Stuck clutch, before I go too deep...

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MikeM

MikeM

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My 71 Commando has been sitting for 18 years. Now its running. The clutch appears to be stuck. Before I go further than I need to, what should I check?
The lever feels totally normal. Pressure when I pull it, releases and goes back where it should. When I pull in the clutch lever and put it in gear, it jumps and kills the motor. Is there an adjustment I should look at? Could the plates be rusted and stuck? I am thinking of getting it rolling, kick it into 2nd and start working the lever hoping it will knock the plates loose. Am I going down the wrong road here? Missing something obvious?
Thoughts, opinions?
Thanks MikeM
 
I assume if you pull in the clutch lever and try to kick it over, you can't move the kickstart lever?
 
I would try and free the clutch first just by kicking it over with the clutch lever pulled in and the ignition off. If no joy try rocking the bike with it in a high gear with the clutch lever pulled in again. If no good I would strip the clutch and clean/replace the plates as necessary which would be a good idea anyway given that it has stood for so long. It might not be such a good idea to knock it into gear when it is running in case you damage anything in the gearbox. Just my thoughts on what I would do anyway!
 
Pulling the primary cover, removing the diaphram and cleaning through the drive and friction plates should be the least that you do.

God only knows along with others who have done this, will attest to what could be damaged by forcing the issue by various popping of the clutch methods. Whether you can free it up by this violent way or not, you will still have to get in there and clean this out.

Don't forget to inspect the clutch center for being groove up (notched by the friction plated).
 
18 yrs. ? Hope the tires are good enough for the parking lot only. But do get your paws on the clutch special tool and pull things all apart. Easy.
 
It is easy. And once you've pulled the clutch apart, the most cost-effective thing you can do is to replace all of the friction plates with a new set. Under 60 bucks. Plates that have been sitting in an oil bath for 18 years aren't worth keeping. And as the wise lad from Toronto said, for the sake of your family and friends, replace the old rubber.
 
No doubt the rubber will be replaced. This is a project for me and I want to get it rolling and running under its own power. It has a long way to go yet.
I am looking forward to that first long ride around the block. The tires scare me also.
MikeM
 
Obviously as already said removing the primary cover and stripping the clutch down would be the best way. However just to get things working I would cable-tie the clutch lever back against the bar, drain the oil from the primary and put a quantity of parrafin (kerosene) in there and let it soak for a day or two, start the engine to get it to slosh around a bit, I think you'll fin that will free it up,

Dave.
 
Great that you got it running. Also great that you CAN do the push-off rolling start and drop it into gear, then simply hold in the clutch while revving gently and shifting up and down through 1st and 2nd, along a clear, straight road. You can most likely free it off with no chance of damage that way.

Definitely get in there and replace the plates, though...
 
My Triumph, my Sportster, my Honda all pull the same crap all of the time as I don't get to ride them enough.I just bungee the clutch lever tight to the handlebar for a couple of hours (in your case perhaps overnight) then start it, let it warm and GENTLY try to coax it into 2nd gear. If resistance is felt or heard, shut off the enging and simply try putting it in 2nd and rocking fore and aft. Also had them break free just by kicking with the clutch lever in. I havn't had one defeat me yet and never have had a need to replace one.
If once you get it loose and it acts funny I would replace the clutches. If the adjustment was good when you parked it, it should still be good.

Tom
 
Just done mine on my new Commando, it hadn't been ridden for 6+ years.
Took it apart, cleaned the plates with Cellulose thinners, is now wonderful.
 
To make things a little less brutal, tie the clutch lever back, get the rear wheel safely off the ground then get it running in second gear and use the back brake,

Dave.
 
You could get lucky and have the clutch break free with any of the more brutal ideas put forth, but you'll just end up replacing the clutch hub a lot sooner as it will begin to knotch or it will deepen the knotches it already has. Spend the time and money, do it right then you won't have to look back...

RS
 
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