'85 XJ750 Maxim X Clutch issues

Just got this bike in the fall, not sure of the mileage as the speedo was broken.

Got her fired up and was ready for her maiden run this spring, went to pull in the clutch and found it to be loose. tightened the cable adjustment at the bars but this made it very hard to engage the clutch, something is going on. When the clutch is engaged and it is in gear, you can hear a rubbing in, what i assume is, the clutch when I roll the bike.

I winterized the bike, and put new oil in the crankcase.

i am new to bikes but am very mechanically inclined,

Is there a good write up on clutches and adjusting/troubleshooting them?i searched to no avail.

 

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29541.html Although it's based on the 550/600s, it applies to the bigger bikes as well; your plain plates won't have tabs to worry about orienting, and you won't have a "clutch boss spring w/special friction plate" either.

Most of the tech articles are in "FAQ Suggestions."

 

Just throwing this out there, but are you sure the "rubbing" sound is comming from the clutch? Maybe the the front or rear brakes grabbing and making the sound. As for the stiff clutch, maybe you have an issue with the spring or springs in the basket? Or maybe the linkages to the clutch are binding. Not really familiar enough with the clutch to say for sure????

Mike

 

Have you put any miles on it since you got it out of "hibernation"?

Make sure the cable is working easy and not hanging up. When released, the clutch lever shouldn't have any tension on it. Even check where the arm goes into the case for a little slack (just no tension really)

If you haven't put many miles on it and it sat, the plates may just be "sticky" and need to get that fresh oil worked around and the old sludge cleaned out.

It's pretty critical to make sure the cable isn't hanging up and not releasing the clutch all the way otherwise it would be easy to damage some otherwise good plates.

A plate pack is about $100 BUT with the X you need to pull the cooling tubes and water pump partially apart to get the cover off and once you disturb the orings on those tubes you need to replace them otherwise you are guaranteed to have them leaking.
The water cooled part pretty much doubles the labor so it's a good idea to see if there is another less intense solution.

Hopefully you used proper motor oil for wet-clutches.

 

the issue i have is the clutch doesnt engage until the lever is almost completely out, i tried adjusting but never could get a def answer on how to find out if it neeading to be changed, order a clutch kit and a used basket with clutch plates in it, but would like to find out if its the cable or the springs.. please PM of the suggestions that you have..