Clutch on my Big Dog

[Fireman44]

I have a 2005 Big Dog Ridgeback and I havent rode it in a while. I pulled it out of the shop to find out that the clutch isnt working. The starter was leaking before and looks like it leak the primary fluid all out.I checked for the fluid and there is no fluid once inside the primary cover. I know before I put the bike up last month that it was leaking pretty bad on the bottom of the starter.

Do you guys think this would effect my clutch?

 

[Fireman44]

Guess I'll leave this site. A buddy told me I could learn some things about my Big Dig but everyone doesn't care to reply to me. Thanks guys I'll spread the word.

 

[Dozer1]

Guess I'll leave this site. A buddy told me I could learn some things about my Big Dig but everyone doesn't care to reply to me. Thanks guys I'll spread the word.

Damn, dude. That was awful quick! Gota remember, we all have lives and not everyone literally lives online to answer your questions immediately. Plus, not everyone here knows the answer you're looking for, so they may just view your thread and move on. Don't take it so personal!

 

[Raywood]

I have a 2005 Big Dog Ridgeback and I havent rode it in a while. I pulled it out of the shop to find out that the clutch isnt working. The starter was leaking before and looks like it leak the primary fluid all out.I checked for the fluid and there is no fluid once inside the primary cover. I know before I put the bike up last month that it was leaking pretty bad on the bottom of the starter.

Do you guys think this would effect my clutch?

Do you think all the primary fluid drained out of your starter when the primary is at a lower point than the starter?

 

[ChopperJeff]

Yeah, ditto that! The post for help appears at about 8:00 at night, then around 6:30 the next morning there's a post blowing us all off and threatening to spread the word that this site is no good. Christ, are you kidding me?

Just cruise through the "How-To" section and you'll find that there is indeed a LOT of good info on this site. Perhaps you're just very anxious for a reply, and got "worked up" when none came in that short time. Hang in there, and I'm sure someone will chime in. However, that won't happen if go off and insult us!

That all said now, I would imagine that having no primary fluid would certainly affect the clutch, as isn't the clutch "bathed" in that fluid? However, is that enough for the thing to stop working? That I don't know... sorry.

However, if you suspect that having no primary fluid is the culprit, then why not simply fill is up to the proper level and see what happens?

Also check out the "How-To" section in the "Technical" forum and you should be able to find some good articles on servicing the clutch, such as properly adjusting it as is posted here:
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/2025-how-adjust-your-clutch-05-newer.html

Hope this helps.

Goof luck!

 

[Five Five]

Ahhhh...give us another chance...c'mon back..
_ do you have tension at the clutch lever ?

 

[jaggerz]

The clutch will work with or without oil. I have had dirt bikes that when let set for over the winter the clutch discs would dry out and not release, refill and work the clutch several times before dropping in gear. Also check other post on here about starter leaks.

 

[HotRod]

Awful touchy, Did you try the search tab first? I agree it should work wet or dry, just refill and work it a few times if it doesn't change look into it deeper.

 

[Fireman44]

Sorry about that Guys

Everything has fluids on my bike and I do have tension on my clutch but soon as I put the bike in gear it die's. It has been walking here lately so I'm wondering why the clutch is now gone?

Thanks guys for helping me out and sorry again:bang:

 

[Raywood]

Everything has fluids on my bike and I do have tension on my clutch but soon as I put the bike in gear it die's. It has been walking here lately so I'm wondering why the clutch is now gone?

Thanks guys for helping me out and sorry again:bang:

Ok, then adjust it so it works. Many threads here on how to do it. If you need extra help then PM me and I'll walk you through it.

Lets get that dog running like it should!!! Simple adjustment.

:2thumbs:

 

[BigDogBro1]

Fireman44, NOT A GOOD INTRODUCTION! How about posting one?

With the bike in gear and the clutch lever pulled in, can you roll the bike or not?

Leaking pri fluid at the starter would happen only while running. Being stored, the primary should have not leaked unless there is a leak elsewhere underneath the case or at trans.

Could be that a few clutch plates and discs are stuck together in the stack.

Having a very LOW primary oil level during storage could have contributed to this problem. Any internal primary case condensation could rust a plate to a disc.

The entire clutch pack pressure is loosened when the clutch lever is pulled so a few could be stuck together from sitting so long. The plates/discs in the pack don't have seperate wave springs between each of them.

Try rolling the bike back and forth in 1st gear while the clutch lever is pulled in to break loose any stuck plates. Otherwise you need to pull the primary cover and get into it.

 

[Dozer1]

With the bike in gear and the clutch lever pulled in, can you roll the bike or not?

Leaking pri fluid at the starter would happen only while running. Being stored, the primary should have not leaked unless there is a leak elsewhere underneath the case or at trans.

Could be that a few clutch plates and discs are stuck together in the stack.

The entire stack is loosened when the clutch lever is pulled so a few could be stuck together from sitting so long.

Try rolling the bike back and forth in 1st gear while the clutch lever is pulled in to break loose the stuck plates. Otherwise you need to pull the primary cover and get into it.

Awesome advice!!! :2thumbs:

Thanks for comin back!!

 

[woodbutcher]

since it is an '05 go into the primary and check the clutch basket to see if it is busted. old design and flawed.

this is what i am talking about; http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/21369-dreaded-clutch-basket-broken.html

 

[BigDogBro1]

Everything has fluids on my bike and I do have tension on my clutch but soon as I put the bike in gear it die's. It has been walking here lately so I'm wondering why the clutch is now gone?

Thanks guys for helping me out and sorry again:bang:

"It has been walking here lately"
Yea, remove the primary cover and check the clutch basket for cracks etc. If it doesn't break loose.

The clutch nut could be loosening as well. Good luck.

 

[Fireman44]

Clutch

With the bike in gear it will not roll back even with my clutch pulled in. I will open my primary tomorrow and see how things look.

Thank you guys again for the advice.

Fireman44, NOT A GOOD INTRODUCTION! How about posting one?

With the bike in gear and the clutch lever pulled in, can you roll the bike or not?

Leaking pri fluid at the starter would happen only while running. Being stored, the primary should have not leaked unless there is a leak elsewhere underneath the case or at trans.

Could be that a few clutch plates and discs are stuck together in the stack.

Having a very LOW primary oil level during storage could have contributed to this problem. Any internal primary case condensation could rust a plate to a disc.

The entire clutch pack pressure is loosened when the clutch lever is pulled so a few could be stuck together from sitting so long. The plates/discs in the pack don't have seperate wave springs between each of them.

Try rolling the bike back and forth in 1st gear while the clutch lever is pulled in to break loose any stuck plates. Otherwise you need to pull the primary cover and get into it.

 

[Fireman44]

Clutch

I've tried everything to get my clutch going but nothing seems to work. I took the primary cover off and all plates. None were damage and the Clutch basket nut was tight. I put new primary fluid and put everything exactly like it came off and even soaked the plates in the oil before putting them back on. The plates are working correctly and I:bang::bang: see them perfectly fine squeezing in and out. I pulled the rod out on the clutch adjustment and it was straight with no damage what so ever. I looked up the How to on the clutch adjustment and went step by step but with the clutch pulled in still the bike rolls like its in gear.

Guess I we spend the money and get someone that knows what their doing to fix it.

Thanks for all the great advice

 

[surferdude]

05's starter had a recall. Some 05's clutches has problems ... fix it with a Super Bandit Bruiser clutch ... check your pushrod adjustment. Lot's of how 2's ... that's how I got my 05 running great. Next my EHC!!!! Again lot's of how 2's. :up: Don't give up on doing it yourself ... you can do it ... Make sure you are putting the right weight primary oil. :2thumbs:

 

[BigDogBro1]

Will the bike roll in neutral?

You say "but with the clutch pulled in still the bike rolls like its in gear." Do you mean won't roll at all, just rocks back and forth against the trans play?

When the inner clutch pack was out on the floor, could you move the bike in any gear?

Maybe something in the trans is locked when in any gear, but I have no ideas. Trans oil level okay?

Either the clutch disengages or it doesn't. You must confirm it.

Before reinstalling the pri cover, did you test for clutch disengagement operation?

How did you confirm it?

If you pull the clutch lever and the clutch pack won't disengage then troubleshoot upstream.
Clutch adjustment
Clutch cable
Clutch cam assy
Push rod (Greased)
Clutch pack assy



You must systematically elliminate the possibilities. Or just take it to a qualified service tech.

 

[Throttle Jockey]

You might want to get it up in the air with the rear wheel off the ground. Make sure its in gear and remove the spark plugs. Try to get it up to around third gear or so and turn the rear wheel. This should turn your tranny and your motor over a few times. Put it back on the ground, replace the plugs and get it into nuetral and try to start it. Go from there. That should free any minor things that may be stuck. Now if you've got missing teeth in your tranny your somewhat screwed.

TJ

 

[bdm1]

Hey buddy I know how you feel but I really dont think a starter has anything to do with your cluch. By the way I think you should bring your bike to the shop.