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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 04:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

okay so i buy the "free spirit soft clutch" gizmo and install it on my 04 xb12r. seems to be really easy to install, i follow service manual on removal of the clutch release mechanism. seems straight foreword and easy so far. i attach the little gizmo to the mechanism and re-install as per manual & instructions, readjust clutch adjustment screw till feels "snug" and back off 1/4 turn and install rest of assembly & clutch cover. re-adjust clutch cable till 1/16" - 1/8" of play at clutch lever. lever feels much easier than stock set-up. i'm thinking "GREAT" except clutch will NOT disengage. pulled apart a few times now trying to see if i messed it up somehow but all looks good. i even went back to stock setup and still will not disengage. i'm thinking WTF...is there some trick i'm missing? i've done clutch adjustments before so i'm not new at it. everything seems to be seated correctly.. just stumped on this for some reason. any suggestions?
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Kevinfromwebb
Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 05:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Eric, I don't know about the free spirits gizmo but I installed the Muller clutch deal on mine and it specified in the instructions for the clutch adjustment screw to be backed out only 1/8 of a turn instead of a 1/4. I"m thinking if the manual gives you a range on this you should back it out the least amount...

JMO
Kevin
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Jackbequick
Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 09:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Eric - Is that the Easy Pull clutch? I can't find a "free spirit soft" clutch (or anything else) on eBay or on the internet. It is this thing?

Jack
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 10:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i have adjusted it from almost to tight, right through waaaay to loose on the adjustment screw in the primary. the item is from Trojan's website, i also installed the item on a sportster and works great. i've now got the stock setup back in bike and still no disengagement. the sporty is basically the same setup..no problems there and works great. just thought i may have missed something silly on the buell. maybe today it will work. i'm going outside to figure this out. its starting to get to me now thanks for the help guys!
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Old_man
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 07:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The free spirits is simply an arm extension it uses the standard mechanism on your bike. The effect is to lessen the effort but shortens the distance that the clutch can dis-engage. The clutch cable moves only a given distance and with the longer arm you are not turning the mechanism as much. I was hoping it would work for you, but it appears it's not turning the mechanism enough to fully dis-engage the clutch. If you adjust the clutch without it firmly engaged and enough free play you will ruin your clutch. I guess the Buell designers had it right to begin with.
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Old_man
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 07:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

On my XB9S the clutch was extreemly stiff, I moved the clutch lever itself in toward the center of the bar about a half inch. I now grip the lever a little further out, this made a surprising difference. It gives your hand a little more leverage. Try it, it costs nothing but a little of your time.
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 08:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

old_man, i have the stock setup back on the bike w/ the same effect now. i've tried a couple different things w/ no change. all parts have seated correctly. is there ANYTHING else that would cause this? tranny shifts fine (not running). neutral is fine. bike rolls.
just no disengagement when in gear(wont roll freely). looking at clutch while inspection cover off and pulling clutch lever it seems to be working fine. weird...i feel silly now...i'm going to go think..think...think... i'm letting a friend check it out in the morning. maybe i'm just over thinking all this. been a long week. i'll get it yet!
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Buellin_ri
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 08:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Take a break and look at it later. You'll be surprised what you may have been missing when your frustrated.
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Buellin_ri
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 08:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Is it possible to install the ramp mech backwards? Instead of pushing in its pulling out. Just a thought.
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Old_man
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 08:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Eric, Did you thread the nut on the adjusting screw correctly, per the manual. (Thread nut on adjusting screw until slot of screw is accesssible with a screwdriver)
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 09:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

when installing nut to adjuster screw i had to put a small screwdriver through the nut and hold the adjuster screw(sloted) as the screw moves freely and turns w/ the nut when trying to thread it on. so the screwdriver holds the adj. screw while i thread the nut on until slot is showing. then i turn screw till nut "seats" into recessed area of ramp. turn screw counterclockwise until it feels "snug" and then back off 1/8 - 1/4 turn. then install locking nut w/ spring, then cover. after that the rest can be taken up w/ the cable adjustment....am i right so far or did i miss something? the ramp only installs one way as do the other parts. really this is a simple adjustment.(or so i thought till the other day)..i even went so far to look in the primary case/oil as i thought maybe i dropped something some how. but nothing and i have the all the parts per the manual assembly. thanks for the help w/ this you guys. i'd be freaking right now if it was nice weather.
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Buellin_ri
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 09:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I should be getting my new Muller unit from American Sport Bike tomorrow. I hope I don't have these kind of issues. I'll let you know when I do it what i did, compare notes, see if you might have missed something. It's got to be something simple.
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Old_man
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 09:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Eric, the manual says to turn the screw until resistance is felt, (not snug). then clockwise a quarter turn. I don't know how much of a difference this is, but for what it might be worth.
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Old_man
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 12:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I noticed in the manual they make the point to replace the retaining ring with a new one.
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

the retaining ring was replaced when cleaning/(lightly)greasing the ball bearing for pre-assembly as was a new cover gasket. short money for the little stuff but well worth the piece of mind. the bearings and track were in new condition so nothing changed there.
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Spike
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 08:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just out of curiosity-

Are you only testing the clutch engagement when the bike is off? Wet, multi-plate clutches tend to drag slightly even when properly adjusted. If you're trying to roll the bike with the engine off, the bike in gear, and the clutch pulled it may feel like the clutch won't disengage.

Try adjusting the clutch to the service manual and checking the engagement with the engine running.
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Old_man
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 09:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Spike is right. On edit: In fact the tires should have resistance. You should try to ride it, but remember the Kill switch.

(Message edited by old man on February 20, 2006)
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Old_man
Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 03:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

firebolteric ma, Were you able to resolve anything yet?
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 11:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING AS OF YET. THREW IT IN THE SPORTY AND WALKED AWAY. I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION ALL WEEK SINCE MY KIDS HAVE FEB. VACATION FROM SCHOOL SO I'VE BEEN DOING STUFF W/ THEM ALL WEEK. I WILL BE IN THE SHED THIS WEEKEND TO SQUARE THIS CLUTCH THING AWAY. I'M SURE IT IS JUST SOME ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP.
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 11:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

ooppps...dam "caps lock" was on...sorry..not yelling..
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Old_man
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 02:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As frustrating as it must be, no one would blame you if tou were yelling. I hope that when you get it right you're able to use the easy pull, it would be nice for all of us if it worked well.
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