I just had my 1999 Buell S3 towed home all the sudden i Had no clutch that was 12-18-22...After watching your video a few minutes ago 12-21-2022 went downstairs and adjusted my clutch per this video and my bike works fine .....LOL I was going to buy a pulley for 479.00 from ebay you just saved me that whole deal from this video....TY
Hi Mike, you're welcome! For some reason, UA-cam is not letting me reply to your comment. When you adjust the adjuster out on the cable, you are releasing the pressure on the clutches(bringing all the plates together).What you are actually turning with the screwdriver is the throw-out bearing shaft. It is adjusting the ramp, which is what your cable is attached to. The ramp makes contact with the diaphragm spring/pressure plate of the clutch pack. So what you do when you bottom it(lightly), is you are adjusting to any material loss from the clutch plates. Hard to visualize, but find a factory service manual, and always have that on hand!
your vids are informative and straight to the point with no bs..thank you. i adjusted mine just like you stated but while turning the flathead screw behind cover ccw, mine got tight and wouldnt bottom out. cable was adjusted as far as the nut would allow. what actually does turning this screw ccw do?
Thank you for the video and thank you for following up with people in the comments! I am about to adjust my 06 blast I just picked up. First bike and the clutch feels a little odd.
@@dbc1dc I adjusted just the cable and its much better, I am guessing the side cover should come off though, the clutch just barely fully engages when the lever is released (maybe it's worn out?) 4k miles
I’m not sure if you’re still replying to comments but I have a buell lightning x1 and it’s grinding when I down shift like it isn’t making contact proper to catch. It happens when I’m shifting into 2nd and 3rd from 4th. But if I let the rpm’s lower enough it doesn’t do it sometimes. If I adjust this screw will it help the contact for the plates as to not cause the grinding for down shifting. If so I’m curious should I ccw the screw all the way down to start then see if it still does it and then ride and see if I need to cw it back out 1/4 turn until adjusted properly. The clutch was slipping before a mechanic buddy messed with the screw a little so I am just trying to trouble shoot the grinding and also not trying to cause any slipping either.
Hi Steven, sounds like the primary chain may need adjusted as well. Or check the belt tension too. These bikes work(shift) much better when the belt is more on the loose side instead of what the service manual says. I believe I have videos for setting both of those.
What is the motor size on the bike you are working on? That looks exactly the same as the procedure for my 1200 Sportster. However, I know someone with a 2005 Buell blast 500cc they were asking me about adjusting the clutch is that the exact same setup? Thank you!
You're welcome! I got lucky on that steering stabilizer. It is a Storz, they probably still make them, but they are pricey new, around $450. I picked that up from a guy on Craigs, he was making a chopper and took all the stuff off the Buell he was robbing the engine from. Got it for 20 bucks but it needed rebuilt, Storz rebuilt it for 120 I think. It's on my S1 now.
Sorry for the late reply Joseph. Neither. As material gets used every time you use the clutch, the engagement and disengagement of the clutch changes. Adjusting it puts it in the "sweet spot" so there are no problems switching gears, as in gnashing of gears. Ideally you want the disengagement(releasing of the lever) about an inch away from your handlebar or roughly halfway through the clutch lever range of motion.
I appreciate this video. I ride an 01 Blast. My first bike, got it about 3 years ago with 4K miles now It has almost 12K. I live in LA so my bike is my only mode of transportation. Its at that age I guess where I'm going to have to start replacing things, which I'm also pretty new to. Clutch cable snapped on be a few days ago. Your video in part showed me how to replace it, along with a few others. So I've the new cable installed, I was working on the adjustment, to which I had to come back to your video for a refresher, then ran out of daylight. I have one question for you, am I'm hoping you can respond asap. I have my bike on a rear wheel stand and I'm wondering if the back wheel is supposed to spin freely while the bike is in gear and the clutch lever is pulled? I have to finish it tomorrow, so a quick response would be awesome. I'm hoping I did everything right.
Hi Jay, glad the video helped! Depends on how fast it is spinning, it will rotate some. Hit the rear brake, then release it and see how fast it gets going...if you can stop it while rubbing your foot on the rear tire, (don't use your hand!) then you are good. Be careful not to knock it off the stand while you're doing that! Takes a few tries sometimes to get it right.
Hey man. I know this is an older video but is that all you have to do to adjust the clutch? Have a 2004 buell blast and it’s sat for probably 12 years and had only 950 miles on it. The guy said he maintained it every year but the clutch feels extremely lose. Sometime the bike will get stuck in second as well and not go into first. Any input would be much appreciated. Thank you
tommyboy790 Yeah that is it. Will it go into first when it isn't running? I hope you changed the primary oil after it had sat for so long. I have a video on adjusting the primary chain, which may need done as well.
No. Should only be a quart of fluid in there at best. If there is more, it is one of 2 things. Either someone overfilled it, or the crank seal is bad, allowing motor oil to come in from the engine. Another indicator of a bad crank seal is if you are getting oil coming from the transmission vent tube after a ride. Assuming of course we are talking tube frame Buell's. I have a video on how to fix that crank seal if it turns out that is the problem: ua-cam.com/video/jdovl68LIFo/v-deo.html
Thank you for your thoughtful response, I'm a new rider learning maintenance so everything is helpful. I have a Buell blast and took off the cover to adjust my clutch and about 2 cups of oil poured out. I haven't noticed anything to indicate a bad crank seal. The issue was my clutch lever could not disengage the clutch but the bike could still roll in gear. This clutch problem showed up out of the blue one day and I can't put the bike in neutral to start it.
Unless you know the guy, I wouldn't believe him! In any case, I would check the clutch adjustment and refill to proper oil level, and see what it does from there. It may have been just overfilled with oil by the previous owner.
I just had my 1999 Buell S3 towed home all the sudden i Had no clutch that was 12-18-22...After watching your video a few minutes ago 12-21-2022 went downstairs and adjusted my clutch per this video and my bike works fine .....LOL I was going to buy a pulley for 479.00 from ebay you just saved me that whole deal from this video....TY
Glad it helped!
Hi Mike, you're welcome! For some reason, UA-cam is not letting me reply to your comment. When you adjust the adjuster out on the cable, you are releasing the pressure on the clutches(bringing all the plates together).What you are actually turning with the screwdriver is the throw-out bearing shaft. It is adjusting the ramp, which is what your cable is attached to. The ramp makes contact with the diaphragm spring/pressure plate of the clutch pack. So what you do when you bottom it(lightly), is you are adjusting to any material loss from the clutch plates. Hard to visualize, but find a factory service manual, and always have that on hand!
Thanks bro. Great video.
Glad it helped!
your vids are informative and straight to the point with no bs..thank you.
i adjusted mine just like you stated but while turning the flathead screw behind cover ccw, mine got tight and wouldnt bottom out. cable was adjusted as far as the nut would allow. what actually does turning this screw ccw do?
Thank you for the video and thank you for following up with people in the comments! I am about to adjust my 06 blast I just picked up. First bike and the clutch feels a little odd.
Perfect starter bike!
@@dbc1dc I adjusted just the cable and its much better, I am guessing the side cover should come off though, the clutch just barely fully engages when the lever is released (maybe it's worn out?) 4k miles
I’m not sure if you’re still replying to comments but I have a buell lightning x1 and it’s grinding when I down shift like it isn’t making contact proper to catch. It happens when I’m shifting into 2nd and 3rd from 4th. But if I let the rpm’s lower enough it doesn’t do it sometimes. If I adjust this screw will it help the contact for the plates as to not cause the grinding for down shifting. If so I’m curious should I ccw the screw all the way down to start then see if it still does it and then ride and see if I need to cw it back out 1/4 turn until adjusted properly. The clutch was slipping before a mechanic buddy messed with the screw a little so I am just trying to trouble shoot the grinding and also not trying to cause any slipping either.
Hi Steven, sounds like the primary chain may need adjusted as well. Or check the belt tension too. These bikes work(shift) much better when the belt is more on the loose side instead of what the service manual says. I believe I have videos for setting both of those.
Thank you.
What is the motor size on the bike you are working on? That looks exactly the same as the procedure for my 1200 Sportster. However, I know someone with a 2005 Buell blast 500cc they were asking me about adjusting the clutch is that the exact same setup? Thank you!
Hi, yes this is the 1200(1203) motor. Will work the same for the Blast.
@@dbc1dc Thank you for the video and thank you for following u
Very informative video thank you . And also can you tell me where did you get the steering stabilizer From ?
You're welcome! I got lucky on that steering stabilizer. It is a Storz, they probably still make them, but they are pricey new, around $450. I picked that up from a guy on Craigs, he was making a chopper and took all the stuff off the Buell he was robbing the engine from. Got it for 20 bucks but it needed rebuilt, Storz rebuilt it for 120 I think. It's on my S1 now.
dbc1dc thank you , I will see if I can get as lucky as you did.. safe riding..
Are you unstiffening the clutch lever? Or are you making the clutch utself looser and easier for the gears to grab
Sorry for the late reply Joseph. Neither. As material gets used every time you use the clutch, the engagement and disengagement of the clutch changes. Adjusting it puts it in the "sweet spot" so there are no problems switching gears, as in gnashing of gears. Ideally you want the disengagement(releasing of the lever) about an inch away from your handlebar or roughly halfway through the clutch lever range of motion.
I appreciate this video. I ride an 01 Blast. My first bike, got it about 3 years ago with 4K miles now It has almost 12K. I live in LA so my bike is my only mode of transportation. Its at that age I guess where I'm going to have to start replacing things, which I'm also pretty new to. Clutch cable snapped on be a few days ago. Your video in part showed me how to replace it, along with a few others. So I've the new cable installed, I was working on the adjustment, to which I had to come back to your video for a refresher, then ran out of daylight. I have one question for you, am I'm hoping you can respond asap. I have my bike on a rear wheel stand and I'm wondering if the back wheel is supposed to spin freely while the bike is in gear and the clutch lever is pulled? I have to finish it tomorrow, so a quick response would be awesome. I'm hoping I did everything right.
Hi Jay, glad the video helped! Depends on how fast it is spinning, it will rotate some. Hit the rear brake, then release it and see how fast it gets going...if you can stop it while rubbing your foot on the rear tire, (don't use your hand!) then you are good. Be careful not to knock it off the stand while you're doing that! Takes a few tries sometimes to get it right.
Hey man. I know this is an older video but is that all you have to do to adjust the clutch? Have a 2004 buell blast and it’s sat for probably 12 years and had only 950 miles on it. The guy said he maintained it every year but the clutch feels extremely lose. Sometime the bike will get stuck in second as well and not go into first. Any input would be much appreciated. Thank you
tommyboy790 Yeah that is it. Will it go into first when it isn't running? I hope you changed the primary oil after it had sat for so long. I have a video on adjusting the primary chain, which may need done as well.
Did oil pour out once you took the cap off the clutch box?
No. Should only be a quart of fluid in there at best. If there is more, it is one of 2 things. Either someone overfilled it, or the crank seal is bad, allowing motor oil to come in from the engine. Another indicator of a bad crank seal is if you are getting oil coming from the transmission vent tube after a ride. Assuming of course we are talking tube frame Buell's. I have a video on how to fix that crank seal if it turns out that is the problem: ua-cam.com/video/jdovl68LIFo/v-deo.html
Thank you for your thoughtful response, I'm a new rider learning maintenance so everything is helpful.
I have a Buell blast and took off the cover to adjust my clutch and about 2 cups of oil poured out. I haven't noticed anything to indicate a bad crank seal. The issue was my clutch lever could not disengage the clutch but the bike could still roll in gear. This clutch problem showed up out of the blue one day and I can't put the bike in neutral to start it.
You're welcome Jeff. Did you just get the bike or was it sitting for a period of time?
I just bought it from a guy who was riding it avidly
Unless you know the guy, I wouldn't believe him! In any case, I would check the clutch adjustment and refill to proper oil level, and see what it does from there. It may have been just overfilled with oil by the previous owner.