Clutch slip - 2014 S10 ZE

[Eono]

Seemingly my 2014 S10 ZE is suffering from a slipping clutch. Bike has done 18.5k miles.

Noticed last week on the way back (in the rain) from Dorset when the clutch felt like it was slipping around 3-4k revs and in 3rd and 4th gear.
No issues setting off in 1st or 2nd gear and no issues upshifting or downshifting. Rode again today, in dry weather and same issue occurred.

Has anyone had the same experience?

In 30+ years of riding have been lucky enough to have never owned a bike before with a slipping clutch, so a new thing for me. Only thing I can think that if may have set it off is that I dropped the bike around 3 weeks ago when stationary after stupidly forgetting to put the side stand down.

 

[Sierra1]

I thought my FJ had a slipping clutch. Turned out that I was spinning the back tire. Would mainly do it when the tires/road were cool. Also, when I was accelerating over the lane stripes. Apparently, they're pretty slick when cool and warm. My point being, could it be the road surface? Seems pretty low mileage for clutch wear, unless you've been stuck in the mud a time or two.

 

[Eono]

I thought my FJ had a slipping clutch. Turned out that I was spinning the back tire. Would mainly do it when the tires/road were cool. Also, when I was accelerating over the lane stripes. Apparently, they pretty slick when cool and warm. My point being could it be the road surface? Seems pretty low mileage for clutch wear, unless you've been stuck in the mud a time or two.

 

[bimota]

yer,

there has to be something else going on 18000 miles its not likely to be slipping clutch unless you,ve been burying the wheel in mud for most of those miles

rob

 

[Eono]

Thanks. Will be checking a few ‘basic’ things first this weekend before delving too deeply and flushing clutch fluid etc.
There is no slip in 1st, 2nd gears, last week riding back it was wet, today dry. Suspect something quite simple as would have expected slippage in all gears, particularly when setting off.

 

[Eono]

yer,

there has to be something else going on 18000 miles its not likely to be slipping clutch unless you,ve been burying the wheel in mud for most of those miles

rob

Yep. Never taken off road, suspect something simple/basic. No issues downshifting or upshifting.

 

[OldRider]

First thing to do is clean the master cylinder and be sure the small return hole isn't clogged up. Bleed the system with new fluid and go ride. If it still slips, I would say you need a clutch.

If you're planning on keeping the bike very long, I would put a Barnett pressure plate kit in. Makes the clutch operate a lot smoother.

 

[bimota]

Yep. Never taken off road, suspect something simple/basic. No issues downshifting or upshifting.

yer, it,ll be something simple even the bike falling over off the stand isn,t likely to cause your issue either

rob

 

[Eono]

Thanks. Makes senses, will be checking basics first to see if will correct.

 

[bimota]

first thing as said flush it a few times see if that helps

rob

 

[RCinNC]

a 2014 S10 with 18,500 miles has been doing a LOT of sitting around over the past almost decade. Are you the original owner? If not, do you know for sure how long it's been since someone changed the clutch fluid in the system? If a clutch is slipping at only 18,500 miles, my first thoughts are 1) contaminated or incorrect oil, 2) contaminated clutch fluid, or 3) the clutch slave cylinder is not working properly.

 

[Fennellg]

Wrong oil comes to mind, And a flush of the clutch fluid won’t hurt anything either. To be safe I would change the oil and check for contamination. Antifreeze, water, foaming. If it persists check and change the clutch plates.

Any other anomalies, gas milage change, oil usage, coolant temp remaining below 220. Just keep working the problem. You will solve it.

 

[WJBertrand]

In the tip over mentioned, did the clutch lever get damaged in some manner that prevents it fully returning when released?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Sierra1]

Or maybe a bad clutch spring? My SECA's springs went bad with the same symptoms. But it had over twice that mileage.

 

[Eono]

first thing as said flush it a few times see if that helps

rob

Thanks Rob, will do a physical check, hand guards etc and if all ok will then go onto flushing.

 

[Fennellg]

Good place to start. What oil do you use? And did you get the bike new?

 

[scott123007]

It is normal for the clutch to slip worse the higher the gear you are in. If the clutch lever has freeplay {1/4" or so} the hydraulic system is probably not at fault. If there is no freeplay, then it could be any of the things mentioned by others in previous posts. Make sure you, or someone else, didn't accidentally put energy conserving oil in the engine.

 

[Eono]

Good place to start. What oil do you use? And did you get the bike new?

Bike is 2nd hand, DOT 4 oil used.

 

[Boris]

Bike is 2nd hand, DOT 4 oil used.

He likely meant engine oil.

 

[Eono]

He likely meant engine oil.

Ok