950 Supermoto Chronicles

[samppa2005]

I was thinking that it could have something to do with the push rod getting stuck and rotating with the clutch. But honestly it could be just about anything. Can't tell without opening it up. New slave -> clutch problems could be connected but then again they might not.

[wpbarlow]

Originally Posted by corndog67

I really doubt a failling clutch slave could fry your clutch, the hydraulic clutch just disengages the clutch, it doesn't keep it from engaging, that is, when you pull the clutch,. it pushes the pushrod to disengage the clutch, so if it is not working, the clutch is fully engaged. It wouldn't make it slip or fry.

Maybe not directly, but if there's a clutch rod/slave length mismatch it will keep the clutch partially engaged which will cause it to slip. Do that long enough and you could fry the clutch.

If you still have the stock unit put it in and see if it works (unless the clutch is truly fried)

There have been a couple of pushrod designs of different length. And I think there were (haven't heard of it in a while) also some slight manufacturing abnormalities of some sort in the area with a very small number of early 950s. I could not use an Evoluzione slave on my 2004 950S no matter which pushrod, orings, etc. combination I used because the clutch would slip. I tried 2 different units from Evo as well as a friend's unit; even had a dealer do the install once. No joy- it would only work with a stock unit. At the time I was puzzling all this out there were 3 other early 950 owners who had the same problem that I was aware of (the Evoluzione folks told me about two, and the third popped up in the thread I started (or vice versa, I forget which).

[BuckMoto]

When I bought my SMR, the owner of the dealership warned me to never use antything but full synthetic oil or the clutch could slip. He told me of a trip with some buddies he took, and his buddie's clutch started slipping after a while. Sure enough he had done an oil change just before the trip with a non-synthetic oil. One oil change later and he was back in business. I wonder if the mechanic was distracted during your oil change...I hope your problem is this easy to fix EastSideSM.

[aerone]

Yup, what I meant to say. I just read my post again and noticed I said master cylinder. + 1 on if it was working and got worked on and quit. The "repair" might be the problem.

[preppypyro]

Any updates eastside??

[snowhawk jockey]

Hoping the best for your safe return EastsideSM!

I am liking the dino vs synth oil theory for your clutch slippage. Hope it isn't a total failure...

Clearly I need to start a collection of these "dead" shorai batteries that everyone and their dog is killing and see if there is a market for hightech failed batteries! That dead battery just got you into the midset for fixing and recovery...


edit to add:
I have to relate a disturbing experience with my bike.
I had parked it at a buddies house, dead battery, uncleaned and still wearing her Giant Loop saddle/tank bags from my trip to Leguna Seca, the day before I left for Indy MotoGP. I just leaned 'er against his garden shed and let him know he didn't have to worry about anything. He called later and asked what was up with the bike, so I told him that I didn't have time to charge the batty before I left and take it home. He understood and threatened to charge the battery and clean the bike "for me" while I was away. I told him to do no such thing, since it wasn't the end of riding season yet and I don't clean until it is time for winter hibernation. My wishes fell on deaf ears and sure enough, when I got home, he had stripped off the luggage, charged the battery, simplegreened and washed the whole damn thing, degreased around the rear rim where I had a nasty pile of chainlube/dirt build up and generally taken care of/looked after a seasons worth of grime, then parked it in his garage. Of course I thanked him profusely for his valiant efforts and realized that he did in fact save me a whole afternoons worth of work. The bike is due for major servicing and now I can tear down for a valve job without digging all the dirt out of everyone of those motor crevices... so I guess that is the silver lining to the clean bike cloud!

I know, I know, pics or it didn't happen, but I'm kinda embarrassed to show off a clean ride

[angustoyou]

My understanding of the clutch slipping because of the wrong type of oil was that if spec called for regular oil, then fully synthetic would be too slippy and could cause the clutch to slip.

So not a problem to go the other way, as the SM specs fully synthetic as standard.

+2 on send it back to who last played with the clutch, maybe they made a mistake, maybe it was just a coincidence.

Bad luck either way, hope it gets sorted quickly and easily.

[snowhawk jockey]

Originally Posted by angustoyou

My understanding of the clutch slipping because of the wrong type of oil was that if spec called for regular oil, then fully synthetic would be too slippy and could cause the clutch to slip.

So not a problem to go the other way, as the SM specs fully synthetic as standard.

+2 on send it back to who last played with the clutch, maybe they made a mistake, maybe it was just a coincidence.

Bad luck either way, hope it gets sorted quickly and easily.

That is a good point as well. I remember the old synth with moly being particularly a problem for that kind of oil swap slippage.

[EastSideSM]

Guys,

Thanks forthe input. I should know tomorrow.

Those running stock clutch, how many miles on them?

Could just be coincidence and my clutch was on its last legs.


I'll keep you posted.

[wpbarlow]

Originally Posted by EastSideSM

...Those running stock clutch, how many miles on them?...

35,000 miles, Evoluzione installed at about 24,000 miles iirc. No issues (yet ).

[snakebitten]

Originally Posted by snowhawk jockey

Hoping the best for your safe return EastsideSM!

I am liking the dino vs synth oil theory for your clutch slippage. Hope it isn't a total failure...

Clearly I need to start a collection of these "dead" shorai batteries that everyone and their dog is killing and see if there is a market for hightech failed batteries! That dead battery just got you into the midset for fixing and recovery...


edit to add:
I have to relate a disturbing experience with my bike.
I had parked it at a buddies house, dead battery, uncleaned and still wearing her Giant Loop saddle/tank bags from my trip to Leguna Seca, the day before I left for Indy MotoGP. I just leaned 'er against his garden shed and let him know he didn't have to worry about anything. He called later and asked what was up with the bike, so I told him that I didn't have time to charge the batty before I left and take it home. He understood and threatened to charge the battery and clean the bike "for me" while I was away. I told him to do no such thing, since it wasn't the end of riding season yet and I don't clean until it is time for winter hibernation. My wishes fell on deaf ears and sure enough, when I got home, he had stripped off the luggage, charged the battery, simplegreened and washed the whole damn thing, degreased around the rear rim where I had a nasty pile of chainlube/dirt build up and generally taken care of/looked after a seasons worth of grime, then parked it in his garage. Of course I thanked him profusely for his valiant efforts and realized that he did in fact save me a whole afternoons worth of work. The bike is due for major servicing and now I can tear down for a valve job without digging all the dirt out of everyone of those motor crevices... so I guess that is the silver lining to the clean bike cloud!

I know, I know, pics or it didn't happen, but I'm kinda embarrassed to show off a clean ride

Great story! I guess I believe it. Regardless, great story.

[Garry]

Originally Posted by EastSideSM

Guys,

Thanks forthe input. I should know tomorrow.

Those running stock clutch, how many miles on them?

Could just be coincidence and my clutch was on its last legs.


I'll keep you posted.

49K miles on the stock clutch. Evoluzione installed a year ago (just because) even though the stock slave was still working.

[EastSideSM]

Originally Posted by Garry

49K miles on the stock clutch. Evoluzione installed a year ago (just because) even though the stock slave was still working.

Wow Garry, I think you have been riding. In any event if the clutch is toast I think I'll put a stock pack back in. I may uppgrade my basket to one from CJ Designs. I got one of his covers recently.very nice stuff.

Oh and my cocnclusion on the shorai is they suck. I lost one in cold weather and one in hot. Id rather have a heavy battery thhat works when it should.

[DM47]

Originally Posted by preppypyro

Im curious if you gave the bike an oil change recently, maybe it got the wrong oil in it?

If it's JASO-MA you're fine -- conventional or synthetic. Use a decent oil and the engine will be lubricated and protected. Some brands/types may effect shift feel a bit, but the bottom line will still be met (lubricated and protected).

One thing I have not yet seen asked about in this current case:
Eastside, when the oil was changed, what was the condition of the clutch oil jet? Was this inspected and/or serviced by the dealer that performed the oil change? If it is plugged, what is the impact to clutch performance?

[Milar]

I've developed a small oil drip on the bottom of the bike. I've tightened the drain plug and it didn't help. I double gasketed the plug and I still get a couple of drips when parked overnight. Any suggestions?

M