Stuck Clutch?

[Guest cabinfever]

Thanks to everyone's encouragement in a recent post I made in the "watering hole" forum I picked up the '89 venture from my dad over the weekend.

With the bike on the center stand, in gear with the clutch lever engaged I am not able to spin the rear wheel. Looking at the fluid in the master cylinder, the fluid is very dark. I'll start by replacing the fluid and bleeding the clutch. If that does not fix it what are my next steps?

 

Thanks in advance.

~Eric

[mbrood]

This is fairly typical if a bike has been sitting for a while. Often you just have to start the engine, hold the rear brake, pull in the clutch and put her in first... The plates probably aren't stuck at all, just stiff from sitting.

 

That clutch fluid should be changed just because of the color. Then you should feel about 1/4" of free play at the end of the lever, followed by a firm pull all the way to the handle. On a typical clutch, the plates actually disengage at about 1/2 travel.

[Squidley]

Mbrood is right on the money for the 1st things to try. I would definitely change out all the fluids including the brakes, front and rear. If it has been setting for some time there will be particulate in the rear reservior that can cause problems. Keep coming back with the questions as you have them....we'll get you pointed in the right direction.

[friesman]

This is fairly typical if a bike has been sitting for a while. Often you just have to start the engine, hold the rear brake, pull in the clutch and put her in first... The plates probably aren't stuck at all, just stiff from sitting.

 

That clutch fluid should be changed just because of the color. Then you should feel about 1/4" of free play at the end of the lever, followed by a firm pull all the way to the handle. On a typical clutch, the plates actually disengage at about 1/2 travel.

 

I was wondering about the wisdom of adding about a 1/4 of a can of seafoam to the crancase and let it run for about 5 minutes like the seafoam video says. they say it cleans carbon and varnish out, so it might be good. Seafoam does say to change oil immediatley afterwards.

Has anyone tried this to clean out an old bike thats been sitting?

 

Brian

[Guest cabinfever]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am starting to change out fluids tonight. I pre-lubed the top-end last night and bought a new battery today. I should be ready to try starting it for the first time tomorrow.

 

I'd also be interested to know if anyone has tried SeaFoam in the crankcase.

Edited July 14, 2008 by cabinfever

[Thom]

i have used seafoam in the oil to clean the crankcase , it works pretty good and makes the clutches grab a lot better . i run a half a can in the oil for about 5 to 10 mins. than change my oil . thom

[Kandaje]

Greetings...

 

I did seafoam in the crankcase when I first got my 89VR. I was shocked at the amount of SOLID crud that came out the first time! So I did it again the oil change after. But I probably won't do it my next change - It won't need it...

 

The last oil change - I noticed that the used oil STILL had an nice viscous amber cast to it - Not the usual full nasty watery black.

 

I use 3.5 qts (1st 1/2 quart given up passed through to get all the old stuff out) Valvoline 20W50(for wet clutch), Fram CH6002, and change around 2-3k.

 

I love the stuff!

[SilvrT]

I've heard that flushing with diesel fuel is a good idea. Drop the old oil, replace with diesel fuel ... start her up for a minute or so... drain that... put some cheap oil in....run it until normal operating temp, drain that oil & filter and then put new filter and proper oil in.

 

Any truth to this?

[Yammer Dan]

I've used the Sea-Foam ran it for few miles and changed it. Lot of crud!! I only ran it about 10 miles.

[Guest cabinfever]

Just to followup on my original quest...

mbrood was correct. I started it up today and after it ran for a bit the clutch started working as it should. I still need to change the fluid and bleed (hopefully later this evening).

 

I put a half can of SeaFoam in and ran for about 10-15 minutes. Hard to tell if it did anything, although the bike only has about 16000 miles.