Clutch siezed

[Johnwebley]

This is my oil of choice.  It's meant for classic bikes in the first place.

I get mine either from Eurocarparts,the 10-40 semi synthetic TQ brand
Or from the VMCC club,
Specially made for the bike

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[Mikep328]

I changed the oil to 10W40 mineral oil.  Made no difference.  I've adjusted the clutch lever free play from spec to virtually none to ensure the clutch is fully disengaged when the lever is pulled but there is no difference regardless of setting. 

[Johnwebley]

I changed the oil to 10W40 mineral oil.  Made no difference.  I've adjusted the clutch lever free play from spec to virtually none to ensure the clutch is fully disengaged when the lever is pulled but there is no difference regardless of setting.

How long since you last rode it?

Did you try to free it up before you started it?

It does need doing if left longer than a few days,

You could get a strap, or cable, and tie around the clutch lever and  handle bar,hold the clutch open while parked unused



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[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Could it be an issue with the clutch operating mechanism in the housing rather than the plates sticking ?

The 400 has that odd triangular plate with the three ball bearings in - DS now does a replacement unit.

[Johnwebley]

Could it be an issue with the clutch operating mechanism in the housing rather than the plates sticking ?

The 400 has that odd triangular plate with the three ball bearings in - DS now does a replacement unit.

My 500 has a wormthread,not to bad, the 200 has the 3 balls, works beautifully, light as a feather

The 500 does stick a bit, needs freeing, the 200 never, both use the same oil



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[Mikep328]

It will sit for several days while I do other work so I'll get a better feel for how easily it "releases." Again, it's not a major problem - I can break it loose pretty easily now with the kick starter but the sticking didn't occur until after I was put on a ride following a 5 month layup.  It didn't stick on the first startup after the layup, only after I rode it.  It never did it last year.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

When I rebuilt my 400 the three ball bearings were dimpled and rusty. At that time DS did not sell replacements so sourced a good used part from NJ.

[Mikep328]

No sticky clutch with the 10W40 Motul mineral oil!   

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

So a different make oil has fixed it?

That's weird even more so as the old oil that was between the clutch plates would not be changed for the new oil straight away but might over time.

[Mikep328]

I rode it about 20 miles after the oil change and then it sat for several days.  Today, when getting ready to change the brake rotor, I put it in gear in the garage and there was no sticking at all.  Also, the rear wheel did not spin when on the centerstand, engine running in neutral, which it did with the previous oil.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Not sure if that's viscosity related - is less sticky viscosity linked or is it something to do with the oil shear strength.

Well weird - if it's fixed the problem I guess that's what counts.
It will be interesting to read if the newer DS SS disc changes the braking performance.