Clutch smells on new-ish bike gsx250 6000ks

**init** · 24th May 2004, 13:05

Hi,

1st post

OK, so i'm very new to the world of biking. I've got a new gsx 250, and have done about 6000km's on it.

The past couple of days it smells like the clutch has beens slipping or getting hot. I can't feel it slip though...
Problem is, i don't want to ride it back to paraparaumu in case it causes damage, but i don't want to leave it in town in the open...

I guess i have 3 questions:
1) what could be causing the clutch to smell?
2) Should i ride it?
3) Can i do any basic stuff to fix it? eg. Tighten anything?

Some more info:

Since i've had it, i first of all noticed that the clutch level was quite stiff. It is now much more looser. Not flopping all over the place loose though.

It's now due in for it's 2nd service (6000kms) too... but i could only get it booked in at the unnamed wellington store for 31st May... so no luck there.

Thanks for your help!

**jrandom** · 24th May 2004, 13:10

Originally Posted by init

OK, so i'm very new to the world of biking. I've got a new gsx 250, and have done about 6000km's on it.

Welcome to the forum. You're supposed to put your *actual* bike in your profile, so that people don't read your posts and think you ride a ZX-10R :eyepoke:

SWK will be along shortly to advise on the clutch.

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th May 2004, 13:17

If the bike has travelled such low milage Id suggest looking at clutch cable adjustment.Have a look at the clutch lever and see if there is freeplay in it
The lever needs to have freeplay before taking up.

**init** · 24th May 2004, 13:21

Originally Posted by jrandom

Welcome to the forum. You're supposed to put your *actual* bike in your profile, so that people don't read your posts and think you ride a ZX-10R :eyepoke:

SWK will be along shortly to advise on the clutch.

lol, ooops - i thought that was my dream bike area

**init** · 24th May 2004, 13:32

Originally Posted by xjxjxj

If the bike has travelled such low milage Id suggest looking at clutch cable adjustment.Have a look at the clutch lever and see if there is freeplay in it
The lever needs to have freeplay before taking up.

yes, it does seem to have freeplay in it. Not much, but some. I also took the liberty of looking at other bikes play in the bike stand

, and mine seems to be on a par with another gsx250 in terms of play and tightness.

if it is too loose, would that mean the pads can't hold together properly, or would it mean that it would be hard to disengage the pads when i need to change gear?

**k14** · 24th May 2004, 13:34

Do the GSX250's have a dry clutch? Cause most bikes have a wet clutch that is enclosed in the engine casing and thus you can't smell if the clutch is burning or not. It could be something else, maybe the brake pads or something rubbing on something.

**pete376403** · 24th May 2004, 13:44

Not suggesting you ignore it and hope it goes away, but new bikes do have a (new bike) smell as all the paint on hot parts cures/burns off.
If its only got 6000 k you should let the dealer look at it. Under no circumstances attempt to fix anything apart from normal user items ie check the oil level, free play at the lever, etc. Any more that this and the warranty will be toast.

**init** · 24th May 2004, 13:48

Originally Posted by k14

Do the GSX250's have a dry clutch? Cause most bikes have a wet clutch that is enclosed in the engine casing and thus you can't smell if the clutch is burning or not. It could be something else, maybe the brake pads or something rubbing on something.

I've no idea.. i don't know much about it, and the manual is at home. Good point though - It may not be the clutch at all.

**init** · 24th May 2004, 14:27

Originally Posted by pete376403

Not suggesting you ignore it and hope it goes away, but new bikes do have a (new bike) smell as all the paint on hot parts cures/burns off.
If its only got 6000 k you should let the dealer look at it. Under no circumstances attempt to fix anything apart from normal user items ie check the oil level, free play at the lever, etc. Any more that this and the warranty will be toast.

True, i don't want to break the warranty yet.
I'll take it for a spin home in the hope that some junk or paint may be burning off.
Perhaps it's time for a good clean tonight and inspection of exhaust/hot places.

just kinda paranoid

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th May 2004, 14:35

hey good point guys--if its just had its firrst decent run It might just be just that brakes and paint and stuff settling in.

**White trash** · 24th May 2004, 14:35

Why don't you bring it in to the unnamed Wellington store for someone to give it a quick check? Better to be safe than sorry.

**init** · 24th May 2004, 14:42

Originally Posted by White trash

Why don't you bring it in to the unnamed Wellington store for someone to give it a quick check? Better to be safe than sorry.

that would be good

... just turn up at the front and ask?

**White trash** · 25th May 2004, 08:42

Ask for Jimmy and he'll look after you. Not a bad bloke, depending on who you ask

**FROSTY:Me** · 25th May 2004, 09:21

I was told about that guy jimmy--Um summat about always skiving off and saving front tyre rubber on customers bikes --Ou and sommat about walking around all day going potatoe potatoe --hmm ---must be another jimmy at another unknown bike shop

**init** · 25th May 2004, 12:34

Started the bike up, waited. Just sat in neutral idling for 4 or so minutes while i inspected it. Smell started up. Decided it was *hopefully* something burning off engine casing. Smell stopped after about 1 minute.
Went for a short ride, 25 minutes around town, came back and parked up. No smell.
It seem i may have just been paranoid

eg" oh my god, a strange smell"