symptoms of a clutch failing? (Lever sealed screw)

[Fiver]

The rain held off long enough yesterday for a ride.. so i hopped on my bike and went out.

The idle speed seems a shade higher than usual of late.
I also noticed yesterday that the power seemed down a bit - it still revved the same amount, but didnt pull quite the same.

When coming back down the gears and letting the clutch out, it seemed "softer" when dropping down to 2nd or 3rd. - like there was less compression or something..(or clutch slip?)

Also the clutch seemed a lot smoother/easier to use when going up through the box too.

When you come to a stop and pull the clutch, it feels like it is taking a second or so for it to release, and then the revs sound odd.

Are these signs of my clutch going?

Thanks in advance gang!

Cy

[ziggi]

It's the 750SS you've got, is that right? Which is wet clutch as far as I remember. Either way, doesn't really sound like clutch wear issues. Maybe it's just clutch fluid/operation that needs refreshing and/or bleeding.

When the dry clutch starts to go, you hear a prounced grauching sound particularly on moving away and when the power is put on hard, the clutch slips and the revs rise without the power.

[Fiver]

its a '97 600ss, but yeah it has a wet clutch.

whats the best to use as fluid to refill it with?

would brake fluid be ok? or is there a specific one for clutches?

Thanks

Cy

[Fiver]

yay i think i fixed it.

There was a ton of black crap in the line! i was quite shocked at how much came out.

Ended up totally flushing it through rather than just bleeding it.

I still have a fair amont of play in the lever and finding neutral is still a nightmare, but the power is back.

Thanks for your advice :D

Cy

[Herb]

Have you tried adjusting the play at the lever.

Use a flat screwdriver to remove some of the play. You might find that the extra travel this creates will help you find neutral more easily.

[Fiver]

Haven't tried adjusting that - Mine are resined in place -
I will knock the resin out and give it a whirl.

It wont push the piston in too far or do any damage by adjusting it in will it?

[rockhopper]

I don't think you are supposed to adjust that screw hence the reason why its sealed. Might be wrong though...

[Herb]

Mine was not sealed, which measn presumably that is was tampered with before I bought the bike. This is an excerpt from the manual which implies that it should be adjustable to get the correct freeplay.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/2480/levers7hd.jpg

[Shazaam!]

The lever screw is not a user adjustment. It is set at the factory to obtain the proper piston stroke volume and correct bleed-back rate. Leave it alone.

A worn clutch is most easily diagnosed by cracking the throttle open in top gear. You'll feel it slip when the revs rise.