Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive


Subject: Weekend fun....grabby clutches...and watching newbies wreck their bikes - long

Author: Ian Adkins

Date: Sep 22, 2003, 6:38 AM

Post ID: 1714606498



Hey All,

Here in North Georgia we enjoyed a spectacular early fall day yesterday. Ed
and I decided that a little time riding and working on the bikes was in
order. We met half way and proceeded north towards the "Shack" along the old
Dahlonega Highway. For those of you unfamiliar with this part of the
country....the rolling countryside makes for comfortable scenic riding. The
nice things about this stretch of road is not only the smoothness (as anyone
who has ridden in Ga will attest) but also the fact that traffic is light
and there is but one stop sign in 20 miles.

As you approach Dahlonega (and the Appalachian Mountains) the road bcomes
twisty with some tight curves. Ed was on his trusty Eldo and I was riding
the 70 Ambo. As we came upon the first tight curve there were two fellows
standing on the road...but only one bike. The other rider had approached the
corner too fast....the rider panicked and lost his bike into the grass.
While Ed assisted with the bike I walked back to slow oncoming traffic. As I
did I looked at the path of the slide and noticed that the fellow had not
even entered the full part of the curve...he had obviously panicked, braked
and put the bike down. I also noted that he and his bike missed the "curve"
sign by a mere two feet of so. Ed later told me that he had learned that the
rider (who was unscathed in this) was new to motorcycling.....had owned this
new bike for about a week....was his first time into this area...and was
trying to keep up with the guy in front of him. The type of bike you ask? A
Hyabusa. The bad news....he only had liability. The good news.....he is
alive.

Taking a lesson from that event Ed and I zoomed home (Loop style) and did a
little Loop work. Having taken the 70 Ambo for her "walk" I put her away and
rolled out the White Eldo. The grabby clutch was on my mind and needed to be
sorted out.

Before that I decided to check the points and timing. It was suppose to have
been done by my "favorite dealer...not" but decided to have a look. Point
gap was off and timing was off also. Adjusted that and was now into the
clutch. Bike started and ran perfectly....idled well. Clutch operation is
smooth but when I had the bike on the center stand...running...and engaged
the clutch the rear wheel would spin but there was a definate binding as the
wheel turned. Could my problem be with the rear drive unit? Ed and I pull
the rear wheel.....rotate the rear drive with no binding whatsoever. We run
the bike....engage the drive and it is smooth also. Wheel bearings rotate
freely....brake pads/assmebly is nice and tight. We remove the top plug on
the rear drive unit and look inside. The gears look perfect. No metal
shavings...no sign of wear. Binding is intermittent. Weird.

We reinstall the rear wheel.....it rotates smoothly. No binding in the
Ujoint. When the bike is in neutral or gear engaged with clutch lever pulled
the wheel rotates smoothly. Weird.

I finally said screw it and decide to ride back with Ed a ways. Rode back
and could feel vibration at about 60mph. If I pull the clutch in...vibration
stops. Engage the clutch vibration comes back. OK....so the problem is in
the clutch I figure. Maybe the tranny? Time to pull the engine again and be
thankful that I have backup rides.

Looks like a call to Mark is in order....possible replacement of all the
clutch components....I mean everything?

I still can't figure this out. It is like nothing I have ever experienced
and one would think that this kind of problem would be easily identifiable
and fixable. Of course I will report anything learned and would appreciate
any further thoughts.

Sorry about the length. Monday morning babbles :-)

...Ian

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