Cannot depress clutch lever while engine running

[tazwolf]

Hello
So, I have been riding my bike last couple of days and everything seems fine.
This morning, bike is in neutral, I pull in the clutch, press the starter button, bikes bursts into glorious life.
Get on the bike, Put on my gloves &helmet, try to pull in clutch to get in to first gear but cannot depress clutch lever,
its really hard, can only pull in in say 10% (feels sort of like the brake ).
Turn off engine, press lever, still stiff but eases up after a few presses until i can finally disengage completely, start engine, try to disengage again in order to change to first gear and same problem as before. cannot pull in clutch lever.
Took the tram to work instead as i had loads of meetings.

Any ideas of what the problem can be? - has been working fine since the weekend.

/Taz

 

[TPEHAK]

Adjust the clutch.

 

[Silverrider]

Taz, are you leaving anything out ? That you have done to your bike ??

 

[Outlaw]

Is this a Buell ?

 

[tazwolf]

Last year: fitted muller clutch, changed the primary adjuster shoe.
Last week, adjusted primary chain, throttle cables, tps reset, new tires, changed oil, engine 20w50 and primary to formula plus. Rode it this weekend and all was fine

 

[tazwolf]

Buell xb12x 2006

 

[midway]

Getting popcorn for this one... get that cable off and pray it dosent go beyond.

 

[tazwolf]

My bike is outside of my apartment, my garage where i do my wrenching is in another part of town.
Being as i cannot ride the bike, i will have to get some tools from the garage and then in the street outside open up the clutch adjustment window in the primary and see whats going on.

Midway: what do you mean by beyond? Im pretty sure its not the cable, it was new last year.

 

[34nineteen]

I'm betting something is awry with the clutch pack. The lever just pulls a cable across actuator with a spring assembly. It would seem like the clearances inside the clutch pack are being taken up by something. I'd imagine this isnt something that is Buell specific. A general search will probably show others with a similar problem.

First, I'd loosen the cable adjuster and make sure the lever moves. Then disconnect the cable from the Muller/ramp assembly and make sure that is moving freely. "Beyond that" its most likely in the clutch pack. You may want to let the bike idle in neutral, and let the primary oil get churned up a bit. Then drain it and inspect. That may be your first clue if something is up.

 

[midway]

Midway: what do you mean by beyond? I'm pretty sure its not the cable, it was new last year.

Hey brother i'm sure these guys can make quick work of whatever it is. I want to know too in case it ever happens to me

 

[user_deleted]

whether the motor is running or not....you have the below 4 things taking place when pulling in the lever:
1-lever rotates on the perch assembly
2-the inner cable is pulled thru the outer cable assembly. the outer cable assembly always remains stationary.
3-the clutch actuator assembly rotates and applies pressure to the clutch diaphragm spring via tension between the spring, the primary cover, and the actuator
4-the diaphragm spring releases pressure applied to the clutch pack.
in all likelihood you either have a faulty cable and/or fautly actuator assembly including the actuator lip on the inside of the primary cover which provides the backing tension for all of it to work.
start by removing the clutch cable and derby cover(the large round primary cover that is held in place by 3 torx screws) and begin investigating. it's one of the simplest clutch activation systems known to mankind and any fault will quickly be visually identified.

 

[Simplymichaeljr]

^^^^once you remove the derby cover and pull in the clutch lever you will be able to see the clutch actuator mechanizm engaging(or not.) This sounds like a case of double checking your work since you did a lot of maintenance.

 

[tazwolf]

Well, looked over the bike today and......its official .....Im an idiot! I had forgotton to tighten one of the primary cover bolts, the one nearest the rear wheel.
The symptoms were not of being able to disengage while engine running or not but of temperature, soon as engine gets hot it shows itself. Bike was running ok this weekend despite the loose bolt so i guess i have damaged something by now.
Will investigate futher tomorrow when i get my tools from garage , start and opening up the inspection cover.
Thanks for all the help!

 

[34nineteen]

Sorry, I own the idiot crown. Last night, I drained the oil on my primary and adjusted the tensioner, while I was adding a new quart of Formula+ "whats that noise? awwww no!!!"

Yes, a fresh quart of Formula + mixed in to my old oil in my dirty drain pan.

 

[Simplymichaeljr]

^^^^^lol I don't know how many times I've done that on my work trucks

 

[midway]

Is this issue resolved TAZ? I guess I needed pictures... you went right over my head with the explanation.

 

[Simplymichaeljr]

Is this issue resolved TAZ? I guess I needed pictures... you went right over my head with the explanation.

Yeah, did you take the inspection cover off and pull the clutch lever to see if your actuator is working properly? You can manually do it instead of using the lever. Do you by chance have a newer clutch pack with an extra plate? I heard you can't use the muller power clutch with that.

 

[tazwolf]

Well i guess i keep good company!
The issue is not yet resolved more than that a visual check revealed that one of the bolts on the primary cover is loose.
So i will gee my tools this evening tighten up the bolt, readjust the clutch and perform a visual to see if the clutch is actuating according to the info here and then try starting the bike.
So issue is not yet resolved but i beleive i have found the main cause.

 

[tazwolf]

Simplymich: standard original 2006 clutchpack: problem is loose primary cover bolt

 

[user_deleted]

Is this issue resolved TAZ? I guess I needed pictures... you went right over my head with the explanation.

did you read what this guy posted? he's claiming that one loose primary cover attachment bolt might be the culprit. i can assure you and he that it is not. problem lies within the guidelines i provided to him.