Clutch Failing to disengage on new '07

[jcrouch]

I have a new '07 with just about 1,000 miles on it. I'm noticing an anomaly that I don't know whether to be concerned about. I need some more experienced opinons as my previous bike was a dry clutch (BMw R1200C), and maybe this is not abnormal. I'm finding after my FJR sits overnight or for several hours left in gear, there is a very significant adhesion in the clutch plates to the rear drive. I have to rock it back and forth pretty good to get it to break free and then can be rolled. There is no resistance on the motor side. In other words you can start it up with the clutch pulled in. So if I park in neutral, I can walk it out out of the garage easily, warm it up in neutral, but then when I put it in first gear it really clunks in hard, so I feel I might be causing excessive wear and tear on first gear. I'd like a little advice from you folks. Is this not too unusual for a wet clutch? If so, does it tend too improve with time and miles? Or is it to considered way bad and a warranty issue? Just to be clear, everything is AOK after I take off and get everything up to running temp. Thanks in advance for helping the new guy.

Jay

Corralitos, Ca

 

[ponyfool]

My '06 does the same thing.

I haven't worried about it as whatever is causing it quickly releases and never caused me any problems post release. I kind of like the added security of knowing it'll take a little bump to get it moved off the side stand though.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

I have a new '07 with just about 1,000 miles on it. I'm noticing an anomaly that I don't know whether to be concerned about. I need some more experienced opinons as my previous bike was a dry clutch (BMw R1200C), and maybe this is not abnormal. I'm finding after my FJR sits overnight or for several hours left in gear, there is a very significant adhesion in the clutch plates to the rear drive. I have to rock it back and forth pretty good to get it to break free and then can be rolled. There is no resistance on the motor side. In other words you can start it up with the clutch pulled in. So if I park in neutral, I can walk it out out of the garage easily, warm it up in neutral, but then when I put it in first gear it really clunks in hard, so I feel I might be causing excessive wear and tear on first gear. I'd like a little advice from you folks. Is this not too unusual for a wet clutch? If so, does it tend too improve with time and miles? Or is it to considered way bad and a warranty issue? Just to be clear, everything is AOK after I take off and get everything up to running temp. Thanks in advance for helping the new guy.
Jay

Corralitos, Ca

Hey local boy !!

Mine does the same with sticky plates when parked ..on the 06 ( 04 never did it ? ).

Try holding the clutch in for three seconds before dropping into first. Smooooth !

 

[dean]

both my high mileage (71k and 56k miles) fj's do this, as well as my 300 mile fjr. what i do is park in gear; then in the morning, i rock the bike back and forth with the clutch pulled in, thereby breaking free. just a suggestion.

I have a new '07 with just about 1,000 miles on it. I'm noticing an anomaly that I don't know whether to be concerned about. I need some more experienced opinons as my previous bike was a dry clutch (BMw R1200C), and maybe this is not abnormal. I'm finding after my FJR sits overnight or for several hours left in gear, there is a very significant adhesion in the clutch plates to the rear drive. I have to rock it back and forth pretty good to get it to break free and then can be rolled. There is no resistance on the motor side. In other words you can start it up with the clutch pulled in. So if I park in neutral, I can walk it out out of the garage easily, warm it up in neutral, but then when I put it in first gear it really clunks in hard, so I feel I might be causing excessive wear and tear on first gear. I'd like a little advice from you folks. Is this not too unusual for a wet clutch? If so, does it tend too improve with time and miles? Or is it to considered way bad and a warranty issue? Just to be clear, everything is AOK after I take off and get everything up to running temp. Thanks in advance for helping the new guy.
Jay

Corralitos, Ca

 

[mike25]

Try holding the clutch lever in, and give it a few quick

rev's, before clicking it into gear.

 

[Knifemaker]

If I park it in gear, I always tap it back into neutral to start it, but as I have not tried moving it without the engine on, or it in neutral..so not sure what to tell you. I just start it in the garage, or turn on the key, tap to N and roll it out, no problem there.

All wet clutch bikes tend to be "clunky" when cold, especialy in that very first shift in the morning, so consider this normal.

KM

 

[TriggerT]

My '06 does the same thing. My V-Max did the same thing as well, thought not quite as bad. Maybe just a quirk of the Yamaha wet clutch. Glad to hear this isn't an uncommon thing.

P.S. -- K.M, is there anywhere I can get a poster size image of your avatar?

 

[Knifemaker]

P.S. -- K.M, is there anywhere I can get a poster size image of your avatar?

EDIT: Found the two originals, not very high resolution, but you can download them by going to the webshot link in my sig line and opening the album "Vulcan Man"

KM

 

[TriggerT]

P.S. -- K.M, is there anywhere I can get a poster size image of your avatar?

EDIT: Found the two originals, not very high resolution, but you can download them by going to the webshot link in my sig line and opening the album "Vulcan Man"

KM

Thanks! I love that picture, and I have a friend who studies Kenjutsu, who I think will really like it.

TriggerT

 

[Bounce]

I have a new '07 with just about 1,000 miles on it. I'm noticing an anomaly that I don't know whether to be concerned about. I need some more experienced opinons as my previous bike was a dry clutch (BMw R1200C), and maybe this is not abnormal. I'm finding after my FJR sits overnight or for several hours left in gear, there is a very significant adhesion in the clutch plates to the rear drive. I have to rock it back and forth pretty good to get it to break free and then can be rolled. There is no resistance on the motor side. In other words you can start it up with the clutch pulled in. So if I park in neutral, I can walk it out out of the garage easily, warm it up in neutral, but then when I put it in first gear it really clunks in hard, so I feel I might be causing excessive wear and tear on first gear. I'd like a little advice from you folks. Is this not too unusual for a wet clutch? If so, does it tend too improve with time and miles? Or is it to considered way bad and a warranty issue? Just to be clear, everything is AOK after I take off and get everything up to running temp. Thanks in advance for helping the new guy.
Jay

Corralitos, Ca

normal. all year gold wings (going back to 79 at least) do it too. unless you hold the clutch in for a bit after starting the bike, there will be some lurch and a clunk as the plates contact each other. this is more noticable while the oil is cold (and thicker).

 

[2006FJR]

My 06AE does it as well. I was really concered at first about the loud thump when going into gear until I found out this was normal. :blink:

 

[painman]

My 06 has the same issue as well. Another method to the mentioned suggestions above is if your in a hurry put the bike in second and then down into first. No problemo. PM. <><

 

[TriggerT]

My 06 has the same issue as well. Another method to the mentioned suggestions above is if your in a hurry put the bike in second and then down into first. No problemo. PM. <><

I am going to have to try that. Mine is so bad that it will kill the bike everytime I try to put it into first gear when the bike is cold. If I try to start the bike in first gear with the clutch pulled in, it will surge REALLY bad. If I don't have the brakes on it would take off. After it has warmed up, it is ok.

Also, down shifting is IMPOSSIBLE when the bike is cold unless I am below 2K RPM's. Is this also "normal?"

 

[TriggerT]

I tried putting the bike into 2nd gear and then into 1st when I started the bike for the ride home tonight. I still had the heavy thunk when I put it into 1st, but at least the bike didn't die. Down shifting was still almost impossible until the bike really warmed up. Again, does this still sounds "normal?"

 

[Nice Rumble]

After first warming up the bike at idle for a few minutes I will then shut it off, put the transmission in first, start the bike and ride off without the initial clunk. Once warm going into first is no longer a problem. It's always engaging first initially that sounds the worst.

 

[GAPS]

Try holding the clutch lever in, and give it a few quickrev's, before clicking it into gear.

+1, just be sure to let the revs drop back to idle and click, no clunk.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I tried putting the bike into 2nd gear and then into 1st when I started the bike for the ride home tonight. I still had the heavy thunk when I put it into 1st, but at least the bike didn't die. Down shifting was still almost impossible until the bike really warmed up. Again, does this still sounds "normal?"

Mormal for my FJR. My mechanic owns a 2004 FJR and he said all of the above was expected. Just take it easy until you get a coule bars showing on the temp indicator. The ride it like you stole it (his advice).

 

[conwest]

I tried putting the bike into 2nd gear and then into 1st when I started the bike for the ride home tonight. I still had the heavy thunk when I put it into 1st, but at least the bike didn't die. Down shifting was still almost impossible until the bike really warmed up. Again, does this still sounds "normal?"

Trigger...I for one say, the condition you describe is outside the range of "normal". No way should you have trouble downshifting even when the engine is cold.It sounds to me that the clutch is not fully disengaging. For starters, adjust yer clutch lever forther away from the handgrip and see what happens. h34r:

 

[TriggerT]

I tried moving the ajustemnt wheel from the 5 setting (where it was set when I picked it up at the dealer) to the 3 setting. I can't say I noticed any difference. I will try going all the way out to the 1 setting the next time I have a chance to ride it, which I hope will be tomorrow. I will post results as soon I can say for sure if this helped or not.