Author Topic: Clutch slip when cold - normal?  (Read 4208 times)

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flyboy

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on: December 06, 2013, 01:07:09 am
Hey guys. Is it normal to have clutch slipping when it's cold out? This is a '99 500 with 4spd, still left shift, 35-40F degree.  Not sure if it's the ATF or if the clutch in need of a cleaning. It does grab fine after a 5-10 min ride....thinking maybe it's because the oil is heating up?
Thanks!


mrunderhill1975a

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Reply #1 on: December 06, 2013, 02:12:30 am
I don't know if normal, but mine does it all the time.


High On Octane

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Reply #2 on: December 06, 2013, 03:02:52 am
It's possible that the clutch cable is binding a slight bit and causing the clutch to slip.  I know mine slips just from the weight of my fingers being on the lever.  It's never a bad idea to lube your cables on a regular basis anyways.

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Blltrdr

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Reply #3 on: December 06, 2013, 03:28:24 am
I use atf and just ran at 24 F with no problem. I would think an adjustment or cleaning. And as Scotty suggested a cable lube.
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Afro Samurai

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Reply #4 on: December 06, 2013, 01:32:39 pm
Yeah.. on cold days.. i ride in 24 f.. and temps like that.. just anytime its really cold.. i am pulling off.. gradually increasing speed.. gets some slip a few times.. then after about 1 or maybe 2 more events like that..its all fine for the rest of the days ride...


cyrusb

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Reply #5 on: December 06, 2013, 02:19:39 pm
My 05 has never slipped. Got free play?
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flyboy

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Reply #6 on: December 07, 2013, 01:33:52 am
Thanks guys. Yea, there's just enough free play, and I don't see any binding. Sounds like a tear down of the clutch pack and good cleaning may be in order. Cables lubed this summer, but I hit them again. I'll be converting to right shift, is Santa's good to me, so I'll do it all the same time.


RGT

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Reply #7 on: December 08, 2013, 06:02:51 am
are you just checking free play of the cable or actually checking for play with the cable slack at the adjustment arm under the inspection cover on the transmission? You can have planty of cable adjusted play and not have play at that arm which will cause clutch slipping, in my experience clutch slipping is not normal


GreenMachine

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Reply #8 on: December 08, 2013, 04:00:22 pm
Happen to me once on my 06 5 speed, drained, wiped  out with a soft rag and added fresh type 4 fluid...Hasn't happen since..
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02Electra

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Reply #9 on: December 11, 2013, 07:25:50 am
Flyboy, how often do you ride the bike.

My Iron started doing something similar because it stands idle most of the time. One cleanup and fresh oil and it was good again.
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RGT

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Reply #10 on: December 11, 2013, 08:23:12 am
I have found that if a bike sits unused for a while that I have excess freeplay on the clutch, which I attribute to the oil being pressed out of the clutch plates, and have found that within a ride or two my clutch adjustment returns to normal. So now I refrain from making a quick clutch adjustment when a bike has been sitting so as not to end up with too little freeplay and a slipping clutch. Thinking about it you may well experience some clutch slipping on a bike that has sat due to there being less spring pressure on the wrung out/compressed clutch pack....


flyboy

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Reply #11 on: December 12, 2013, 03:14:26 am
@electra - rode just about everyday in summer/fall. Got cold here in the NE in November and thats when I started noticing it. The longest it sat between rides was maybe 2 wks. I think you're right...cleaning and new oil...directly after Holidays.


barenekd

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Reply #12 on: December 12, 2013, 06:20:34 pm
As the clutch wears, the clearance in the pushrod reduces. Reset the clearance.
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