clutch slipping issues

This site has been extremly helpful when it coes to the topic of clutch slipping. After reading some of the posts I went to go try to adjust my clutch cable at the case housing and found that the spring on the throw out arm is broken. My clutch slips only at high rpms and I was wondering if the spring could be the source of slipping????

 

Mine was broken also but I never noticed any slippage. Chacal has them and is a great person to get parts from.

 

It only happens after 7000 rpms. I am just hoping that it could be the spring or cable before the plates.

 

You don't say which XJ you have but they all come on real strong above 7K rpm. Depending on mileage, type of oil, whether or not the bike sat for a long time, you might get away with just disassembly and a good cleaning. It's not the spring, it just pulls the cable and arm back so the throwout pull-rod bearing isn't being loaded all the time.

 

is the cable tight? if yes, adjust it looser so there is a bit of slack.

 

Yes the cable has a bit of slack..The next thing I try will be the oil. This was my first bike and when I gave it an oil change I used just 10w-30 Quaker State automobile oil which from the sounds of what ive read on this site was probably a bad idea. The bike is an 82 xj750 has 13k on it and it sat for a couple years.

 

Ahh. Clutch plates are quite probably not worn out but very possibly gummed up. Oil COULD be the issue; start there. You want 10W40, 20W40 or 20W50 MOTORCYCLE oil. (Replace the clutch cable arm return spring of course.) If it keeps slipping, the next step would be to simply pull it apart and thoroughly clean everything, check plate thickness and plain plates for signs of blueing, and if everything looks ok, put it back together. You might need new clutch basket (pressure plate) springs but maybe not. (They're cheap, all you gotta do is measure 'em while they're out.)

 

Im doin the oil change tonite and I ordered the spring.... Hopin for the best right now thanks for all the help. Can I clean the clutch plates with just regular brake cleaner or is their something else I should use.

 

I soak 'em repeatedly with BrakeKleen and blot on shop towel (those blue paper towels from the auto parts) to draw the residue out. After a couple of "cycles" they come away clean. Be sure to take notes/draw diagrams when you take the clutch apart so it goes back together correctly. You will need the big paper gasket between the clutch housing and the engine, too. It usually self-destructs...

 

I did the oil change and for a minute it seemed like it was cured. The oil change helped but it still wants to slip mainly in 2nd and 5th gear above 7000 rpms. I figure on just riding for a little while longer and taking it easy on her then pulling it apart when the time is right. Thanks for all the tips.

 

The longer you ride it with the right oil the better it will get, you might get lucky. Otherwise tear it down and clean everything, it's not a major project. I'd rank valve adjustment a bigger headache.

 

If you have to dissamble the clutch for inspection and cleaning. Replace the clutch springs in the basket, these bikes have some age on them and the springs get weak over time letting the clutch slip under load. I have had my XS and XJ1100 clutch slipping solved with a new set of springs. They are inexpensive , maybe 15$ but thats cheaper than new clutch plates.