GN250 clutch weirdness

**swbarnett** · 9th March 2008, 18:08

Hi,

Coming up to a set of lights today at about 20-30kph I went in to first gear and was about to roll to a stop when the clutch suddenly and fully engaged. It was like the cable had snapped. I kept the thing upright while I nose-dived to about 5kph and then the bike just wanted to proceed at idle revs. By using the brakes I managed to stall and stop. Tried to start again with clutch lever pulled right in and the bike lurched forward on the starter motor. I managed to get going again in first gear and tried to limp home. Stalled again at the next set of lights, got it going again in the same manner. By about 2km down the road everything came right and I managed to get home.

Anybody got any ideas what might've happened?

I'm reluctant to ride it again until I at least know what went wrong. I'm not up to stripping the clutch so I'll take it in to get it looked at if that's necessary.

My nearest Suzuki dealer is Holeshot on Barry's Pt Rd. Any opinions on whether they're any good? Otherwise I'll take it to Colemans where I bought it new (well out of warranty - 18Mths and 21,000km old).

**swbarnett** · 9th March 2008, 18:13

Last time I changed the oil I noticed that there are two drain plugs under the engine after undoing the wrong one in error. I undid the right one and let all the old oil drain out then replaced them both before changing the filter and refilling with oil. Is there anything I could've done wrong in replacing the bungs? Maybe this has something to do with the problem?

**Steam** · 9th March 2008, 18:42

Originally Posted by swbarnett

...It was like the cable had snapped. .... By about 2km down the road everything came right ...

It sounds like classic cable snappage to me, but you say it came right, and is now all good? I don't understand that at all.

What is your oil level now?

**swbarnett** · 9th March 2008, 18:57

Originally Posted by Steam

It sounds like classic cable snappage to me, but you say it came right, and is now all good? I don't understand that at all.

What is your oil level now?

Oil level is low - just on the L in the little window. I was going to change it yesterday but Motomail was out of stock on the filters.

**mark247** · 9th March 2008, 20:05

Have you check both ends of the cable? it could possibly been stretched by loosing a few strands. I'd say it's something kinda simple. Strange how it fixed itself tho.

**swbarnett** · 9th March 2008, 20:26

Originally Posted by mark247

Have you check both ends of the cable? it could possibly been stretched by loosing a few strands. I'd say it's something kinda simple. Strange how it fixed itself tho.

Cable looks fine. I adjusted the free play so that there was less than none, i.e. pulling the clutch in further than normal, and with the bike on the centre stand the rear wheel rotates. It seems the problem has returned (or maybe it never went away).

**swbarnett** · 12th March 2008, 09:27

Heard from Holeshot this morning. It seems that the clutch is slipping (not something I'd noticed) and will probably need to have some or all of the plates replaced.

After only 21000km. I'm not impressed.

**WasPhantom** · 12th March 2008, 09:28

Originally Posted by swbarnett

Heard from Holeshot this morning. It seems that the clutch is slipping (not something I'd noticed) and will probably need to have some or all of the plates replaced.

After only 21000km. I'm not impressed.

That makes sense.... ride the clutch less

**Ragingrob** · 12th March 2008, 09:35

Originally Posted by swbarnett

Cable looks fine. I adjusted the free play so that there was less than none, i.e. pulling the clutch in further than normal, and with the bike on the centre stand the rear wheel rotates. It seems the problem has returned (or maybe it never went away).

The wheel is meant to rotate slowly even when clutch is in when in gear, but yeah does sound like the clutch is slipping that would explain how it was only temporary.

**swbarnett** · 12th March 2008, 10:06

Originally Posted by WasPhantom

That makes sense.... ride the clutch less

I know this was probably meant as a flippant comment but this does make me want to examine my clutch behaviour.

I do use engine braking quite a bit and have a tendency to go to a lower gear and slip the clutch until the speed is down to an appropriate level for the new gear.

Also, when changing up I'm quite quick - clutch in, gear up, clutch out in as quick and fluid a motion as possible.

I've been riding for about 12 years with 13 year gap until 18months ago but I'm not averse to weeding out bad habits that have developed in that time.

How do others work the clutch?

**swbarnett** · 12th March 2008, 10:17

Originally Posted by Ragingrob

The wheel is meant to rotate slowly even when clutch is in when in gear, but yeah does sound like the clutch is slipping that would explain how it was only temporary.

Yes, I've seen this before. The wheel was rotating considerably faster.

**xwhatsit** · 12th March 2008, 10:42

Well chuck on the rear brake and see if it still drags on the stand.

**Spuds1234** · 12th March 2008, 10:43

Why would it be the clutch slipping?

On my 250, when the clutch slipped it would rev but I woudnt go any faster.

Same on my Kat. So why would the clutch be slipping here when it seems like it got stuck in the engaged position even when the lever was pulled in?

**breakaway** · 12th March 2008, 12:49

Originally Posted by swbarnett

How do others work the clutch?

On up shifting, same as you, but on downshifting I use engine braking + brakes, however cant say I slip the clutch to slow the bike down. That sounds like a good way to wear them out. Also do you put your bike into neutral when you come to stops at lights etc?

Originally Posted by swbarnett

Why would it be the clutch slipping?

Wrong type of oil / friction plates worn-out.

**swbarnett** · 12th March 2008, 12:53

Originally Posted by Spuds1234

Why would it be the clutch slipping?

On my 250, when the clutch slipped it would rev but I woudnt go any faster.

Same on my Kat. So why would the clutch be slipping here when it seems like it got stuck in the engaged position even when the lever was pulled in?

We'll see what they say when they get chance to open it up.