Suzuki GS550, clutch hubs still bonded together, even with all plates removed

[liams567]

Hello

 

I recently bought a 83 GS550 as a project bike, it's been sitting unused for at least 10 years. It's currently not yet running, but the engine is turning over smoothly by hand.

 

Unsurprisingly the clutch was stuck (when bike is in gear and I pull on the clutch lever, back wheel still linked to crankshaft). I've verified the clutch linkage actuates the pressure plate correctly. I went on to disassemble the clutch, removing all the plates to check for debris/grooved basket. Nothing significant found.

 

However the inner hub still seems bonded to the outer basket, even with all the plates removed. With the bike in 1st, when I try to spin the back wheel, it's still connected to the crank, and both the inner hub and outer basket of the clutch spin together, as if they're still bonded.

 

I don't know if it's related, but the washer behind the main clutch nut is pretty badly mangled, I imagine impact drill wasn't seated properly before it was fastened. Don't know if that's related at all but thought it's worth mentioning, as it's the only thing with the clutch assembly that looks amiss. 

 

I thought it might be related to a faulty side stand switch, but turns out this bike doesn't even have one, and besides this is all happening with the ignition off.

 

Anyone got any thoughts? Am I missing something stupid?

[Stu]

The washer that you see if probably the type that is peened over to stop the nut coming undone and I suspect that your issue maywell be with the bearings behing the hub 

[liams567]

54 minutes ago, Stu said:

The washer that you see if probably the type that is peened over to stop the nut coming undone and I suspect that your issue maywell be with the bearings behing the hub 

 

Thanks, I think you might be right, the basket feels a bit wobbly so perhaps a damaged bearing. Will remove and inspect

[fastbob]

For this to happen , something pretty nasty must be lurking behind the inner basket ..

[RideWithStyles]

Yea agree with stu about the washer, if its really cleanly done its as factory but if its looking like its been chewed on it maybe have had attention paid to it previously... for better (trained mechanics) or for worse (bodger).

Gremlins .

Edited August 31, 2023 by RideWithStyles