Thursday, April 9, 2020

Unsticking a sticky clutch on a KLR 650 2009 model

I have a 2009 KLR 650 and I've had trouble unsticking my clutch. What it does is I start the engine up with the electric starter (because there is no kick starter on a KLR 650 like my old bikes of the 1940s to 1970s vintage. I spent a lot of time push starting in 2nd my old World War II BSA 500 used in North Africa in World War II. That thing was a real tank but had no battery or rear suspension other than the springs in the seat so you had to stand up going over a bump or you might break your back or damage yourself but the pedals and handlebars were set up for standing up on that bike too.

So, this is the most useful article so far on this problem of a sticking clutch problem. I have still not been able to get my bike into gear and ride it now for months. But, it's also true I haven't been trying that hard either because a lot of other stuff has been going on.

First, I wasn't feeling well last fall and my wife thought I might die and then I started taking Entresto for my heart and got much better so I don't have shortness of breath anymore and I can hike along the beach and into the forest and even ski if I want to now again.

So, about January I started trying to start my motorcycle but realized that I needed to refill my battery with distilled water. But then I had to find the right socket to take off the plastic protector that leads to the battery which took a little time. Then I refilled the battery with distilled water and returned it to the bike and then put a trickle charger on the leads I had installed several year ago now to charge the battery up after refilling it. But, the battery must be getting older because it's only the 2nd battery I have had in it since 2009 when I bought the bike new then. It looks new because I have always stored it in my garage though under shelter since 2009.

But, when I tried the first method of releases the clutch and on my left handlebar while the engine was running several times while gunning the engine didn't work in unsticking my clutch. I would have just run with the bike and popped it in 2nd but I"m almost 72 now and I could get injured running like that at least at this point and jumping on because a KLR 650 is a very tall bike even though I'm 6 foot 5 I'm still almost 72 years old now.

My days of jumping my motorcycles with the bottom of my rear tire 8 feet off the ground are back now in the 1970s for me.

So, anyway I still haven't solved the clutch problem and still haven't been able to actually ride the bike yet.

But, this looks pretty good by the way it is written so if you are having this problem try what they say:
begin quote from:

https://advrider.com/f/threads/sticky-clutch-on-a-klr650.306507/

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Sticky clutch on a KLR650

Discussion in 'Thumpers' started by klrdave, Jan 29, 2008.

klrdave, Jan 29, 2008

#1

klrdavemisguided

Joined:

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I'm not sure if this is a common problem or not, but the clutch on my KLR sticks really bad when the bike is cold. Once I get going down the street it's fine. Sometimes it takes several tries to get going without it stalling. Once I start to let out the clutch lever it grabs instantly, but like I said only when it's first started. Any suggestions?

#1
Bigger Al, Jan 29, 2008

#2

Bigger AlStill a stupid tire guySupporter

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Try breaking the clutch plates free by rocking the bike in gear before you start it. Could be the oil is getting gunked up and the plates are starting to stick. Snicking up into neutral before shutting it off for the night might help, too.

#2

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DirtDabber, Jan 29, 2008

#3

DirtDabbercultural illiterate

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Way, Way North GA

How long since you changed your oil?

I have noticed with fresh oil my clutch is much better. The natural tendancy is for the plates to stick over time. On one of my trials bikes you have to do a rolling start in 2nd and work your way up to 4th before the plates free up.

Pull the lever a couple of times before you start the bike and maybe rock it back and forth in gear before you start it. that will help free the plates. If it doesn't work shift into second rather than first so there is not as much torque and then click into first.

#3
kdxkawboy, Jan 30, 2008

#4

kdxkawboyMr. NVKLRGirl

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Would agree it is time to change your oil. If fresh oil doesn't solve the problem you can try "boiling' the engine clean. You can get a can of the special treatment at Kragens, or most any auto parts store, that mixes with your oil and chemically cleans your engine's innards. I've always used kerosene or diesel. A 50-50 mix usually does the trick. You don't do any riding with this mixture, you just bring the engine up to full operating temperature by idling for 15-20 minutes and then draining the oil back out. Use a lightweight motor oil such as 10W or 20W. The diesel/kerosene acts as both a solvent and a very, very light weight motor oil.

#4

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TebKLR, Jan 30, 2008

#5

TebKLRBeen here awhile

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SE 'sconsin....for now....

Mine is exactly the same. 32K miles with no (so far!) ill effects.

#5
Birdmove, Jan 30, 2008

#6

BirdmoveLong timer

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Both of the Kawasaki dual sports I've owned (2001 KLR250,2005 KLR650) had that problem too. And I'm talking every single time either bike sat overnight, the clutch plates would stick when I went to start them.So I would just put the bike in 1st gear and hold in the clutch lever and push them forwards and backwards a few times until the plates broke loose, then I would start them up for the warmup.This became a daily part of my starting drill with those bikes, and with the 650 to this day.It never made any difference how clean or dirty the oil was-it simply happened every day.I put over 10,000 miles on the 250 and I'm at 9000 on the 650.No big deal-better get used ti it.

jon

#6
Hondo, Jan 30, 2008

#7

Hondo**********

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Mine quit doing that when I moved over to synthetic oil (Shell Rotella T 5W-40).

#7
klrdave, Jan 30, 2008

#8

klrdavemisguided

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It doesn't seem to matter with the age of the oil. I change it quite often. I was just curious whether this was common or not or something potentially wrong. Thanks for the advice!