85 Honda vf1000r clutch problem

I recently bought this bike and when I pull the clutch lever in then put it in gear and then the bike jumps forward and dies without letting the lever out.

 

Hello and welcome to the MadHouse:welcome:

When you get a chance you might want to swing by the Introductions section of the forum and say Hi to the rest of the folks on here and maybe post up a photo of your bike - they like photos on here. You may also want to update your forum profile (Forum Actions+Edit Profile) to include the year and specs of your bike and an approximate location city/state is fine - that way if you need help you may find someone nearby is willing to drop by and advise especially if you have a few beers in the fridge.

:focus:


You should be able to check if the clutch or safety interlocks is the problem if your bike has a main stand or you have a paddock stand to lift the rear wheel. Basically put bike on main stand - with engine off - select first gear (you may have to rotate the rear wheel to get the bike into gear). So then by hand attempt to rotate the rear wheel in the correct direction. The engine compression will obviously fight you - making it pretty difficult to turn more than a small amount. Next hold in the clutch lever fully and repeat the rotation test (you may need help). Basically if the clutch is working correctly you should now be able to rotate the rear wheel (Ok there will be slightly more drag but you won't be turning the engine. However if the clutch is faulty it will not allow you to rotate the rear wheel even with the clutch lever held in fully.

You can also assess the bite point by continuing to slowly rotate the rear wheel by hand and slowly release the clutch lever. If the clutch drags even with the lever fully pulled in, or starts to drag virtually at the top - then the clutch needs attention.

Basically if the clutch is working OK then you probably need to check out the side-stand and neutral safety interlocks - (especially the side-stand switch) as what you describe (bike lurching and engine dies as you release the clutch with the bike in gear) sounds like the safety interlock system is getting triggered - possibly because the bike thinks the side stand is still down.

Good luck - let us know how you get on.


SkiMad

 

If the bike has been sitting for a length of time, it is highly likely that the clutch plates are merely stuck together. Happens sometimes when I bring bikes out from winterization.

After warming the bike up, turn it off and while in gear, pull in the clutch and rock the bike back and forth as hard as you can. Some can be very stuck.

Not recommended unless you really know what you are doing, but you can also get the bike running and give a running start before clicking in gear. Then with the clutch pulled in do a bunch of on and off the gas while riding. This is dangerous and not recommended, but I've done it so many times.

Of course this is all assuming your hydraulic clutch master cylinder is operating normally and is pushing on the clutch pack.

U.S. VF1000R's did not have a sidestand switch.

 

do you feel resistance when you squeeze the clutch lever ?

 

No there is no resistance, i squeeze the clutch in then put it in gear and it dumps instantly

 

It has been sitting but there is no resistance on the lever and when I put it In gear it dumps instantly

 

Time to bleed the hydraulic clutch, if you can. You may have multiple issues in regards to that, but it's worth a shot. Just like bleeding brakes, with the "caliper" being the slave cylinder on the counter shaft sprocket cover.

No resistance at all should have clued you in as to at least where to start. Hydraulic or cable, you should expect resistance as you are manipulating a spring loaded pack.

 

Already blead the clutch but still no resistance

 

How long has the bike been sitting?, possibly the DOT 3 fluid has gelled up in the line or the slave or at bottom of the master (not letting fluid back into piston)

 

Time to start dis-assembling, cleaning and inspecting.