Hi all, hopefully someone can help me out. My father-in-law started my 1996 750SS today to run it warm but when he tried to select a gear, he said “it didn’t sound good” and when he let out the clutch in either 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear, nothing engaged. mill find out what he means by not sounding good but any advice would be well received.
In addition, the father in law said l: “On tick over it was as expected but didn't engage when I re leased the clutch if the throttle was at a higher rev it was a more heavy clunk when engaged but still wouldn't move when I release the clutch”
Apparently he tried it again this morning and all seemed ok?!?! Maybe it’s the cold weather or something?
I think @Chris might be a better source for ideas. I have only come across this in a car when a component in the gearbox had broken. My thoughts are either the engine oil hadn't warmed up enough and the plates were sticking together, or maybe the oil grade is too heavy for this cold weather.
no, I think you've got it Alan, last 750 (wet clutch) I rode regularly in the winter, I would put in first or second, pull the clutch in and then walk the bike forwards and backwards and then it's very apparent when the clutch plates allow the drum to release from the basket and should then be better at engaging gear when engine running. If this was the main return spring broken or out of adjustment then you usually get a "limp" gearlever that doesn't (strongly) return to the position you are used to.
Further to above, to confirm drive is ok then (as described in last post) put bike in gear without engine running (obviously checking that it selects as normal/as you are used to) then pull clutch in and walk the bike* until plates are free and then try releasing clutch to confirm that clutch is clutching, I can't see why it wouldn't if you experienced the resistance upon first moving the bike*, but will confirm clutch action. Try selecting all gears without engine running (might need to rock bike backwards and forwards during) just to observe that gearlever behaving normally and springing back to "centre" position. Hopefully as you said, the effects of extreme cold weather.
I ran my 750ss on Silkolene Super 4 10/40 Semi-synthetic (although the rep told me it was nearer fully synthetic). I used to get a bit of a clonk when first engaging 1st gear after start up on a very cold day; but the clutch would always engage. Still, after the Harley running Harley Transmission Oil, a small clonk from the Ducati in 1st gear was nothing in comparison. I ran all my bikes on Silkolene apart from an 850 Guzzi (Shell 20-50 for the engine plus Shell gearbox oil EP80) and the Harleys (any heavy duty 20-50 engine oil and Harley Transmission oil).
Linkage system correctly positioned on gearbox splined shaft ? Rod end can foul with casing restricting movement and selection.
Thanks everyone, very grateful for your responses. I think my father in law is doing the right thing for me by starting it up on occasion. Maybe when it’s extremely cold, it’s just worth leaving it in the garage on the trickle charge?
I think the conventional wisdom is that occasional starting over winter does more harm than good, unless you get it up to temp with a proper run. I've always simply covered the bikes (and as you say hooked them up to a trickle charger) from the first gritter until spring.
