Got it running, but,won't move!

[mandalore16]

Hey guys. didnt have much luck searching the tech section so i thought id post a new question. Got my bike running,replaced the TCI and got her running alright. Went to take it for a test spin around the yard, pulled in the,clutch, clicked it into first gear, felt the engine and bike engage, let the clutch out and nothing happens. Same effect for all gears. got dark and put it on the stand plan to see if the back tire will spin with no load. Ive never had a shaft driven bike, and not a bunch of experience with motorcycle clutches, and would greatly appreciate if anyone could give some ideas of where to start, what to check, what goes wrong with these bikes and their drivetrain as far as getting power to the road! Thanks all

[Du-Rron]

Did you do anything service wise to the clutch or the driveshaft/rear wheel?

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

rear wheel been off????? .... drive shaft not engaged Is the only thing that comes to mind if " felt the engine and bike engage "

[cowpuc]

I think we need more info.. These are pretty tough drive trains and not usually subject to major catastrophic failure... Was this a bike that has been sitting for a really really long time? Wonder if the clutch fluid got so nasty from sitting that the actuator is being held open and the clutch isnt releasing, maybe the little tiny bleed back hole is the master is plugged solid and the master cant release or the clutch plates are snagged open somehow.. Need more info..

Seems like if do put her on the center stand, drop her in gear and see if it will spin rear wheel.. You also might wanna spin the rear wheel by hand in neutral first just to be sure the brakes are not stuck on from sitting too, if you do have a stuck caliper (cant turn the wheel by hand) - smack the caliper with a rubber mallet to get the pads to release. If the rear wheel will spin while on the center stand when you drop it in gear and does so without a lot of noise, you probably have a clutch stuck open for some reason.. I suppose its possible something came loose.. More info,, was it running/rideable for you before you parked it???

[Yammer Dan]

I think we need more info.. These are pretty tough drive trains and not usually subject to major catastrophic failure... Was this a bike that has been sitting for a really really long time? Wonder if the clutch fluid got so nasty from sitting that the actuator is being held open and the clutch isnt releasing, maybe the little tiny bleed back hole is the master is plugged solid and the master cant release or the clutch plates are snagged open somehow.. Need more info..

Seems like if do put her on the center stand, drop her in gear and see if it will spin rear wheel.. You also might wanna spin the rear wheel by hand in neutral first just to be sure the brakes are not stuck on from sitting too, if you do have a stuck caliper (cant turn the wheel by hand) - smack the caliper with a rubber mallet to get the pads to release. If the rear wheel will spin while on the center stand when you drop it in gear and does so without a lot of noise, you probably have a clutch stuck open for some reason.. I suppose its possible something came loose.. More info,, was it running/rideable for you before you parked it???

 

:sign yeah that::sign yeah that:

[mandalore16]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen! The bike has been sitting, for how long I cannot be sure. It went through two people as a project bike before it came to me. Both intended to fix it up, but ended up giving up on it. I got a TCI for it, from ebay, solved my ignition issue, got it running. Of course it ran like crap for quite a bit till I let it run a while, to get the junk fuel out and start burning fresh. Seems to idle ok now, getting it running good isnt a problem for me. So it has indeed sat for a while, and I also feel as if the clutch isnt letting go to let the bike roll. Brakes arent stuck, had to get those to free up to put it on the trailer when I brought it home. Rolls around just fine in order to move it by hand. It feels as if the clutch just isnt letting out, the bike definitely feels as if it engages the gears, that typical clunk when going from one gear to the next, but I dont need to pull the clutch lever in in order to change gears, which points me in the direction of the clutch, but this being my first bike like this, I havent a clue where to start, or much about motorcycle clutches.

[mandalore16]

I will note also, that being said, neither of the 2 that had it before me had done anything with the bike besides swap plugs and do basic troubleshooting on the bike. The bike was whole when I got it, and turned over and would try to fire, but just would not run. I tore it all down myself, tracked the issue to the TCI, and that solved my problems. So I do not think they did anything drastic with the drivetrain, since neither would have had much indication of it without it running I would imagine

[bkuhr]

I think I would start by taking the clutch pack apart, verifying proper assembly and condition. Also I would clean with solvent the friction and steel discs, and drain the engine oil.

This bike has a wet clutch, soaked in engine oil, and if the wrong type of oil had been added, the clutch plates will not grip each other.

 

While the discs are out, with transmission in gear, rotate rear wheel to ensure clutch hub rotates, verifying nothing is wrong with the driveshaft/rear end.

 

On reassembly soak the discs in the proper oil during assembly, and refill the engine when done. Use a diagram for proper reassembly, easy to get some parts in the wrong order, such as the splined washer!

[Flyinfool]

You already said the bike rolls around fine in neutral.

while pushing it, click it into gear. It should stop right there if everything in the drive line is connected. If it does not stop but you feel increased rolling resistance. then you know the drive line from rear wheel thru transmission is good. This simple test will confirm it is a clutch issue without tearing anything apart.

 

What does the fluid in the clutch master look like? It should be clear, it is probably dark brown.

[mandalore16]

I hadnt pulled anything apart yet, I just managed to get it running before it got dark last night and needed to put it up to do other chores. But being that I have little experience with these things, wasnt sure where to start, so Ill def be looking into all these suggestions when I get a chance to, hopefully little by little over the next few days. Thanks again for all the tips!

[mralex714]

I didn't see if you changed the oil. I would do that first.

[mandalore16]

I plan on getting it at least running and moving before I go thru it with fresh oil change and things like that. Cant afford to dump a ton of money into it, so it needs to be at least drivable condition and will run and move under its own power, then Ill do all that stuff. If i changed the oil in it and it ends up needing a drive shaft or something crazy like that, I wont be able to afford those repairs right off. I got the bike super cheap, and intend to use it for commuting some days to work to save gas versus driving my jeep. A gas saving beater if you will, at least till I get re-situated with things. This weekend has taken a turn, and its gonna be hard to know whats going on for a lil while with the changes that have happened, so only time will tell!

[mandalore16]

Just an update, Went out to tinker with the bike since it was up on its middle stand. Started it up, let it run for a bit, pull in the clutch and drop it down in gear. Back tire moves and stalls out the bike. Clutch in or not. Since it was light out and could see better, there is a whole in the sight glass im assuming that is what it is, on the cylinder for the clutch lever. So it looks like its just a matter of getting that taken care of and actually getting fluid in the system then the clutch should work properly. I find it strange though that it didnt stall out going into gear when sitting on the ground with me sitting on it... Maybe while I struggled getting the bike up on the stand and bouncing the thing around moving it, the clutch unstuck a little? I havent a clue!

[mralex714]

I plan on getting it at least running and moving before I go thru it with fresh oil change and things like that. Cant afford to dump a ton of money into it, so it needs to be at least drivable condition and will run and move under its own power, then Ill do all that stuff. If i changed the oil in it and it ends up needing a drive shaft or something crazy like that, I wont be able to afford those repairs right off. I got the bike super cheap, and intend to use it for commuting some days to work to save gas versus driving my jeep. A gas saving beater if you will, at least till I get re-situated with things. This weekend has taken a turn, and its gonna be hard to know whats going on for a lil while with the changes that have happened, so only time will tell!

 

The engine oil is used by the clutch, so new oil may help free up the clutch.

[van avery]

Make sure you use the correct oil. Nothing with friction fighters or the like as later you cutch will slip in high gears. I use Rotella T for Diesel engines it is Jaso approved for motorcycles with a wet clutch.

[mandalore16]

Good to know, So looks like since the tire does indeed move, that its not a huge issue just a matter of fixin the little things, so will be best to do fluid flushes and oil changes now, etc. Thanks for all the help guys!