts: 71
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male Location: Otsego, MI Birthdate: 1965-11-14
Re:Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot 1 Year, 7 Months ago  
I just did the Barnett upgrade and complete friction plate replacement. Had I pulled them and gauged them first (which will save you $$$ when done in the correct order BTW), there was only .05" wear on the original friction plates, I wouldn't have purchased new plates. I just rolled 70K on a 99' Road* as well. So, those plates will last a very long time. I've seen some state 100K+ and they were still within tolerance.

Like was stated already, adjust when cold. Leave a nickle width gap at the lever so the clutch plates are fully engaged between shifts.

Also, check to see if the bike has had the factory recall done on the tranny. I doubt that would be the cause of this issue, but you want to get it done if it has not been done already.

Good luck!

RJ
 
Logged Logged  
 

1999 R*
108cu. PR BBK w/ H/C pistons
Nemesis Manifold, Dyna2k ignition
HSR42mm, BAK, V&H LS\'s w/ ThunderMonster\'s
Main:172.5, PMS:1, Nozzle:50, Pilot:25, 98 needle on 3rd
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
#979228
SKWEARpeg (User)
Platinum Boarder
Posts: 12885
graphgraph
User Offline Click here to see the profile of this user
Gender: Male Location: Milton, Florida Birthdate: 1958-00-00
Re:Clutch doesn't return once the bike is hot 1 Year, 7 Months ago  
This may be completely unrelated, but worth a try. We see a lot of post were the bike doesn't want to down shift properly, and struggles to go into first. Simply lubing the pivot shaft on the shifter down by your left foot, can have a surprising influence on things.
Certainly worth a try.
 
Logged Logged  
 
Last Edit: 2016/07/17 18:38 By SKWEARpeg.
 
  The administrator has disabled public write access.
Go to top Post Reply
Powered by FireBoardget the latest posts directly to your desktop
...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... -->
New Forum Posts


The Road Star Clinic is a collaborative community of riders who archive and publish user contributed technical data about Yamaha Road Star motorcycles.

Copyright 2003-2007 Road Star Clinic and its respective authors.
<-- -->