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Dies when trying to shift

730 views 26 replies 8 participants last post by  lesblank  
Another approach would be putting the bike in 5th gear and, without the engine running and the clutch not pulled in, roll the bike forward and/or backward as forcefully as you can, in an attempt to get the clutch plates to un-stick. Using 5th rather than 1st will give your rolling it more force on the clutch plates. I did this recently on a dirt bike that had been sitting for 5 years.
5th gear is a much safer way of doing it with the engine running, too. Instead of lighting up the tire it'll usually stall the engine if they're locked up that bad.

Usually if that's the case (stalls the engine), there's a mechanical problem preventing clutch disengagement ... like the missing ball bearing under the clutch lifter from the last guy who didn't know any better and didn't see it roll away.
 
On a side note, that wiring in the pic is asking for trouble in the form of blown fuses, intermittent problems, or a fire, worst case.

I've had plates lock up bad on a RD350 parts bike I had that was sitting for who knows how long - decades I would guess. My method of breaking them free would be frowned upon by OSHA, lol.

Front tire against the building, rear tire on pavement, engine at 6k RPM, and let the clutch fly. :D In my case it worked, but you have to have a plan B in case that doesn't work & the rear tire starts melting down furiously in a cloud of smoke. 😁