85 Honda Shadow 750 Clutch troubles

[Corey]

Hello;

I was wondering if there is an adjustment that can be made on the
hydraulic clutch of the '85 VT750?
When I drop into gear for the first time on a ride, the bike often
stalls because the clutch is not fully disengaged, even though the
clutch lever is all the way in. Within minutes of riding everything
is fully functional, and this appears to depend on movement of the
bike and not just on a warmed up engine. I know this because even if
the bike is warmed up fully while idling, I still have this problem.
I have tried engaging/disengaging the clutch lever several times
before dropping into gear in case it is a problem with air in the
hydraulic lines, but that doesn't seem to improve the situation
significantly.

Does anyone have an idea what may be the problem? I admit that it is
not a huge concern because usually by the time I am out of my parking
lot, everything is working fine, but I am hesitant to really challenge
the bike because of fear of some more serious underlying clutch
problem.

BTW, the VT750 (which I have) sold here in Canada is virtually
identical to the Shadow 700 that was sold in the U.S.

Thanks

[moto]

Corey ...
How many miles on this bike?

This only happens when the bikes cold,
right?

If the clutch otherwise works okay, try shifting from neutral to second
(at first) Then down into first. See how that works.

Sometimes the clutch plates wanna act lazy, and you havta (kinda) wake
'em up so's they get the idea what they're supposed to be doing. ;^)





moto

Gas is fast, but liquor's quicker.


'02 750 Ace..... The Twin
'01 Magna.... Black Magic
'95 750 Nighthawk.Big Red (now 4 sale)
'95 Helix....... Little Red

[Corey]

Post by moto
Corey ...
How many miles on this bike?
This only happens when the bikes cold,
right?
If the clutch otherwise works okay, try shifting from neutral to second
(at first) Then down into first. See how that works.
Sometimes the clutch plates wanna act lazy, and you havta (kinda) wake
'em up so's they get the idea what they're supposed to be doing. ;^)
moto
Gas is fast, but liquor's quicker.
'02 750 Ace..... The Twin
'01 Magna.... Black Magic
'95 750 Nighthawk.Big Red (now 4 sale)
'95 Helix....... Little Red

Moto,

I've got about 44300 KM on the bike (about 27500 miles).
I will give a try shifting into 2nd to start out.
After the plates "wake up" should I feel safe to really work them out?

Corey

[KCorona]

Post by Corey
Moto,
After the plates "wake up" should I feel safe to really work them out?
Corey

Only if they've properly stretched beforehand. <g>

Seriously, ignore motomonkey's advice - - he's a moron.

[moto]

Scott ...
You just demonstrated your complete lack of knowledge of how clutches
work, and on that bike in particular.



moto

Gas is fast, but liquor's quicker.


'02 750 Ace..... The Twin
'01 Magna.... Black Magic
'95 750 Nighthawk.Big Red (now 4 sale)
'95 Helix....... Little Red

[KCorona]

Post by Corey
I have tried engaging/disengaging the clutch lever several times
before dropping into gear in case it is a problem with air in the
hydraulic lines, but that doesn't seem to improve the situation
significantly.

pumping the lever won't necessarily rule out air in the line, or the
possibility that the fluid in the line is as old as your bike. Have
you even checked the fluid level? Bleed the line anyway and get fresh
fluid in the line - - maybe that'll fix it easily, and if it doesn't,
you're not out much $ and will KNOW the condition of the hydraulic
(brake) fluid before moving on to a different diagnosis.

[Corey]

Post by KCorona
pumping the lever won't necessarily rule out air in the line, or the
possibility that the fluid in the line is as old as your bike. Have
you even checked the fluid level? Bleed the line anyway and get fresh
fluid in the line - - maybe that'll fix it easily, and if it doesn't,
you're not out much $ and will KNOW the condition of the hydraulic
(brake) fluid before moving on to a different diagnosis.

The fluid level is fine, and the fluid in the reservoir appears to be
clean. That being said, I will probably give the system a flush
anyway. As you said, that way I know.

Thanks

[Calgary]

Post by Corey
Hello;
I was wondering if there is an adjustment that can be made on the
hydraulic clutch of the '85 VT750?
When I drop into gear for the first time on a ride, the bike often
stalls because the clutch is not fully disengaged, even though the
clutch lever is all the way in. Within minutes of riding everything
is fully functional, and this appears to depend on movement of the
bike and not just on a warmed up engine. I know this because even if
the bike is warmed up fully while idling, I still have this problem.
I have tried engaging/disengaging the clutch lever several times
before dropping into gear in case it is a problem with air in the
hydraulic lines, but that doesn't seem to improve the situation
significantly.
Does anyone have an idea what may be the problem? I admit that it is
not a huge concern because usually by the time I am out of my parking
lot, everything is working fine, but I am hesitant to really challenge
the bike because of fear of some more serious underlying clutch
problem.
BTW, the VT750 (which I have) sold here in Canada is virtually
identical to the Shadow 700 that was sold in the U.S.
Thanks

I installed a Barnet clutch into an older model Honda 750 - 4 and had
a similar problem. The plates were sticking together and caused the
bike to lurch forward and stall when I put it into first. What I did
was pull the clutch in and hold it while the bike was warming up. Two
or three minutes was sufficient. After that it was fine.

That being said I know nothing about the clutch on your bike and if
you don't get advice you have faith in here consult a mechanic.

Don Binns
84 - Virago 1000
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/reeky.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/

Counter Steering:
If you push the left bar, the bike goes left.
If you push the right bar, the bike goes right.
That is, unless you keep pushing the right bar all
the way, then you will probably go left while the
bike swaps ends.

[Corey]

Post by Calgary
I installed a Barnet clutch into an older model Honda 750 - 4 and had
a similar problem. The plates were sticking together and caused the
bike to lurch forward and stall when I put it into first. What I did
was pull the clutch in and hold it while the bike was warming up. Two
or three minutes was sufficient. After that it was fine.
That being said I know nothing about the clutch on your bike and if
you don't get advice you have faith in here consult a mechanic.

Thanks, I will definately give that a try.

Did the sticking problem happen even with the new clutch? I would
sort of assume that sticking would be the result of grime buildup or
something of the sort.

BTW, I am also living in Calgary. Have you ever ridden out to Bragg
Creek on the weekends?

[Ken Abrams]

Post by Corey

Post by Calgary
I installed a Barnet clutch into an older model Honda 750 - 4 and had
a similar problem. The plates were sticking together and caused the
bike to lurch forward and stall when I put it into first. What I did
was pull the clutch in and hold it while the bike was warming up. Two
or three minutes was sufficient. After that it was fine.

Did the sticking problem happen even with the new clutch? I would
sort of assume that sticking would be the result of grime buildup or
something of the sort.

Here's another perspective. A clunk and lurch is common on a lot of "rice
burners" when going into first gear and is most noticeable when cold.
Happens on machines with hyd or cable clutches. It's because of the "wet"
design and minimal clearance of the plates when disengaged. Try this:
Before shifting into first gear the first time, pull in the clutch and rev
the engine a bit once or twice. This often breaks the fluid coupling
between the plates and makes that first shift much less abrupt.

[moto]

Corey ...
One other thing came to mind.

If that bike had sat awhile, there may be a plate that's hanging up. It
only takes one to make shifting hard, or to act strange.
I had one that was (kinda) acting like yours. I finally had to tear it
down, rough up the plate surfaces, oil the shit out of them, put 'em
back in, and that was the end of that problem.

That bike only had about half the mileage yours does.



moto

Gas is fast, but liquor's quicker.


'02 750 Ace..... The Twin
'01 Magna.... Black Magic
'95 750 Nighthawk.Big Red (now 4 sale)
'95 Helix....... Little Red