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Originally Posted by larrybuck
Now, even on a fast entry 55mph on flat to a quite moderate hill, it's slipping along with my piece of mind.
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Sounds like clutch slippage to me.
There's a few causes for that.
- Unsuitable oil, if it's a wet clutch.
- worn clutch plates
- worn clutch springs
Don't ride it if you don't have to before it's sorted.
Keep it out of the conditions where slippage occurs if you have to ride it.
At 18K (really, after 28 years ???) it shouldn't have its clutch slipping.
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Everybody tells me that they have NEVER seen problems w shaft bikes, supposedly bullet proof.
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They can have the very same problems as chain driven bikes.
A belt drive won't sort clutch issues either.
Shafties tend to be driven more by older, more relaxed drivers over longer distances though - that's probably where the difference is
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Could just the clutch be slipping, and it's not shaft related at all?
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I'd look into clutch issues rather than / before looking at the shaft.
And do it soon, it might still be recoverable.
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Can a simple adjustment of some kind be the cure?
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Unlikely, but make sure the clutch is fully disengaged when it's pulled in.
If it uses an external pushrod to operate the clutch (as Suzuki does), make sure it's straight and moves freely either way when the clutch is operated.
At least on chain-bikes, there can be a lot of grime & grease sticking to it and the clutch linkage mechanism.
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2nd Silverwing was owned before me by one who used regular car oil in it instead of motorcycle oil.
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Does it have a wet clutch ?
If so, have you had the oil changed since ?
Wet clutches and car oil usually don't go well together.
A wet clutch needs an oil that won't let the clutch slip.
Most of these are dedicated bike oils.
In a wet clutch set up, don't skimp on oil, it has a very hard life in there.
If it has a wet clutch and the previous owner's oil, get a cheap but wet-clutch rated oil, drain and refill.
If that cures the slippage, drain and refill with a better quality wet-clutch rated oil.
If that's not curing it, the most likely issue is worn clutch plates.
It's something you can do for yourself with the guidance of a manual.
Make sure you put everything back in the way it came out though - especially clutch plates.