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Wheel spinning when clutch is pulled in... Wheel spinning when clutch is pulled in...
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  #1  
Old 19 Jun 2010
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Exclamation Wheel spinning when clutch is pulled in...
Hey folks, I may show some ignorance here with this question, but I've picked a few brains about this before and no-one seems to know the answer...
Basically, the problem I have with my bike is that sometimes (not always), when I have the bike up on the stand to oil the chain, I pull in the clutch, put it in gear, and the wheel starts spinning straight off, while I still have the clutch pulled in. This comes and goes, sometimes it happens, other times not. I've tightened up the clutch cable as far as I can, yet this problem keeps coming around, and this is the second bike it's been happening on.
I now have a V-Strom 650 bought new a while ago, the last bike was an XT600, and the same thing has happened on both bikes. I consider myself a pretty able rider, but I'm not a mechanic, but still I'm wondering is this something I'm doing to cause it.
I've spoken to a few people about it, one being a University Mechanics Professor with a love of bikes, and it's stumped everyone. And again it's the second bike it's happening with.
Anyone have this problem before at all, or hear of solutions??
Cheers in advance for any help on this!

Mick
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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Firstly, and i'm not trying to preach here,but you should'nt be using the running engine to turn the back wheel,or running at all whilst you oil the chain.
you only have 1 pair of hands,and if the bike moves off the stand whilst you are down by the rear wheel then it will get v messy v quickly.

there are loads of vids on youtube where fingers have been dragged into the v sharp chain and sprockets !

to answer your query,it's simply the oil in the clutch causing a bit of "stiction" between the numerous clutch plates.perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
Don't try to adjust it out with the clutch cable or you will end up with a slipping clutch and/or snapped cable. run the cable as loose as the manufacturers advise

Andy
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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Cheers Andy, just needed to be re-assured, that's fine as long as it's normal, just funny several other people had no idea about it. And point one duly noted, just laziness, won't be doing it in future.
Consider me schooled!!!!
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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My Wee DL650 does a similar thing. Only difference, the back wheel turns slowly while the bike is in neutral and on the centre stand.
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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Bike on centre stand, engine running, clutch dissengaged

If the back wheel is turning very slowly and you can stop it by putting your foot on the tyre (carful now), its fine.. A little clutch drag is normal.

If it's spinning fast then your clutch is dragging too much...

Also test by sitting on the bike, running, in gear with the clutch pulled in..

Can you roll the bike backwards just using your feet ????
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post

Also test by sitting on the bike, running, in gear with the clutch pulled in..

Can you roll the bike backwards just using your feet ????
Ted. It seems to be the fashion these days to have seat so high your feet cant reach the ground when seated

I was taught you should be able to put both feet to the ground flat but the switch to wetsump engines often makes that impossible.

Hmm, will be away for a while from tomorrow so I cant respond to any of this. So if anyone really wants a response PM me.
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Old 22 Jun 2010
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Never ridden a BMW, so this is just speculative and may not apply to you, but on my KTM a dragging clutch can be a sign of a clogged oil jet (little bolt with a hole that squirts oil onto the clutch pushrod) and also a failing clutch slave cylinder.

Like I say, I'm just guessing and I dont have a clue about BMW's, but it may be worth investigating.

TBH though, a little clutch drag aint nothing to be worried about.
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Old 22 Jun 2010
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My FJ used to jump forward when you enagaed first from cold! Clutch drag is normal on oil bath clutches (my NSR250 doesn't do it, but that's a dry clutch).
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Old 22 Jun 2010
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Perfectly normal, I've never had a bike which didn't do it, even after having the clutch replaced.
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Old 23 Jun 2010
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if it kind of drags round bit at a time or goes round slowly, that actually means your clutch is adjusted properly. the speed it goes round (or at all) can depend on the temp of the oil, i find my varadero does it when cold but not when hot. you should be able to stop it turning easily.
if however, as has been said, the wheel goes as if youve knocked it into 1st gear, it needs loosening, it shouldnt do that.

why shouldnt you clean your chain with it snicked into 1st gear?
How NOT to clean your chain. **GRAPHIC PICS*** : Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums: Gixxer.com
**GRAPHIC PHOTOS**
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Old 23 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DAVSATO View Post
why shouldnt you clean your chain with it snicked into 1st gear?
How NOT to clean your chain. **GRAPHIC PICS*** : Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums: Gixxer.com
**GRAPHIC PHOTOS**
For those who don't want to look at the gore, allow me to say that this explains why the words chain and saw go together so well . This chap is never going to be able to give a few really useful hand gestures ever again.

Andy
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Old 24 Jun 2010
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Yep, these fellows have nailed it. its perfectly normal for the rear wheel to spin with the clutch disengaged in gear, even in neutral to an extent because of a tiny bit of drag in the clutch and transmission. if it does this to the extent that you have to hold the bike in neutral to keep it from moving forward, and shifts hard,you need to inspect your clutch actuator system, and adjust or bleed as applied to your particular bike.
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Old 24 Jun 2010
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Alright folks, cheers for the re-assurance, it's a great help to me and the few other up-and-coming back-yard hero mechanic wanna-be's. And the how not to oil your chain part has been duly noted too. Been told that before, but the link drives the point home, poor guy!
Anyway, cheers again, until my next question...
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Old 29 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
For those who don't want to look at the gore, allow me to say that this explains why the words chain and saw go together so well . This chap is never going to be able to give a few really useful hand gestures ever again.

Andy
CHRIST !! I nearly "upchucked" my bagel !! What a f**king idiot....... Although, i've seen a few mechanics do that in workshops i've been in. AND WORSE !!

There is a good saying I heard from an oil rigger:

"Never put your fingers anywhere you wouldn't put your pecker"
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