Clutch Problem (SV650)

[Doofer]

Ok, so Tweety is 9 years old, has 12k on the clock and despite having had a service at the shop before I could exchange my divvy I'm having a couple of problems, to be fair I expect teething problems with a new bike of that age, especially one that has such low milage, but I need to make sure it is right for Saturday.

The clutch cable was replaced by the shop, it wasn't fitted quite right, but that didn't take me long to spot or sort out. However I'm still having some problems.

I'm getting some noise from the clutch, but that doesn't worry me too much, afterall it's no worse than the divvy.

The symptoms are:

1) When the bike is cold, I find it difficult to find neutral (I know ways around it, but its a symptom)

2) For the first 10 miles or so of journey if I stop in first gear with the clutch pulled in the bike will still try to pull forwards unless I keep my foot on the brake

3) When I set off from a standstill the clutch seems to take a while to release.

(I know, points 2 and 3 kind of contradict themselves )

Once the bike is fully warm these symptoms disappear, I know the bike has been sat on its sidestand and not run for at least a couple of months, so the clutch plates may have stuck together a bit, but what I want to know is: Is this likely to get better with use or am I likely to be looking at replacing the plates (and probably springs while I'm at it)

If I am looking at replacing the plates and springs, I don't suppose if anyone knows for certain whether the plates and springs of a divvy will fit do they, I have a brand new EBC set here that I had intended to fit to the divvy I traded in.

Doof

[Flymo]

Nov 6, 2008 22:00:55 GMT Doofer said:

2) For the first 10 miles or so of journey if I stop in first gear with the clutch pulled in the bike will still try to pull forwards unless I keep my foot on the brake
Doof

Not much help really but after the last recent oil change (used some decent oil instead of the cheap carp i used before) my divvy did that for about a week.

Flymo

[5watt]

Has the clutch cable been trapped? Has it got a kink in it?

If it's been fitted incorrectly it could have.

Just a thought.

[neilmud Lord Protector]

Must be a Suzuki problem my sisters 600 bandit does the same

Neil

[Doofer]

I've checked the clutch cable, all seems fine there, checked the routing for any potential problems.

Thanks Flymo, I'd forgotten all about that oil change problem, the shop has done an oil and filter change so that could be part of it.

Doof

[General Gman]

I would be monumentally surprised if the clutch plates are the same.
I've had a look at the fiche for both bikes, and there are some fairly major diferences in the clutch assembly, so you'll probably have to get a new set, I'm afraid.
Still... you can always sell the divvy clutch to some mug er fine fellow on here ;D

[CD]

It does sound like the clutch is sticking rather than being worn. It could be an issue with the clutch mechanism at the engine end or the release bearing.

[HRHpenfold]

Maybe you should take it back to the shop, theres clearly something wrong with the clutch, they should have a look at it

[Doofer]

I agree GMan, I'd be surprised if they do fit, but I was surprised to find the 400 used the same spark plugs and battery as the divvy

Penfold, normally I wouldn't hesitate to, but I don't have the time right now so it will have to wait a week or so and hopefully not breakdown on me in the meantime. The bike is rideable, it just doesn't feel quite right around town until it has really warmed up.

Doof

[bobh]

I'm guessing the clutch plates could have become glazed. This will mean that they "wring" together when the bike's standing, so won't separate easily when first started up. Then when they are separated they won't immediately grip as you let the clutch lever out. Once the oil warms up and thins out they start to grip OK.

Why it's happened is most likely due to a ham-fisted or lazy previous owner slipping the clutch rather than changing down. De-glazing the friction plates on a sheet of sandpaper should be easy, if a bit time-consuming.

[Doofer]

The ride home from work was awful, the biting point on the clutch seemed to be moving around of its own free will and I stalled the bike 3 times in the last half mile

Got it home and took a good look, the pushrod for the clutch and the wormgear? operating it were not in the best of conditions, a good clean up and regrease has helped there.

Also, although the cable is routed exactly the same as my 400 (which had none of these problems) it was catching on the headstock when I turned the bars and loosening the adjuster at the lever

Took it out for a test last night and it feels loads better, I have much more confidence in it getting us to Carnforth without trouble this afternoon now.

Doof