Clutch badly slipping, need some help!!

[Curly]

New to all this bike stuff so need a bit of help!
I have a Suzuki dr350 (thought I would post here as it would get more views if thats allowed?!) it would seem that the clutch has gone. Changes into first alright, but when the lever is released it doesn’t really go anyway, it tries to move forward but it wont stall if you stop it. I did just get it going just now and it would ride once moving, but it was still slipping a lot. Worn plates??
Now the only thing is that three days ago it was running, I wouldn’t say 100% as I could feel the clutch slipping a bit, but it would pull away fine and it was stall in first. It seems like overnight something has happened.
And lastly it sounds ok, no knocking noise or grinding anywhere.
So if it was the plates would it go from bad to not working that quickly?
Is this a common problem which is easy to fix??? Im pretty mechanically minded so don’t mind getting my hands dirty!
Cheers,

Tim

[stubbow]

Sounds like it could be plates but could also just be out of adjustment.
Also have you changed the oil not sure on a DR but i have had problems with clutches before if using FULLY synthetic oil.
Danny

[TRANSPORTER]

Yep clutches can go just like that, on my ex,s car I was taking it off the drive, all was fine went to put it in reverse just got it in then it had gone completly, just like that, was fine the day before as it was being driven with no probs.
I agree with the fully synthetic oil bit as above, different oils might induce the slippage in extreme cases, as for adjustment, you could try and see if you can adjust the bite point on the cable, get it so you can have full front brake on and gently let out the clutch, you should be able to stall the bike easily, then make any finer adjustments at the lever end of the cable. But I would put my money on the plates being knackered, easy job to fix just make sure you torque up the bolts correctly on the clutch basket.

[StumpyFingers]

A clutch can go like that I once had a lorry with slight clutch slip, the mechanic said do this 5 mile run then we will replace the clutch, I pulled up in a traffic jam put it in neutral and when I re-engaged the gears it just sat there with no drive.

[Curly]

Well had another look at it, looks like its due to a combination of 3 things.

Firstly without doubt the clutch is slipping so will need to be changed, but this was made far worse by the clutch cable being too tight so wasn’t releasing the lever on the box enough. The last thing that was making it bad was the cable is sticking abit so in order to really use the clutch well you almost have to push the lever out.

So next steps will be to take apart the clutch and have a look. What is the best oil to use then? I havent changed any oil in it yet, so not sure what the bloke before me put in it. He did say he did a full service on it but he was a bit of a farmer so it could have been anything he put in there!!


Will the new plates cost a lot??

[stubbow]

New cable about £20
Ebc clutch kit about £50-£60
Try here The UK’s biggest choice of motorcycle parts for Japanese and European machines.
Also try Derek at CMS pinhoe may be a couple of quid more but you won't have a postage charge and if he hasn't got it he will get it in 24hrs
Danny

[TRANSPORTER]

Cable may only need some lube down it and abit of working to make it free,er? ( good word that one), as for clutch plates you may only need the friction plates, get a micrometre and measure the thickness of the steel plates they might be well within the tolerances, and not require changing.
As for the oil for the safest bet put in some motorcycle semi synthetic, its the best of both worlds then and you cant go wrong if the previous owner has put other oils in, in the past.
trying to save you a bit of money here, and its more fun nursing your pride and joy back to health aswell.