Automatic clutch "snatches" when cold - any suggestions ?

[Riona]

Anyone got any insight as to why my '09 AE clutch is very "snatchy" for the first ten minutes or so ? Symptom is I start up, put into gear, build revs gradually,then the clutch will engage / disengage a few times jerking the bike forward each time. If it were a manual clutch it would be the same as dropping the clutch in too fast with too few revs.

Is this poor technique - in which case what should I do differently ? Get on the revs faster ? Let the bike warm up longer ? If it were a manual clutch, I'd just be slipping it more ...

Or is it a problem with the clutch that I should get looked at ?

I just bought the bike a couple weeks ago, with 1,280 miles on it (on an '09) so obviously its been standing around for most of its life. The clutch works fine and changes / starts from rest are smooth after the first 10 minutes / 5 miles or so. Seems just to be a problem when cold.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Riona, the great thing about shifting the AE is there is no wrong technique. Every up shift and down shift should be perfect with the bike taking over if you screw up.

A four year old bike with that low of miles might be suffering from dry clutch plates. I would try to give them a good clutch soak. Do you know the service history of the bike and when it or where it had its 600 mile or last oil change? If you don't, an oil change with a known oil may help.

 

[mcatrophy]

Anyone got any insight as to why my '09 AE clutch is very "snatchy" for the first ten minutes or so ? Symptom is I start up, put into gear, build revs gradually,then the clutch will engage / disengage a few times jerking the bike forward each time. If it were a manual clutch it would be the same as dropping the clutch in too fast with too few revs.
Is this poor technique - in which case what should I do differently ? Get on the revs faster ? Let the bike warm up longer ? If it were a manual clutch, I'd just be slipping it more ...

Or is it a problem with the clutch that I should get looked at ?

I just bought the bike a couple weeks ago, with 1,280 miles on it (on an '09) so obviously its been standing around for most of its life. The clutch works fine and changes / starts from rest are smooth after the first 10 minutes / 5 miles or so. Seems just to be a problem when cold.

99% certain it's one of two (or possibly both) issues.

1. The clutch hydraulic fluid needs bleeding (preferably changing, and the brake fluid while you're at it, it's 4 years old and will have absorbed some moisture).

2. The clutch plates are dry and need soaking.

Be assured, it's not your technique. Your technique can help smooth gear changes from a single jerk or whatever, but moving from rest should always be smooth.

If you need pointers to either of the above, come back.

 

[fastpappy]

I would also check to be sure your idle is correct between 1,000 and 1,100 and it doesn't hurt to let it warm up a bit.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

just out of curiosity, what kind of motor oil is in it?

 

[Riona]

Thanks guys - in answer to your questions

- it was a repossessed bike I acquired via a dealer who bought it from auction. I have no idea of service history, whether the 600 mile service was done or what type of oil is in it

- I have no idea how to soak the clutch plates - this is Seattle, can I just leave the bike out in the rain ?

I guess the next piece of advice will be "take to a dealer and get the machine serviced with new fluids - oil, clutch and brake hydraulics, and oh by the way soak the clutch ..."

Or can it wait until May 4th PNW Tech day and some kind gentleman will show me what to do ?

:=)

 

[FJRay]

You better be careful around those kind Gentlemen up there. They might lead you in the wrong direction. In particular the one known as the master plugger.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

First thing I'd do is change the oil and filter. Make sure to put in motorcycle specific motor oil. Ride it for a while, see if that helps out the clutch problem.

 

[mcatrophy]

I concur with changing the oil because of the bike's history.

My clutch soak "how to" thread is here. This is essentially a link to my pictorial record, but there's some useful information in the discussion. I'd suggest oil rather than Seattle rain-water. It might be contaminated with Boeing bits or Windows viruses.

It's an easy job requiring minimal tools, but may need a clutch cover gasket.

[edit] The clutch soak is not a normal service item, but it would only take a dealer an hour or so plus the soak time (overnight is certainly more than adequate). [/edit]

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Thanks guys - in answer to your questions
- it was a repossessed bike I acquired via a dealer who bought it from auction. I have no idea of service history, whether the 600 mile service was done or what type of oil is in it

- I have no idea how to soak the clutch plates - this is Seattle, can I just leave the bike out in the rain ?

I guess the next piece of advice will be "take to a dealer and get the machine serviced with new fluids - oil, clutch and brake hydraulics, and oh by the way soak the clutch ..."

Or can it wait until May 4th PNW Tech day and some kind gentleman will show me what to do ?

:=)

If the bike were mine, I would have it serviced with a clutch soak asap for peace of mind. Then you will have firsthand knowledge for future maintenance needs and will most likely cure your clutch problems.

I know it’s hard to throw the money at a bike you just purchased because I just brought home a 06 Ducati with 400 miles on it over the winter. I sunk hundreds into it for new belts and a full service even though by mileage it wasn’t due for a few hundred miles.

“Can I just leave the bike out in the rain?” Show the poor orphaned FJR some love and give it some shelter. It will pay off in the long run with reduced maintenance and corrosion.

 

[ahchiu]

Riona,

Wait til the tech meet ,we can change out all your clutch and brake fluid, and we can also do an oil/filter change.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I concur with changing the oil because of the bike's history.
My clutch soak "how to" thread is here. This is essentially a link to my pictorial record, but there's some useful information in the discussion. I'd suggest oil rather than Seattle rain-water. It might be contaminated with Boeing bits or Windows viruses.

It's an easy job requiring minimal tools, but may need a clutch cover gasket.

[edit] The clutch soak is not a normal service item, but it would only take a dealer an hour or so plus the soak time (overnight is certainly more than adequate). [/edit]

Although you should be able to limp along until the Tech meet, it sure would be nice if someone went over and helped her change that clutch fluid at least...which might be pretty gunky. That's a quick job and her poor FJR would feel alot better for the next month until a clutch soak can be accomplished at the meet.

 

[ahchiu]

I concur with changing the oil because of the bike's history.

My clutch soak "how to" thread is here. This is essentially a link to my pictorial record, but there's some useful information in the discussion. I'd suggest oil rather than Seattle rain-water. It might be contaminated with Boeing bits or Windows viruses.

It's an easy job requiring minimal tools, but may need a clutch cover gasket.

[edit] The clutch soak is not a normal service item, but it would only take a dealer an hour or so plus the soak time (overnight is certainly more than adequate). [/edit]

Although you should be able to limp along until the Tech meet, it sure would be nice if someone went over and helped her change that clutch fluid at least...which might be pretty gunky. That's a quick job and her poor FJR would feel alot better for the next month until a clutch soak can be accomplished at the meet.

Roina,

If you want to change before the tech meet you can come over to my place and we can flush out your fluids, I live in Seattle by the Woodland Park Zoo.

PM me if you want to do it before the tech meet.

 

[jtnwevo]

Are you letting it warm up at all before taking off? If I don't let my 07AE warm up until the first bar on the temp gauge it is unhappy shifting...

Given that, I would concur with the group that it needs its clutch fluid bled and maybe the clutch plates are dry. I am up in Snohomish and can easily help you bleed the clutch, if you want.

-JT

 

[mcatrophy]

Are you letting it warm up at all before taking off? If I don't let my 07AE warm up until the first bar on the temp gauge it is unhappy shifting... ...

My '10 did this before I soaked its clutch. Afterwards it didn't need a warm-up for a smooth take-off or gear-change.

(I still usually let it warm up because of the high-speed clutch slipping whilst in cold tick-over mode, but that's another story.)

 

[Riona]

Marcus - I'm gonna take you up on your offer to take care of this before the tech meet - I also want to look at your smuggler while I'm there - I'll PM you with a phone number to arrange a good time ..

Thanks guys -- I'll bake cookies ... do you prefer oatmeal and raisin, or chocolate chip ?

Riona

 

[dj bill]

HE SAID SNATCH !!!!!!lol

 

[Niehart]

Thanks guys -- I'll bake cookies ... do you prefer oatmeal and raisin, or chocolate chip ?
Riona

Yes ....

 

[wheatonFJR]

Marcus - I'm gonna take you up on your offer to take care of this before the tech meet - I also want to look at your smuggler while I'm there - I'll PM you with a phone number to arrange a good time ..
Thanks guys -- I'll bake cookies ... do you prefer oatmeal and raisin, or chocolate chip ?

Riona

WOW...lucky dog.