Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech clutch issue.. anyone heard of it?

Alright, so we've got some pretty savvy guys here who know these bikes rather well, I figure this is the place to put this. I'll also be contacting my local dealer for an opinion, but the more brilliant minds the better. So we're on the same page, my bike's a 2003 Speedy. Back story- Friday after work, a coworker encourages me to spin some tire. While I don't indulge in this all the time, I have been known to on rare occasions. Rev engine, grip brake, let clutch out..... she's grabbing and subsequently pushing the front tire. A couple more tries, same result, and now I see some grey smoke out the vent tube. Suddenly, rather than 5 gears and a neutral, I have six neutrals and a rather tight clutch cable. First thought, I fragged the clutch. Get the bike to my brother's place finally yesterday (Tuesday), get down to open her up today. Drain the oil, pull the exhaust, move the forwards, and pull the clutch cover. Realize quickly I'm out of my depth. I check the inside of the cover and the workings of the clutch and gears.. no missing teeth, nothing bent, everything looks quite well. I do notice some small chunky black residue in the cover under the clutch bump. Thinking it may be clutch plate material, I check the plates as best I can in the basket... all look consistent, nothing missing. So I resigned myself to the idea that I'm in over my head and begin the temp reassembly so that I'm not leaving her open while I get reinforcements. Ever the optimist, when all's back together (but the clutch cable), I shift.... and she grabs. Ok, step two.. reattach the clutch cable, shift... and grab. Step three, shift all gears... all grab. My question (finally)... am I some oil and a gasket away from the road again due to some crazy fluke, or is she messing with me?

sounds like you heater her up and she didn't wanna play nice...prob ok now but maybe its time to do the clutch since your in there already. And....while your there install those new springs so you can actually look like a man next time you try and smoke the tires.

well much as I'd love to throw new parts at her (and I plan to) I just found a new job a month ago after two months out, so not much disposable income. If I can get away with the stock clutch until early next year (tax time) or at least until I have more cash, I will. I'm kinda plannin on new suspension anyway, so a clutch won't kill me at that point.

and i ride a Triumph, sir.. I care not what ppl think. I leave that to Hardley riders.

look into the springs then....ive read a lot of similar stories over the years and it seems like the stronger springs help.

Those chunks would bother me, I would want to know where they came from before I call it a day. If you looked at the plates be sure you have all the screws evenly tightened to get even pressure on the clutch. Sounds like the clutch hung up disengaged but those chunks make me think there must be a reason.