Clutch set-up

[Worther]

Hi all, I've recently bought my first NC30 and although I love it I've got an issue I'd like some advice on.

When the bike is in first gear, with the clutch in, at tick over the clutch appears to be dragging, that is if I increase the revs slightly the bike wants to move forward a bit. I've adjusted the screw adjuster on the clutch lever (outwards) and its only marginally better (if at all). I also have trouble selecting neutral, although ive read on pther posts that thats a common issue. The strange thing is that if rev the bike to 3,500 to 4,000 RPM the 'dragging' seems to stop. I've found selecting neutral as I'm coming to a stop helps the selection problem, as does revving to 3,500 RPM but when I engage first gear at tick over or low revs the dragging starts again.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks in advance, I'm enjoying the bike otherwise!

[magg]

When was the engine oil last changed, also how much free play is there at lever.

[Worther]

Hi Magg, thanks for replying. To answer your questions the guy I bought the bike off said he changed the oil last at the end of last summer. He was selling the bike due to poor health and says its only covered around 150 miles since. He did seem a genuine guy. He said he'd used 10W40 semi synthetic from Halfords (the motorcycle oil not car). I have only done about 20 miles on the bike so far (didn't want to damage anything) and I must admit that I've not actually checked the oil level/quality yet, like I said he seemed genuine but I'll check it later today and report what I find.

The clutch lever has around 1/2" free play (I think), I need to double check this.
I've never had a bike 'drag' it's clutch, I have years ago (in my teens) experienced a slipping clutch though.
I should mention that the engine sounds really sweet, and the gearbox appears to work fine for all other gears. Performance is good.

I looked on the interweb and 'dragging' was sometimes put down to contaminated oil, or sometimes when a vehicle had been left standing (this bike could fit into that bracket).

Any more ideas or suggestions are greatfully recieved.

Thanks again.

[magg]

NC30 clutches by nature do drag as noted by many on this site but not that badly to move the bike forward.

I would change the oil as a precaution and adjust the clutch cable free play a little. Also check that the cable is not aged to the point it stretches under load.

Others may disagree but I tend to run closer to 3/8" (8mm) clutch travel, IMO the figure of 10-20 mm in the haynes manual is much too generous.

[Worther]

Thanks for the advice. The bike doesn't actually move you can 'feel' that it wants to try when I rev it from tickover to around 3,000 RPM. I would expect it to get worse the more I rev it but at about 3,500 RPM and upwards it seems to 'free off'.
The oil the guy I bought it off used was semi synthetic, and was motorcycle oil (he showed me container).

How difficult is it to check the adjuster at the engine end of the cable?

As stated I'll check the following:
Oil level/condition.
Chain tension.
Adjust 'free play' on clutch lever.

If those don't work I'll drop the oil and maybe try an engine flush?

Thanks again

[magg]

To adjust the cable at the engine, you will have to remove the lower fairing.

[quality]

I had this on a ZX6 track bike and when I whipped the clutch apart and measured up all the components for service limits found that the clutch springs had worn. I got a new set of springs which solved the problem. The old ones had reduced in length stopping the plates pulling far enough apart and gave the exact symptoms you mention.

Paul.