I replaced my clutch friction and steel plates with OE parts, changed the clutch nut, put a new gasket on the crackcase cover, put in fresh oil (twice, once to flush, once to run), put a new OE clutch cable in following existing routing.

The engine runs nicely anyway, the issue is now i cant seem to select neutral when the bike is running, only when its off. I had also checked cleaned and regreased the mechanism that activated the clutch pushrod, checked the pushroad for true (it was).

The only thing i didnt do when reassembling the clutch was to re-stake the clutch nut but im pretty sure thats not the problem as i had pretty much this issue on and off before i started anything.

Would it be the 3 spring washers that sit together inside the clutch ? maybe old and worn out, though they operate in the opposite direction to what the problem seems to be.

What else should i be looking at ? everything came out and went back in smoothly enough, didnt seem to be any noticable wear anywhere in the clutch basket.

I take it that this is an NC30?

A lot of owners report that finding neutral is a bit of a pain.

If you shift it down to 1st then blip the throttle a little does it make it easier to find neutral?

I was just about to post saying i'd read that elsewhere, i will give it a go when the mrs has taken the kids out.

So far its pointing to clutch adjustment, i have a bit of play also in the foot gear lever so will look at that too.

I read that if you can select neutral when its off then that rules out most mechanical issues, which is a relief.

Will post back shortly.

Yeah, to be honest that sounds pretty normal!

Blip of the throttle, in it goes every time so far, odd.

One concern i do have though is that when i put it into first when the engine is running, it really goes CLUNK, its not satisfying in the same way as a car door shutting i can tell you :D

Cammo wrote:Yeah, to be honest that sounds pretty normal!

In the HRC manual it clearly states; "Blip the throttle if you're finding it difficult to locate neutrel, it's one of the many NC30 characteristics..." -

Ahh righto, didnt know that, dont have the HRC manual, only the Haynes :)

Will not staking the clutch nut prove to be an issue do you think ? i torqued it up etc, was just getting melted by the sun and the brain switched off.

i had the same issue but on my NC35, when you changed your clutch did you file down the fins on the clutch basket (where the clutch plates rest) so it was super smooth? i felt there was a few subtle bumps and after i smoothed them over i have never since had a problem selecting neutral.

hope this helps.

I didnt no, i ran a finger over each part to check for damage but didnt feel anything that seemed anything other than smooth.

I had a similar problem with my NC30 when I brought it, a simple clutch cable change fixed the problem, the original was stretched to shit.