05' Clutch? ... Am I the next victim?

[surferdude]

Well I think I'm the next one after Gilbert to replace the 05' clutch ... I noticed today that after readjusting the clutch a few days ago that it was out of adjustment again ... but while riding and accellerating the slack in the cable became tight ... no play in the lever ... and when I decelerate the cable became slack. I don't think this is normal ... something is pulling on the cable while riding. The bike seems to be running ok but I think something is going to give and blow up really soon. What do you guys/gals think? Time for a new Super Bandit? I think so ... thanks for any info :argue: :bang: :angry:

Ok ...after reading a few of the threads today I guess I'm not the next one to replace the 05' clutch!!!! BD needs to step up and fix these early 05's. I'm going to make a phone call to BDM tomorrow. Hope they will fix it right with a different part. :bang:

Update: 07.23.08 ... I ordered my Bandit Clutch today. Should come in a few days ... my son went to Prescott Valley to pick up the pushrod that I ordered ... he was going there anyway for some Navy meeting ... He just graduated from high school and signed up ... should be going to basic trainning some time soon. Wish me luck on the install ... I know I have a lot of support from you guys ... should have it done in a few days ....:up: :flag:

 

[bdmridgeback]

One way to test:

(1) Start bike

(2) Put bike in 1st gear

(3) Hold front brake and slightly give it a little gas and start letting the clutch out just slightly!

(4) don't attemp to spin the tire! Just power it enough to load the front suspension and do that for about 10-15 seconds.

(5) Be prepared to hit the stop/kill switch because if the carrier is broke, as soon as you pull the clutch in it will still want to go forward and will not completely release the clutch.

 

[Gas Man]

If the free play comes and goes... could also be just a loose tranny nut. Problem is... you need to get the outer primary off and get into it to be sure either way.

 

[dogvet]

BD needs to step up and fix these early 05's. I'm going to make a phone call to BDM tomorrow. Hope they will fix it right with a different part. :bang:

I beleive BDM has been stepping up since this problem first occurred!
If you know you have an 05 model and you know the 05 models can have this problem, maybe you the customer should step up and have your clutch inspected instead of waiting to see if it fails then snivel about BDM stepping up. I believe this was addressed in a service bulletin years ago.

Do you think they're are going to fix it with the same part? I'd recommend calling them and using the "L" word, I'm sure they will jump through hoops just to kiss your ass!

You want some Cheeze with that whine?:angry:

 

[RRRUFF]

suferdude, did you adjust the ramp first? These clutches have two adjustments. Back off the cable all the way then adjust the ramp in until all the play is gone then back off a 1/4 turn, lock the the jam nut down. Then adjust the the cable until there is about 1/16 to 1/8 inch play in the lever. Also if it is the clutch basket, BDM should step up. Good luck and lets know the out come, I am interested I have an 05 also.

 

[05ridgeback]

i just heard karata makes a clutch set-up with a belt that is inside the cover.
i heard big dog might put this on bikes standard in the future

 

[dogvet]

Biased, not me!
Anybody that reads anything on this site is aware of issues that others have had with their bikes. I'm not defending Big Dog, nor have I ever stated a position about the company either positive or negative. I don't represent BDM, I'm promoting common sense!

I believe that alot of folks on this site do their own work and as such should take the opportunity to check for problems themselves (preventive maintenance). If they have a shop or mechanic that does their work for them, request them to check your bike over.

Knowing or reading about a potential issue would be just cause for the bike owner to do a bit of research and take appropriate action to prevent the problem from occuring or at least be prepared for it.

No I don't need stairs to reach the podium, I just use the broke down bikes I find on the side of the road and climb them!

Ride safe!:2thumbs: :2thumbs:
DV

 

[surferdude]

A few weeks ago there was a thread about adjusting the clutch ... I did it as explained and for me it didn't work ... loosen the cable ...lots of free play (not foreplay but I feel like I'm getting ready for the next thing to happen) ... loosen the big nut on the pushrod ... screw in the pushrod with the allen wrench ... back out 1/4 turn after feeling a bit resistence ... and then for me the clutch will not engage at all ... Lee said he had the same problem and had to back it out 2 full turns which I did and then the clutch will engage ... he replaced the push rod and that "fixed" the problem ... I started to notice this week that the clutch lever had a lot of play in it just sitting in neutral ... but as I shift through the gears ... in 3rd the lever has no play at all ... as I slow down the lever has a lot of play .... it does pull a little bit when I'm at a stop in 1st gear ... and impossible to get it in to neutral when I'm at a stop ... unless as I'm coasting to stop I can get it into neutral before I completely stop. At this point I'm not sure what road I'm going to take ... (sorrry for the pun) I'm going to call BDM and see if they will replace the clutch carrier with the updated one and go from there. Wish me luck ... :argue: :bang:

 

[jimizee028]

my bolt was loose and thats why it was doing the same exact thing as you are describing yours is doing,i am talkin about the bolt that holds the hub and clutch basket on the spline which gasman informed me is called the transmission bolt

 

[lee]

surfer you are going to have to get the outer primary off and take a look - if it is simply a loose clutch hub nut its a very quick and easy fix and it could very well prevent something more sinister happening.

Incredibly easy to do - just make sure you undo and torque the bolts back up in the correct sequence

 

[lee]

and did you replace that pushrod yet?

 

[Gas Man]

Yeah we call it (for short) trans nut... more specificly its the nut on the input shaft of the tranny. And that sounds like the problem that surfer is having. Its a simple check, once you get the outer primary off.

Also, be sure when you spin in the clutch rod, you stop at the first sign of resistance, then back off a 1/4 turn.

 

[surferdude]

I ordered the pushrod and I just need to get over to Prescott Valley to pick it up. Lee did you use the same BDM pushrod for the Bandit setup? I keep on saying that I'm going to the Bandit setup ... I just need to do it!!!! Thanks for all the info ... you guys are great ... :up:

 

[lee]

yep - same pushrod

 

[Raywood]

I ordered the pushrod and I just need to get over to Prescott Valley to pick it up. Lee did you use the same BDM pushrod for the Bandit setup? I keep on saying that I'm going to the Bandit setup ... I just need to do it!!!! Thanks for all the info ... you guys are great ... :up:

You should have ordered it from our sponsor Nelson and it would have been delivered to your house and at a great (better) price.
Mine came in the mail yesterday with some other parts.

:flag:

 

[bdmridgeback]

Gotta Give Nelson a shout whenever possible for parts. He'll take good care of ya all! To your door at a better price for sure!

 

[Raywood]

Gotta Give Nelson a shout whenever possible for parts. He'll take good care of ya all! To your door at a better price for sure!

Not to take anything away for you Jake, few can ship as fast as you!!!!

 

[bdmridgeback]

Thanks:2thumbs: , that is the one thing that bugs me when I order stuff myself. So I do not waste anytime getting goods out to customers. 99% of the time they are shipped within 24 hours or less!!

 

[drummer]

Well I hate to hear about your clutch, But I just tore mine down today and found the carrier in pieces.. I emailed Big Dog a few days ago but as usual no reply. I ordered a new billet one from Bandit Machine Works with a new bearing. Also found my inner primary chewed up pretty bad also.

 

[lee]

sorry to hear that - its not just a repair though its an upgrade