Clutch vs. neutral

When you press a well adjusted clutch with the engine OFF, is it just
as easy to push the bike than it is on neutral (engine off)?

On this 1970 TS250, it seems that there is some resistance to push the
bike forwards or backwards when depressing clutch lever (engine off) -
not like having the engine in gear and not pressing the clutch, but a
lot more resistance than in neutral.

Is this normal, or is the clutch in need of adjustment? In other
words, is the bike on the clutch supposed to behave exactly as in
neutral when the engine is off?

Thanks!

 

it's normal. Try it when before you start the bike; then start the bike and
try it (clutch in) -- it'll be easier with a warmed up bike... but you'll still
feel resistances vs. neutral.

 

This is normal with a multi-plate wet clutch. When the oil is cold and
thick, it will drag a fair bit as the plates aren't all that far apart
even when the clutch is disengaged.


Matt

 

Thanks for the replies - much appreciated.

I also found this interesting link:
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

I quote:
"**=Wet clutches may tend to stick or drag a bit until the bike has
warmed up and the clutch has spun a bit. This is often the case when
the clutch hasn't been used in a while. Wait until the bike has really
warmed up before you dismiss a potential acquisition for having an
overly-sticky clutch. "

On another topic...

I am looking for some links on noises from the engine and the clutch -
troubleshooting. I am not sure what kinds of noises are normal on
this kind of bike, and which ones might be the cause of some concern.

For now there is a noise from the clutch in neutral which goes away
when I depress the lever (slight vibration sounding noise - perhaps it
needs to be readjusted) and there is friction sounding noises at
certain rpms, probably from the cylinder.

So if anyone can suggests good links on motorcycle noises
troubleshooting, post them here.

TS250