Clutch problems

[kf12538]

I was riding a while back and heard a whining sound a few times when I was coming to a stop. I put it in neutral and the noise went away, so I figured it was either the primary or transmission. I put it up on the jack and checked both components' fluids and discovered the primary had virtually no oil in it. This thing has never leaked a drop of anything and I replaced the primary fluid myself with a full quart last season. I'm not sure where it could have gone, because it has never leaked in my garage. I filled it up with some Mercedes Benz ATF, because it's all that I had and figured it wouldn't be a big deal. Anyway, now my clutch is acting as if it is not fully engaging. It's a total bitch to get it to downshift or get neutral. It's also slightly moving when I have the clutch engaged. I adjusted the clutch cable to give it some more engagement, but it's still the same. Did I burn up the clutch plates from lack of fluid or do you think it's the Mercedes AT fluid? 2007 K-9

 

[pknowles]

Get a quart of HD primary oil and run thru it to see if it helps. Should see a leak somewhere. it had to go somewhere.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Better check your transmission fluid level to make sure it isn't being pushed into the trans.
The clutch plates in our Primaries is the same used in open belt drives so its not likely you burned them up.
The oil in the primary is only for lubing the chain and sprockets.
The ATF will make the clutch bite allot harder so either adjust the clutch to work with the ATF or, as pk stated, put some regular primary oil back in the primary.

 

[Sven]

Get a quart of HD primary oil and run thru it to see if it helps. Should see a leak somewhere. it had to go somewhere.

1+

... same used in open belt drives so its not likely you burned them up.

1+

So if I read between the lines, no need to teardown the clutch... just yet. Before I add the oil, I'd use 100% syn so it becomes slippery, cuts into the atf and may break that drag loose?

With the derby cover off, I could bungee the clutch lever to the grip, which should show the pressure plate move off the others, and see room or a gap. Back wheel should break the plates in 1st if not by hand spin in N. Then, by hand I would see if rolling in gear broke them loose and now I can hand spin = Sticking oil???

 

[kf12538]

I drained the oil last night. I don't think it was as low as I thought, because there was more than a quart that came out. I put Mobil1 20W-50 motorcycle oil in it and it's back to normal...in fact, easier to get into neutral and the downshifts are smoother than before the problems. I'll have to start listening closely to figure out if the whining sound is still there. I did notice the primary chain tensioner had some minor grooves from the chain cut into it, but the chain tension was ok. Thanks for the help.

 

[pknowles]

I drained the oil last night. I don't think it was as low as I thought, because there was more than a quart that came out. I put Mobil1 20W-50 motorcycle oil in it and it's back to normal...in fact, easier to get into neutral and the downshifts are smoother than before the problems. I'll have to start listening closely to figure out if the whining sound is still there. I did notice the primary chain tensioner had some minor grooves from the chain cut into it, but the chain tension was ok. Thanks for the help.

" I put it up on the jack and checked both components' fluids and discovered the primary had virtually no oil in it. This thing has never leaked a drop of anything and I replaced the primary fluid myself with a full quart last season. I'm not sure where it could have gone, because it has never leaked in my garage. I filled it up". How did you ascertain the fact of "virtually no oil in it"