Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech clutch?

Having a problem....rolling on the throttle at any speed engine revs up high and then slows down to catch gear and then takes off, meanwhile all is smooth and nothing clanky...is the clutch burnt up? Please help.

What oil? Have you adjusted it so there is some free play in the lever?

Have adjusted so no free play...running semi synthetic golden spectro

Sorry so there is free play

Is it motorcycle specific oil designed for wet clutches? (no friction modifiers) You should have 1/8" to 1/4" free play at the clutch lever.

It's what the owner of donelson cycles (st Louis dealer recommened).

Doesn't mean it's right. I am not familiar with that oil and the wrong oil can cause the clutch to slip.

Springs could be weak or adjusted wrong.
Throw out could be binding.
Discs could be worn or glazed.
Cable could be frayed and binding in the housing.

U think my clutch springs are worn...It's not springing back all the way

How many miles on the bike? Has anything ever been done to the clutch/motor? Was the side cover ever off the engine?

What do you mean "it's not springing back all the way". Sure does sound like the cable is sticking or you have broken/weak springs.

One frayed/broken strand on the cable will cause it to hang up. That's a easy check, just disconnect from the actuator arm on the engine case and see if it slides freely..

19000 miles, nothing done to the motor to speak of. It's the weirdest feeling.

You must have a latent slipper clutch? It just decided to finally come out.

I don't think anything, just listing possible causes that you could check. Start with easiest first.

FWIW, the OEM clutch springs are weak, IMO.

So far 30,000 miles and no issues with mine.

The springs do tend to be weak. I replaced my whole clutch at 25,000 because it was slipping but all it needed was springs. I still have my old clutches and plates. I may need them one day when I am short of money.

What are you riding? Age? Miles?

These clutches aren't known for burning up or wearing out.

Weak clutch springs, maybe, but not likely without other modifications first having been done to enhance performance....

07 America, 19000 miles...

OEM clutch springs are "OK" up to about 70 DJ SAE RWHP...beyond that, I would not trust them. Some can't handle simple exhaust & intake mods w/o minor slippage under some circumstances.

The OEM clutch itself is pretty robust...the springs, not so much.

I think most OEM springs are purposely light to create and easier clutch pull for sales.

Well I ordered barnett plates and springs (hd) from fast eddy. Might as well do it all she's already apart. Should have mentioned I run her hard and Burnout frequently, possible the stock clutch just couldn't hack it.

I just noticed the same thing with my 2012 Speedy. Cruising down the highway today @ 70 mph, I grabbed a handful of throttle and the bike revved up high, with no acceleration. Then it settled down as the clutch engaged and speed went up. Did it in 5th and 4th gears. My Speedy has a grand total of 3200 miles on it. This is not during extreme riding, merely trying to accelerate to pass whilst going down the highway.

get yourself a new gasket for the cover too, you're gonna need it.

I roached my plates, literally, they were scorched black when I swapped them out a couple years ago