sticking clutch question

[DC]

Thanks!  I'll check that out.

[ChilliDrift]

Here is a link to the thread where Chief goes into detail about it. It seems to me they just used a weak design so mileage isn't really the issue.
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=1170.msg28660#msg28660

[DC]

I'm just closing in on 13k miles now.  Would the clutch spring be an issue at this mileage point?

[ChilliDrift]

LOL....DC I have that same issue from time to time. I wonder if the fix for the clutch spring might take care of that one. I'm at 25000 now.  I'm planning changing it this winter. I have a 99.

[DC]

I should not read these threads about various problems.  I read the thread, then develop a problem.

Riding back from a state inspection last night, I'm having downshifting problems.  I would come to a light and try to get back to first, then up one to neutral, and it's just not responding.  I'm sure I was p!ss!ng off the rest of the cars behind me, as I fiddle with trying to get either first or neutral.  I ended up only being able to get as low as 2nd twice.  Then the problem just went away.

Maybe it was the colder weather or something.  I don't know.

[05cummins]

No low coolant  and just switched to t6 rotella

[49Reo]

Is your coolant level down at all? @0-50 might be a problem if it is cold when you start it; low temperature; I don't have my owners manual with me (I am on the road today, not home for a few) so can't look up recommended oil for different temps; some of the Gurus's on the site could likely quote it off the top of their heads but not me. I would check those 2 areas; coolant and oil weight.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[05cummins]

The problem for me is I got the bike in march no probs till about oct , after bike sat for 4days it locks clutch hard  now  it sets  overnite it locks .I just got bike back from dealer recall done and oil change dealer thought clutch issue could be the oil I was running syn mobil v twin 20w 50.  I did not want bike to set all winter with a little slime in the eng .Is there any thing i can do for this issue or mods i should do  with the cover off the clutch this winter , anything with existing clutch plates or replace them(was thinking moisture is causing sticking)  any advise sure would help thanks

[Troll]

I put sea foam in the oil to clean up the mess left by the P.O. who never changed the oil, and then left the bike sit in a barn for 4 years. When I got it, the clutch slipped until it was warm, the oil eye was totally opaque, and the oil system was not pumping worth a crap to the top end or the timing chain tensioners. I put it in before the oil change (1 oz per qt.) and then didn't do it again for 30,000 miles. I put some in about 250 miles ago, with the synthetic oil in the hope that the one lifter that always bleeds down if the temp is below 40 deg. will finally stop doing that. It really can't hurt, as long as you don't exceed the concentration listed on the can, and personally, with the amount of extra crud that comes out with an oil change (though not recently) I'm not leaving it in the crank case for long periods of time or mileage. There used to be other things you could use that were arguably better, but the federales made them impossible to get. We used to put butyl cellosolve into the combustion chambers and oil sumps of diesels to free stuck rings.

[49Reo]

I'll have to pass that question off to the Guru's, like Troll; I have yet to use seafoam in my engine. I know synthetic oil made a big difference with my Drifter, but putting synthetic primary oil in the Harleys' primary made no difference as to the clutch sticking.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[DC]

That's a good question.  Is there something breaking down or accumulating in the dino oil, over time, that's causing the plates to stick?

[ChilliDrift]

Hey Reo, would seafoam in the oil before the next oil change be good for cleaning those clutch plates?

[49Reo]

Another thing you can do is pull your clutch in, put it in 1st gear, then start it with clutch in. (hold the front brake while you start it) This is what I do on my Harley as they have a tendency to do that to. When you hit the start button, it breaks the plates free, then hold your clutch in while it warms up a bit. Once the oil is warm, they don't seem to stick.  My Drifter was bad for that, I went to Kaw synthetic oil, rarely sticks since.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[ChilliDrift]

Here is a link to a page on the site. Seems it is a common problem, and since you have low miles it falls into this case, not a big deal so good news.

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=16373.msg27322#msg27322

[05cummins]

I have noticed alot of condensation in window, so i canged oil and rode it hard still has condesation  and clutch is sticking so hard , I have to move bike back and forth 2 feet before it frees up .is there a clutch pack i can put in to help with this or some kind of mod .Kinda embarassing having to drag my bike back and forth in front of my  harley freinds just to ride it home . I pulled clutch cover down to clean out oil goo and want to replace anything now . bike only has 6700 miles. Maybe since I only ride  6 miles a day I need a block heater for my bike  and my truck .