Subject: RE: A little more success with Eldo - but... (long)
Author: lio-@aol.com
Date: Apr 18, 2005, 9:24 AM
Post ID: 1718721322
Same kind of clutch problem happened to me last summer. It turned out
that I needed a new clutch. OUCH. When all was said and done it cost me
about $700 to have it all done. Replaced a few other parts while the
tranny was out. Good luck!
Vince in NY
Tom Christian wrote:
Planned an 80 mile jaunt on the Eldo this weekend. This is the first significant ride I've taken on this bike since buying it last year - its been one problem found, one problem fixed since then. The trip went beautifully, everything seemingly ok, the left side valves clattering a bit louder than the right - but no noticeable issues, she idled fine, shifted fine, pulled up hills, no wobble at high speed, no smoke, no leaks, and even the speedo & odometer seemed to work. After about 70 miles, the Clutch started "shortening", less and less freeplay to engagement, and barely enough to disengage. Finally it wouldn't disengage and stalled at a light. It looked easy, the two locknuts had backed off at the clutch adj at the rear of the tranny. I fixed that, but the lever action felt "funny" too firm, like the clutch still wasn't disengaging. Still, I hit the starter button - nothing. Pop started it and got it home, the clutch disengaging just enough, kicked it into neutral just before I hit the driveway so I wouldn't plow through the garage doors though :). I readjusted the cable again, but now I cannot get the clutch to disengage? Throughout the ride, the clutch had a relatively short throw compared to a modern bike, but I've heard this is "normal", so I didn't pay it any mind. Any ideas? I determined that it wouldn't start after stalling because of dead battery (confirmed this later - reading 9v). Its a brand new battery, but I did discover half the negative post had broken - I hope that's it, but I'm not sure since I'm still having trouble with the idiot light on the alternator kit, and my dash turn indicator lights are iffy (the light fine if I jump the to the battery negative) and exhibited this symptom with the previous battery as well - which prolly means I have weak ground. Even so, the battery shows as charging when the bike is running, but the battery goes dead? Does this mean a ground short somewhere - this problem is "keeping me up at night". Still, a great ride. Loved the bike, my first real ride on an Eldo; much more nimble than I expected. If I ever get it sorted out, I think I'm selling the new EV. Thanks, -tom |