| Author | Message | ||
     Geopatr |
Two weeks ago I took delivery of a demo 06 Uly. You can read about the clutch problems posted in another thread- http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/297092.html?1186653750 Today I took my first highway ride of around 200mi.round trip. I thought my clutch problems were fixed. Wrong!! At highway speeds under heavy load in 4th and 5th gear it starts slipping again at around 4000 rpm under hard acceleration!! Does it need more fine tuning or is the clutch shot? Tomorrow I am leaving on a family vacation. Uly will sit in the garage for two weeks. Maybe it will fix it self!!  | ||
| Old_mil |
Better idea...let the Uly sit at the dealer for two weeks... | ||
| Geopatr |
Thanks Old mil Great idea. But the closest Buell dealer is 500mi away!!  | ||
| Khelton |
Three weeks ago we took our Uly's places where they didn't belong, the trails required a lotta clutch slipping and eventually one of the clutches surrendered completely, would not pull it's own weight even on level ground, cooling off didn't help and any adjustments didn't help. We loaded the badly abused Buell in a truck, took it back to Pike's Peak Harley, counting dollar bills. We knew it needed a new clutch. We got the bike bike the following morning, all it needed was some sort of adjustment at the clutch basket ( I don't get it and no, not at the clutch lever / cable ) , no charge and the clutch works as good as new. I don't completely understand it but it worked. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Just before my third Florida - N.C. and-back trip this summer, I did my 5000 mile service, with all the oils and filter changes, clutch adjustment by the shop manual, and a new rear Pirelli. 500 miles into the 720 mile trip north, I managed to impale a nice wood chunk into my new rear tire.  I pulled off the highway, and found a nice shady under-90-degree spot, and proceeded to plug my rear tire. I had a brand new, NEVER USED plug kit, the one with the "gun" and the rubber mushroom plugs. I had always used the standard sticky strand type plugs before, and never had a problem with them. While I filled up the tire with my compressor, I read the warnings for the plug kit I was using -- 100 miles only, TEMPORARY use. Would I make the 220 miles to my destination ? I set off with more than a little concern, and tried to maintain a little slower speed than normal. After about 125 miles, I quickly had a loss of rear pressure. The road was a 4 lane state route with a median and about a 1 foot "breakdown" lane. I saw a sign for a scenic overlook just ahead, and tried to make it to the pull-out area. The tire was too flat to safely ride, even for the 200 feet uphill remaining. Not wanting to risk unseating the bead, I stopped the bike and tried to push it the remaining distance. Too flat, and too uphill. Now to the point of the story !  I had to walk the bike while slipping the clutch repeatedly in order to reach the overlook area for my tire repair. My Uly was not happy with the abuse, but I really had little choice. Once I re-plugged and refilled the tire, I headed back on my way, but the clutch was much different in it's engagement point. If I so much as touched the clutch lever while riding, it would start to slip. Once I arrived at my destination, I replugged the tire with the type of plug I was used to (thank you super Wallyworld !) and made minor adjustments to the clutch at the cable. Everything worked OK enough, but when I got back to Florida 2 days later, I pulled the primary cover to re-adjust the clutch per the shop manual. The burnt clutch smell was overwhelming ! I changed the Formula +, and adjusted the clutch, and the difference was night and day ! I have had NO problems with the clutch in the 2000 miles since either, so no damage other than some wear is apparent. If you have not truly fried your clutch plates, I would re-adjust the clutch at the primary, AND change the fluids before doing anything else. Oh, and the rubber mushroom/gun plug kit was deep-sixed, and it's place in my saddlebag was replaced with my Wallyworld replacement !  | ||
| Stevenknapp |
If the cable is adjusted right, go for the primary adjustment. Three T27 screws to pop the keystone looking cover off, then you turn the little screw until tight, and then back it off 1/4-1/2 a turn so the hex/nut holder thing holds it in place. I could scan the page of the service manual if needed. It's 10min of work, and I'd guess would fix your issue. | ||
| Florida_lime |
"Seated.... is a little bit of a misnomer. Just tighten it until you feel the first little resistance, like the above post said. Sounds like you tightened the screw until it bottomed out and then the lever won't move, because you've already disengaged the clutch with the set screw." From the other thread -- don't turn the screw until tight, just until resistance is felt. | ||
| Geopatr |
Thanks guys for your help. I am on vacation right now, but when I return I'll change the fluid and do another adjustment and see if that helps. I am keeping my fingers crossed. |
