Clutch issue on Varadero

[P.]

Changed the oil for the 10th time since owning the damn thing today and thought I'd try and tackle the clutch problem.

Basically in 1st, clutch in, you can feel it drags and the revs get lower, if you rev it it tries to pull forward until it gets to 4k then it backs off and stops pulling. Letting the revs get lower again it comes back in and drags.

I've swapped the cable ~6000 miles ago. Happy to try another.
Was going to remove the clutch cover today but 2 water pipes, the pump and gaskets are not something I fancied... but my mind is saying the plates or basket are dying.

When it s on the centre stand, if I put in 1st, let clutch out to the biting point and rest my foot against the tyre you feel it going forwards and backwards, so its kinda applying pressure then releasing it and repeating. Like a bearing would allow you to wobble side to side, this goes the other way. Cush drive rubbers are fine, pretty much no movement in there.

If its basket and plates, I'll prepare my anus unless someone can think of anything else?

[STONEY!]

probably a worn basket, take to bits, file smooth, refit with bigger clutch springs or put some washers under the springs, use a bit of silicone on waterpump gasket. thats the bodgetastic no money approach.

or replace basket/clutch buy new gaskets new springs etc to do it properly.

oh might be worth checking the clutch arm pivot bit for wear too.

[_Iain_]

Budget £30 for plates and HD springs. As said, clutch basket will be notched to fuck and usually cost well over £250 to replace, so just file it.
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[P.]

Looking at;
£14 for springs.
£8 for gasket.
£10 for cable.
£16 for cheapest friction plates - £18 for steel plates.. so £34 for full plate set.
EBC friction plates, £35-£45
Basket at 10,000 miles is £30.

Once this guy refunds me for my carbon tank, I'll buy clutch bits and fork seals. Then have to arrange a time to do it, so will probably bring inside the flat.

[STONEY!]

this is the one with 70bizillion odd miles on it yer? wonder how many clutch's its done already basket may have been replaced already,guess it depends how its been ridden.

Oh yeah did you have a look at that sach's thing I sent you a link too?

[P.]

[STONEY!]

Paahaahaaa, well if it is you know you got your moneys worth outta it at least.

[Robby]

If the basket is knackered, then fix the basket without worrying too much about the rest of it. The springs and plates may be fine, but a notched basket needs fixing.

Fix the basket, keep the other bits as they are.

[P.]

I use it as my sole transport atm, so ideally I'd want to get it all done in 1 hit, otherwise getting a new gasket each time for the water pump and clutch cover is going to get boring fast.

Plus, whole refresh of the thing might actually do it some good, poor thing

[STONEY!]

Not sure about the varadero but on some bikes you can see the clutch basket/plates through the oil filler neck. (I may have used this approach to free off a sticky clutch before with a flat head screwdriver haha)

If you can, get a torch and have a good look see what the basket and clutch plates look like, turn the engine over a couple of times to inspect different areas also whilst looking get someone to pull the clutch in and release a couple of times see if it looks like a nice smooth action.

[P.]

Tried yesterday, totally dark in there, even with a torch you can just about see that there is a basket

[STONEY!]

bugger lol well time to get stripping, how come varadero is only transport? u have cbr + others yesno?

[P.]

Since the oil change, its got a little worse, need some significant revs to pull away... talking 5-6k, clutch cable has been adjusted.

Doesn't sound too healthy now, so will bite the bullet and strip it.