Clutch(?) vibration?

[skiri251]

'82 GL1100A

Occasionally at take off if I release the clutch lever while RPM is relatively low, I get severe vibration and the bike does not accelerate smoothly. (The engine does not stall.) I have to pull in the clutch lever, let the engine(?) regain the smoothness(?), and release the clutch lever again (this time intentionally with higher RPM and let the clutch slip more).

I also noticed that even for normal take off, the clutch slips then engages (I mean, connects) kind of abruptly. I can hear and feel that abrupt full engagement.

Is this a sign of serious clutch/drive train problem? Will it break all of a sudden and let me stranded?

My Wing is tugging the sidecar (extra 150+ lbs) but that should be well within the load GL can handle, correct?

Thanks!

 

[joedrum]

yeah the clutch is probably ok ....there are some snythietic oils that dont go or work with the wet clutch that causes problems like your talking about .....but id say its low rpm performance problems cause by gas of today which is crap on carb motors run soom ATF mix with the gas about 8 oz per tank and see if it gets better let us know .....idont think its going to leave you stranded.... :mrgreen:

 

[skiri251]

Thanks.

I guess my post was a bit unclear.

I think I have a clutch judder. It does not feel like slipping once it's engaged fully.

In any case, I think I should change the engine oil. PO told me he changed all the fluids and the bike was mechanically sound. Yeah right. I found notchy stem bearings, loose wheel bearing bore, stuck caliper pistons.

Now, what is the recommended oil? I know oil brand is a touchy topic but..

I didn't know ATF (auto trans fluid?) helps carb'ed engines.

 

[joedrum]

i always use deisil oil rotella or something 15-40 or anything 10-40 ....i try to change oil often and look for the deals at the time ...just about anything in the right weight is better than the oil with several thousand miles on it......

ATF is made to to keep the trans clean and is good on seals keeping them fresh ...it also replaces some of the heavy oil content that refineries are striping out of the gas now days and gives a boost of energy to the gas ....alcohol is very hard on carbs seals and small passages in carbs as it tends to gum up ....ATF keeps that from happening....

i bet the clutch works better after changing oil ..... :mrgreen:

 

[slabghost]

I have an 80 and 81 GL1100. Both shudder a bit letting out the clutch at times. In part I think it's a design issue. With practice it's happening less often now. :salute:

 

[skiri251]

Thanks.

I am getting used to it also.

As I wrote before, I found several issues with this "mechanically sound" GL. (It had a sorry appearance so I guess this was a PO's sales pitch.)

But that made me worried about possible clutch issue. If it's somewhat inherent to GLs (and there was no recall), it's just a matter of getting used to.

 

[Emil]

I've had 5 GL1100s and put on 300,000 plus miles, no clutch problems. Some of the guys with 84,85s had what you described.

 

[skiri251]

Interesting.

Mine got 37.5K miles (if I believe the odometer). It's Aspencade but radio and the audio stuff were long gone (were they optional?)
The fact that it got spun wheel bearing (loose bore) may indicate it went through abuse.

As far as the clutch deteriorates slowly, I can handle it. Just don't want sudden break-down far away from home.

Have you heard of any horror stories?

 

[joedrum]

it could be 137,000 miles most horror storties that i know of is if a chain broke in the clulch ,primary and rotor .....but this is very rare ....

if a person keeps the carbs running smooth and clean and change fluids these motors can go 250,ooo miles easy ......but the carbs do have the tenitcy to leak in the cylinders and contaminate the oil if not right probably the weakess link in the wing system along with weak spark ignition .....ive got a 79 1000 that has never been open up at all ever the clutch is as good now as it was new .....ive upgraded the ignition system and keep the carbs clean and run ATF for many yrs and it will run better now than it did new ....never had a sator problem or anything except fuel pump failure the water pump is original tires have always been my biggest problem.....when its running smooth the chains dont seem to make noise mine dont....iwould take my wing anywhere without a second thought.... :mrgreen: except tires :mrgreen:

 

[Tory]

I had a similar problem a few years ago,turn out to be the dampener disc in the clutch pack had let a couple brass rivets go,it eventually wedge in the engaged mode.

 

[skiri251]

it could be 137,000 miles most horror storties that i know of is if a chain broke in the clulch ,primary and rotor .....but this is very rare ....

if a person keeps the carbs running smooth and clean and change fluids these motors can go 250,ooo miles easy ......but the carbs do have the tenitcy to leak in the cylinders and contaminate the oil if not right probably the weakess link in the wing system along with weak spark ignition .....ive got a 79 1000 that has never been open up at all ever the clutch is as good now as it was new .....ive upgraded the ignition system and keep the carbs clean and run ATF for many yrs and it will run better now than it did new ....never had a sator problem or anything except fuel pump failure the water pump is original tires have always been my biggest problem.....when its running smooth the chains dont seem to make noise mine dont....iwould take my wing anywhere without a second thought.... :mrgreen: except tires :mrgreen:

> a chain broke in the clulch ,primary and rotor

Ouch..

> but the carbs do have the tenitcy to leak in the cylinders and contaminate the oil if not right probably the weakess link in the wing system

Oh, the gasoil. Triple (XS750) also got that. There is no overflow drain in the carbs. I really need to change the oil.


I will try ATF in the gas.

 

[skiri251]

I had a similar problem a few years ago,turn out to be the dampener disc in the clutch pack had let a couple brass rivets go,it eventually wedge in the engaged mode.

That's not good..
It's a big deal to look at the clutch on GLs, right?

 

[joedrum]

yes big deal

 

[Tomahawk]

My 83 Aspencade will shudder if I am to quick to let the clutch out under load. It's always done it if I am not paying attention. And being too much of a hotdog. You'll probably will be fine.

The ATF trick does work I try to add a bit to every take of fuel or at least when I think of it. Joe told us about it, I tried it and am now a believer.

If I may, Joe you mention 15w40 Diesel oil in your bike. I have a ready supply of rotella 15w40. Do you feel your bike like's this type of oil with no ill effects
Thanks in advance

Cheers
Tom

 

[mcgovern61]

I had a similar problem a few years ago,turn out to be the dampener disc in the clutch pack had let a couple brass rivets go,it eventually wedge in the engaged mode.

That's not good..
It's a big deal to look at the clutch on GLs, right?

Nawwww, just have to pull the engine! My girls can have the engine out and on the ground in two hours!

 

[mcgovern61]

If I may, Joe you mention 15w40 Diesel oil in your bike. I have a ready supply of rotella 15w40. Do you feel your bike like's this type of oil with no ill effects
Thanks in advance

Cheers
Tom

Tom, you are up there in cold country! I would be careful about 15w40 diesel oil in those temps!

 

[skiri251]

So far I pulled the engines out from BSA, CB, and XS.

My wife helped me on CB (the 3rd bike). When I got the 4th (XS), she just ignored my plea for help.. and my son is too small to help me :fiddle:

Oh well, at least I have AMA free roadside assistance..

 

[skiri251]

My 83 Aspencade will shudder if I am to quick to let the clutch out under load. It's always done it if I am not paying attention. And being too much of a hotdog. You'll probably will be fine.

Thanks.
I hope so.

 

[Tomahawk]

If I may, Joe you mention 15w40 Diesel oil in your bike. I have a ready supply of rotella 15w40. Do you feel your bike like's this type of oil with no ill effects
Thanks in advance

Cheers
Tom

Tom, you are up there in cold country! I would be careful about 15w40 diesel oil in those temps!

I have thought about that. Brantford is on the southwestern end of Ontario. Just a little way, about an hr from Buffalo NY. The Climate here with the effects from the great lakes is pretty moderate really.

Thanks for the heads up

Cheers :thanks:

 

[Tomahawk]

My 83 Aspencade will shudder if I am to quick to let the clutch out under load. It's always done it if I am not paying attention. And being too much of a hotdog. You'll probably will be fine.

Thanks.
I hope so.

Heh love the paint job :music: :music: Could you post a bigger pic of your avatar. Thanks
:salute: